Chapter Text
On Monday, Namjoon is a few minutes late for dinner, so Yoongi and Hoseok loiter around the back of the queue to wait for him. He appears down the corridor, in conversation with Sigh, who’s smiling at him as they talk. Sigh heads for the office and Namjoon jogs to meet his cellmates.
“Sorry,” he says. There’s a hot brightness in his eyes, a spark of mingled excitement and anxiety. “Thanks for waiting!”
“Of course!” Hoseok says, as they join the queue properly.
“News?” Yoongi asks, nodding to indicate Sigh and raising his eyebrows.
“Yeah,” Namjoon says. “You ever heard about the transition preparedness and recidivism prevention programme?”
“Oh...” Hoseok says uncertainly. “Maybe...”
“Nope,” Yoongi answers, handing a tray to each of the others.
“It’s a programme that brings former inmates in to visit guys who are coming up to release or parole hearings,” Namjoon explains. “Sigh set it up last year. The idea is to provide positive post-release role models and help develop the right mindset for transition back into the world. After release, you can volunteer to come back and visit someone you were close with inside, and if you pass the checks, they set it up when your friend is coming up for their parole hearing or their release. Anyway, apparently someone volunteered to visit me, so I’ll get a visit next week.”
“Oh, that’s great,” says Yoongi, blinking as he thinks about it. “Good. It’s good they have that kind of programme.”
“Do you know who?” Hoseok asks. “Anyone I know?”
“A guy we called Tiger, you might remember him, Seokie,” Namjoon says. “He was my cellmate at the start, and he was released about 18 months ago. Sigh says he’s doing really well, he has his own business, got married, really turned things around.”
“Ohh, I think I remember him,” Hoseok says. “Vaguely. I didn’t really know him.”
They get their dinners and head for the end of a table as usual.
“You looking forward to seeing him?” Yoongi asks, setting into his meal. He’s hungry today; lunch was particularly pathetic.
“Yeah, I am,” Namjoon says, looking a little shy. “Tiger-hyung was really driven and he knew what he wanted. By the time he was released he was like a racehorse straining at the bit, he just wanted to go, he just wanted to fly. And it sounds like he did. I want to know more about how he did it.”
“Mmh, the Professor wants to do his research,” Yoongi smiles.
“You’re gonna outdo him,” Hoseok grins.
“Well, I have a head start on some of it,” Namjoon grins back, holding out his hand to show off his simple wedding ring like it’s a flashy diamond.
“Means you can fly even higher,” Yoongi says smugly.
“Gonna do my best,” Namjoon smiles, and he tucks into his meal with relish.
The next week passes quietly. February begins. The weather is warming up, and the sky is a little brighter. The three cellmates feel a little brighter too, with Namjoon’s departure the only cause of tension.
Tiger’s visit falls on a Tuesday during an unseasonal rainstorm. Namjoon is nervously excited as he goes to meet him soon after lunch, clutching a notebook and pen. Professors need to take notes, after all, he says. The others hug him and send him off cheerfully. They don’t have a janitorial shift on Tuesday, so they’re stuck in the cell as they wait for him. Yoongi takes his customary place on the floor at Hoseok’s feet, playing his paper piano and humming the melody for Hoseok.
Rec hours start, but the rainstorm is howling outside. Hoseok tucks his blanket over his head and Yoongi laughs, more than willing to stay in the cell.
A knock comes on the door; one of Yoongi’s hyungs from the basketball game has come to introduce him to a younger inmate who’s trying to get on the music programme. Yoongi leans in the doorway to chat to them.
As they’re wrapping up the conversation, the main door to the block opens down below the walkway and Yoongi sees Namjoon enter, back from his visit with Tiger. Yoongi watches him swallow, look left and right, and make his way towards the bathrooms. Yoongi steps forward, intending to call him and wave, but something stops him, something about Namjoon’s posture is... off.
He watches Namjoon move across the space, dragging his hand over his eyes. There’s a look of shock about him, somehow, his face a little drawn and pale.
Yoongi bites his lip, concerned, and slips back into the cell.
“I just saw Joonie, he’ll be back in a minute.”
“Oh, good,” Hoseok says. “I hope it went well. It was longer than I thought it would be, I was worried they’d only give him ten minutes or something!”
Yoongi can see him push a smile to his lips. Anything to do with Namjoon’s release makes him tense, and his attempts to hide it are only partially successful. Yoongi can’t bring himself to say Namjoon looked shaken. If Namjoon comes back and it’s obvious, so be it. But if he hides it well, then Yoongi’ll let him, and ask later.
A few minutes later, the door opens and Namjoon appears. He looks brighter, a smile on his lips.
“Hello, my loves,” he says, pressing the door closed behind him.
“Hey Joonie,” Yoongi says, getting to his feet again and stepping forward to offer him a hug. “We missed you.”
“You were gone ages!” Hoseok agrees, smiling as he sits up.
“I know, longer than I expected,” Namjoon says.
He pulls Yoongi eagerly into a strong embrace and stoops to bury his face against Yoongi’s neck, a little needy. His skin is cold and his neck is actually wet - he must have gone to the bathroom to splash water on his face, Yoongi realises. He was shaken when he came back, maybe badly. Yoongi hugs him closer than usual, anxious and refusing to show it if Namjoon won’t.
“How was Tiger?” Hoseok asks eagerly. “Tell us everything! Did he bring you anything?”
“He brought me a coffee,” Namjoon says, slowly releasing Yoongi from his hug and tugging him to sit on Hoseok’s bunk with him. “The good stuff too, from a nice shop in a hot flask. We used to complain all the time about missing it, and he remembered.”
“Aigoo, I’m so envious!” Hoseok laughs, scooching next to Namjoon and hugging him from the side. “That’s so thoughtful!”
“It was thoughtful,” Namjoon agrees, putting an arm around Hoseok. “And I could see it in him, he had… the mental space to be thoughtful, you know? He’s settled and happy and not looking inward or over his shoulder all the time like we can end up being in here. He’s… he’s really doing it.”
“I can see why they run this programme,” Yoongi comments, tucking himself in on Namjoon’s other side.
“Joonie will come see you in March, Yoongi-hyung!” Hoseok says, bright and just a touch brittle.
“Yah, yah,” Namjoon says, squeezing them both closer. “I dunno if they’ll let me, if I’m barely out the door myself, but I’ll try… and I’ll bring you the fanciest coffee I can afford, okay hyung?”
“Make mine decaf,” Yoongi says, scrunching his nose up. “But I’ll look forward to it. And so will Hoseokie.”
“But… we won’t just be relying on them letting you?” Hoseok says, his fingers anxiously toying with the pull on Namjoon’s zip. “You’ll come to normal visits too. Right?”
“Of course I will,” Namjoon says, looking a little stricken.
“It’ll be strange to see someone move to the other side of the table...” Yoongi says slowly. “But at least it means Hoseokie will always get a visit, right?”
“Mmh,” Hoseok hums. “I don’t expect Seokjin-hyung and Kookie to keep coming. Wouldn’t be fair, would it?”
“Kookie’s crazy about you,” Namjoon says firmly. “And Jinnie-hyung worries about you as much as he worries about any of us. They won’t leave you.”
“No one is gonna leave you, love,” Yoongi says, reaching across Namjoon to squeeze Hoseok’s hand.
“Aish!” Hoseok shakes his head vigorously, but he squeezes Yoongi’s hand tightly. “Enough about me. This is about Joonie! Did he have good advice for you?”
“Yeah, he did,” Namjoon says softly. “Practical stuff, resources, getting a routine, handling being in open spaces and shaking off the weird habits you pick up in here, mindset stuff. But mostly…” He pauses, chewing his lip.
“What...?” Hoseok prompts gently, looking worried.
“…He just talked about his day-to-day, you know?” Namjoon says, his voice dipping very quiet. “He has an alarm clock, and a TV, and plants he’s trying to keep alive. He goes to a coffee shop where they play girl groups on the stereo all day. He holds hands with his wife at the supermarket. They’re trying for a kid. He turns the key in his door and still catches his breath every time. Just…” He swallows. “The little things. It made it all feel real, I could imagine it all. I’m… I’m going home.”
Yoongi throws his arms around Namjoon, hugging him tight, and a moment later, Hoseok joins in.
“You’re going home,” Yoongi echoes, his voice a little rough. “Soon.”
Namjoon shivers and hugs them back, one strong arm around each of them.
“…We’ll be okay,” he whispers after a long moment. “We all will. I…” Hesitation. “I know it.”
They stay like that for a while.
The rest of the day passes normally. Yoongi senses a tension from both Namjoon and Hoseok, but he doesn’t pull on any threads. They’ll be okay. Just like Namjoon said.
They don’t play that night, but they do get into a discussion of lyrics and that passes the time.
Yoongi feels restless in bed, when the lights turn off. That sometimes happens if he doesn’t get outside (basketball tires him out pleasantly) or if they don’t play (there’s nothing like submission for relaxing him), so he just tries his best to lie quietly to not disturb the others.
Namjoon is restless too, tossing and turning. He settles after a while, but then Yoongi hears something else… high-pitched and breathless, almost like Namjoon is whimpering. He’s never heard Namjoon make that kind of noise.
Yoongi freezes, holding his breath to listen...
It gets briefly louder, and then stops abruptly. A long silence, so long Yoongi starts to wonder if he imagined it, in the dark… then the rustle of the blanket as Namjoon shifts his position… and then a harsh, painful gasp and a desperate gulp for air.
Yoongi rolls to the side and fluidly drops from his bunk to the floor, reaching for Namjoon in the dark.
“Namjoon-ah!”
“Ah-!” Namjoon audibly startles when Yoongi’s hand touches him. His body is curled up in a tight, trembling ball, his hands over his face. “I-I’m sorry!” he wheezes.
Hoseok suddenly sits bolt upright in his bunk.
“Namjoonie? What’s wrong? What’s wrong with him?” he whispers, terrified. “Is he sick?”
“He’s okay, Seokie, hush. Namjoon-ah, breathe for hyung,” Yoongi says firmly. “I’m going to touch your shoulder.” He does, sliding his hand carefully onto Namjoon’s shoulder and squeezing. “Now breathe in, two, three--”
“I can’t—” Namjoon gasps, struggling to sit up. “I can’t — breathe —”
“You can,” Yoongi says firmly, helping Namjoon sit up. “Listen to hyung. Feel my hand, I’m right here. I’ve got you, Namjoon-ah, I’m right here.”
“Nnh…” Namjoon whines, trembling hard. His breath starts to come in deep, wrenching sobs and he clutches at his chest. “Please—!”
Yoongi crawls onto the bunk beside him, flicking on the little reading light.
“Namjoon-ah, do you see your blanket?” he asks insistently. “Just nod if you can see your blanket, okay? Do you see it?”
Through another painful breath, Namjoon nods and he fixes his eyes on the blanket as he scrabbles to grasp it with his free hand. His face is streaked with tears.
“Good, really good,” Yoongi says. “Can you tell me what colour it is?”
“…Grey,” Namjoon rasps out after a moment. “It’s grey.”
“You’re right,” Yoongi says, squeezing his shoulder tight. “Describe the texture, Namjoon-ah. Is it soft?”
“Uh…” Namjoon blinks, and he takes a slower breath as he flexes his fingers. “Yeah, it’s soft. It’s worn. The detergent is cheap.”
Yoongi laughs gently.
“You’re right, kid,” he says. “You can smell the detergent, right? Can you smell me too?”
Namjoon lets out a shaky breath, and inhales deeply through his nostrils.
“Yeah,” he says with a tiny smile, sinking closer to Yoongi needily. “Your fancy shampoo. Citrusy. Smells good.”
“Mmh, I think so too,” Yoongi says smugly. “Can you take another deep breath for me? You know like you count for me? In, two, three, four...”
Namjoon nods and closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. On two, his breath catches and he gasps, but he starts again, fingers curling around the blanket.
“Really good, you’re trying so hard for hyung,” Yoongi murmurs. “Hold it, six, seven. And out, two, three, four... Again, in, two, three, four...”
Namjoon nods his assent as Yoongi speaks, following his instructions. His breathing steadily becomes more regular, his shivering starting to subside. He finds Yoongi’s hand and holds it tight, and when Hoseok comes to kneel at the bed and grasps his other hand, he squeezes back hard.
“You too, Hoseokie,” Yoongi says strictly, when he reaches the end of the cycle. “Ready? In, two, three, four...”
Hoseok nods eagerly, his eyes wide and anxious, and he follows Yoongi’s lead, breathing deep, right down to his stomach. Yoongi counts them through two more breaths, watching them both carefully, until he can see they’re both breathing easier, both looking less panicked.
“...and last out, two, three, four. Good, both of you,” he murmurs. “Hyung’s proud of you both.”
“Thank you, hyung,” Hoseok whispers, putting a hand on Yoongi’s arm and squeezing.
“Fuck,” Namjoon whispers. He opens his eyes and tears spill down his cheeks. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, both of you…”
“You don’t need to apologise, Namjoon-ah,” Yoongi says firmly, wrapping his arm around Namjoon’s broad shoulders and squeezing his hand. “Except maybe for trying to hide from us when we’re right here to help you.”
“I was waiting for it to pass,” Namjoon whispers. “Or until it went on long enough that I could be sure I was actually having a heart attack and then I’d ask you for help…”
“Yah!” Hoseok cries, smacking Namjoon’s thigh.
“Aish, aish, you know how hard it is to get prompt medical attention in here!” Yoongi scolds. “Don’t lie there waiting for more evidence, Professor!”
“I’m sorry,” Namjoon whispers, fresh tears welling in his eyes, which he quickly covers with his hand. “I didn’t know what was happening, I thought I was losing it, or dying or something…” His shoulders start to shake with sobs.
Hoseok whimpers softly, upset.
“Ah, Joon-ah...” Yoongi says, hugging him close. “You’ve never had a panic attack before?”
Namjoon shakes his head, sinking into Yoongi’s embrace.
“That’s what this was, right?” he says, sniffing back tears. “That’s all.”
“That’s what it was,” Yoongi agrees. “You would have recognised it in me, but it’s harder to recognise it when it’s happening, right? Especially if you don’t usually have them.”
“Right,” Namjoon says, curling a little closer. “I’ve seen people have them and got them through it, but… yeah, it’s totally different when it’s happening to you. I c-couldn’t get a grip.”
“Poor Joonie,” Yoongi says softly. “They’re really scary, right?”
“I was scared,” Namjoon whispers. “I… still feel scared, and I’m sorry I scared both of you, my loves.” He squeezes Hoseok’s hand again, looking at him guiltily.
Hoseok’s eyes are teary, he shakes his head and squeezes Namjoon’s hand.
“Hyung wasn’t scared,” Yoongi says, gently teasing. “And Hoseokie got a fright, but only because he’s so used to you being strong. We both are. But you’re not invulnerable, Kim Namjoon. You’re a human.”
“Thank you, hyung,” Namjoon murmurs, shy and sincere. “You were exactly what I needed. That blanket thing really worked…!”
“Grounding,” Yoongi says. “I learned some techniques, for myself and for Jiminie. Panic’s all about the past and the future. Getting yourself grounded back in the present moment, where you physically are right now, it helps you get control. Mmh, I’m glad it worked.”
Namjoon nods, squeezing Hoseok’s hand and then letting go to scrub his face, wiping his tears away.
“I got caught up in the future,” he admits. “Tiger-hyung really made me imagine it, all its possibilities and all the stuff I’m terrified of. I guess I could push all that away and keep busy during the day but… once the lights went out and everything went quiet…”
“Ah poor Joonie,” Yoongi rumbles, rubbing his back. “That makes sense. It gets me that way sometimes too, the quiet. Once I had a panic attack when I put on my noise cancelling headphones, honestly.”
“Did you really?” Hoseok asks, his eyes anxious and curious.
“Really,” Yoongi says, with a little huff of laughter. “Panic is a bitch like that, catches you when it can. So don’t feel bad, Joonie, you hear?”
“I don’t,” Namjoon smiles shyly. “Well, maybe I do, but I won’t. I’ll work on it. You okay, Seokie…?”
“I’m fine, fine! I just got a fright, like hyung said,” Hoseok says, waving his hand.
“Do you wanna talk for a bit, Joon-ah, or do you wanna try go to sleep?” Yoongi asks, still stroking Namjoon’s broad back comfortingly.
“Mmh…” Namjoon hums. “I think I want to try to sleep. I feel a bit wrung out. But… maybe we’ll talk another time,” he says, glancing anxiously to each of them.
“Whenever you want, big guy,” Hoseok smiles.
“Do you want hyung to lie with you?” Yoongi asks, stroking a hand through Namjoon’s short hair. “Or your lapcat could. Only if you want.”
“Won’t you be too warm…?” Namjoon asks, but there’s longing in his eyes, his desperation not to be alone easy to read.
“Nah,” Yoongi answers dismissively. “I’ll stick my skinny legs out from the blanket.”
Namjoon huffs a little laugh and tilts his head into Yoongi’s hand.
“Then yes, please,” he says shyly. “I’d like my hyung to lie with me. And… could I have a kiss and a hug from each of you?”
“Try and stop me!” says Hoseok, kneeling up and making grabby hands.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Namjoon smiles, reaching for Hoseok’s waist and drawing him close, tilting his head as he leans in.
Hoseok sinks his long, delicate hands into Namjoon’s short hair, scratching his scalp gently, as he kisses him. Namjoon hums his pleasure and returns Hoseok’s kiss, tender and sweet.
“Thank you, my love,” he murmurs against Hoseok’s lips. “I’m alright now.”
“We all have wobbles,” Hoseok says shakily. “But you’re so strong. And if you can’t be strong for a bit, me and hyung will look after you.”
“I know you will,” Namjoon says with a brave little smile. “And I’ll let you. Thank you, Seokie, thank you so much.”
“Now hyung deserves an extra big hug,” Hoseok says with a little laugh, pushing Namjoon towards Yoongi. “I was no help, I was all sleepy and frightened!”
Namjoon chuckles and puts his arms around Yoongi, drawing him close. Yoongi nuzzles in immediately.
“It’s the very least hyung deserves,” Namjoon agrees. “Thank you, my love…”
“I’m really glad I could help,” Yoongi mumbles into Namjoon’s neck. “Call it a single won paid back against my huge debt to you for getting me through worse, in here.”
“No debts between us,” Namjoon rumbles, hugging Yoongi tight. “Nothing between us except love and respect, Yoongi-hyung, ever…”
Yoongi huffs a soft laugh, squeezing back.
“Whatever the Boss says,” he agrees. “Now c’mon, lie down.”
Namjoon hums and does as Yoongi says, settling back down on the bed. He draws Yoongi down with him, holding him close, as Hoseok picks up his blanket and drapes it over them again, fussing to get it right. Yoongi tucks himself in between the wall and Namjoon, as he does with Hoseok.
“Mmh, big boy...” he teases, snuggling in close.
Namjoon chuckles and hugs Yoongi close.
“Big dog and a sweet lil cat,” he murmurs. “You comfortable?”
“Very,” Yoongi sighs. “Thanks for letting me do this... Would’ve found it hard to leave my big beautiful pup all alone after that.”
“Mmh, it’s no hardship,” Namjoon says, playfully smug.
“You both okay…?” Hoseok asks, settling the blanket around them. “I’ll turn off this light if you’re ready?”
“I’m ready, love,” Namjoon says, closing his eyes. “Thank you.”
“’m good,” Yoongi mumbles, and he yawns like a cat as Hoseok flicks the light off. “...mmh, thanks, Seokie... love you... love you both...” He suddenly pushes up, remembering. “Wait, ’m not good yet!”
“Oh?” Namjoon lifts his head, concerned.
“Yah!” Hoseok complains fretfully, groping for the light.
“Didn’t give you a kiss,” Yoongi says, shifting in so his face is mere millimetres from Namjoon’s. “May I?”
“Aish...” Hoseok grumbles fondly, leaving the light off and heading back to his own bunk.
“Oh!” Namjoon smiles, winding his arms tighter around Yoongi. “Yes, you absolutely may, beautiful boy.”
Yoongi hums happily and presses his lips to Namjoon’s. Namjoon opens his mouth to welcome Yoongi’s kiss, groaning his pleasure as his hands tighten on Yoongi’s waist.
“Mmh...” Yoongi moans, sliding a hand onto Namjoon’s cheek.
He feels Namjoon shiver briefly at his touch, and then his whole body relaxes, melting against the mattress and pillow.
“Love you,” Yoongi whispers against Namjoon’s lips, before he settles down again with a sigh.
“Love you too, hyung,” Namjoon whispers, holding him close. Yoongi can feel his heartbeat, strong and steady and slow. “Thanks…”
The next morning, Namjoon has bounced back to his normal calm, optimistic self, but Hoseok wakes in a miserable mood, which isn't improved by being the only one of the three not to get letters. When Namjoon attempts to lift his spirits by reminding him that they’ll have a visit from their boys on Saturday, and that they’ll have birthday gifts for Hoseok, Hoseok admits that he’s written off the possibility of seeing them for fear he won’t get a slot on this month’s list.
“No way,” Yoongi says immediately, looking up from his paper piano on the floor. “If you don’t get a slot, I’ll cancel my visit. I’ll do it last-minute so there’s no chance that anyone else will take the slot.”
“What?” Hoseok practically squeaks. “No, you can’t do that, hyung! What about your boys? They’ll have come all this way.”
“I’ll warn em, and they’ll understand,” Yoongi says stubbornly. “It’s your birthday! Seokjin-hyung’s making a cake, remember? I ain’t standing in the way of your party.”
“But…” Hoseok frowns and squirms a little on his bunk, plainly struggling to argue with that. “No, I don’t want to imagine their little faces all disappointed, and what if a guard says no? Then you’ll have to eat all the cake, Joonie…” he says, clutching at straws.
“I said I’ll warn em--” Yoongi starts, but Namjoon cuts in.
“Hoseokie, you don’t have to worry about it this time,” he says gently. “I was gonna bring you with me for my next phone call with Jinnie to talk about this, but I think I should tell you now.”
Hoseok looks at him, eyes widening.
“Tell me what…?”
“Jinnie and Jungkookie sent the paperwork to be put on your official visitation list, Hoseokie,” Namjoon says carefully. “You’re the one who’s gonna get the visit this time.”
“What!” Hoseok’s face opens up in shock. “But I… I told them not to! They’re for you, Joonie…” Yoongi can hear the annoyance in his tone, but it doesn’t quite dominate. He’s feeling too many other things too.
“And they’ve respected that, for literally years,” Namjoon says. “No matter how much they wanted to split visits, they’ve respected your choice to prioritise my visitations with them over your own. But Hoseokie, my visitations are over. If I miss this last one, I don’t give a shit. I’ll be seeing them twenty-four-seven in less than two weeks.”
Hoseok swallows, his expressive mouth twisting like he’s bitten into a lemon.
“It’s not right, though…” he says a little feebly. “I know you say they come to see me too, but… they should be done with this shithole…”
“Well I wanna keep seeing them,” Yoongi says, playfully sulky. “But they can’t all come to see me. You can only have three adults come for one visitation, so two of em would have to wait outside.”
“They have to drive me here anyway,” Namjoon says. “What, should they wait in the car while I come in and visit you?”
“Yah, yah…” Hoseok whines, shaking his head in protest, but there’s a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. “Okay, okay, geniuses! You’re right. Of course you’re right… if they’re sure…?”
“They already sent the paperwork, baby,” Namjoon says, finally starting to smile. “They wanted to be absolutely sure. And now that you’ve agreed, I’ll tell Sigh tomorrow, make sure he knows. He’ll probably check in with you himself too. If we’re lucky, he’ll be able to add me to your visit. If we’re not, Jinnie will just have to bake another cake when I get out, so I can have some too.”
“Yaaaah!” Hoseok hides his face in his hands and kicks his feet. “It’s all done? Seriously?”
“Jungkookie and Jinnie were both very insistent that it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission,” Namjoon laughs, rubbing his own short hair. “In fact, they’d already sent the paperwork before they told me.”
Yoongi crawls across to Hoseok and taps his thigh, seeking affection in his submissive, catlike way that doesn’t spook Hoseok.
“Goblins,” Hoseok laughs, responding to Yoongi’s touch at once and putting his arms around him to draw him up into his lap. “Beautiful, sweet, incorrigible chaos goblins…”
“Mmh,” Yoongi hums happily, crawling up into Hoseok's lap and nuzzling into him.
“Utterly incorrigible,” Namjoon agrees, laughing. He switches bunks to sit beside Hoseok, bumping him gently. “And both very excited to celebrate your birthday with you.”
Hoseok lets out a slow sigh, dropping his head gratefully on Namjoon’s shoulder and squeezing Yoongi close around the waist.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing them,” he says softly, as if afraid of being heard. “Was trying so hard not to count on it, you know? But I really am…!”
“You’ll see them,” Yoongi mumbles. “Can never guarantee anything in here. But they won't put up with being kept away from you for long. And if something fucks with this visit, me and the Boss will cheer you up. So don't worry.”
“I won’t worry,” Hoseok smiles. “I’ll trust my two geniuses and two goblins to look after it all. How lucky am I, eh…?”
“Mmh,” Yoongi hums happily.
“Exactly,” Namjoon laughs, ruffling Hoseok's hair.
Hoseok giggles and bats Namjoon’s hand away, but then immediately leans in and kisses his cheek, grateful.
Hoseok’s spirits are noticeably lifted for the rest of the week. He joins Namjoon to call Seokjin and Jungkook one evening to thank them and scold them and then thank them again for what they did without his knowledge. They laugh and tease him and tell him they can’t wait to see him.
On Friday, right after showers, Sigh catches Namjoon in the corridor and tells him he couldn’t add him to the list for tomorrow: it’s a full session and there’s no space. Namjoon accepts the news graciously and thanks Sigh for letting him know, but when he returns to base and tells Yoongi, he admits that his heart sank a bit - not so much for himself, but because he doesn’t want to dull Hoseok’s shine. But they agree to tell Hoseok right away, as soon as he gets back; he wouldn’t thank them for keeping it from him to spare him the disappointment.
He is disappointed, and guilty, and briefly argumentative, but Namjoon is calm and utterly unmovable on his pleasure that Hoseok will get to enjoy cake and gifts with Seokjin and Jungkook, and Hoseok eventually has to relent. He gives Namjoon a big, long hug, and kisses him, and says Namjoon’s back feels tight or sore or not right and offers him a massage, and some sweets from under Hoseok’s pillow. They settle in for the evening with Hoseok massaging Namjoon’s back and Yoongi - playing his paper piano on the floor at their feet as usual - lobbing the occasional teasing comment about Hoseok’s usefulness as a sub, taking such good care of his Boss. Hoseok squirms and giggles and blushes, and Namjoon tries to join in with the teasing but his voice drifts with pleasure and he interrupts himself with soft little groans so often that he decides to stop trying and simply shamelessly enjoy Hoseok’s ministrations. By the end of the night, they’re all in good spirits and looking forward to the morning.
At breakfast, Hoseok says he’s weirdly nervous about the visit, and grateful that Yoongi will be with him. In three years, he’s never walked into that noisy, busy room without Namjoon. Yoongi squeezes his hand and tells him his hyung will be watching out for him.
Namjoon sends them off with hugs and good cheer, and instructions for Hoseok to eat as much cake as he’s offered. Hoseok promises with a sweet, shy “Yes Boss”, and then heads to linger by the door with Yoongi.
As usual, they're among the last to be called, so Sigh can stretch the time a little for them.
Yoongi's more frustrated than usual by the handcuffs as they're escorted to the waiting room and left by the wall to wait their turns. Hoseok looks spooked without Namjoon, and Yoongi wants to hold his hand.
“Min,” Sigh eventually calls, a little smile on his lips. “Your boys are here. They’re very giddy.”
“Ah, yes sir,” Yoongi says, stepping forward immediately and turning his back to the junior guard. “Hard to imagine they could be giddier than last time, sir.”
“They’re full of delightful surprises,” Sigh says, his tone wryly warm, as the junior guard unlocks Yoongi’s cuffs. As the metal falls from Yoongi’s wrists, Sigh opens the door and gestures him through. They can hear the baby laughing.
“Just a minute, Jung,” Sigh says past Yoongi to Hoseok.
“Yessir,” Hoseok says, sounding a little shaky.
Yoongi throws him a smile and a quick thumbs up, but the junior guard is already hustling him towards the door, and it shuts abruptly behind him.
“Hyungnim!” Jimin’s bright, silvery voice. He’s standing up at a table across the room, waving energetically, his smile bright enough to eclipse the hostile stare of a guard standing close by.
Yoongi hurries across the room, everything else vanishing in Jimin’s presence. They embrace, Yoongi hugging Jimin tight to his chest.
“Hi baby,” he murmurs into Jimin’s hair.
Jimin’s arms wrap tightly around Yoongi’s waist and he snuggles his head against his shoulder, small hands curling to grip the fabric of his jumpsuit. His body sinks against Yoongi’s, the two of them folding perfectly together.
“Jagiya,” he breathes, a soft smile in his voice. “Missed you…”
“Miss you so much,” Yoongi says, pressing a kiss to Jimin’s cheek. “Miss you every day.”
“My turn...” Taehyung whines.
Jimin hums and releases Yoongi from his hug, only to take his face in both hands and kiss his lips sweetly. He doesn’t so much yield to Taehyung as hand Yoongi over to him.
“Hello,” Yoongi says, finding himself traded between the two of them. “Miss you too.”
Taehyung uses his height advantage to wrap his arms around Yoongi’s shoulders, protective and sheltering, and pulls him close.
“Miss you so much…!” he groans, nuzzling his head against Yoongi’s. “I had a really sexy dream about you last night and I woke up and you weren’t there to actually do it! I’m going mad!”
Yoongi laughs.
“You’re going mad?” he complains. “I’m going mad! Come on, let’s sit before I get in trouble.”
Jimin takes Yoongi’s hand and tugs him to sit across the table, scooching his chair in to make room for Taehyung to sit next to him. His engagement ring is gleaming on his finger, polished and shiny, and Yoongi’s hangs from the chain around his neck.
“Kookie and Seokjin-hyung have a cake for Hoseok-hyung,” he says happily. “And we have some little presents. How is he?”
“He’s sad Joonie can’t join today,” Yoongi says honestly. “But he’s excited to see everyone. I think Sigh will pull him through any minute. He knows it’s his birthday.”
“No Namjoon-hyung,” Taehyung groans. “That’s unlucky.”
“Lucky that the boys didn’t rely on Hoseok getting a spare slot, though, today of all days,” Jimin says. “We’ll miss him, though.”
“Yeah!” Taehyung agrees fervently.
“Taetae has a little crush,” Jimin giggles slyly.
“Jiminie has a bigger crush,” Taehyung retorts immediately, elbowing Jimin hard, making him giggle even more.
As they’re speaking, the door on the far side of the room opens and Seokjin leads Jungkook inside. Jungkook is holding a small bakery box, and Seokjin’s eyes are scanning for the open table next to theirs.
Yoongi raises his hand in a shy wave.
Seokjin sees him at once and smiles, and Jungkook gives a big wave back as they make their way to the table.
“Hello, beautiful!” Seokjin coos to Yoongi as they reach the next table, and he reaches out a hand to him. A quick gesture is as much as they can get away with; no hugs for anyone but the inmate they’re here to see.
Yoongi takes his hand for a brief squeeze and does the same with Jungkook, then sits back with his hands flat on the table before the watching guard takes a step forward.
“Nice to see you both,” he says. “I’m sorry Namjoon can’t join us.”
“So are we,” Seokjin says as they sit, and Jungkook puts on a brave little smile. “Not the same without all seven of us, is it? But not to worry! We’ll enjoy—”
“Here he is!” Jungkook stands up abruptly, wide eyes fixed on the door through which Hoseok has just stepped.
Hoseok was still looking anxious, but as soon as he sees Jungkook stand up, he breaks into a huge smile and hurries across the room, none of his anxiety from this morning visible anymore.
Jungkook steps around the table to reach him first, obviously barely holding himself back from running to him. He throws his arms around Hoseok as soon as he’s in reach and squeezes him in an absolutely crushing hug.
“Hi hyung! Happy birthday hyung!”
“Hi baby boy!” Hoseok beams, hugging back tightly. “Thank you!”
Yoongi watches with his lips a little parted, delighted to see Hoseok finally relaxing, getting the loving attention he deserves.
Jungkook giggles and holds him tight, swinging him a little from side to side, before letting him go and stepping back to let Seokjin come closer.
“Hello birthday boy,” Seokjin grins. “You look so good! You must have already had your soup!”
“My kitchen friends do their best,” Hoseok answers, turning his big smile on Seokjin. “Ah, your husband gave me something for you,” he adds, stepping in for his hug.
“Oh?” Seokjin’s smile brightens even more as he winds his arms around Hoseok and draws him in to embrace him.
“Here...”
Hoseok cups Seokjin’s face in his hands and presses a sweet kiss to his lips.
“Mmmmmhh!” Seokjin lets out an adorable little squeal of surprise, his eyes widening and hands soft on Hoseok’s waist. Jimin giggles in delight while Taehyung and Jungkook stare openly.
“There you go,” Hoseok says, breaking the kiss with a giggle.
“Whoo! Oh my stars, I’d better sit down!” Seokjin giggles, blushing more pink than Yoongi has ever seen him. “Thank you, my charming delivery man!”
“My most genuine pleasure,” Hoseok beams, taking his seat. “But I am sorry Joonie can’t be here himself.”
“We are too,” Jungkook says, finally finding his voice. “But it’s your birthday! We brought presents!”
“We all did!” Taehyung adds. “Except Yoongi-hyung, even though he’s the richest...”
“Yah! Yah!” Yoongi complains. “I’ll give him mine on his actual birthday!”
“Oh!” Hoseok blinks in surprise, his expressive face open. “You too? Aigoo, you didn’t have to, Taehyungie, Jiminie!”
“Of course we did!” Jimin scoffs, playfully offended. “Didn’t we bring gifts for Namjoon-hyung?”
“Yeah, you’re not special,” Taehyung teases.
“Taehyungie!” Yoongi scolds.
“Alright, alright!” Hoseok laughs. “I’m very grateful! So who’s first?”
“Well, let’s start here…” Seokjin says with a smug smile, giving Jungkook a nod. Seokjin starts opening the cake box, while Jungkook takes out three cans of Sprite from his bag, gleaming with cold condensation.
“Ohhh!” Hoseok coos, clapping his hands quietly in excitement. “Did you bake this, hyung?”
“Naturally!” Seokjin says smugly, revealing the cake to let Jungkook insert the little candle with a paper flame stuck on top. “My take on a classic tiramisu!”
“You’ll love it, hyung!” Jungkook says, his brow furrowed in concentration.
“I’m absolutely sure I will!” Hoseok laughs. “Oh, it looks so good! Is there enough for everyone?”
“We don’t need any!” Jimin says quickly. “Please don’t worry, it’s all for you, except maybe a slice for Yoongi-hyung. Right, Jin-hyung?”
“That’s right,” Seokjin says. “And there’ll be no arguments. Now blow out the candle and make a wish, beautiful birthday boy.”
Hoseok giggles. He closes his eyes and leans in with a hum... pauses a moment... and opens his eyes to gently blow the paper candle, setting it fluttering.
Jungkook giggles and plucks the flame away, then claps quietly.
“Hope it comes true, hyung,” Jimin says softly, throwing a glance to Yoongi.
“Hope,” Hoseok echoes, a shine in his eyes for a moment that Yoongi can't quite tell is tears or not.
Seokjin serves the little cake; fully half for Hoseok, most of the rest for Yoongi, and little bitesize morsels for the four visitors “so everyone can appreciate how delicious my handiwork is”.
The boys have brought gifts for Hoseok; Jimin brought him silk threads from a nice shop across town, Jungkook presents him with a pack of coloured pencils and blank postcards he can decorate and send to his sister, Seokjin has some nice toiletries, which he teases him for not needing due to his outrageously soft skin and shiny hair, and Taehyung has a really weird comic about a squirrel in a horse's head mask that Yoongi eyes with horror but Hoseok - to Taehyung’s smug delight - finds “oh so cute!”.
Hoseok thanks everyone profusely, somewhat embarrassed by their generosity. Seokjin cuts him off halfway through claiming he’s undeserving of it. The tables split then, each pair of visitors mindful of the limited time they have, but the mood is happy and cheerful. And hopeful.
The bright mood lasts all day; they missed Namjoon at the visit but telling him all about it makes the occasion seem to last longer.
All three of them have ups and downs over the next few days. Yoongi stops buying things in the commissary so he has more minutes to spend on the phone with his boys. He’s trying hard to be the steady hyung in the cell, but his own worries and upsets have to go somewhere, so he tries to let it be during his phone calls.
On Wednesday, the showers are getting busy by the time the three of them reach the top of the queue. Namjoon and Hoseok dump their things gratefully on the bench to leave them with Yoongi and head for the showers, shivering in the cold. Yoongi takes off his shoes and socks, but leaves his clothes on for now, perching on the bench to wait for the others to be finished.
Rowdy conversation behind his shoulder, someone shouts for the guys taking their turn to hurry up. Namjoon showers quickly and returns to Yoongi, picking up his towel.
“All yours,” he murmurs, eyes on the boisterous queue, vigilant to trouble.
“Cheers,” Yoongi answers.
He strips off quickly, grabs a soap sheet and his shampoo, and heads for the shower Namjoon just vacated, passing a shivering Hoseok as he goes.
The water isn’t as hot as he’d like it to be, but the pressure is always decent, so it’s not bad. He sets into his little routine, scrubbing himself clean and gently washing his hair. His roots are growing out again, he’ll have to ask Hoseok for another capful of bleach soon...
He turns to rinse his hair under the water, and glances over to his cellmates, checking on them. But someone steps between him and the bench as he looks over, and he accidentally makes eye contact. He blinks his gaze away immediately, concentrating on raking his hands through his hair.
“The fuck are you looking at!”
The retort comes almost as fast as Yoongi can blink, sharp and vicious.
“Not you,” Yoongi drawls, his voice low and calm even as his stomach clenches in fear. He switches off his shower and ruffles some of the water out of his hair, ignoring the aggressive guy.
“You better not get any fucking ideas, you sick sissy pervert.” The guy is suddenly striding towards Yoongi, a fearsome snarl on his face. He has a towel around his waist, showing off his body, thick with pure brawn.
“What ideas?” Yoongi answers coldly. “I have no idea who you even are. Step off.” He makes to walk past him, clutching his little bottle of shampoo tightly.
“Fucking cocksucker better keep your eyes to yourself,” the guy snarls, as Namjoon shouts something.
Before Yoongi can react, the guy’s hand flashes up and he snatches him by the throat and shoves him forcefully backwards. Yoongi’s foot slips from under him on the wet floor—
He cries out as he loses his balance, grabbing the guy’s arm.
“Agust!” Hoseok yells.
The guy twists out of his grip and Yoongi hits the ground hard on his ass, right on the tiled lip of the border of the shower section. He didn't fall straight back, so his right buttock takes the worst of it.
“Get the fuck back!” Namjoon bellows, and someone throws a punch. Hoseok is suddenly over Yoongi, shielding him with his body.
“Up, get up!” he urges him, grabbing his arm.
“Fuck,” Yoongi gasps, grabbing Hoseok’s arm and scrambling to his feet, terrified and furious.
Hoseok pulls Yoongi up and keeps his arms around him, both of them naked and Yoongi dripping wet. Namjoon is between them and his assailant, fearsome as a wolf.
“Walk away,” he growls. “Walk away right now or I will make you.”
“Fuck off,” the guy sneers, but after a moment’s hesitation he skulks away to the other side of the space, glaring over his shoulder.
Yoongi grabs Namjoon’s arm.
“Boss,” he says under his breath. He’s shaking.
“Dry off, quickly, and we’re out of here,” Namjoon says, taking Yoongi and steering him to the wall. Hoseok hurries to grab Yoongi a towel. “Nobody’s gonna touch you, I promise.”
Yoongi nods, snatching the towel from Hoseok and starting to scrub the water from his skin as quickly as he can with shaking hands. There’s a tension in the air, guys eyeing each other, some angling themselves as though they might back Namjoon up, others edging away to avoid any further trouble.
Namjoon guards the two of them as they dress, then ushers them out of the bathroom and through the block towards their cell.
Hoseok grabs Yoongi’s hand and squeezes briefly, and Yoongi can practically feel him thrumming with adrenaline. Yoongi squeezes back hard, keeping his eyes on the opposite wall. He’s still shaking and he hopes it doesn’t show.
Namjoon moves behind them as they head up the stairs to the cell. Hoseok grabs Yoongi’s hand again and tugs him inside, and Namjoon checks left and right outside the door before he closes it, letting his breath out in a shaky sigh.
Yoongi sinks down on Hoseok’s bunk, gripping his hair.
“Fuck...” he breathes.
“You hurt?” Namjoon rumbles, stepping up next to him.
“Bruised,” Yoongi answers, glancing up, his eyes dark and soft and vulnerable. “But mostly just shaken up.”
“Bastard!” Hoseok spits, throwing his arms around Yoongi. He’s shaking too. “Bastarding fucking prick!!”
Yoongi wraps an arm around Hoseok’s waist and hides his face in Hoseok’s shoulder, hugging himself close. He’s too shocked to even cry, but he feels miserable.
“Who the fuck was he?” he complains, a little plaintive. “Why’d he mess with me?”
“New guy, barely here a week,” Namjoon says darkly. “First timer, panicking about the attention of queer guys. Not uncommon.”
Yoongi growls, curling in a little tighter.
“I was so scared of that kind of shit at first,” he says, his voice shaking. “I’d started to trust it wouldn’t happen. Or at least that if I got beaten, it wouldn’t be for that.”
“He’s too new and too stupid to know you’re not to be messed with,” Hoseok says, hugging him tightly. “That’s your reputation, that protects you. That piece of shit will learn.”
“Ugh,” Yoongi says, shivering pitifully. “...’m scared it’ll happen again. ’m scared he’ll catch me alone.”
“We’ll be vigilant,” Namjoon says, his voice hot with anger. “We won’t let him away with shit, and if his cellmates have any fucking brains, they’ll rein him in too. I’ll have a word with them.”
“Might stick close to my hyungs, next few days,” Yoongi says quietly, embarrassed. “That okay?”
“Yes,” Hoseok says instantly, squeezing Yoongi tighter. “We’ll make him pay, and anyone else who gives you shit. I will,” he adds, stubborn and brave.
“No no, don’t do that!” Yoongi says anxiously. “Don’t get in trouble for my sake!”
“I would, and I will if he tries anything,” Hoseok says fiercely. “I know I’m not as strong and scary as Joonie, but I’ll do what I have to. We’ll look after each other.”
Yoongi shakes his head, looking anxiously up at Namjoon.
“Let me teach any lessons that need to be taught,” Namjoon says, ruffling Hoseok’s hair. “I’m the Professor after all. You take care of our Yoongi like you did in the showers.”
Hoseok tilts into his touch, grateful.
“...Had to get him off the floor,” he says softly, his anger cooling at Namjoon’s soothing gesture. “That’s the most important thing. If anything kicks off, you get on your feet at all costs… right?”
“Right,” Namjoon says, squeezing his shoulder. “You did well, Seok-ah.”
“I was so relieved to see you there,” Yoongi says, tucking his head down on Hoseok’s shoulder. “I knew you’d protect me, get me up.”
Hoseok hums and strokes Yoongi’s hair, closing his eyes.
“Love you,” he murmurs. “Like you’d ever look twice at that piece of shit anyway. Has he seen your fiancé? You have taste!”
Yoongi giggles.
“Maybe he has seen him, he was on the news,” he says, sitting up a little and scrubbing his face. “Maybe he fancies himself the Park Jimin of Deng Prison.”
Hoseok and Namjoon both laugh at that, and the tension slowly breaks. Hoseok produces some chocolate - medicinal, for shock, he says - and they curl up together to relax and start to come down. Rec hours have begun, and Namjoon encourages Yoongi to go join in his basketball game and put the incident out of his mind for now. Yoongi agrees. Namjoon escorts him to the yard, where Minho - who had obviously heard what had happened - lets him join the game even though he’s late.
Namjoon is quiet, even a little withdrawn, when they reunite and head to dinner, but Hoseok does his best to keep the mood up with chat and jokes, asking Yoongi questions about the game and the players’ strategies and personalities. Yoongi’s always happy to talk about basketball, and he does, but he’s on edge, hyper-aware of the surrounding inmates, waiting for a slur or a blow.
Only Hoseok wants to go to commissary but they decide Namjoon and Yoongi will escort him there before they make their phone calls, and then they’ll go to do their night routines early, not wanting to leave base once they settle in for the night. In the queue for commissary, another two inmates comment on what happened, expressing their contempt for the man who attacked Yoongi. Tukutz is in the queue ahead of them and claps Yoongi’s shoulder as he leaves. When he makes his call, Yoongi keeps his tone light with his boys, but he keeps his eyes on his cellmates and his back angled to the wall. The bathroom is worse, the memory vivid for Yoongi. He hurries through his night routine, trying to concentrate on the physical sensations and not think about anything else.
It’s a relief to get back to the cell. Hoseok beckons Yoongi to his bunk and offers to share his blanket, while Namjoon goes to his own bunk and picks up his book.
The cell is quiet, an easy silence, companionable. Yoongi tries to settle into it, but he’s still tense from the day.
He slips from the bunk to sit instead at Hoseok’s feet.
“Mmh,” Hoseok hums, reaching to pet his blonde hair. “You okay…?”
Yoongi lets out a long sigh.
“Not really,” he admits, his eyes down. “Mmh, Boss...?”
“Yeah, kid?” Namjoon says kindly, setting his book down on his lap.
Yoongi shifts to his knees, glancing up hopefully from under his messy blonde bangs, his face still a little pale.
“Will you take everything away from sub, please?”
Namjoon takes a breath to answer… and freezes. Nothing comes out of his mouth, and as the seconds pass, an awful look comes over his eyes.
Yoongi stiffens, dropping his gaze quickly.
“S-sorry...” he whispers, feeling awkward and guilty. “Sorry, nevermind...”
“No!” Namjoon says at once, reaching to grasp Yoongi’s hand. “No, no. Don’t say that. It’s not… I just…” He swallows hard, his cheeks flushing hot with shame. “I can’t,” he whispers. “I’m so sorry, baby…”
Yoongi shakes his head quickly, squeezing Namjoon’s hand and withdrawing his hand immediately, folding his hands in his lap.
“Don’t worry,” Yoongi says vaguely. “Sub is-- I’m fine. I’ll go to bed. I’m fine.”
“No, please,” Namjoon begs, reaching helplessly for him. “Don’t get it wrong, please? I want to, I want to give you what you want and I love domming you, I love it, I just… I feel weak tonight, kid…” he whispers, tears welling in his eyes.
“I... I know you want to,” Yoongi whispers, blinking rapidly, curled in on himself on his knees. “I’m s-sorry I didn’t notice b-before I asked...”
“No, it’s not up to you to read my mind,” Namjoon says desperately. “I’d do it if I could, I want to, but I … I think I can’t hold a scene together, and it wouldn’t be safe…”
“It’s alright, Boss,” Hoseok suddenly says, rising smoothly to his feet. His voice is calm and steady, authoritative. “Tiger's visit, your panic attack, what happened today… it’s okay to be shaken. It’s okay to rest. I’ll look after this little one, if that’s acceptable to you.”
His hand comes down on Yoongi’s head, possessive, grounding.
“Oh,” Yoongi breathes, very soft, dipping his head under Hoseok’s warm hand. He doesn’t speak - that’s not his place - but he glances hopefully at Namjoon.
Namjoon takes a deep breath and scrubs his eyes hastily.
“Yes,” he says, a little hoarse. “If my boy consents to submit to you, I’ll hand him over happily. I trust you to look after him.”
Hoseok dips his head to Namjoon and turns his gaze back to Yoongi.
“What do you say, sub?” he asks, warm and firm.
“Yes,” Yoongi says immediately, flicking a hopeful little glance up at Hoseok before he drops his gaze demurely. “Yes please, Captain. If Captain wants sub, sub is all his.”
“I want you, good sub,” Hoseok says, sinking his hand deeper into Yoongi’s hair to gently scratch his scalp.
“Should I...?” Namjoon starts, gesturing vaguely to the door of the cell, uncharacteristically uncertain.
“Boss, stay to watch…?” Hoseok interrupts smoothly.
“…Yes,” Namjoon says after a pause. “If that’s alright with you.”
“I want you to stay,” Hoseok says. “Sub?”
“Yes please,” Yoongi says immediately. “Sub wants both my Doms here. And... sub knows the Boss likes to watch, right?”
Namjoon offers him a little smile, tired and unsure, but fond.
“I love to watch my beautiful boys,” he says, shifting back into the corner of his bunk to settle there. “Thank you, Yoongi-yah…”
Yoongi smiles, and sinks down into his deep bow towards Namjoon, forehead to the floor.
“Boss,” he murmurs.
He hears Namjoon take a slow, deep breath, steadying himself.
“Good boy,” he murmurs. “Now, eyes on your Captain.”
“That’s right,” Hoseok says crisply. “On your feet, sub.”
Yoongi pushes himself up, facing Hoseok, and lifts his gaze to meet Hoseok’s sharp eyes. He feels nervous and unsteady and pathetically needy, but he feels safe too. He trusts Hoseok.
“Good,” Hoseok murmurs, looking Yoongi up and down. He steps in close and perfects Yoongi’s posture, pressing his tense shoulders down and tilting his chin up fractionally. “Tell me how you’re feeling, sub. Three words.”
“Uh...” Yoongi says, struggling to keep his chin up. “N-needy. Shaken. Safe.”
“Well done,” Hoseok praises, stroking Yoongi’s cheek and holding steady eye contact. “How do you want to feel? Three words.”
“Submissive,” Yoongi says, trembling lightly. “Hazy. Safe.”
“Good boy,” Hoseok says, resting his hands heavily on Yoongi’s shoulders. “Deep breath. I’ve got you, kid, and I want you to let this all go…”
Yoongi obediently takes a deeper breath, letting his shoulders sink down under Hoseok’s hands.
“Captain has me...” he mumbles.
“That’s right,” Hoseok murmurs, steady and sure. He takes the pull of the zip of Yoongi’s jumpsuit in his fingers and draws it down smoothly, sliding his hand inside the jumpsuit to pull it aside. “Relax for me, sub…”
Yoongi shivers, feeling deliciously vulnerable as Hoseok exposes him.
“’m trying...” he whispers. “’s hard...”
“I know,” Hoseok says, easing the jumpsuit off Yoongi’s shoulders. He’s wearing a white tank top underneath, which exposes his shoulders and arms. “But you’ve survived worse today… and you’re safe, you’re so safe, sub…”
“Mmh...” Yoongi hums, his eyelids fluttering. “Yeah... ’m safe with Captain...”
“Good boy,” Hoseok murmurs. He eases the jumpsuit right down, tugging it down Yoongi’s arms and off his hips, pulling it down his legs. “Step out, sub.”
Yoongi obeys, shivering a little in the cold.
“Arms up,” Hoseok instructs, lifting the jumpsuit and depositing it carefully on his bunk, his eyes never leaving Yoongi as he rises. “Nice and high, so you can feel the stretch in your back. Tell me when you can…”
“Mmh,” Yoongi hums, living his arms up, stretching his fingers towards the ceiling. “Feels good...”
“I knew it would,” Hoseok says smugly, tracing his fingers up Yoongi’s stomach, exposed where his tank top has ridden up. “Don’t stop. Keep them up, you're a strong little thing…”
He takes hold of the fabric and starts to pull it up along Yoongi’s body, stripping it off with deliberate slowness.
Yoongi shivers beautifully, his cheeks softly flushed.
“Sub is strong...” he agrees, just as smug.
“Strong and fucking gorgeous with it,” Hoseok purrs playfully, pulling the tank up off Yoongi’s hands and dropping it onto his jumpsuit so that he can immediately stroke his long hands across the planes of Yoongi’s back. “Say that too, loud and clear.”
“Sub is fuckin’ gorgeous with it,” Yoongi says, dipping his head a little, grinning.
“Yes you are,” Hoseok grins, hooking his thumbs into the waistband of Yoongi’s boxers. He pauses, gauging his reaction as he starts to pull. “Every part of you…”
Yoongi swallows nervously but shifts his feet slightly further apart, keeping his arms stretched high, feeling exquisitely vulnerable as his body is laid bare to Hoseok, the pale skin of his buttocks mottled with bruises from where he fell hard in the showers.
Hoseok slips his boxers down his legs and strokes the dark bruise on his right buttock with the back of his warm hand, an admiring caress.
“Including this,” he says softly. “Does it hurt?”
“Ah, n--” Yoongi cuts himself off. His Captain isn’t going to take kindly to lies. “...yes, Captain,” he admits softly. “Hurts like a bitch.”
“Mmh…” Hoseok hums, stroking the bruises with his palm and pressing experimentally. “Sharp pain? Or aching?”
Yoongi hisses softly, his fingers curling, high above his head.
“Dull ache, but it’s very tender to touch...”
“I can feel that,” Hoseok says, pressing slowly and then returning to gentle strokes. “It’s hot. You went down hard, didn’t you…? Wrists crossed, and keep them high.”
“Yes Captain,” Yoongi answers, crossing his wrists and stretching his arms a little higher, feeling a touch breathless and very vulnerable... “Went down hard, Sir. But I got up again. ’m good at that.”
“Little dragon,” Hoseok murmurs. He bends and presses a kiss to Yoongi’s hip, more possessive than reverential. “Our little dragon.”
“Ah! Yes Captain!” Yoongi agrees. “All yours...”
“You know how angry it makes us when someone else dares to put a mark on you,” Hoseok says, his hand sliding up Yoongi’s other hip to grip, his fingers digging into his skin as he kisses again. “Don’t you…?”
Yoongi whimpers, struggling to keep his vulnerable, strained position.
“Y-yes Captain!”
“Because you’re ours to mark,” Hoseok says, and he kisses again, right on the biggest bruise, his lips pressing hard enough to make it shout. “Ours to hurt. Aren’t you?”
“Ah! Yes!” Yoongi gasps out, his head dropping back. “Yes Captain! Yours!”
“That’s right,” Hoseok says, low and dominant. He sinks to one knee and wraps his arm around Yoongi’s waist, pinning him in place, and his other hand explores the trail of bruises across Yoongi’s ass, touching and pressing and pinching with cruel curiosity. “You’ll submit to this because you know your place, sub.”
Yoongi groans helplessly, his cock hot and hard with this cruelty.
“Yes Captain!” he agrees. “Yours! M-my place is as your toy, your d-dolly to play with...”
“Mmh,” Hoseok hums his approval, almost cool, and rises to his feet. “You need some fresh marks, boy. When you feel the throb of pain and the twinge of healing, I don’t want you wasting a single thought on the lowlife who hurt you today. I’m going to make sure you’re thinking about your Doms instead, even if I have to leave you black and fucking blue…”
Yoongi shudders, his dark eyes widening over his flushed cheeks.
“Fuck...” he breathes.
Hoseok grins, taking Yoongi’s chin in his warm fingers.
“What’s your safeword?”
“Daechwita, Captain,” Yoongi says immediately. “And Captain’s is Pandora, and the Boss’s is trampoline, Sir.”
“Good doll,” Hoseok smirks, smug and wicked. He reaches up to take Yoongi’s wrists and lower them to his sides. “Now, doll, you remember what the Boss taught us about spanking technique, and how the position of the sub makes all the difference, mmh?”
“Yes Captain...?” Yoongi answers nervously, his fingers curling softly.
Hoseok hums and brings Yoongi’s wrists together in front of him, crossing them and holding them in place with one hand.
“So you remember that this…” His free hand caresses Yoongi’s buttock. “Is the easiest pose. Standing straight, muscles relaxed, able to take the blows…”
He smacks his ass, a sharp, stinging blow with his now-expert hand.
Yoongi gasps softly, and nods.
“Yes Captain,” he says, his eyes wide. “I remember.”
“And this…” Hoseok draws Yoongi’s wrists down a few inches towards the floor, bending him. Smack, just as hard and precise. “Is a little harder…”
This time Yoongi hisses, his toes curling against the cold floor.
“Yes Captain...”
“And this…” He pulls Yoongi’s wrists down to his knees, and uses his free hand to press Yoongi’s knees back to make sure they’re locked straight. Then he slides his warm palm up the back of Yoongi’s thigh… and smacks again, the same place. “Well?”
“Nh--!” Yoongi grunts in pain, struggling not to squirm. “H-harder still, Captain...”
“Good,” Hoseok smirks, crisp and smug, and he lets go of Yoongi completely. “So where do you think your Captain wants to see you bend to…?”
Yoongi groans softly. He adjusts his weight ... and bends fully forward, keeping his wrists crossed but stretching his fingers to touch the floor. As far as he can go.
“H-here, Captain?” he asks, a hint of strain in his voice.
“That’s right, I want you folded in half,” Hoseok purrs, tracing his fingertips up Yoongi’s tight thigh. “But you better step those pretty legs wider, because I’ll be so cross if you fall and interrupt me.”
His foot firmly nudges the inside of Yoongi’s ankle.
“Fuck...” Yoongi huffs. He shuffles his feet apart, shivering at the indignity and vulnerability...
“Much better,” Hoseok purrs, sliding his palm down Yoongi’s buttocks to let his fingers dip teasingly between his legs, making him twitch. “Think you can hold it, little dragon?”
“Course I will, Captain,” Yoongi answers stubbornly, settling into the pose deliberately...
“Then stay,” Hoseok says strictly, patting Yoongi’s ass sharply before he moves away, towards the bench…
“Uh...?” Yoongi asks inelegantly, trying to look up towards the bench without moving.
He can’t see anything but Hoseok’s legs as he stops in front of the bench and pauses, perusing… and picks something up. Yoongi realises he’s been positioned deliberately, side-on to where Namjoon is still curled silently on his bunk, the perfect view.
“Captain...” he whines, needy for attention.
“Patience, sub,” Hoseok chuckles, wicked and smirking. He returns to stand behind Yoongi, one warm hand coming down to rest on his injured hip. “You really in that much of a hurry to be brutalised…?”
“Maybe I am...” Yoongi answers, his voice a rasping purr and his cheeks hot...
“Dirty little painslut,” Hoseok smirks… and Yoongi feels something else touch his ass, cool and flat. A book? “Aren’t you? Let me hear it.”
Yoongi groans in a heady mixture of humiliation and nervous, masochistic anticipation for what his ass is about to suffer.
“Min Yoongi is a d-dirty little painslut, Sir,” he offers. “Especially for Jung Hoseok.”
“Good sub,” Hoseok grins. “Still and strong now…”
He takes his hand away, slides the book across Yoongi’s ass to where his buttock is already hot and bruised… and starts to tap, quick and firm…
“Nnh...” Yoongi groans, closing his eyes. This already fucking hurts and Hoseok hasn’t even started...
Hoseok hums in harmony with him, approving and challenging. As his skin warms up, the tapping slows down… and then comes the first forceful, bruising blow.
“Fuck!” Yoongi gasps out, his ass tightening up visibly.
“Steady,” Hoseok orders, pausing for a break for Yoongi to adjust. He strikes again in the same spot, the book just light and flexible to add some real bite.
“Ah!” Yoongi squirms. “Yes Captain!”
Anther hard smack, as soon as the obedient words have left Yoongi’s mouth. Another, another.
Yoongi presses his fingers to the floor and pants for breath, struggling to keep silent. The pain builds mercilessly, pain on top of pain, bruises on top of bruises, until his panting breath catches in helpless little sobs. Hoseok doesn’t take that as a sign to stop; he pushes on, putting a hand on Yoongi’s lower back to steady him as he delivers another five, six, seven punishing blows… and then pauses, stroking Yoongi’s skin with his thumb.
“Breathe,” he murmurs. “Deep breath in.”
Yoongi obeys, sucking in a breath as deeply as he can, his body trembling under Hoseok’s touch.
“...m-my Captain...”
“Good boy,” Hoseok says, sweeping his hand gently across Yoongi’s abused flesh. His hand feels deliciously cool, even as his light touch hurts. “Ah, burning hot…”
Yoongi whimpers, twitching under that touch.
“Captain... my cruel Captain...”
“Mmf…” Hoseok groans, thrilled. “I like that… is that how you see me, sub?”
He curls his fingertips, letting his short nails gently scrape Yoongi’s agonised skin, drawing another helpless little whimper.
“Is... is it not true?” he asks breathlessly.
“It is,” Hoseok laughs. “You stoke my cruel streak, beautiful boy—” Another sudden, sharp smack with the book.
Yoongi yelps.
“I n-noticed--” he gasps out, tears in his eyes, and Hoseok laughs, wicked and delighted.
“You tempt me to go all fucking night,” he grins, starting to stroke Yoongi’s buttocks with a rough hand. “But I don’t think you need it. I think you’re sore and subby, and when you sit on these bruises, your mind will go right to this moment…” His fingers dip again between his thighs, fingertips brushing his balls. “Am I right?”
“Yes!” Yoongi gasps, arching his back even further to offer himself. “Yes, Captain! I will!”
“Good,” Hoseok says, utterly smug. “Just to make sure…”
His hand slips away, and the book cracks down again, harder than ever.
Yoongi squeals in pain, quickly muffling the sound against his own bare arm, barely staying on his feet. His tears spill hot.
“That’s it,” Hoseok says, firm and decisive. The book drops between Yoongi’s feet with a soft thud, and Hoseok’s hands come down on his hips from behind, warm and steadying. “You’re gonna kneel down for me, kid, nice and slow.”
Yoongi moans softly and slowly sinks to his knees, trembling.
“Good,” Hoseok murmurs, crouching next to him and rubbing his back. “You dizzy…?”
Yoongi shakes his head, then catches himself.
“...lil bit, Captain...” he admits, his voice a rasping little whisper. His knees are splayed, his hands fallen quietly between his legs.
“You’re a good boy for telling me,” Hoseok says. Yoongi hears the rustle of fabric, before Hoseok drapes his blanket over his back. “Lift your head slowly for me, good boy…”
Yoongi obeys, tilting his head up and blinking hazy, teary eyes at his Captain...
“Mmh…” Hoseok hums his pleasure, smiling down at Yoongi and stroking his hair, finding it damp with sweat. “You’re so beautiful like this… strong and brave and beautiful…”
Yoongi smiles back, absolutely delighted.
“...yeah...” he agrees, his voice a little slurred, the way it gets when he’s deep and wrung out. “...sub ’s strong... ’n beautiful...”
“Yes you are,” Hoseok murmurs, sliding his hand onto Yoongi’s chest. “Straighten up for me, sub. I want you to drink some water before anything else.”
Yoongi shifts up and immediately hisses in pain.
“Brave boy,” Hoseok purrs. “I didn’t go easy on you, did I?”
“When do you ever, Sir?” Yoongi growls softly, smug. He lets his shoulders sink back, bracing his hands on his thighs, and raises his chin again towards Hoseok.
“Quite right,” Hoseok grins. He picks up his open water bottle and puts it to Yoongi’s lips, cupping the back of his head with his free hand. “Open up, beautiful…”
“Ah...” Yoongi opens his mouth and drinks what his Captain gives him, pliant and obedient.
Hoseok gives him short sips, holding him steady.
“Good,” he murmurs, easing the bottle away when it’s empty. “Can you tell your Captain how you’re feeling, sub…?”
“Mmh... fucked up, Captain,” Yoongi answers with a lazy little smirk. “Good ’n fucked up...”
Hoseok chuckles, obviously thrilled by that smirk.
“You certainly look it,” he purrs, wiping Yoongi’s tears from his flushed cheeks. “I’m going to bring you up onto my bunk and cuddle you, and we can do a little debrief. Sounds good?”
Yoongi nods, then remembers his Captain expects him to use his words.
“Yessir,” he answers, reaching for Hoseok.
“Very good,” Hoseok smiles, pleased and proud. He lifts Yoongi in his arms - not as effortlessly as Namjoon can, but with grace - and sinks down on his bunk, shifting to put his back to the wall. As soon as he sits and Yoongi comes to rest in his lap, his bruises, both old and new, roar.
“Fuck!” Yoongi sobs, clinging to Hoseok to steady himself.
“I know,” Hoseok coos, playfully teasing, as he wraps his arms tightly around Yoongi. “Gonna be feeling that for days, aren’t you…?”
“Every time I sit down...” Yoongi groans, dropping his face on Hoseok’s shoulder.
“Was it too much…?” Hoseok asks softly, cradling Yoongi’s head with a gentle hand.
“No Captain,” he answers immediately, nuzzling in like an affectionate little cat. “I needed it, I needed to be pushed hard...”
“Our sub is so brave,” Hoseok smiles, stroking his hair. “I’ve learned that with you… the Dom isn’t the one pushing the sub’s limits, not really. The sub gets to do that. The Dom’s role is to take them as far as they want to go… What a privilege.”
“Mmh, Dom is good at it,” Yoongi says, smugly happy. “Dom is cruel and strict and sadistic, and sub fucking loves him for it.”
“Dom loves sub too,” Hoseok grins. “Did any moments stand out? Anything you liked?”
“When you forced me to say I was your dirty little painslut,” Yoongi admits, cheeks hot. “And when you made me guess how you wanted me, bent over.”
“I liked hearing you say that,” Hoseok smirks, scratching behind Yoongi’s ear, like a little reward, making him purr. “And I knew you’d do exactly what I wanted.”
“I’m a good sub,” Yoongi agrees with satisfaction. “I’m good at doing exactly what my Dom wants.”
“Anything you didn’t enjoy?” Hoseok asks gently.
“Mmh, nah,” Yoongi answers, pressing a kiss to Hoseok’s cheek. “I enjoyed it all.”
“I’m glad, love,” Hoseok smiles, nuzzling close. “Thanks for letting me.”
“What about Dom?” Yoongi asks softly. “What did Dom enjoy? ’n was there anything Dom didn’t enjoy?”
“Mmh,” Hoseok hums, tucking his head against Yoongi’s. “I liked when you bent all the way down, so obedient. That was a rush. I liked how vocal you were. I should have checked your safeword at some point while I was spanking you; I regret that I let that slip my mind. I’ll remember next time.”
“Nah, ’s okay,” Yoongi says, shaking his head gently. “You checked it at the start and I promise I’m good at using it when I need to.”
“Good boy,” Hoseok says. “That’s the most important order to obey, and I know you’re obedient to Sirs.”
“Yes I am,” Yoongi says happily. “Thank you, Captain. Thank you so fucking much.”
“You’re welcome, kid,” Hoseok smiles, hugging him close. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” Yoongi says, and he raises his head, looking over at Namjoon with soft, hazy eyes. “And I love the Boss too.”
Namjoon sits in the corner of his bunk against the wall, his knees drawn up to his chest. He smiles quietly, his eyes warm.
“Love you too, kid,” he says. “You’re such a good boy.”
“Can I give you a hug, hyung?” Yoongi asks shyly.
A silent moment passes between them, a look of something like relief in Namjoon’s eyes. Yoongi won’t ask more of him than he can give - and he can give this. He can be hyung.
“Of course,” he says, lowering his knees and opening his arms. “Come here.”
“May I?” Yoongi asks Hoseok, shifting up.
“Of course,” Hoseok says, supporting him. “You need some help…?”
“No, Sir, ’m good,” Yoongi says, pulling himself to his feet with a wince. His legs are wobbly, but he makes it.
“Strong lil cat,” Hoseok purrs proudly.
Yoongi grins, delighted, and wobbles across to Namjoon, crawling into his lap. Namjoon welcomes him with a smile, winding his arms around him and drawing him close to his chest.
“You happy…?” he murmurs.
“Yeah, hyung, very happy,” Yoongi smiles, and he shyly tilts his head up and kisses Namjoon’s cheek. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay, kid,” Namjoon says, tilting his head to kiss Yoongi’s hair. “I’m okay.”
“Can we help, hyung?” Yoongi asks softly.
Namjoon hums softly, considering.
“I’m scared,” he says quietly. “I’m scared to go and leave you two here. It helps to see you looking after each other, how capable you are…”
“We got each other, hyung,” Yoongi says firmly. “Right, Captain?”
“Absolutely,” Hoseok says, crossing to sit beside Namjoon. “I’m never gonna be able to replace the Boss, but I can keep our lil cat steady for a couple of months.”
“I trust you with my precious cat,” Namjoon says, stroking Yoongi’s hair. “Just as I trust him with my precious sunshine. My two treasures.”
“I can’t replace you either, Boss, but I won’t let you down,” Yoongi says stubbornly. “I’ll take care of Hoseokie-hyung.”
“You’d never let me down, either of you,” Namjoon says, putting his arm around Hoseok and squeezing Yoongi closer. “Stay with me a while…?”
“Yeah,” Yoongi sighs, sinking against Namjoon’s chest and letting his head fall on Namjoon’s shoulder.
“...I’m scared too,” Hoseok admits quietly. “But I keep reminding myself, you’ll be free.”
“I will,” Namjoon says with a weak smile. “I don’t take that for granted, even though I’ll be waiting for you two, every single day, until you walk out of here.”
“You’ll come pick me up?” Hoseok suddenly asks. Yoongi’s never heard him allude to his own release like this. “Whenever it is, will you two pick me up? I could use a lift back to where I left my car...” he laughs shakily.
“Of course we will,” Namjoon chuckles, squeezing him close. “Yoongi-yah will rock up in his sexiest sports car and we’ll get you out of here in style, won’t we, kid?”
“I’ve got a nice little soft top Mercedes. My stupid indulgence after I produced my first number one hit,” Yoongi grins. “Practically antique, to be honest, but there’s plenty of life in it. My boys like it, and I like to show off I can drive manual. Will that do?”
“Hmm,” Hoseok considers playfully. “What colour…?”
“Black,” Yoongi answers. “Of course.”
“Hmm, red would be better...” Hoseok purrs, playfully teasing, and then giggles. “Yes, please! Oh, that’ll feel amazing. Top down, wind blowing… god, yes.”
“A car like that feels like the definition of freedom,” Yoongi says, closing his eyes. “Till you get stuck in fucking Seoul traffic.”
Hoseok closes his eyes too, and reaches to lace his fingers with Yoongi’s.
“Then take me away?” he says quietly. “Out to the countryside, somewhere with lots of trees, and a lake, where we can drink and cook a barbecue and watch the sun go down together and sit and talk under the stars. Just a few nights like that would set me right.”
“Yeah? That’s what our Hoseokie wants?” Yoongi asks, squeezing his hand.
“That’s what I want,” he whispers, squeezing back. “Tell me you’ll do it? You don’t have to mean it, I just… wanna believe it for a little while.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Yoongi pouts. “Of course we’ll do it. Yah yah, what do you take me for?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, baby,” Hoseok says at once, crestfallen. “I didn’t mean anything by that, not about you at any rate. Just… I dunno why I said it,” he says unconvincingly.
“Is that true, Hoseokie?” Namjoon says gently, stroking a big hand through Hoseok’s hair. “You really don’t know why you said it?”
“Hmm.” The corner of Hoseok’s mouth twitches a little and he opens his eyes without looking at either of them, but he tilts into Namjoon’s touch. “…Giving myself an out for later, you know? For when the… hope fades again. I never believe this stuff will happen for long. But I believe it now, and it feels nice. Feels really nice.”
“I want you to hope,” Yoongi says, a little plaintive. “Namjoon-hyung explained before, hope is hard, in here, even cruel. But I want you to hope, hyung. Hope is tough, but my Hoseokie-hyung is tougher.”
“It’s scary,” Hoseok says softly. “I’m afraid it’ll ruin me, or the universe will punish me for it. But I’ll try, okay? I’ll dream about that sexy black sports car like an eleven-year-old…!”
“I’ll get my boys to bring in a photo for you,” Yoongi says, grinning.
Hoseok smiles and squeezes his hand.
“Thanks, kid,” he says. “You’re good to us. Who’s coming to pick you up, big guy?” he asks Namjoon.
“Jinnie-hyung,” Namjoon smiles. “In his ridiculous seven-seater. He insists he needs it for giving lifts. But I can hardly argue, since, uh... I can't drive.”
Yoongi giggles.
“Maybe Yoongi-yah will let you learn in his sexy soft top,” Hoseok teases.
“Oh no way!” Namjoon cries before Yoongi can. “Jinnie-hyung and Kookie always say I mustn’t drive, for the sake of world peace.”
“Well I believe in you,” Hoseok grins. “I think you’d look sexy driving a sporty little something.”
“He’ll have to get his own,” Yoongi grumbles, snuggling down in Namjoon’s arms. “He’s not learning to drive in my lil Merc.”
“I’d be petrified,” Namjoon laughs, hugging Yoongi tight. “I’ll enjoy being chauffeured about. Oh, kid, you’re getting cold. Get his jumpsuit, Seokie?”
Yoongi shakes his head with a pout.
“Want Namjoon-hyung’s shirt he lets me wear after tough play,” he whines.
“I think he’s earned it, Joon,” Hoseok says fondly, stroking Yoongi’s hair.
“He has,” Namjoon agrees readily. “Get that for him, and a pair of his leggings?”
“I have earned it,” Yoongi agrees smugly.
Hoseok rises and fetches the garments, along with Yoongi’s boxers. He and Namjoon work together to dress him, easing the boxers and leggings with care over his battered skin as Yoongi whines and squirms with delicious pain. He ends up lying on his chest on top of Namjoon, listening to his steady heartbeat, wrapped up in his arms, as Hoseok sits next to them and idly toys with their hair.