Chapter Text
“I wanna be where you are, But I can't follow, I'd rather live in the past, Than face tomorrow”
summer ‘09 by vancouver sleep clinic
🌻
Hoseok brought his hand up to shield his eyes from the sun as he scanned the parking lot. Shakily, with the other hand, he began to maneuver his cart through the rows towards his car.
It was Thursday, almost the end of another week. Judging from the golden rays of sunlight still shining at 5:30 in the evening, it was nearing the beginning of summer.
Hoseok had stopped at the store on his way home from work. It was all part of his normal routine, preferring to pick up groceries on Fridays to avoid the weekend shopping rush.
But this Friday felt different.
The sun was brighter, and Hoseok found himself hit with a wave of nostalgia as the feeling of warmth washed over his too clothed skin.
Hoseok finished loading up the trunk and hopped inside his yellow pick-up truck. He never thought his personality suited the rugged choice in vehicles but his work called for it.
During the week, Hoseok worked a 9-5 job at the local Department of Commerce for his small town.
He was the Communications Manager, in charge of a very small team of one other person, Yeonjun. Together, they worked to keep the citizens of their town updated on anything that seemed newsworthy.
This meant photographing town events, helping the journalism team with editing articles for the monthly newsletter, and corresponding with the provincial government on any marketing related to the town.
Hoseok enjoyed this work. It was something different everyday, but at the same time it wasn’t overwhelming. Being able to incorporate his passion for photography into his day job was an added plus.
On the weekends however, Hoseok ran his family's fruit farm, Jung Family Farms.
Once run by his grandparents, Hoseok took over the family business slowly as they became too old for the labor intensive work.
His grandparents still helped out during the busy season, usually working in the small store on the property. The store sold jams, pies, and other baked goods using the farm’s fruit. It also sold various wares from local artisans.
Jung Family Farms was a staple in their small town community. They grew an assortment of berries and apples, with sprawling acres of land full of orchards. The produce was sold to many local restaurants and small grocery stores.
Their pick your own options had been a community loved summer activity for nearly four decades. Their popularity in the community even expanded beyond, with people from all over the area visiting Jung Farms during June through September.
During the summer, Hoseok went down to part time work at the office so he could focus on the farm. The other months of the year were very slow; he was grateful for the flexibility his other job offered him.
With being so loved in the community, Hoseok and his family had a great reputation. Everyone was always willing to help and support the Jung’s with whatever they might need.
Hoseok was 28 now, stepping into the role of owner at a young age. But he had practically grown up learning how to harvest and grow fruit.
He now lived on the farm’s property with his best friend since childhood, Min Yoongi.
After college his grandparents bought the neighboring property that shared borders with Jung Farms. On the land was an old farmhouse that Hoseok and Yoongi fixed up alongside his father and grandfather.
In addition to the house, the property had a few small barns, a stable, and a chicken coop. Hoseok used the space to adopt and home farmed animals he rescued. The animals were a part of his family, they were as if they were his children.
Most of his groceries he had picked up were actually for the animals. He was looking forward to being able to spend more time with them now that it was summer and he was going to be on the farm full time.
The first thing Hoseok did upon getting inside his car was roll the windows all the way down. Since it was the first exceptionally hot day of the season, he wanted to feel the warm breeze on his face.
Hoseok reversed the truck and left the parking lot, heading for home.
Since Hoseok’s grandparents started Jung Farms nearly forty years ago, Hoseok and his parents had lived in Gwangju ever since.
He was an only child and was very close with his parents and grandparents, especially his grandmother. Because of his family's beloved reputation in town, Hoseok enjoyed growing up there.
It also made the option to move away virtually nonexistent. Hoseok didn’t mind.
Leaving Gwangju was never even a thought. Growing up, most kids couldn’t wait to leave their small towns; to set off on their own and experience new places.
He knew, from a very young age, that the day would come when his grandfather asked him to help take over the family business. If Hoseok could somehow work his love of photography into his life alongside the farm, he’d be perfectly content staying in the place he knew best.
And that’s what had happened.
The air ruffled Hoseok’s hair as he drove through the town he knew like the palm of his hand.
Over the years a lot has changed with the natural flow of time, of course. A few more chain restaurants and stores popped up, and they finally got their first real Starbucks, not just the kiosk that existed inside the local grocery store.
But one of the areas of town that hadn’t changed much was an intersection commonly referred to as Four Corners by locals.
Hoseok came to a stop at the popular intersection, fumbling with the stereo buttons as he waited for the light to change.
Suddenly a familiar chord of a song from his high school days rang through the speakers, If It Means A Lot to You by A Day To Remember. Hoseok didn’t even remember adding the song to the playlist.
He turned the volume all the way up, welcoming the second hit of nostalgia as he glanced out the window.
The Four Corners was home to a variety of restaurants and small businesses. On one side of the street there was a bookstore, a bakery and coffee shop (with the best cheesecake in the country in Hoseok’s opinion), the best ramen place in town, and a laundromat. Across the street was a pub and a pizza joint.
At the third corner sat a local small grocery store and deli, home to the best breakfast sandwiches dubbed by teenagers who’d frequent the area after school, and a 7 Eleven.
At the fourth corner was a church, whose parking lot was used as a popular skateboarding spot.
Hoseok smiled fondly at the familiar area. Noticing a group of teenagers currently skating and biking there.
If you made a few outfit changes, the group of boys would have easily been mistaken for Hoseok and his friends in high school.
He smiled at the memories that instantly flooded his brain as he took in the boisterous group of teens.
Before he could get too sentimental, the light turned green. Hoseok looked away from the laughing boys and turned left driving further into town.
There was something special about summer that made Hoseok extra nostalgic. The man was always particularly fond of summer, his pleasant memories with the season going back to his earliest childhood moments.
Sure, he enjoyed summer because it meant it was the busiest time for the farm but Hoseok’s love for stemmed deeper than that.
It wasn’t rare for children to be fond of summer. Naturally, summers meant no school. A break. Freedom. It was what they waited for every year. Nearly two full months of fun and it was no different for Hoseok.
Some of his most cherished moments happened during the summer months, but also some of his worst.
And they all happened in this town, leaving Hoseok with both a loving and gut wrenching attachment to the quaint streets.
Summer as an adult was much different than when you were a kid.
When you’re an adult, you still get the same weather as when you were a kid. You also, typically, can experience the same activities.
But, you still have to go to work every day and pay bills. You have all the same responsibilities that you had during the rest of the year. It’s just hot out now.
Summer as an adult is nostalgia at its best. An extremely sickly sweet, bitter reminder of simpler times.
When you’re a teenager, all anyone wants to do is grow up.
Maybe that’s why Hoseok could never bring himself to leave this town. Maybe he was chasing those feelings he had as a kid. Maybe he couldn’t leave the memories. Or didn’t want to.
Hoseok suddenly slowed to a stop, seeing a construction sign up ahead.
Why did it always feel like construction happened at the most inconvenient times possible? The sign directed drivers to turn one intersection early, taking the long route past the high school.
Because of the rush hour traffic the detour was backed up, causing the line waiting at the light to come to a long stop.
Hoseok sighed, craning his neck out the window to check the scene, noting that the lane ahead went down to one. He’d be waiting a few minutes.
He rubbed his hand across his tired face, thumbs drumming on the steering wheel as he shifted restlessly in his seat.
His attention turned towards the open passenger window. On his right was the old elementary school.
It was small, having closed down when the district combined with the neighboring one into a single, big school instead.
Even though the school had only been closed for three years, nature had already taken over.
The grass was overgrown, the lines in the parking lot were almost completely faded, and dandelions sprouted through the concrete that was once littered with chalk drawings.
On the chain link fence that bordered the property hung a No Trespassing Sign.
Beyond such a sign that he and his friends used to ignore, Hoseok’s eyes fall onto the large wooden playground behind the school.
Hoseok swallowed hard, feeling his chest starting to tighten as he looked at the familiar structure.
He watched the way the swings were swaying gently in the breeze, as if two invisible people were in them.
His thumb hovered under the turn signal when the car behind him beeped. Hoseok jumped, hands tightening on the wheel as he turned back to face the road.
The line of cars had started moving.
Hoseok lifted his foot from the break and slowly inched forward.
He didn’t look back.
It had been awhile since he’d driven past the school. Maybe even two years.
He told himself it was simply because there was a faster way home. His daily routine had no need to take him past the old building. That excuse became a lie the very first time Hoseok told it.
He continued on his way home, jabbing the button on the stereo and skipping past the familiar acoustic ballad before it ended.
Hoseok had almost made it home when he suddenly was off course, subconsciously turning into a 7 Eleven.
He didn’t realize how thirsty he was until he was idling in the crowded parking lot. His tongue felt heavy in his mouth and droplets of sweat coated his forehead.
Hoseok stepped out of his truck, sneakers heavy on the worn concrete as he pulled back the metal door, instantly being hit with way too cold air conditioning.
His body guided him towards the back of the store, coming to a stop in front of the wall of drinks.
You could get anything you wanted here, soda, tea, coffee; but there was only one thing Hoseok wanted. Craved even.
It was a summer tradition, something he always tried to treat himself to on the first unofficial day of summer.
A Chill Zone. A 7 Eleven original.
It was ultimately a combination between a slurpee and an ice slushee. A cold, fruity and sweet smooth slush drink.
Hoseok scanned the large assortment of flavors, rainbow shades of the frozen treat swirled in front of his eyes.
Chill Zone’s were only 79 cents no matter what size cup you got. You could also add as many flavors you wanted so naturally they were extremely popular among kids.
However, there was only one flavor Hoseok wanted. Blue raspberry. It was his absolute favorite.
He grabbed the biggest cup they had and pulled down the lever, watching it fill with the blue colored slurpee. He fastened on a lid and stuck a straw through the top.
Hoseok took a long, slow sip. A smile instantly formed on his face at the sweet flavor.
He immediately grabbed a second cup, filling it with the tangerine flavor, Yoongi’s favorite.
He carried the two cups to the register and fished out some change. After paying he left the store and headed home.
With one hand on the wheel and the other wrapped around the cold cup, Hoseok sipped happily, finally making it home without any more distractions.
The house Hoseok and Yoongi shared was a two story, historic farmhouse. It was pastel yellow in color with white trim.
There was a large porch that wrapped completely around two sides of the home. When they bought it the porch was in shambles, the pair worked all summer repairing it. It became one of their favorite places to relax after a long day.
That wasn’t where the brunette found his best friend today though. Hoseok found Yoongi at the small stables, and judging from his timid stature, he had just gotten done feeding Buttercup and Boots, their two horses.
Ever since Hoseok adopted the pair, Yoongi was nervous around them.
“Boots still hasn’t warmed up to you yet?” Hoseok called out across the field.
Yoongi’s freshly dyed ginger hair peeked out from behind the barn door, smiling sheepishly as his best friend made his way over.
“Oh he has. I’m just the one who still gets scared by him,” Yoongi wiped his hands on his jeans and locked the door behind him, “When you said you wanted to adopt animals I thought you meant cats or something. Not giant, intimidating beasts.”
Hoseok giggled and handed over the tangerine Chill Zone, “They aren’t giant beasts. You’re just small so they seem bigger to you.”
“I should dump this on your head for that comment,” Yoongi pouted, inspecting the drink, “However since you got me tangerine, I will look past it.”
Yoongi put his lips around the straw and took a sip, a similar smile forming on his face like the one that formed on Hoseok.
Hoseok sipped on his drink in unison, licking some of the dripping liquid from his lips, “You know, Boots is probably just hesitant around you because he can sense your fear. He is blind.”
“That’s why I try to approach him carefully so as to not startle him.” The ginger haired man explained, voice muffled from the straw still in his mouth.
Hoseok shook his head, “That’s probably why he gets startled. Just approach him as if he wasn’t blind.”
“Noted,” Yoongi took another sip, the orange drink already starting to stain his lips, “So, is this considered the first day of summer Chill Zone?”
“I suppose it is,” Hoseok shrugged, “I don’t know, I passed the store on my way home and just kinda felt like having one. Maybe it’s the weather.”
Panic washed over Yoongi’s face, “Shit.”
“What?” Hoseok’s eyebrow arched confusedly.
“The construction on 83. I was going to warn you.”
Hoseok shrugged, “It wasn’t that bad. Traffic was only backed up for maybe five minutes at most.”
“I know but the detour…” Yoongi trailed off waiting for Hoseok to speak who just stared back at him.”
“…it went past the school…” Yoongi finished.
“So?” Hoseok stared down at his cup, twirling the straw around vigorously.
“So…you always avoid the school.” Yoongi put a whispered emphasis on the word school.
Hoseok rolled his eyes, “I don’t always avoid the school. I don’t avoid the school, period.”
Sensing the hostility in his friend’s voice, Yoongi sighed, dropping the conversation entirely, “How was work?”
“Fine. I was just getting Yeonjun prepared to cover the days I’m at the farm.” Hoseok turned on one foot, heading back up the grass towards the house.
Yoongi nodded and fell in step beside the taller man, “Cool cool, yeah, the end of the semester is only a week away so I’ll be back to full time at the farm soon too. We can start prepping this weekend.”
“I’m sure your students are excited for summer vacation.”
Yoongi was a teacher at the local high school where both men had attended many years ago.
He taught English and music. He was even voted favorite teacher five years in a row, so far. It was a title the man was embarrassed by, and a title his best friend wouldn’t dare let him forget.
Yoongi remembers coming home from the grocery store the day he received the award.
He thought he had hid it extremely well, in the trash, only to find that Hoseok had easily found it and had proudly displayed the gold plaque above the fireplace mantle.
“Of course they are,” Yoongi paused to kick off his shoes before stepping inside the house after Hoseok.
“It’s the same as when we were kids. The slang terms and the apps are different, but summer is always the same. No matter how many generations have passed.”
Hoseok nodded, silently agreeing with Yoongi. He was right, summer was always the same. But something about this summer felt different. Or not so much different, but bizarrely familiar?
And not the familiar feeling of a bittersweet, nostalgic adult summer that Hoseok had been used to for the past 8 years; but familiar like summer was as a kid.
“Yeah? Are you getting any better at learning that slang?” Hoseok giggled, thinking back to when he caught Yoongi trying to add “slay” to his sentence.
Yoongi waved Hoseok off, “I had Sky make me a cheat sheet.”
Hoseok smiled thinking of Yoongi’s work best friend. Sky had been a couple years younger than the pair in school and had just started working as a math teacher this year.
Yoongi and Sky quickly became good friends, as they both shared interest in writing and watching animal videos.
Hoseok was so happy when Yoongi started mentioning Sky.
In the five years that Yoongi had worked at the school, Hoseok never heard him talk about his coworkers. He personally didn’t know how he’d make it through the day without Yeonjun, so was very glad Yoongi was making friends.
Hoseok shook his head, smiling as he thought of his technologically hopeless best friend, “I can only imagine what you put them through. Remind me to send them a fruit basket.”
Yoongi rolled his eyes and muttered, “Sky likes helping me learn the lingo.”
“Sure they do.” Hoseok teased.
The ginger haired man stuck his tongue out at his best friend as he balanced on the bottom of the staircase, “Anyways, I’m going to order dinner then take a bath. How’s sushi sound?”
Hoseok nodded, “Sushi sounds great. I’m going to bring the rest of the stuff in from the car.”
The two men gave each other a thumbs up as they went off in separate directions, going about their usual routine.
A couple dozen miles across town, Kim Namjoon had just arrived at the airport.
He had spent practically an entire day traveling from Los Angeles. It had been a very long time since he’d last been home.
His little sister was getting married and despite only meeting her fiancé twice, he was asked to be the best man.
Therefore, getting out of having to come back home was unavoidable. All of his usual excuses wouldn’t have worked this time.
Namjoon pushed through the heavy metal doors with a sigh and stepped out into the golden evening sun.
The early warmth surprised him. He was used to California weather, forgetting just how warm it could get here this early in the season.
Namjoon waited on the curb as the attendant pulled up his rental car. He yanked his two large suitcases onto the pavement and hauled them up into the open trunk.
He dropped his two carry on bags into the passenger seat, a backpack and a soft padded briefcase. He slipped the attendant some rolled up bills before sliding into the drivers seat.
Namjoon took the much needed moment of silence to take a long, deep breath.
He ran both hands through his disheveled, sandy light brunette hair and breathed out slowly.
It was a very long flight, one which Namjoon almost didn’t get on.
His assistant who dropped him off at the airport practically had to push him into the TSA line. If she hadn’t been there to watch him walk through the checkpoint, he would’ve made a run for it.
Luckily, he was able to use the long flight as an excuse to not have to see his family tonight. He’d be staying in an Airbnb so he could get some work done during his trip and not disrupt his family.
When his boss heard of Namjoon’s vacation request he was thrilled. He hadn’t seen Namjoon take a vacation in the seven years that he’d worked for the record label.
When he saw the vacation request come through to attend his sister's wedding at the end of August, he insisted that Namjoon go visit for longer.
Namjoon was the head producer and songwriter for a very famous international record label. He was the most sought after producer in the industry so he had a high level of flexibility when it came to his working hours. Although, this was a perk that the man never took advantage of.
When Namjoon heard the idea, he sheepishly agreed, knowing deep down that it was time for him to go home. He really could use a change of scenery, plus, maybe it would help him write more
So, Namjoon was going to be home for three months. For the entirety of the summer.
His mother and sister were thrilled when they heard the news, overjoyed that Namjoon was going to be part of the
preparation leading up to the big day. There was still a lot that had to be organized and planned.
He was looking forward to seeing them, despite the bad memories that took place inside that house.
Which is why he insisted on making other arrangements.
Namjoon pulled up the email from his assistant and glanced at the booking for the Airbnb.
He was lucky she was able to find a place in his tiny hometown that offered a space bigger than a hotel room.
Namjoon had brought his recording and beat making equipment with him so a private and secluded living space was most important. Finding somewhere that also had a living room area, a bathroom, and a full kitchen was unheard of.
But she had done it. Managing to find an accommodation that had every last one of Namjoon’s requests, and was only a five minute drive from his childhood home.
Namjoon knew that once he got closer his surroundings would become familiar. It would be just like riding a bike, he’d never be able to forget the neighborhoods of his youth.
All the way down to the sidewalk cracks.
He quickly set up the car’s Bluetooth and copied the address into his map app.
Namjoon absentmindedly scrolled through his Spotify, clicking on a playlist he hadn’t heard in awhile.
All Signs Point To Lauderdale by A Day To Remember played through the speakers. Namjoon smiled at the familiar angsty song of his youth, turning the volume all the way up.
How fitting he thought, as he pulled out onto the main road and began the 45 minute drive from the city.
No chance of turning back now.
The sun was beginning to set as Namjoon pulled off the highway into the exit for Gwangju.
Memories began to fuzzily fade in and out as he drove through the main street that ran through the center of town.
He didn’t know if he felt relieved or disappointed that everything looked exactly the same as he remembered.
The only thing different was the shiny new Starbucks squeezed between the book store and ramen place Namjoon spotted as he passed the Four Corners.
He breezed through town, half listening to the GPS directions and half going by blind instinct as he came to a stop at a traffic light.
Namjoon looked lazily out his window, his eyes landing on a convenient store. He blinked, memories flooded his brain at the sight of the familiar logo.
Before he knew what he was doing he was flicking up his turn signal, making a very unsafe merge into the turning lane, and pulling into the store’s parking lot.
Hearing the low grumble of his hungry stomach, Namjoon practically skipped over to the door. He hadn’t eaten anything for hours and the realization hit him as he stared at the aisles of junk food, quickly grabbing a few containers of ramen, bags of chips, and cookies.
He was rounding the corner when he stopped in his tracks in front of the drink display. As if it were second nature, he balanced the snacks in one arm, while the other yanked an extra large cup from the wall.
Namjoon scanned across the flavors, stopping for a millisecond on the blue raspberry, before positioning his cup under the cherry flavor. His favorite.
Using his elbow, he pushed the handle down that released the sugary red liquid and placed a lid over the top. He made sure to go back and add a little more, filling up the domed lid with the slurpee.
For 79 cents, you made sure that you filled every inch of that cup, and it had been years since Namjoon had a Chill Zone. He wanted to savor every bit of it.
After paying, Namjoon returned to his car and dropped the bag of snacks onto the passenger side floor. He hovered outside the door, taking a moment to finally sip his drink.
The iced cold, sugary sweet, cherry flavor made him instantly nostalgic. In that single moment he wondered why it had taken him so long to come back home.
Namjoon plopped into the car and checked his phone. Luckily, he was only three minutes from his airbnb and the unexpected stop didn’t take up too much time. He would still arrive at his accommodations right in time for the scheduled check-in.
He put the car in reverse and drove back onto the road. The sun was beginning to set, the horizon ahead blazing a mixture of deep orange and navy blue.
Confused, Namjoon turned onto the road that the airbnb was located on. The area felt really familiar but he couldn't place it.
He slowed down, checking the numbers on the mailboxes as he drove past them, counting up until he rolled to a stop in front of number 613.
The sun had completely set by now but the house was fully lit up from the inside, casting a welcoming glow onto the bright green grass.
It was a charming farmhouse with Victorian style elements, even including a tower turret. String fairy lights hung from the roof of the large wraparound porch, making the home look extra inviting.
It was a quintessential small country home. A picture perfect type of place. Namjoon could see the appeal.
Namjoon got out of the car and grabbed his backpack and duffle bag. He wasn’t sure where to park so he’d come back for his suitcases after speaking with the homeowner.
He walked up the wooden steps leading up to the front door and rang the bell.
He heard some shuffling coming from inside and then a pause, before the door swung open, revealing a man standing before him.
The man was smiling wide, his mouth turned up in a charming heart shape. His hair was naturally black in color, cut in a slightly longer style, his bangs sweeping across his forehead in a similar heart-like shape.
He had on a very oversized white t-shirt with a picture of the cartoon character Snoopy on it. The shirt was a few sizes too big, the neck stretched out as one side fell off his shoulder to reveal a collarbone of honey skin.
He was wearing cut off denim shorts that were slightly frayed at the bottom, long toned legs standing slightly inward. And on his feet were bright polka dot patterned socks that went up to his calves.
“Hi! Welcome to our home!” The man chirped.
Namjoon blinked, stunned that this man was standing right in front of him after so many years, “…Hoseok?” He choked out.
Hoseok stared back at the man at his front door, bags in hand. His smile slowly faltered.
It had been a long time since he had seen Kim Namjoon.
“N-Namjoon?” Hoseok stammered, “What… what’re you doing here?”
“Um I’m staying here…at the Airbnb,” Namjoon scratched at the back of his neck, “Is this your place?”
Hoseok blinked, still not being able to comprehend the situation before him.
“Yeah it is…but you’re not, um,” Hoseok pulled out his phone, scrolling through his email’s to the booking information, “Charlotte.”
Namjoon’s eyes went wide, confused, before he smiled, “Oh, that would be my assistant. She made the reservation under her name and was going to change it to mine today.”
Hoseok refreshed the page and low and behold, it was now reading Kim Namjoon as the guest.
Hoseok shifted in his spot. If he had known Kim Namjoon wanted to use his Airbnb, unknowing that it was Hoseok who owned it, he would’ve probably declined the reservation.
Or at least worn a different outfit.
Hoseok glanced down at his faded Snoopy shirt, his favorite denim shorts that seemed much too short at the moment, and his childish socks.
But, this was still his business and professionalism was important to him. So, the brunette forced a smile and slipped on his slides.
Hoseok stepped out of the house and onto the porch, “Well, what a small world I guess! Let me show you the space.”
Namjoon returned the smile, making room for Hoseok as the younger man closed the door behind him.
“Hey, you got a Chill Zone too!” Namjoon blurted out awkwardly.
Hoseok looked down at the almost empty cup in his hand that Namjoon was pointing at. His eyes traveled back up to the matching red one in Namjoon’s hand.
“Yeah well you know…” Hoseok trailed off.
“First day of summer tradition.” The men answered in unison.
Namjoon laughed, an overly boisterous and familiar laugh that tugged at Hoseok’s chest. The older man’s dimples showed as he smiled widely at their syncopation.
“Exactly,” Namjoon took a sip of his, “I haven’t had one in forever. Years. I had almost forgotten how good they are.”
Hoseok wanted to agree, he wanted to say “I know,” and tell Namjoon just how long he had been gone.
But that would be too obvious and Hoseok shouldn’t know that detail. He shouldn’t have been subconsciously keeping track as the years went by.
Instead, Hoseok started down the stairs, hearing Namjoon following behind him, and responded simply, “Oh yeah. I guess it’s a chain just around here, now that I think about it.
“You still get blue raspberry I see.”
Hoseok turned around and smiled sheepishly at the man’s observation. He had remembered, “Of course. It’s only the…”
“Best flavor?” Namjoon finished.
Hoseok paused, his lips parted slightly as he recollected his thoughts, “Yeah…you know it. And I see you still went with the cherry.”
“Mhm. Hey, do you remember how we used to mix them together sometimes?” Namjoon asked, his tone raising up an octave, a quirk that would happen whenever he started to get excited.
Hoseok continued walking around the house to the back of the property, Namjoon in tow beside him, continuing to ramble.
“You always used to say how blue raspberry was superior but that sometimes you liked a little cherry flavor. But you never wanted to commit to a whole cup of cherry. So I’d pour half of mine into yours. Do you remember that?”
Hoseok stopped, standing still in the grass of their backyard.
He turned slowly, this time, a genuine smile grew on his face. It was big and heart shaped again.
Namjoon stopped too.
Silence surrounded them as the two men took in each other for a moment. The quiet sounds of nature chirped around them.
Hoseok did remember. It was one of his favorite memories.
But now, over a decade later and as an adult, thinking back to those times, with Namjoon standing in front of him for real, and not just as a youthful snapshot in his mind, Hoseok felt sad.
Even in the dark indigo glow of the night sky, Namjoon could see Hoseok’s face fall ever so slightly.
“I do.” Hoseok answered softly.
He turned back towards their destination, walking slowly up the stone pathway and stopping in front of a tiny house.
It was cute, Namjoon thought, painted yellow to match, it looked like a mini version of the main house.
There was a flower shaped welcome mat on the ground and two wooden lawn chairs positioned off to the right. Sparkling fairy lights like in the front of the house, lined the slanted roof and hung downwards.
“So this is the space,” Hoseok broke the silence, “I don’t know if you noticed on your way in but there’s a small dirt driveway just before the main one. It leads back here so you can move your car for easier access.”
Namjoon nodded, listening intently to Hoseok’s explanation of the property.
“Let me show you inside.”
Hoseok retrieved a key from his pocket and unlocked the door, before turning around to hand it to Namjoon, “This is the key to the house. We have a spare in case you lose it.”
“You still know me too well.” Namjoon laughed at his history of losing and breaking things.
Hoseok couldn’t bring himself to respond as his heart tightened in his chest. So he didn’t say anything, choosing to pretend like he hadn’t heard it.
The men kicked off their shoes and entered the tiny house. Inside Namjoon was greeted with eclectic knick knacks and warm, bright colors. The decor was fun and quirky but the space still felt clean and organized.
The first room once inside was the kitchen area. It consisted of a small round table with three chairs, a large bouquet of wild flavors sat in a mason jar of water in the center.
The kitchen had a small refrigerator, some counter space, a couple cabinets, a tiny oven, a microwave, and a countertop stove.
To the right of the dining space was a small living area, complete with a couch and a coffee table.
“The kitchen is empty but all the appliances work. There’s uh, a basket of fresh fruit from our farm in the fridge. It’s a complimentary gift…for our guests.” Hoseok explained.
Namjoon followed Hoseok’s eyeline to an easel chalkboard sitting on the counter. “Welcome Charlotte” was written on it in Hoseok’s big block letter handwriting. A smiley face drawn below.
“There’s a grocery store just a five minute drive, but, I guess you know that.” Hoseok trailed off, laughing awkwardly, as he paced around the open space unable to stay still
“I do yes, but thank you.” Namjoon offered the nervous man a kind smile, knowing Hoseok was just running through his usual spiel as if Namjoon were another customer, a stranger.
Stranger might actually be a better way to describe the pair now. Namjoon didn’t know how to feel about that sudden realization.
“The place is beautiful. It’s perfect.”
“Thanks. The bedroom and bathroom are just down there,” Hoseok pointed to the back of the house, “The remote for the tv is in the bedside table and the AC window unit is self controllable.” Hoseok explained.
“If you have any questions at all during your stay, you can use the Airbnb app or um…” Hoseok bit his bottom lip, fumbling with his fingers, “Or you can just knock on our door.”
Namjoon’s eyebrows furrowed at Hoseok’s use of the word “our” before nodding, “I’ll do that. Thank you so much, Hoseokie.” He smiled warmly, dimples fully on show.
Hoseok's heart lurched at the sound of his old nickname.
“Y-you’re welcome. I’ll uh, I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy your stay here.” Hoseok bowed slightly and walked backwards towards the front door.
“Goodnight Hoseok.”
“Night Namjoon.”
Hoseok slipped outside, barely opening the door wide enough to fit through as he shoved himself from the suffocating air inside the tiny house.
He stumbled awkwardly, calling out “Welcome home!” way too enthusiastically and nervously before closing the door behind him.
Hoseok slumped his back against the door, heart beating abnormally fast.
Was he dreaming? Maybe. He’d deal with the reality of the situation in the morning.
Realizing that he still was in plain sight and that Namjoon could peek out the curtained window any second and see Hoseok still there, the brunette quickly sped walked into the main house.
Everything felt hazy.
It was that damned first day of summer weather. It was like catnip to Hoseok, he couldn’t control his thoughts or feelings.
The nostalgic feeling of summer was intoxicating, it blurred his rationality.
He should’ve asked more questions.
But that dimple smile.
Jung Hoseok was never a match for those goddamn dimples.
Plus, Namjoon had just arrived, unknowingly checking into an Airbnb he didn’t know belonged to Hoseok.
He’d talk to Namjoon in the morning.
Kim Namjoon was back.
Kim Namjoon was back and he was staying in Hoseok’s guest house.
Oh god.
Yoongi.
Hoseok crept up to the window over the kitchen sink and peered out into the dark backyard.
He watched as the main room light was turned off, darkening the two front windows of the tiny house. The side window flicked on, indicating that Namjoon was in the bedroom now.
Sure, Min Yoongi would probably enjoy seeing Namjoon again.
But Min Yoongi, Hoseok’s best friend and unproclaimed but kinda proclaimed, silent protector?
Yoongi was going to be pissed. Weary and pissed.
Hoseok sighed, climbing up the creaky staircase slowly, as to not disturb his sleeping best friend.
He’d break the news to Yoongi in the morning.
Hoseok wasn’t sure what he was more worried about. Yoongi’s reaction to the unexpected guest, or his own.
Hoseok peeked down at the tiny house one last time before pulling down the blinds.
He slid into bed, rolling on his side so he was facing the window.
Knowing that this was the closest Kim Namjoon had been to Hoseok in almost a decade, left the man uneasy.
Outside the window and across the grassy lawn, Kim Namjoon too, turned over in bed, facing the window.
He looked up at the unfamiliar house that was home to someone who was once a very familiar person.
Even though he was physically home, Namjoon fell asleep wondering if everything would still feel the same.