Archive of Our Own ^beta

Moving to a big city isn’t the worst thing that could happen to someone. When you’ve lived your entire life in a small town, like a village, growing up in a farm and being around plants and animals more than people or buildings, moving to a big city is new and exciting and it came with a whole new life to discover. 

Taehyung had learned, from the very first time he set foot in Seoul, that it was maybe a little too big for him. He was six when he visited his aunt and his three cousins, but since then things had changed, and they’d moved. So it was Taehyung all by himself in the big city once again. And Seoul was beautiful, he had to admit, but it was also a bit… overwhelming, at times. As overwhelming as it was, though, he learned to enjoy it, bit by bit, and find new people so he wouldn’t be lonely. 

“Do you have the keys? Oh my god, everything is falling. Chae, come on! Did you get the keys, Sun?!”

That’s what he hears before looking back at the stairs and noticing three people trying to carry a heavy load of things. Quickly he realises they’re trying to get to the same floor as he is, and then he starts to walk faster so he wouldn’t bother them. The luggages are huge, he doesn’t want to be the reason someone drops everything or falls down. 

“If you’d let me help you then nothing would fucking falling down, you dumbass.” Another voice came from behind the group. “I can carry more stuff, you know? I’ve been healed for an entire month now, Min.”

“Better be careful still.” The same voice from before says, clearly struggling. 

Taehyung sees the number to his room a few doors down and rushes to open it, getting inside quickly. The room isn’t too big, but it’s nice. There’s a window to the street, and he spots all the people down there walking by. The neighborhood seems cool too, and he’s seen a lot of young people from the bus station to the building, so it’s probably full of students. He smiles to himself and gets his luggage to pull it to the bed closer to the window, setting his things closer to himself so he can start organizing it, when he hears voices through the door, the same ones as before. He keeps looking at it, waiting for something to happen, and then it opens, revealing three people curiously peeking inside.

“Hello?”

“Oh, hi!” a boy with blonde hair enters with a few bags. “My name is Jimin, I think… I’ll be your roommate?”

He smiles, and Taehyung thinks they’ll be good friends. 

“My name is Taehyung.”

After they shake hands, Jimin introduces him to Chayeoung and Youngsun, his two best friends, and then he tells him he’ll be back soon, right after he helps them with their own luggage. Taehyung offers to help, and they accept it, and that’s when he starts to feel a little less lonely in the city.

But because he was born in a big family, he’s used to chaos almost all the time, which means he’s also used to finding time for himself. He goes on walks and tries to find places where he can just be with his thoughts, just like he did when he went to his grandmother’s farm. He cared for the animals and helped her pick some vegetables and fruits, and it helped him think, helped him relax. 

Walking through Seoul, however, wasn’t as calming as helping his grandmother, he found. It was hard finding peace in the middle of cars, tall buildings and a huge wave of people. It took him approximately 8 months to actually find tiny spaces in between huge restaurants with small businesses, tiny streets leading to interesting stores he’d never found if he hadn’t actually explored the city. He remembers getting to the small corner store at the alley he found behind his building. The old lady sitting by the counter reading a book opened the biggest smile to him when he entered for the first time. She sold the most various things to eat, but it also had a few tables and he sat down to eat some. Mrs. Lee’s food always reminded him of home, and he went back multiple times. 

It took him another 2 months to find a bookstore in a small street a couple of blocks from his college building. He entered there by mistake, trying to find the coffee shop Chaeyoung had mentioned in their first semester, but apparently he went to the wrong side. He didn’t know that back then, so upon seeing a small green store with glass doors, he just entered. 

The shop smelled like home, for some reason. It wasn’t as small as it seemed, it was long and he couldn’t even see the back from where he stood. Soon he understood it was actually a bookstore. There were long rows of bookcases, one after the other, filled with many many books, some which Taehyung could identify even from afar. He saw a few copies he had when he was younger, where he figured it would be the children’s section. A bit further, on the right side, there was a passage, but he couldn’t see what was there apart from a stand he had no idea what it was doing there. By his left there was another stand, smaller, with a few bookmarkers standing and, apparently, it was the cashier’s place. But there was no one there.

He took a step further, looking around the shop in awe of the amount of books displayed. He loved bookstores, he loved books, and he could get lost in them easily if he had the time to do so. If he didn’t, then he got lost anyway as if they were magical places welcoming him home. Without realizing, a smile made its way to his face at the smell of the millions of pages in front of him. As a literature student, Taehyung felt like bookstores were heaven on earth, and he wouldn’t feel half as good anywhere else. Books were like a particular obsession, if he were to be honest. He loved reading, and the feeling of a book in your hands, the pages on your fingers and being able to acquire more and more of a story was perfect for Taehyung. He wouldn’t trade it for a thing.

“Hello? Sorry, I was bringing some more books to the front.” A voice came from the back, and he couldn’t see who it was but it seemed to be an old lady. “I’m sorry if I kept you waiting, dear. How can I help you?”

Then, he saw an old woman coming with a pile of books, immediately rushing to help her. She laughed and kept walking to the stand at his side, setting the books there.

“I might be old, but I’m still strong. Thank you for trying to help, though.” She smiled at him and it reminded him a little of his grandmother. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Uh… I… Well, actually I was looking for a coffee shop my friend recommended to me, but I think… I might have it wrong.” Taehyung smiled, a little embarrassed by the situation. “Although, to be honest, finding a bookstore is way better. I don’t even like coffee, I was just going there for the cake.”

The woman laughed and Taehyung followed, glad that she wasn’t mad at him for admitting he wasn’t looking for any books. Truth be honest, he was always looking for a book to read. He just wasn’t interested in buying anything specific at the moment.

“Well, if you want some cake I just baked one this morning before opening the store, you can have some if you want!”

“Oh. Oh, no, that’s fine! Thank you for offering, it’s very nice of you.” He says, and then a silence settles, but before it gets weird he speaks again. “I will take a look at your store, I guess…”

“Of course! I’ll put these on their respective shelves, if you need anything just call me.” She says with a smile, getting the books back and walking away. “My name is Hyeri.”

That was the first time he met Hyeri, and he didn’t buy anything. But he came back multiple times in the next two months to buy different books or to show the place to his friends. By now Hyeri was close to him, as they talked for long minutes whenever Taehyung visited. And although he wanted to buy all the books there, he didn’t have money for that yet, he just needed to find a better job first.

He did, after a few more months, and when he got his first payment he went straight to the bookstore to buy himself the new book Jimin had mentioned to him a few weeks before. That’s when he understood why the bookstore was so insanely long. For the first time he took long minutes to look through the shelves, and he found different sections to choose from — science fiction, adventure, young adult, terror, fantasy, and many more. Hyeri even had a section with different languages. Taehyung was absolutely in love, and he would go back almost every week to look through the many titles, wishing he could buy them all.

The sun was shining bright up in the sky, the wind the weatherman said they’d have in Seoul apparently didn’t exist, and Taehyung felt like he could’ve chosen better clothes as he walked from college to the streets of the center. He wasn’t sweating yet, but he would be in a few minutes, so he rushed a bit to get to the bookstore quicker, afraid to be too sweaty to hug Hyeri. 

He could see the corner he needed to turn in a few meters, so he took a deep breath and kept walking without paying much attention to his way. If he did, he’d have seen the other young man coming out of a store by his right. In Taehyung’s defense, the other man didn’t see him either, so he wasn’t completely wrong on his own. They both were. 

“Ouch! Hey!” Taehyung turns around, holding himself on a lamppost before looking at the guy with a frown. “Be careful! I know Seoul is big and rushed but come on, man…”

The other had fallen to the ground and was still getting up after gathering his things, so Taehyung waited for him to look over to continue. He hated not looking people in the eye when they spoke. 

“You should be more careful, let’s be honest.” The man said, looking at Taehyung now, a frown present on his face as well. “You were the one bumping into me like you had somewhere so important to be. You could at least look where you’re going.”

“Ah, whatever. I need to go.”

Before the other man could do or say anything else, Taehyung straightened his posture and kept walking. He could almost feel the cold air of the bookstore when he heard the same voice call to him.

“Wait. Where are you going?” He turned the corner and didn’t mind the guy. It didn’t really matter to him where Taehyung was going. “Oh, it can’t be… Jesus…”

Taehyung didn’t understand, but then again, he didn’t care. All he cared about was getting to Hyeri to get some books, enjoy the air conditioning and then eat a piece of one of her cakes. He opened the door and was greeted with the smell of books, his favorite, and a sweet cinnamon scent coming from the back. He left his bag on the counter and took a deep breath before calling out to the old woman. 

“Hyeri-ssi?” He took a few steps forward when he saw the woman coming from the back with a plate of cake. He smiled instantly, hugging her when she was within his reach. “Ah, this is the best welcome you could give me on this hot day. Thank you very much.”

“It’s no problem. Tae-yah, what is that?” She pointed at his bag and his arms, which had a bit of dirt and he sighed.

“Ah, I bumped into someone getting here and then I almost fell, but there was a lamppost nearby and I held onto it. It must’ve been dirty. I’ll clean myself, I’m sorry. Can I use the restroom?”

She nodded and he quickly went and came back. To his surprise, however, the guy he bumped into before was coming inside the store. 

“Ah, sorry I’m late. I had to go back to clean some of my clothes. I bumped into someone and—” The man stopped, looking at Taehyung and laughing to himself. “Actually, I bumped into him.”

Taehyung walked to the front unsure of what to do or say. It’s not that he hated the guy or anything, but they clearly haven’t started on the best terms. Still, it seemed like he knew Hyeri, so Taehyung should probably stay quiet before he said something mean. 

“Oh, what a coincidence!”

“I didn’t know you knew Hyeri-ssi.”

The man laughed and looked at the old woman who smiled back at him. 

“Yes, actually… This is my grandmother.” 

“Your grandmother? This sweet person is your grandmother?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Taehyung didn’t want to argue, especially in front of Hyeri, much less with her grandson, but the surprise when he found out the situation he was in didn’t leave him much time to think. He just laughed to himself for a second before shaking his head, taking a deep breath and deciding to change his approach. Taehyung hated fights, and although he wasn’t one to just take it in silence, this was so minor it didn’t even matter.

“Nothing, I… Sorry if I was rude earlier. I just wanted to get here quicker. Being at the bookstore, at this bookstore, with your grandmother, is just really nice. Also it’s crazy hot outside, so I didn’t want to stay in the sun any longer.”

“I knew you only came here for the AC.” Hyeri laughed with the two boys, as her grandson agreed with a nod. “Well, since you are here, Hoseok-ah, I will introduce you to Taehyungie. He’s been a customer for months now. Taehyung, this is Hoseok, my grandson and also the one who takes care of this store most part of the time. Hoseok, this is Taehyung, one of our new loyal customers and a literature student. I think Hoseok is just a little older than you, Taehyung-ah.”

They shook hands and Taehyung would’ve gone to the usual place between the rows of books, but Hoseok called his attention. He started to ask about his graduation, his college, his friends, and soon they were deep in conversation. So deep that the old lady decided to leave them alone for a while. She felt happy to see the two getting along, at least for a bit. 

“So, Hyeri-ssi said you take care of the store most part of the time,” Taehyung started, now looking at a few books closer to the door. “How come I’ve never seen you here?”

“I’ve been abroad for almost a year and I’m coming back now. My grandmother was taking care of the store for me while I went to do a business course outside Korea. She’s very good at taking care of this place, but I’m the one in charge, usually.”

“Oh, that’s so cool.” For some reason Taehyung got even more excited hearing that. The idea of someone around his age having such a nice bookstore was so interesting, and he felt like he could talk to Hoseok for long hours after that. Sadly, his phone rang with a message from Jimin asking if he was ok since it’d been a few hours since he left the campus. “Wow, it’s been a while… My friend’s texting asking me if I’m ok. I should go, it’s late and I’ve been bothering you all this time. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about that. It was nice to have a chat with you! Come back whenever you want, please! The doors are always open!”

With that Taehyung got his things and left, the book he went to buy long forgotten. Hoseok waved and smiled at him as he walked to the door, and that’s something Taehyung would never forget.

Turns out he went back the next day, when his teacher of American Literature asked them to read another book and he realised he hadn’t even bought the one from the day before. He was so distracted by Hoseok and their conversation that he forgot to buy it, and now he’d have to rush between his classes and his job to go buy it.

Taehyung got up and started walking towards the exit quickly, checking the time every few minutes to see he was still on time. The streets weren’t as crowded as they used to be, which made it easier for him to walk faster, but it didn’t mean he would get there in time. He was worried about his job, but he also needed the two books as soon as possible. 

He looked at the phone once again right before opening the door quickly. It was 2:25pm already, he needed to be quick.

“Oh, hey!”

Taehyung turned so fast he almost fell, and he saw Hoseok by the counter waving at him.

“Hi Hoseok-ssi! Uh, I have to be quick today, I have work in like… half an hour, so I can't really stay for a chat today. Sorry.”

“It's ok. Do you need anything? Any help?”

“Uh… I need to find The Catcher in the Rye, if you have it. In English, please,” he took out a notebook from his bag and checked out his scribbles again. He really needed to improve his handwriting. “And do you have Brave New World? I need to do a paper on something and I chose this book before realizing I didn’t have it.”

That was a lie but he didn't want to admit he liked to collect different versions of books yet. Not many people understood his fascination and although Hoseok owned an entire book store, he was still unknown to Taehyung, the younger didn't want to be judged.

“That’s fine, I think I actually do.” Hoseok smiled at him, typing on the computer to check. And Taehyung was in a rush, but he could notice how beautiful the man’s smile was, shaped like a heart and shining so bright he felt a little warm inside from it. “System says we have a few copies, do you want to see? I’ll get The Catcher in the Rye while you’re at it.”

They walked a little down the shelves and Hoseok pointed out the section in which they kept George Orwell’s books. He couldn’t help but look at the other man walking away, kind of entranced by the way he walked. Taehyung had seen how pretty he was yesterday, but because of their conversation he got distracted. Right now, however, he could see it, and he thought it was hard to find someone this beautiful in life. 

“Here,” Hoseok rang the two books and pointed to the screen where the amount was showing. “Hope you enjoy it. I’ve read The Catcher in the Rye recently. Let me know what you think after you read it.”

“Will do.”

Taehyung took the bag with the books and put it carefully in his backpack, waving goodbye quickly to Hoseok before running out of the store to get the bus to work. He arrived just two minutes after his shift started,  but his boss wasn’t in yet, so Jiyeon was just there waiting for him happily.

“Sorry Jiyeon-ssi. I had to get a few books before coming here.” he raised his bag as proof but she just waved at him.

“It’s ok, Taehyung-ssi, I don’t mind. Plus it was just two minutes, you’re fine! If I were you I’d change, though, boss will be back from lunch soon.”

That made the boy run back to put the shirt from the convenience store he worked at. Jiyeon left right after and he started working, but it was very empty for a while. Since it wasn't so full, Taehyung got one of the books from his backpack and started reading.

It’s only the next week when Taehyung goes back to the bookstore. He started to get busy with some things in college, plus he was being careful not to be late to work anymore. When he finishes his paper on Monday night he looks at the book he had finished the night before, even though he still had a few other weeks to do so, and thinks he should go to the bookstore the next day. He really needed to talk to someone about it and although the few people he usually talked to about books online were cool and had read The Catcher in the Rye, Taehyung felt like he missed something more personal. 

The only time he had talked to Hoseok was so good it left him with a smile for a few days, which Jimin made sure to tease him even if Taehyung had already said it was nothing because he didn’t even know the guy properly. Which, if he was honest, it was very true. He had only one conversation with Hoseok, and though it was a nice one, it wasn’t enough to get to know him well. At least, not enough for Taehyung to develop a crush, even if he had a pretty smile.

“Hey! Thought you wouldn’t be back for a while since you bought two books last time, but grandma said you usually come a lot.” Hoseok said the moment he entered the store. He was sitting behind the counter but Taehyung could see the yellow shirt that he was sure wouldn’t look this good in anyone else. This put a smile on his face, yellow was one of his favorite colors. “Kept thinking you’d come sooner, then.”

“She’s right, I usually come at least a few times a week. I got a little busy with college this week, plus work… So yeah.”

“Ah, I know how that can be. Hope you’re free now so you can read one of the books you got.”

“Actually…” For some reason Taehyung felt a bit embarrassed, a bit shy by admitting he had read it already, which never happened before because he really didn’t care what people thought regarding this subject. His cheeks, however, were burning, and he hoped Hoseok wouldn’t see it. “I read The Catcher in the Rye already. My paper is due in three weeks, so now I have a lot of time to write it.”

“Oh, you’re fast!” This was the type of comment people made to him in a criticizing tone, for the most part, but hearing it from Hoseok wasn’t like that. He seemed endeared by it, at most. “That’s cool, though. Will you start Brave New World now too?”

“No, I think I’ll just write what I need for this book and then I’ll read Brave New World.” He looked around for a second before speaking again. “I read it when I was younger but… my copy is back home with my mom and I forgot to bring it last time I went there so… I had to buy another one.”

“Ah, you could’ve just borrowed mine!”

“Oh,” Taehyung didn’t know what to say, surprised by the kind gesture. They met just a week ago, and it was nice of him to offer, but he didn’t even know Taehyung. “Thank you. It’s fine, I… My copy was kind of old anyway.”

That’s also a lie, it was 3 years old maximum. However, revealing the true reason why it was fine for him to buy another version of the same book wasn’t something Taehyung planned to do right now to someone he had met just the week before. The only exception in these cases was Jimin, his best friend. When they met they clicked instantly, and since then have been inseparable, Jimin making his life much less miserable and lonely, while Taehyung made Jimin’s life a lot more organized and focused. They completed each other too well, so Taehyung was very open about almost everything with Jimin. 

Hoseok was clearly a nice person, but he wasn’t Jimin, and he didn’t want to be judged by the person who would be selling most if not all the future books he’d buy. He’d rather be able to buy all the books he wanted in peace until Hoseok figured it out. It wasn’t even something embarrassing, but Taehyung preferred to keep it to himself for now.

“Understandable, then. Do you have some time now? The other day you were running and all, but since you finished the book, I wanted to know your thoughts, if you have any time…right now… Or later too, whichever is better for you.”

For a second Taehyung thought the lightning was doing something strange, but then he realised that his eyes were seeing it perfectly: Hoseok was blushing. His cheeks were red and he kept looking elsewhere, and Taehyung wondered if he made the guy uncomfortable by showing up like that. Maybe he didn’t want to talk about the book or something, or maybe he just didn’t want to talk to Taeyung. Just because he was nice the other day didn’t mean he truly wanted to be friends, or something. He probably didn’t even want to— 

“Taehyung?”

“Oh, hey, yeah, sure!” He answered before he could think it over. In hindsight, Taehyung felt like he was probably freaking out a little bit, for some reason. Hoseok was the one to ask if he wanted to talk about the book, so… “Yes, sorry, I just zoned out for a second. I want to, yes. That’s why I came here! Or at least, one of the reasons why…”

It was his turn to blush and he knew it was out of embarrassment, but that didn’t seem to faze Hoseok, who smiled at him so brightly Taehyung almost melted right there. He didn’t really understand what was going on with him, being all warm like this just because of someone’s smiles, and a person he barely even knew, at that! Taehyung decided to just ignore it for now. If he did, then it’d either fade away or he could figure it out later on. Now all he needed to do was focus on Hoseok and The Catcher in the Rye.

Which is what he does, talking to Hoseok for two hours about the book and their respective views on it. It came as a surprise that the other had around the same vision of it that he did. Their book talk became a traveling talk, and Hoseok told him all about London, where he’d lived for a while to study dance. Taehyung mentioned the one time he went to Japan with his parents when they were younger, and he’d never seen someone look so interested in it as Hoseok did. So Taehyung went on and on, especially because he just loved the memories he had from this trip.

As Hoseok started to talk about street food, Taehyung got a little lost. He wished he would have paid attention but if he was honest, Hoseok’s eyes spoke much more to him than anything else, and he got distracted by them. Something that came back to bite when Hoseok asked what was his favorite food of all.

“I’m not sure… Most part of the time is Japchae, but I love hamburgers so much.” He smiled, turning away as if embarrassed of his answer. A feeling of shyness creeping up on him that wasn’t exactly usual, but it seemed to come up whenever around Hoseok. “What about yours?”

“I do love hamburgers as well.” Hoseok laughed, and Taehyung was so hooked he laughed along, easy and open. He notices right then how contagious Hoseok’s laughter is. “Might need one soon, I’m now craving hamburgers. Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

They joke around a bit more until Taehyung looks outside and notices how dark it is. It’s almost time for dinner, he should go home, but he really doesn’t want to. But he doesn’t need to say anything either, because Hoseok jumps as he sees how late it is, saying he needs to close the store and run home.

“Sorry for that.” He says with a rush, clumsy as he tries to close the door while putting on his coat. Taehyung gets the keys from him and helps Hoseok close the doors as the older man slowly puts on his coat properly. “Thank you. I promise I won’t just run like this next time.”

“It’s fine, hyung. I can’t stay much longer either.” He smiles to ease Hoseok’s worries. He isn’t mad, he just wished he could talk more to the older.

“Uh… I hope this doesn’t sound creepy? Or eager… I just… hm, can I get your number? Like, we could text each other instead of you having to come here all the time, and then.. I don’t know, I just think it’d be easier. Sorry, I don’t mean to be intrusive or to sound like I don’t want you to come over, please do, I just—”

“Hyung, calm down. It’s ok.” Taehyung laughs a little at Hoseok’s nervousness, and extends his hand so he can get Hoseok’s cellphone and type in his number. For a moment, at least, he felt better that he wasn’t the only one slightly nervous in such situations, for whatever reason that could be. “Here.” He hands it back. “You can text me whenever, and I’ll text you back as soon as I can. Promise.”

“Thanks.” Hoseok smiles again and Taehyung mirrors him, thinking how long had it been since he’d smiled this much in such a small time. “Well, I guess I’m going to this side, so…”

“Me too. Gonna get the bus.” He replies as he sees that Hoseok is pointing towards his bus station.

“Cool, we can go there together.”

They walk in silence for a while, eyes on the way so they don’t bump into anyone, and for the first time in a while Taehyung meets someone he doesn’t get anxious about being silent around him. He feels calm around Hoseok, like he can talk for 12 years or stay silent for that same time and it would be fine. 

They only start talking again when Hoseok asks him which bus he’s taking, and they find out they’re taking different buses. Which is fine, it’s a time Taehyung can use to calm himself down before getting home. He doesn’t have anything to hide, necessarily, but he feels like Jimin knows more about him than himself sometimes, so he needs to prepare if he wants to face his soulmate. He’s not ready to hear whatever Jimin has to say about Hoseok.

Closing Brave New World felt like one of those out of body experiences. Taehyung felt that whenever he finished a book he got really immersed in, which was the case this time. He would probably go back to it again to take note of some things for his essays, but other than that he was ready to write it all. He could even hear the gears turning inside his head on the connections he would make.

His mind, then, drifted to Hoseok. It seemed to be doing that lately. He didn't exactly hate it, thinking about his smile made him warm in a way he didn't think he’s ever felt before. But on the other hand, it would leave him confused, as he got flustered whenever he was near Hoseok, it was embarrassing. It was even more embarrassing when he would try to get praised by his hyung. He’d kept sending hints that sometimes were left unnoticed by Hoseok, but he still tried over and over. Just because it felt good being praised by his hyung.

Sometimes Taehyung would zone out constantly in his presence while admiring him, and last time it happened, Hoseok blushed and laughed so brightly he felt like the sun was in front of him. It was so good he kept replaying it in his head.

A ding took his mind off of the boy for a mere second because when he looked at his phone, his mind went right back to Hoseok, his name flashing on the screen. It was like the older could read his mind. 

Taehyung clicked on the notification and saw their conversation open, a picture of Hoseok with a book he’d seen before somewhere beside his smile. A message followed, Hoseok saying he’d ordered some copies and asking if Taehyung wanted it. He did, but before he answered he made sure to look at the selfie for a few seconds, maybe a bit too long but that’s what he’d been doing for the past few weeks.

He couldn’t stop himself, seeing Hoseok made his heart beat a little faster and liking it or not, he had to admit it, at least to himself. Taehyung couldn’t even really hate the feeling because it made him feel so good… warm, safe, like a summer evening he went out and enjoyed it by the beach with his favorite people. It was rare that he felt like this, but the fact that he admitted to himself that this was how Hoseok made him feel sometimes was a huge step already.

Maybe as the days went by he’d get used to it, it would subside and then be gone. Maybe it was because Hoseok was someone new and excited about life and books, just like him, and maybe it was because they had some things in common which made Taehyung feel safe around him. Maybe it was his smile, shining bright even on Taehyung’s rainiest days. Maybe it was his habit of hugging him whenever he went over to the bookstore, or the way he’d say “hyung will pay” when they went out for coffee (for Hoseok, and cake for Taehyung). 

Taehyung wasn’t exactly sure what it was, but when he felt Hoseok draping himself over him on the bookstore one of those days after Taehyung mentioning the way he had to push Jimin out of his room so he’d stop sneaking in and stealing his books, he blushed once again, smile easy on his face, peaceful. His heart racing against his ribcage and the warmth of the summer washing over him again, making him relax in the midst of the confusion he was in.

“Kim Taehyung, why didn’t you tell me you had a boyfriend?”

His head shot up to see Jimin walking inside the convenience store he worked at. He looked around, hoping for someone to be there so he could tell Jimin to keep it low, but it was empty. Usually it filled up a little later as people wanted quick and cheap food, so Taehyung just sighed and asked.

“Because I don’t have one.” Jimin rolled his eyes as if annoyed at Taehyung for lying to him, which he really wasn’t. “Why do you think I have a boyfriend?”

“Wheein was having lunch with me earlier and she said she saw you on a Saturday evening having coffee with a pretty guy. Hot guy, that’s what she said.” Jimin walked over to the back of the counter ignoring Taehyung’s whining, telling him his boss would be mad that he was in there. “That’s because she came straight to me telling you had a boyfriend and I asked her what she meant, so she told me that. She said you two were cozy as hell too, laughing too much and stuff…” 

“I don’t have a boyfriend, Min. He’s simply a friend.”

Although maybe Taehyung wanted it to be different.

“Hm, ok. If you say so…” Jimin picks a pack of gum from behind the counter and leaves on it, then goes to the other side of it, looking for something.

“What do you need?”

“Sugar.” he says, going towards it and getting the package and putting it on the counter for Taehyung to ring up as well. “I used the last bit trying to make cookies with Chae, but apparently they burned so…”

“You two will burn our place someday.” Taehyung laughs and gives him the bag with the sugar and the gum. “Why didn’t you ask the guy in the apartment in front of ours? Jungi, isn’t it?”

“Yoongi. Why would I ask him?”

“You were literally asking him to lend you some flour the other night. Isn't sugar the usual thing people go for when they want to start conversations with hot neighbors they are interested in?”

Jimin blushed at that, because of course Taehyung would pick up on something like that, even if he had said the other day he wasn’t interested in the guy. Taehyung knew Jimin way too well sometimes, but he also felt safe with him, so he didn’t mind telling him this kind of thing. Sometimes.

“I— Listen! It wasn’t like that. It was 10PM, and it was kind of cold, and—”

“Min, it was like 25 degrees celsius and we still had flour… You were just being obvious to me.”

“Ok, anyway. I wanted to make cookies with Chae and we would need sugar anyway, don’t need to put me on the spot like that.” Jimin raised his hands and they both laughed at it. “It’s not like I could even do the same to you because all of your friends are like… me, Chae and Sun. And Hyeri from the bookstore, so… Oh, and the new friend, or boyfriend.”

“Hey, I have friends, ok?” Jimin raised his eyebrow on a challenge. “Well… I have Jungkook—”

“The guy from your Literature and Other Arts class you actually talked to twice and that I have talked to more than you? Poor thing, he’s still a little scared to talk to you because he thinks you’re too attractive for him to start a conversation with. He doesn’t count. And before you say it, Yoongi hyung doesn’t count either. Just because both of you bonded like once because you’re both from Daegu in the elevator of our building doesn’t mean you’re friends.”

“Ouch. Well, ok. That’s all I got.”

“The new friend, though… How is he? Cute? Nice? Funny? Wait, forget that last one. According to Sun you both were laughing your asses off, so he’s probably super funny.”

“He kinda is, but you also heard that from Sun who likes to gossip and half the time is exaggerating on things, so...”

“What’s his name anyway? Who is he? Why haven’t we truly talked about him?”

“We have, it’s Hoseok hyung.”

At that Jimin smirked, an ‘ah’ coming out of his mouth as if he finally understood something. Whatever it was, Taehyung wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“Yes, you have mentioned Hoseok-ssi a few times.”

Taehyung’s head fell to the side, questioning what Jimin meant by that, but the other just stayed silent for a few seconds more.

“Is he cute? Pretty?”

“Does it matter?”

“Just asking, Tae.” He smirks again, and Taehyung sighs, knowing exactly what his friend is thinking.

“It isn’t like that.” But Jimin looks at him with those eyes that say he will insist on it until Taehyung spits it, so he does. “Yes, he is. Very pretty, to be honest.”

“Invite him over sometime.”

“Just so you can ask him fifty thousand questions and scare him? No, thanks.”

“I would not!” Jimin whines, then puts on a serious face so Taehyung knows he’s being honest. “I just want to help you, and I want to meet the person who’s making you laugh so hard. Sun can be the one to always gossip but I heard it in her tone how honest she was about your happiness. She cares too, she wouldn’t lie about that.”

“I know, it’s just…” Taehyung doesn’t really know what to say. He’s been so confused regarding Hoseok lately, he wasn’t expecting Jimin to confront him this soon. Feelings are confusing. “I’m just not so sure of what… to do. I need some time for that.”

“Wasting time is so 2005, Tae…”

“And being too quick too. I like hanging out with him, and I don’t want to risk that. I’m still confused about this, so just...”

Taehyung waved his hand as if to tell him to leave it. Jimin looked at him as if to wait until he admitted the contrary, but he could see the honesty in Taehyung’s eyes. After some months Jimin figured Taehyung wasn’t one to open up quickly to many people, although he could make quite a few nice friends. He knew, too, after a while, that relationships aren't something Taehyung was too interested in, either. He’d had only one girlfriend back in highschool, although he had a few more crushes here and there over the years, and had hooked up with a few other people too. 

“Well, it’s fine. Whatever it is, you should invite him over when you get the time, or when you figure it out, then.” The bell by the entrance rings and the two look over to the customer, so Jimin pulls away from the counter and starts walking towards the door. “I’ll get going. See you later, Tae.”

“See you.”

“Hey hyung, do you have the english version of Demian?”

“Let me check.” 

As the older one goes behind the computer to search for the copy, Taehyung wanders around the store. He’s been there a thousand times, even more lately considering he tries to spend as much time with Hoseok as possible, but it never gets old to walk down the aisles looking at the books and exploring different worlds within them. Taehyung changes from corridor to corridor, losing himself in the most various universes it it. 

He’s always been a lover of literature and books, one of the reasons he became a literature student. When he moved to Seoul to study, one of the things he made sure to get with him was his book collection, which already had a few different versions of the same books. It was something Taehyung liked to do, buy versions in many languages, sometimes some he didn’t even speak, or special editions, just because he liked the new cover or the new editing, the comments. It made him fall in love with the book and sometimes even with the story all over again.

In the past few months, however, it seemed his collection grew incredibly. And of course he could think of at least five different reasons to use, especially his love for collecting books. But deep down, he knew it was because he went to the store too much, and he needed an excuse for that. Or at least he thought so. That’s why whenever he went over he asked Hoseok to find him a book, and he usually had it, which is why he had so many books he couldn’t even keep them in one place. Jimin told him to start putting it up in their living room, but even then the shelves were quickly filled. Taehyung ended up ordering another one online to put in his room.

“I found it.” Taehyung jumps at Hoseok’s voice so close to him, a book in his hand and the calm smile on his face. “I didn’t know you could speak spanish.”

“Yeah, I know a few languages and I’m trying to practice and improve them. This is the best way I found for now.”

“At least you’ll have fun.” Hoseok said, taking a step closer and looking at the books Taehyung was eyeing before. Now, all he could look at was Hoseok’s mouth. “This one is really good, too.”

He looked at where Hoseok was pointing, a black book with a simple cover, from Murakami.

“Oh, I really like Murakami. This is actually the only one I haven’t read yet. Have you?” Taehyung asks, looking back at the older. Hoseok looks at the book, but his cheeks are clearly red, and Taehyung wonders why, while a silence stretches between them. “Hyung?”

“Hm, yes. I-I have.” Hoseok hesitates but then he seems to take courage to speak again. “You know I... He’s… My grandma knows someone from his Korean publishing company and they offered her a couple of copies of his new book and I was thinking… Maybe you’d like one?”

Taehyung didn’t know why his cheeks kept burning but he nodded, scared to open his mouth and say something embarrassing. He felt like he lost his voice, too shy to talk.

“There’s an event for it, to be honest. It’s not- Not just the copies.” Hoseok says, and he looks down at the ground, shy as well. Taehyung feels so awkward, but his heart beats fast and he wants to hold Hoseok’s hand, tell him it’s ok, whatever it is. Tell him he doesn’t need to be shy because Taehyung also feels shy around him. Tell him they could be shy together, maybe. “Would you like to go with me? Murakami will be there and, I don’t know. I thought it would be cool since you like his books. But like, if you don’t want to, then- then that’s fine too.”

“No, I’d love to, hyung.” He says, low, shy. A little less, just enough to smile at Hoseok who’s now looking at him, a smile growing slowly. “Just… tell me the place and time, and I’ll be there.”

“Oh, I- I was thinking I could take you?” Hoseok opens his mouth a few times, how would he explain his intentions without making it weird? “I was thinking of… taking you and then, maybe, we could… go eat? And, uh…”

“ Oh .”

“Yeah.”

That’s the moment Taehyung completely understands what he means with his invite, the shyness and the little stuttering uncommon to someone so outgoing like Hoseok. He smiles a little, shy as well, and he almost groans because he feels so stupid for not noticing. It was also his own fault for denying what he was feeling too, and it blinded him for so long that he didn’t see what Hoseok was trying to show him.

The glances, the laughter that followed whatever he said, the constant texts that started with book talks to evolve into their everyday lives. Complaining about rude customers to one another, and the way he kept sending pictures of the books that arrived at the store. Even more, the way he seemed to talk to Taehyung, much softer than he did with anyone else. The way he always seemed touchy, but not in an annoying way, just warm and safe, that made Taehyung’s heart accelerate so much he didn’t notice how Hoseok’s was also quickly beating against his chest. 

How could he not notice it before?

“If this isn’t what you want, then it’s ok, I—”

“No, no, hyung! Hey, no, I just- I feel dumb because I haven’t noticed before, but of course I want to go.” Taehyung smiles at him and decides to be a little bold for once, and he holds Hoseok’s free hand first, the other one still has a book that he puts it back onto the shelf. “I would love to. I’ve been wanting to ask you out for a while now. Thank you for beating me up to it, otherwise we’d probably be like that for at least a few more months.”

They both laugh and Hoseok pulls him closer just so he can hug Taehyung a little, the need to be touching, to be close, showing up like it always ended up happening. Taehyung wanted to have a little more courage, but when he woke up today he didn’t know he’d end it with a date.

“Hey Min, remember the boyfriend I supposedly had, the one Sun told you about?”

Jimin murmurs back from the kitchen, busy with dinner, but always paying attention.

“Well… Soon it won’t be supposedly anymore.” At that Jimin almost screams “what?!”, running to the entrance to question him all about it. “He’s asked me on a date.”

“Do I look good?”

“When don’t you?” Taehyung raises his eyebrows at his friends and the three rush to say ‘yes’.

“I’m nervous, not going to lie.” He sits besides Chaeyoung and starts picking on his fingers before she pulls his hands apart. “I haven’t been on a real date with someone I like since the beginning of high school, I don’t really know what to do, or how to behave.”

“Tae, you just have to be you and act like you always do around him. He asked you out because he likes you, plus he wanted to do something nice for you.” Chaeyoung says and puts a strand of hair behind his ear. “A date is just… hanging out with a friend, but with someone you probably like. Just talk like you both always do.”

“I know, but…” He sighs, still stressed about it. “But before we were hanging out as friends, I didn’t mind. Now I do mind, and I want him to kiss me, not be a simple friend!”

“It doesn’t matter, if he asked you out, and you accepted it, he knows what your intentions are. You even mentioned you wanted to ask him out, didn’t you?”

“Yes…”

“Then it’ll be fine. Don’t worry too much, ok?” Youngsun tells him while she moves to give him a hug. 

His phone rings with a notification and he sees it’s Hoseok letting him know he’s arrived.

“I have to go, he’s here.”

“Have fun!” The three scream and wave, excited for him too.

As soon as he leaves the building he sees Hoseok leaning in his car and his smile grows when he sees Taehyung. He hugs Taehyung tightly before complimenting him and opening the door for him. Taehyung feels his cheeks warm up, thanking Hoseok, and entering the car. He feels giddy, excited for the event, but even more to spend most part of his Saturday with Hoseok.

“Do you want to listen to some music?” Hoseok hands him his phone, and he picks one of the playlists. 

He’s done it before many times in the store, used to look through the older’s playlists and create others with songs the both of them enjoy. Hoseok smiles as he hears Saturday Nights by Khalid play. It’s their favorite song, and they both start to sing. Taehyung feels like he’s never felt before, happy, warm. It’s always so warm with him, it’s incredible how comfortable they are together.

When they arrive, they go get their copies and enter the line to get them signed. Taehyung makes sure to tell the author how much he liked his work, and they stay a little longer to take pictures and to explore the bookstore where the event was set. After a few more minutes Hoseok approached him again with a bag.

“Hey, what’s that?” Taehyung asks.

“I got you something.” Hoseok hands him the bag and it’s from the store they’re in. “I hope you like it.”

Taehyung takes it, a little hesitant because he didn’t get anything for Hoseok, but he wants to accept the nice gesture. He opens the nice package and he sees the three versions of Murakami’s new book he could find there: a korean one, a japanese one and one pocket version with a beautiful cover in it. His heart fills with so much happiness he really can’t say anything.

“Do you like it? Should I change it?”

Taehyung shakes his head and slowly gets close to the older. For once he doesn’t feel scared or too shy, and he’s glad, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to look down at Hoseok’s lips quickly before kissing him. His arms go around Hoseok’s neck to pull him closer, and the other holds him by the waist as their lips slide against each other. 

Taehyung feels like he’s in one of his romance books, the very first time he reads it, which is fresh, new, not exactly perfect, but so exciting and sweet he wants to read it all in one go but holds back to enjoy it properly. He wants to keep kissing Hoseok forever, and hold his hand for an eternity, but eventually they pull back. 

Hoseok smiles big at him, the bright smile he has that lights up Taehyung’s days and warms up his nights, and he smiles back, pecking him a few more times. He’s happy and he feels like this is it. This is the type of feeling books talk about, the sweet love they describe, when you fall for someone who’s made just for you, so fitting that you feel at home .

And it’s then that he realizes how in love with Hoseok he is. It’s right then that he realizes he is in love . And it feels like the first time, new, giddy, his atoms seem to be vibrating inside him and he kisses Hoseok once again to calm them down. Right there, in between lines and lines of books, and the smell of pages filled with love, and the sense of safety embracing them exactly where they’re touching each other. In Taehyung’s waist, in Hoseok’s neck and on their lips.