Work Text:
“Do you think I’m a loser?”
Jimin doesn’t even look away from the television when he replies, “Yup.”
“That’s - you didn’t have to -”
“What?” Jimin finally looks at him, giving Yoongi an unimpressed look. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to.”
Curled up beside Jimin on the couch, Basak lifts his head and blinks at Yoongi, as if to echo Jimin’s words. Yoongi frowns at the fluffy sapsali, his fluffy sapsali. The shaggy traitor hadn’t even greeted him at the door when he got home.
Huffing, Yoongi stalks toward the couch, patting Basak’s back to get the dog to, reluctantly, jump off the couch. He steps past Jimin, accidentally taking his sweet time making his way across the front of the couch, effectively blocking the view of the television. It earns him an annoyed hey that Yoongi takes a small amount of satisfaction in as he heads for the hallway and his room beyond, Basak following at his heels.
𐂯
An indeterminate amount of time later, Yoongi is lying on his back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. With only his bedside lamp on, the room is dimly lit, shadows dancing across the ceiling. He frowns up at them, idly stroking a hand along Basak’s back as the dog snoozes beside him, head resting on Yoongi’s chest. When his bedroom door opens, Yoongi is hardly surprised.
“If you’re going to call me a loser again, you can fuck right off.”
There’s a sigh from the doorway and Yoongi just knows Jimin is rolling his eyes. “I was just kidding around, hyung.” A pause, and then. “Mostly.”
Lifting his head off his pillow, Yoongi levels Jimin with an unamused frown.
“Ah, hyung.” Jimin visibly deflates and pushes away from where he was leaning against the doorframe. He crosses the room and sits on the edge of the bed, studying Yoongi for a moment. “Do you want to talk about it?”
For as much as his roommate slash best friend is a little shit, he’s Yoongi’s best friend for a reason. Yoongi lets his head fall back against the pillow and stares at the ceiling again, trying to get his jumbled thoughts in order.
“My therapy appointment didn’t go great.”
It feels a little like an understatement. Yoongi knows that therapy isn’t some sort of personal competition, that he can’t win at therapy. But there’s nothing quite like the feeling of wondering if your therapist is disappointed in you or doesn’t like you. It feels like, for their last few monthly sessions, Yoongi’s therapist has definitely been disappointed in him.
“Doctor Choi says I need to get out more,” he continues, trying to keep his voice level. “That I should try being more social, maybe make some friends.”
In response, Jimin just lets out a thoughtful hum.
“What?”
“It might not be a bad idea, you really never go out.”
“I was literally just out,” Yoongi argues.
“Yeah, for your monthly therapy appointment,” Jimin counters. “You never leave the apartment otherwise.”
“I go out every single day, Park Jimin.”
“Walking your dog with your headphones on and eyes on the ground does not equal socializing, Min Yoongi,” Jimin fires back. “When was the last time you did anything social?”
The fact that Yoongi really has to think about it is probably a bad sign.
“And with what friends? Me? Maybe Jungkook?” Jimin goes on, rubbing salt into Yoongi’s friendless wounds.
“I have other friends.” He doesn’t, not really. Especially since Seokjin has been working abroad for the past… multiple months.
“Hyung,” Jimin sighs, because he, too, knows Yoongi doesn’t really have other friends. “Maybe you do need to get out more. With your work, you’re pretty much just shut inside your bedroom all day composing your commercials. All grumpy and antisocial, like some kind of musical hermit, or a racoon with a piano.”
Yoongi tilts his head to frown at Jimin again. “I thought you were being nicer to me now.”
Shrugging, Jimin flops backwards over Yoongi’s legs. “Just stating facts.” But he does reach for Yoongi’s hands with one of his, curling their fingers together. His other hand joins Yoongi in stroking Basak’s golden fur. “I do think it would be good if you got out more, hyung. I love you but I don’t want you to fuse with your desk chair.”
“I’m not even in my desk chair right now.”
“Or your bed,” Jimin adds.
Okay, well, Yoongi did splurge for a very nice memory foam mattress… But that’s not the point. He sighs and refocuses on his ceiling. “Maybe you could be right.”
“Uh huh…”
“And maybe my therapist is right.”
“Mhm…”
“But how?”
“You could try an app?”
Yoongi lifts his head again to scowl at his roommate. “Park Jimin, I am not going to download Grindr to make friends.”
“Ugh, I meant like a meet up app or something, jeez,” Jimin grumbles. “Maybe Grindr is what you need though, you’d be a lot nicer if you got dicked down.”
“Okay.” Yoongi huffs and kicks his legs, trying to get Jimin off him. “That’s enough help from you. Goodbye, Jimin.”
In response, Jimin just rolls over and latches his arms around Yoongi’s legs. “Hyung, come on, I’m helping. What if you - oh! Wait! I’ve got it!” Shoving at Yoongi’s legs, Jimin sits up and looms over him. “Jungkook!”
“Uh.” Yoongi blinks up at him. “You want me to hang out with your boyfriend? Who I already know?”
“No. Well, yes, sort of. Jungkook takes Bam to the dog park most afternoons to play, you should take Basak!”
And that’s… not a bad idea.
When Yoongi doesn’t immediately protest, Jimin goes on. “He says there’s a nice group of dogs and dog owners there that he talks to. And I bet it would be good for Basak, too.”
It really isn’t such a bad idea, especially because Jimin is right about the last part. Basak is friendly and cute and he loves playing with other dogs. If anything, Yoongi should probably do it for him. But there’s also the fact that having his dog as a buffer might make it easier to talk to other people, at least he’d have a consistent conversation topic.
“Alright.”
Jimin lights up, grinning down at him. “Really?”
“Yeah, I guess I could try it.”
“Nice!” Jimin lets himself fall back to the bed, curled up beside Yoongi now as he takes out his phone. “I’ll text Jungkookie!”
𐂯
[Seokjin hyung]
What are you wearing?
Yoongi frowns at his phone, considers not answering.
[Seokjin hyung]
It better not be those ratty old sweatpants
[Min Yoongi]
I’m wearing jeans and a hoodie
[Seokjin hyung]
Ooh Mr. High Fashion!!
Trying to make a good first impression?
This time, Yoongi grimaces at his phone screen. Maybe he is trying to make a good first impression. Or something like it. It’s not that Yoongi dressed up at all, that would be weird, but he did wear something a little nicer than old sweatpants. He doesn't want anyone to think he’s a slob. He’s trying to make friends or… whatever.
God, why is he so nervous?
[Min Yoongi]
Don’t laugh at me but
Is it normal to be nervous?
[Seokjin hyung]
Definitely
But you just have to do what I do!
[Min Yoongi]
Tell really horrible jokes that somehow charm everyone?
[Seokjin hyung]
That’s because of my beautiful face
Not all of us can be 10s!
Yoongi rolls his eyes and glances up as he and Basak stop at a street corner. He’s close to the park now, the entrance visible on the next block. When he glances down again, there’s another message from Seokjin.
[Seokjin hyung]
Just fake it until you make it!
Be the change you wish to see in the world!
Shoot for the stars!
[Min Yoongi]
Are you just quoting motivational posters?
[Seokjin hyung]
Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss, Yoongi-yah
Just lie to yourself and everyone else and you’ll do fine!
“Wow,” Yoongi mumbles out loud to himself. Basak pants up at him, looking politely puzzled.
[Min Yoongi]
Thanks, Jin hyung
That’s really great advice
[Seokjin hyung]
The only kind I give!
Have fun, call me after!
Clearly the sarcasm is lost over text. Sighing, Yoongi pockets his phone as the light changes and crosses the street, Basak trotting happily beside him
𐂯
Jungkook and his doberman Bam are waiting for them at the park entrance. As they approach, Bam, sitting at Jungkook’s feet, barks and stands, tail wagging. Jungkook looks up from his phone and waves. “Hi, Yoongi hyung!”
Stopping in front of Jungkook, Yoongi loosens the leash so Basak and Bam can sniff each other. “Hey, Jungkook. Thanks for letting me tag along.”
“Of course!” Jungkook smiles brightly. “When Jiminie said you were interested in taking Basak to the dog park I was pumped! The area is really nice and all the dogs and owners I’ve met are great.” They start walking together through the park, heading for the dog park deeper within.
As they walk, Yoongi peeks over at Jungkook and asks, “Do you usually come at the same time every day?”
It’s early afternoon now, probably before the rush of most people with office jobs taking their dogs to the park after work. It was relieving to Yoongi to realize that, since it means the park hopefully won’t be too crowded.
“Yeah, Bam and I usually try to come around this time,” Jungkook confirms. “It’s a small group, very relaxed and casual. I think you’ll like everyone, and Basak is so cute, everyone will love him!”
“I hope so,” Yoongi laughs, ruffling Basak’s ears. “He likes to play with other dogs, so I’m sure this will be a good opportunity for him to socialize more.”
He doesn’t add that the real purpose is for Yoongi to socialize more. Jimin promised not to tell him, and Yoongi doesn’t think he needs to divulge that fact.
𐂯
The fenced dog park area is not far from the general park entrance. They only have to walk for a few minutes, following a tree-lined path to the gates. It looks nice, nicer than Yoongi expected. The area inside the fence is large and open with a couple of benches, a water fountain, and a large tree. There’s plenty of grass and space for the dogs to play.
And, as they approach, Yoongi can see there’s already a pair of dogs inside the fence, running and playing together. They seem to be engrossed in a game of tag, chasing each other along the fence and around the tree. Two men are standing to the side by one of the benches, chatting together as the dogs play.
“Jaykay!” one of the men calls, waving an arm in their direction.
The other man turns to wave as well and Jungkook waves back, smiling in their direction. “Hey, hyungs!” He turns to Yoongi. “Don’t worry, Hobi hyung and Taehyungie hyung are great.”
Yoongi nods along, trying to push down the flicker of nervousness brewing beneath his skin. He glances down at Basak, who is staring at the two dogs inside the fence, ears perked up in interest. Even if he’s nervous, Basak is clearly excited, so he can’t back out now.
They reach the fence and Jungkook shows Yoongi how to open the gates. There are two, with a small area between them. They step through one, Jungkook latching it behind them. Once he confirms it’s closed, he turns to open the inner gate. It’s a smart system to keep the dogs in, making sure none of them get loose in the rest of the park.
As they enter through the second gate, the two dogs run over to them, game of tag forgotten. They’re both small, a brown and white shih tzu in a little red sweater and a black and tan pomeranian with very defined eyebrows.
“They’re friendly!” calls one of the men from over by the bench.
And Jungkook must agree, obviously knowing the dogs, because he’s already letting a wriggling Bam off his leash. Bam immediately begins bouncing around, barking excitedly to get the other dogs to chase him. When Yoongi looks at his own dog, he sees Basak’s tail is still wagging, the shaggy dog nearly trembling with excitement. The small dogs don’t chase Bam right away, spending a few minutes sniffing Basak. Finally, one of them play bows and barks, a clear invitation for Basak to come play too.
“Be good,” Yoongi murmurs, bending down to unclip his leash. “And have fun.”
Freed from the leash, Basak goes chasing after the others, quickly joining in their games. Yoongi watches him run off, smiling after him for a moment before straightening up. When he does, Jungkook is still beside him, gesturing purposefully toward the bench.
Ah, right. Socializing.
Yoongi follows Jungkook to where the other dog owners are standing, trying to smile despite how nervous he feels. He hopes it doesn’t look like he’s grimacing.
“Hyungs, this is my friend Min Yoongi,” Jungkook says, presenting Yoongi with a flourish of his hand. “He’s Jiminie’s roommate. You should call him hyung, he’s older than both of you.”
Such a brat, Jeon Jungkook is, but Yoongi nods. “Hyung is fine.”
“Ah, I love Jiminie!” One of the men, clad in a long leopard print fur coat and a red beret exclaims. “I’m Kim Taehyung, it’s nice to meet you.”
“You too, Taehyung-ssi,” Yoongi replies, bowing and accepting the handshake Taehyung offers him.
Taehyung squeezes his hand and gives him a boxy grin. “Just Taehyung is fine!”
“Jung Hoseok,” the other man introduces himself. He’s in a bright yellow windbreaker and bucket hand, giving Yoongi a heart shaped smile beneath the brim. “Great to meet another friend of Jungkook’s. And your dog is so cute, Yoongi hyung.”
“Thank you,” Yoongi responds, smile feeling a little more natural. It’s easy to talk about his dog. “Your dogs are cute too, whose is whose?”
“The pomeranian is mine,” Taehyung says, gesturing toward the playing dogs. “That’s Yeontan, he thinks he’s a lot bigger than he is.” He laughs and shakes his head, adding in a stage whisper, “He can be a bit bossy.”
Hoseok clicks his tongue. “Yeontanie likes to think he’s in charge of the dog park,” he says. “Mickey just ignores him when he’s being a little tyrant. Mickey is mine.”
“I like his sweater,” Yoongi offers.
“Thank you!” Hoseok beams at him. “I made it myself.”
“How about your dog, Yoongi hyung?” Taehyung asks. “Is he a sapsali?”
Pleased that Taehyung recognized the breed, Yoongi nods. “He is, my parents got him for me as a birthday gift a few years ago. His name is Basak.”
“Basak like…” Hoseok tilts his head. “Like basak-basak? Crispy?”
“Ah, well…” Yoongi rubs the back of his neck and glances out at where Basak is chasing Yeontan around the tree. “It’s his coloring, I thought he kind of looked like fried chicken.”
There’s a burst of laughter from the other men, who nod along with Yoongi’s explanation. “I see it,” Hoseok agrees, grinning at Yoongi. “Taehyung’s dog is named after a coal briquette, so it makes sense.”
“And Jungkook’s dog is named Night because he’s edgy and emo,” Taehyung teases. “It all fits.”
Jungkook squawks in protest and they all laugh, Yoongi joining in, feeling much more at ease now. They all fall into conversation almost naturally, discussing their dogs and the park. Yoongi finds himself smiling, tension bleeding out of him, especially when he sees how happy Basak looks.
𐂯
Maybe Jimin was right about this, because, so far, joining Jungkook at the dog park seems to have been a good idea. Not that he’s going to tell Jimin that, Park Jimin’s ego doesn’t need to be any bigger than it is. And Yoongi doesn’t need to give any of Jimin’s smug comments. But, really, this seems good. Basak is clearly having the time of his life and Yoongi is enjoying himself much more than he thought.
Hoseok and Taehyung are both funny and chatty, easily keeping the conversation going. Between the four of them, they discuss their dogs, the park, and the neighborhood. Yoongi finds himself relaxing more as the minutes tick by. Maybe his therapist was right too, maybe he really did need to get out and socialize.
In the middle of a story Taehyung is telling, Hoseok suddenly lifts an arm, waving animatedly. “There’s Namjoonie!” he announces, cutting off Taehyung midsentence.
Looking unperturbed to be interrupted, Taehyung spins around and smiles, also starting to wave. Confused, Yoongi turns as well, following the line of their gazes. It only takes him a second to find who they’re waving at. There’s a man approaching along the path, a little black and silver schnauzer trotting beside him. He’s waving back, smiling brightly and Yoongi has a moment where his brain registers that the man is very handsome before he pulls himself back.
“Namjoon hyung’s dog never wants to play,” Jungkook says, drawing Yoongi’s attention again. “But he still comes and hangs out most days!”
“Ungno is the real boss of the dog park,” Taehyung laughs. “No funny business on his watch!”
“You make him sound unfriendly!” Namjoon calls as he and the little schnauzer slip in through the gates.
Hoseok giggles and nudges Yoongi with his elbow, “He’s not necessarily unfriendly, but…”
Yeontan comes charging toward Namjoon and Ungno, the other dogs trailing behind him. Immediately, Ungno growls, hackles raising. There’s a moment where Yeontan looks like he wants to challenge him, but then he backs off. Ungno settles again, looking haughty. Mickey and Bam don’t bother getting closer, watching the two from a distance.
However, Basak doesn’t seem to get the memo. He trots up to greet the newcomer, tail held high like a flag. Ungno stiffens again, looking ready to snarl once more, but then he stops. He goes still, head tilting, and then, all at once, his tail starts to wag.
Namjoon reaches down to unclip Ungno’s leash and the little dog steps forward, sniffing at Basak with interest. Basak does the same, the two dogs circling each other for a few moments. The humans watch on silently, Namjoon looking surprised by the display. And even more surprised when Ungno dips into a play bow and yips, Basak barks back and the two dogs run off to play.
“Huh,” Namjoon murmurs, watching them go. “That’s never happened before.”
The nervousness is back beneath Yoongi’s skin and he clears his throat, fighting the urge to wring his hands. “Uh, sorry?”
“No, no!” Namjoon turns and hurries over, shaking his head. “Sorry, that’s not what I mean. I mean this is great! Ungno never wants to play.”
“Because he’s grumpy,” Hoseok says.
“Antisocial,” Taehyung adds.
Words Yoongi’s roommate has recently used to describe him… He decides not to dwell on that or read more into it.
Rolling his eyes, Namjoon ignores all of them. “He just likes to keep to himself a lot of the time at the dog park,” he explains. “I’ve never seen him want to play with another dog.”
“Usually he sits and watches the others,” Jungkook chimes in. “We joke that he’s supervising.”
“He’s gotta keep everyone in line,” Hoseok laughs. “But he must like fried chicken.”
“Fried chicken?” Namjoon asks, looking confused now.
“Ah, it’s my dog,” Yoongi clarifies. “His name is Basak, because of his coat color. Like fried chicken.”
Every time he has to explain it, Yoongi feels a little ridiculous. But, thankfully, Namjoon is nodding along. “Ungno does like chicken,” he laughs. “I’m Kim Namjoon.”
“Min Yoongi.” When he looks again, Basak and Ungno have laid down together beneath the tree, the little dog tucked against Basak’s side. They look happy and relaxed in the shade of the branches.
“Well this is great,” Namjoon says, beaming at Yoongi. And oh, he has dimples. “I’m glad Ungno could make a friend. Maybe he’s turning over a new leaf!”
Of course, Bam chooses that moment to trot over to the two, clearly looking to play. He earns himself a growl in return, making Namjoon groan and everyone else laugh.
“Or maybe not,” Namjoon sighs.
𐂯
“What the fuck?” Yoongi gasps, clutching his chest in shock as he freezes in the doorway.
Jimin is standing right in front of him, directly outside the bathroom door. And, obviously, Yoongi was not expecting his roommate to be right here after his shower, as if waiting for him. While Yoongi tries to get his pulse under control, Jimin looks at him balefully, cocking an eyebrow.
“Why are you standing here?”
“Something’s up with your dog.”
Heart rate spiking again, Yoongi springs into action. “What?” He pushes past Jimin. “Where is he?”
The question isn’t needed though, because as Yoongi skids into the living room, he finds Basak easily enough. He’s sitting on the couch, chin pillowed on the top of one of the back cushions, gaze trained out the window. As Yoongi watches, Basak huffs out a sigh and lets out a pitiful whine.
“He’s been doing that ever since you got in the shower,” Jimin explains, appearing beside Yoongi.
“Basak-ah,” Yoongi murmurs, approaching the dog tentatively, “what’s wrong, buddy?”
Letting out another whine, Basak hops off the couch and trots toward the front hall. Yoongi follows, perplexed. When he rounds the corner, Basak is lying in front of the door, whining softly.
“Do you need to go out?”
At the question, Basak jumps to his feet, tail beginning to wag.
“Maybe he has a tummy ache,” Yoongi muses as he grabs Basak’s leash. Shoving his feet into his shoes, Yoongi clips on the leash and opens the door.
Basak nearly drags him down the hall to the elevator, hardly letting Yoongi zip up his jacket. By the time they reach the ground floor and the doors to the street, Basak is panting, tail wagging rapidly. He really must have a bad stomach ache or something.
Except, when they step onto the sidewalk, Basak doesn’t immediately try to find a spot to relieve himself. Instead, the fluffy dog starts down the sidewalk in the direction of their walk to the park, pulling a confused Yoongi with him. Yoongi follows for a few moments, but when Basak still doesn’t stop, Yoongi stops walking. The leash pulls taut and Basak tugs valiantly at the end, turning back to Yoongi to whine again.
“What’s gotten into you?” Yoongi asks, shaking his head in confusion.
Basak tugs at the leash again, trying to continue, but Yoongi tugs back. Despite the dog’s protests, Yoongi leads him back inside and to the elevator. By the time they make it to their floor, Basak’s tail is drooping and he’s whimpering softly with every breath.
“No luck?” Jimin asks as they come back inside.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Yoongi grumbles, running a hand through his hair as Basak heads back to his previous spot on the couch. He settles in again, resuming his vigil of staring out the window. Yoongi sits next to him, Jimin plopping down on his other side. “I wonder if -”
Yoongi cuts himself off when his phone vibrates in his pocket. Fishing it out, he frowns when he sees a new message from an unknown number. Confused, he unlocks his phone, opening the messages and - oh.
[Unknown]
Hey, Yoongi hyung!
This is Kim Namjoon, from the dog park today
Surprised, Yoongi stares down at his screen. Namjoon? The handsome guy from the dog park? He’s texting Yoongi suddenly, which is surprising enough, but also how did he get Yoongi’s number?
[Unknown]
I’m sorry to text you out of the blue, I got your number from Jungkook
I hope that’s okay
Ah, well that’s one mystery solved. But not the rest.
[Min Yoongi]
It’s fine
Is everything okay?
While he waits for Namjoon to reply, Yoongi quickly adds him to his contacts. He’s just saving Namjoon’s number when another text pops up.
[Kim Namjoon]
This is going to sound weird, but my dog is acting off?
“Huh,” Yoongi whispers to himself.
“What?” Jimin demands, nudging Yoongi with his foot. “Who are you texting?”
Another message comes in and Yoongi ignores Jimin’s question.
[Kim Namjoon]
He’s been staring out the window and crying a bunch
I tried taking him out but he’s just… acting weird?
Could it be…
[Min Yoongi]
Okay so… Basak is doing the same thing?
And when I took him outside, he kept pulling me toward the park
Maybe they had a lot of fun together?
[Kim Namjoon]
That must be it!!
Wow, they’re so dramatic…
Yoongi chuckles to himself and Jimin scoots closer to him, trying to peek at Yoongi’s phone. “Who are you texting?”
“Just someone I met,” Yoongi grumbles, staring at his phone as another message appears.
[Kim Namjoon]
Ungno must be very attached to his first friend and want to play again
Maybe we could meet at the park again?
We usually go at the same time every day, I don’t know your schedule or if you were planning to come back, but…
[Min Yoongi]
I was definitely planning on coming back, Basak had so much fun
And clearly we won’t be able to keep him and Ungno apart
[Kim Namjoon]
It would be cruel of us to do so!
How about tomorrow then? Same time?
[Min Yoongi]
Sounds good!
We’ll see you then
:)
He sort of regrets the smiley face as soon as he sends it, but then Namjoon sends one back and Yoongi’s stomach does a silly little flip.
Jimin scoffs and shoves at him. “Why are you smiling at your phone? Who did you meet?” He paws at Yoongi, trying to see his phone screen. “Oh my god, is he cute?”
“None of your business,” Yoongi huffs, shoving his phone into his pocket before Jimin can torment him further.
𐂯
When Yoongi returns to the dog park the next day, the same group is there. Unlike last time, Namjoon has already arrived, standing with the others as the dogs play. Well, the dogs except for Ungno. The little schnauzer is sitting beside Namjoon, posture stiff and ears erect, very much looking like he is supervising the other dogs running around.
But then he perks up, probably smelling Basak as they approach, and his head turns to the side. As soon as he sees Yoongi and Basak approaching, Ungno jumps to his feet and runs toward the gate, barking excitedly. His whole body is wiggling as he wags his tail furiously and Basak immediately starts whining, straining at the end of his leash to reach him.
The clear excitement from the two dogs makes it hard for Yoongi to get through the first gate and he finds himself fumbling as he tries to open the second. Ungno is barely giving him enough space and Basak is still whining, trying to shove through the fence.
“I told you your new best friend was coming, buddy,” Namjoon laughs, helping Yoongi open the gate. “You just need to be patient.”
Patience seems overrated though, especially once they’re finally through the gate. Yoongi quickly removes Basak’s leash and the two dogs are a blur of wagging tails and wriggling bodies, sniffing and circling one another. They bounce around each other, barking happily, before running off toward the tree.
“Well, I guess that was the problem after all,” Namjoon laughs.
“Guess so,” Yoongi agrees. “I thought Basak was going to yank my arm out of the socket.”
They make their way over to the other guys, who greet Yoongi warmly, as if they hadn’t just met yesterday. “I’m glad you wanted to come again, hyung!” Jungkook says happily.
“I don’t think I had a choice,” Yoongi replies. “Basak was crying almost nonstop. I’ve never seen him like that.”
“Same with Ungno,” Namjoon chimes in. “He usually doesn’t care at all about other dogs, but he was acting like the world was ending last night! Clearly Basak must be different,” he adds, directing a dimpled smile in Yoongi’s direction.
“I swear, dogs can be so dramatic,” Taehyung laughs. “You should see when I try to get Yeontan off my pillow. He suddenly weighs one hundred kilograms and has no bones in his body.”
Hoseok laughs and nods along. “Mickey will pretend he can’t hear me and fake being asleep when I try to get him up in the morning! And if I feed him a little late? You’d think he was starving.”
“Bammie gets so excited about going on walks that he once peed in the elevator,” Jungkook confides. “I got in so much trouble with building management.”
And, once more, it feels almost easy. Falling into conversation about their dogs and moving on to other subjects. Yoongi learns that Hoseok works for a lifestyle blog and Taehyung is clothes buyer for a department store, which Yoongi thinks partly explains the ascot he’s currently wearing.
Yoongi even shares about himself, talking about his work writing commercial jingles and advertisements. “It’s not much, but it pays the bills.”
“That sounds so cool, hyung!” Taehyung insists.
“Anything we’ve heard?” Namjoon asks.
“Maybe, probably,” Yoongi replies. “But nothing I’ll admit to.”
It makes everyone else laugh and Yoongi smiles. When Namjoon insists that it really does sound cool, Yoongi glances over at him, finding Namjoon already watching him. He smiles and Yoongi smiles back, feeling something flutter in his chest.
𐂯
Over an hour later, the sky is beginning to darken and the lamps around the park are beginning to turn on. They all decide to head home, leashing their dogs and making their way out of the gate back to the park entrance. There’s a pause on the sidewalk for everyone to say goodbye. Jungkook and Hoseok head one way while Taehyung crosses the street in another direction, leaving Yoongi and Namjoon alone with their dogs.
Basak and Ungno are sitting at their feet, the little dog tucked into Basak’s side. It seems almost cruel to separate them again. When Yoongi takes a step, tugging lightly at the leash, Basak whines, both dogs looking at him sadly.
“Which way are you heading?” Namjoon asks.
“That way.” Yoongi gestures in the opposite direction from Jungkook and Hoseok. “We’re about a ten minute walk that way.”
Namjoon perks up. “No shit? Me too, we must live near each other.”
“I guess so,” Yoongi agrees. It already made sense, with them coming to the same dog park. But Namjoon and Ungno are definitely closer than Yoongi expected. “Do you want to, uh, walk together?”
“Sure.” Namjoon grins. “I think Ungno would bite me if I said no.”
Walking with Namjoon is nice, the two of them side by side, dogs trotting ahead of them. It doesn’t feel awkward or strained, conversation continuing to flow just like before, even now that they’re alone. Namjoon asks about Yoongi’s work, seeming genuinely interested in what he does.
“Do you work for an ad company?” Namjoon asks. “Or some kind of marketing firm?”
“Indirectly, I’m freelance,” Yoongi explains. “So I mostly work out of my bedroom, but I take commissions from different companies and agencies.”
Namjoon hums in understanding, nodding along. “It must be nice to have that freedom.”
“It can be,” Yoongi agrees. “But I wish I was creating something that commercials for toothpaste.”
“Toothpaste, hm?” Namjoon grins. “Did you write that new Perioe jingle? It’s so catchy.”
Maybe Yoongi did write the new jingle, but he’s not going to confirm that. “No comment.” The compliment is nice though, and so is Namjoon’s laughter at Yoongi's response. “How about you, you said you’re a professor?”
“Just an adjunct,” Namjoon clarifies. “But, yes, I teach art history.”
“Ah.” Yoongi nods, pieces falling into place. “That makes sense.”
Namjoon glances at him, looking confused. “It does?”
“Your dog’s name. Right?”
“Right!” Namjoon seems to light up, looking thrilled. “You know Lee Ungno?”
“I like his work, the People series is my favorite,” Yoongi replies. “I saw some exhibited in a gallery a couple years ago.”
“He’s one of my favorite painters,” Namjoon explains. “I’ve always wanted to go to Daejeon so I could visit his museum there. When I got Ungno as a puppy, the black and silver reminded me of his work.”
It’s nice, hearing Namjoon talk, especially about something he’s so passionate about. Yoongi thinks he must be a good professor.
“The name suits him,” Yoongi says, smiling when Namjoon beams at him.
When they pause at a crossroads to finally go their separate ways, Basak and Ungno aren’t the only ones disappointed. Namjoon gestures down the side street.
“I’m down this way.”
“And I’m in that building there,” Yoongi gestures to his building a block down the other way.
Namjoon smiles, but Yoongi thinks he looks a little disappointed too. “I guess I’ll see you at the park again, tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,” Yoongi confirms.
There’s a moment of hesitation, Namjoon seeming reluctant to leave. He looks down at Ungno, then up at Yoongi again. “Would you like to meet up some time?”
“Um…” Confused, Yoongi shakes his head slowly. “Didn’t we just make plans to meet tomorrow?”
“No, I mean, yes, I mean -” Namjoon pauses, frowns at himself, then tries again. “Maybe something else? Like, a cafe?”
Something in Yoongi’s chest seems to leap, his breath catching. “Oh?”
“I know some dog friendly ones,” Namjoon goes on.
Oh, oh. That makes more sense. So their dogs can see each other again and spend more time together. Yoongi’s heart sinks a little but he pushes that thought down. At least this way he can talk to Namjoon more too.
“That sounds fun,” he says finally. “I bet Basak would love it.”
“Great!” Another dimpled smile. “I’ll text you.”
And with a wave, and a disappointed whine from the dogs, Namjoon and Ungno are off. Basak lets out a despondent sigh and Yoongi pats his head consolingly, “I know, buddy. Come on, let’s go home.”
𐂯
“It’s not a date,” Yoongi insists, meeting Jimin’s eyes through the bathroom mirror.
“Of course it’s a date.”
“It’s for our dogs to hang out.”
Jimin scoffs and crosses his arms where he leans against the doorframe. “Then why are you wearing those jeans?”
Glancing down at himself, Yoongi frowns in confusion. “What’s wrong with my jeans?”
“Those are your fuck me jeans.”
“I do not own fuck me jeans, Park Jimin!”
“You do.” Jimin’s eyes drop to Yoongi’s ass and he nods approvingly. “They make your ass look great and you know they do.”
Yoongi does not dignify that with a response.
“Also you’re wearing a cute sweater that gives you sweater paws and you’re literally styling your hair right now. I just saw you use mousse.”
Freezing with his hands in his hair, Yoongi turns around to frown more deeply at Jimin. “It’s for the dogs to hang out.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Yoongi hyung.”
The mousse is obviously just to keep Yoongi’s hair in place in case there’s a breeze while they’re sitting inside. Clearly it’s for no other reason. Yoongi grumbles to himself as he finishes combing his hair and brushes his teeth, ignoring Jimin’s laughter from down the hall.
In the hallway, as he clips on Basak’s leash and heads out the door, Jimin calls out a teasing have fun from the couch. Yoongi closes the door a little more firmly than necessary.
𐂯
When Yoongi and Basak arrive at the cafe, Namjoon and Ungno are already there. He sees them as they approach, Namjoon sitting at a little two-seater table outside the cafe, wearing a forest green sweater and a pair of horn-rimmed glasses on his nose, scrolling on his phone. Yoongi’s stomach does a funny little flip when he sees him and thinks how handsome Namjoon looks like this. And, wow, Yoongi hadn’t realized until now how much he wanted this to be a date.
It’s not until Ungno, lying at Namjoon’s feet, notices Basak and hops up, entire body wiggling as his tail wags, that Yoongi realizes he had stopped in place. Basak tugs at the leash and Yoongi just manages to propel himself back into motion before Namjoon can notice he was staring.
Namjoon looks up from his phone and spots Yoongi, expression morphing into a smile. “Hyung, hi!” he says brightly, dimples appearing in his cheeks.
“Hey, Namjoon,” Yoongi greets as he reaches the table. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“Not at all,” Namjoon reassures him. He gestures to the table, where two iced coffees are sitting. “I got you a coffee, hope that’s okay.”
Another little flip in Yoongi’s belly as he sits down, unable to rein in his own shy smile. “Thank you.”
The dogs settle together beneath the table and Yoongi busies himself with putting the straw in his drink. He feels a flutter of nerves now that he’s here, across from Namjoon, the two of them seated together with coffees. Jimin’s words return to him - of course it’s a date - and Yoongi nearly misses the hole in the cup with his straw.
But then Namjoon is propping an elbow on the table, leaning his chin on it as he smiles at Yoongi, warm and open. “So, write any good jingles lately?”
A laugh tumbles out of Yoongi, surprised and unbidden, and the nerves turn to butterflies.
𐂯
“I had a really good time,” Namjoon says later when they’re walking home.
It only made sense for the two of them to walk together, since they’re going the same way anyway. And Yoongi wasn’t going to argue, he’s happy to spend more time with Namjoon.
“I did too,” Yoongi replies. His gaze moves from Namjoon to the dogs, happily trotting side by side ahead of them. “And I think Basak did too.”
Namjoon laughs and Yoongi turns back in time to see his dimples appear with his smile. “Ungno definitely did,” he agrees. “He’s seemed a lot happier lately. Much more excited to go on walks than he used to be, lazy little gremlin.”
It’s Yoongi’s turn to laugh this time, shaking his head as they stop at a corner and wait to cross. “This has been good for Basak too,” he agrees. “My roommate says that Basak was a rug in his past life with how much he likes to sleep.”
They laugh together for a moment, tilting into one another slightly. Their shoulders bump, an accident, but it still makes the butterflies in Yoongi’s belly do barrel rolls. Even through his sweater, Yoongi’s skin tingles where they make contact. When the light changes and they pull themselves together to cross, Yoongi misses the press of Namjoon’s arm against his own.
As they resume walking, Namjoon clears his throat and Yoongi glances over. He’s not sure if he’s imagining it, but he thinks Namjoon’s cheeks look a bit pink. There’s no time to dwell on it though, not when Namjoon is speaking.
“We should do this again,” he says, giving Yoongi another dimpled smile.
“I’d love that.” Is that too eager? “Our dogs clearly enjoy hanging out,” he adds quickly.
But Namjoon just smiles, eyes searching Yoongi’s face before he responds, “I’d also like to hang out with you more, too, Yoongi hyung.”
The butterflies are back, performing an aerial routine to rival any other. Yoongi can feel a giddy smile curling his lips, his own cheeks heating, but he doesn’t try to stop any of it. Instead he lets himself smile and nods, “I’d like that too.”
𐂯
Jimin is waiting when Yoongi and Basak get home. He’s sitting on the couch with his phone in front of his face, Seokjin on a video call. As Yoongi steps into the living room, Jimin turns to face him, turning the phone so Seokjin can see him as well.
“Well?” Jimin prompts
The smile comes to Yoongi’s face unbidden and Seokjin is already shrieking when Yoongi admits, “I think it was a date.”
𐂯
It becomes a thing. Part of Yoongi’s routine. Work, the dog park, and Namjoon. They don’t just meet up at the dog park anymore, now they meet on the corner near their apartments and walk there together. They go to more cafes, sitting outside for hours to talk while the dogs snooze beneath the table. Even as it’s starting to get colder, Yoongi doesn’t mind. He just wears a heavier jacket and a hat, orders a warm drink and a warm pastry to share with Namjoon, earning one of a dozen dimpled smiles he’ll see that day.
Yoongi likes talking to all the guys he’s met at the dog park. He’s gotten Hoseok and Taehyung’s numbers now too, chatted with them more. They’ve all gone out for dinner, and karaoke that Yoongi tried to get out of. But he ended up having a lot more fun than he expected, Jimin joining them as well, smiling smugly at Yoongi from across the table.
He’s been socializing and maybe it really was what he needed. It’s not a mystery when his therapist suggested it. Yoongi knows he’s been stuck in a rut for a while, stagnating, cooped up and quiet. But now things feel different. Brighter and warmer. More friends to talk to than just Jimin at home or Seokjin over video call, invitations to go out and do things that Yoongi actually wants to do. And more inspiration at work, projects seeming much less frustrating.
Because of these changes, these new friends. And because of Namjoon. Who is different, it’s different with Namjoon. While Yoongi likes talking to and spending time with everyone else, spending time with Namjoon is different. He’s funny and interesting, and so easy to talk to, like someone Yoongi has known for years instead of weeks. Conversation flows between them for hours, as if they could talk about anything and everything. They share so many interests, and while they might not always agree, it’s fun to have someone to share these things with. Someone to talk to and debate with about music and art and their lives.
Someone who feels like a little more than just a friend.
And sometimes Yoongi thinks Namjoon might feel the same. Like when he suggests they order enough coffee instead of leaving a cafe. Or when Namjoon texts him randomly to ask about something random or send him a song recommendation. Or like how their walks suddenly last much longer than normal. Namjoon or Yoongi turning them down a random street, circling the block.
The pretense is the dogs spending more time together, but Yoongi knows that’s slim. Because it’s clear neither of them want to stop talking long enough to part. And as they walk, they gravitate closer together, the backs of their hands nearly touching. It takes a tremendous amount of effort for Yoongi to resist the urge to reach out and hold Namjoon’s hand whenever they walk home together. But Yoongi thinks, maybe, he can see Namjoon’s fingers twitching like he wants to reach out too.
𐂯
And things continue like that, until the weather changes. It would be fine if it was just getting colder, but instead the autumn chill brings with it rainstorms. Torrential, seemingly unending rainstorms. Rainstorms that keep Yoongi and Basak, and Namjoon and Ungno, stuck inside. Other than short dashes out with raincoats and umbrellas for potty breaks, there are no walks, and no dog park adventures.
“I’m sorry, Basak-ah,” Yoongi murmurs, directing Basak back inside even as the dog pulls at his leash. He whines, trying to tug Yoongi toward the corner where they meet Namjoon and Ungno, but Yoongi shakes his head. “They’re not out either, baby. I know you’re sad, but we have to go back in.”
Basak resumes his previous behavior of crying by the door or as he stares out the window. It’s very dramatic, this pining he’s doing. Even when Yoongi offers treats and bones and extra cuddles, Basak is despondent.
“I’ve never seen a dog yearn like this,” Jimin comments.
“I know,” Yoongi sighs, stroking Basak’s back as the dog stares out the rain-streaked windows. “I’m sorry Basak, but it’s pouring.”
Though, Basak isn’t the only one who’s sad.
[Kim Namjoon]
Ungno didn’t even want the table scraps I offered him
He must really miss Basak
[Min Yoongi]
Basak didn’t even want to get out of bed this morning!
The dogs clearly miss each other, and maybe they’re not alone there. Because Yoongi misses hanging out with Namjoon.
They do still talk though, texting often. At first it was mostly updates about the dogs, but it’s shifted into a constant conversation, topics coming and going easily. Just like when they talk in person, sparks and tangents and everything swirling together. Still nice, but not the same.
It’s Namjoon’s suggestion that they video call, suggesting that the dogs could at least see each other that way. Yoongi is maybe a little too quick to agree.
The dogs are confused by the video call, but with some encouragement both of them seem to figure it out. Yoongi holds his phone up for Basak to see Ungno, seeing the way Basak’s tail begins to wag and he perks up. Ungno, for his part, seems intent on trying to leap through Namjoon’s phone to get to Basak until Namjoon can calm him down.
Even though the suggestion was for the dogs to see each other, it shifts from there. It turns into Yoongi lying on his bed with an arm behind his head, Basak snoozing contently beside him. Yoongi’s other arm is held above him, holding up his phone so he can see Namjoon as he talks.
It’s been minutes, or maybe hours, since they started talking and, like always, they can’t seem to stop. Conversation moves from a new album release to an art exhibition opening next month to the topic of their careers and their dreams.
“I’ve been trying to get a full professor position,” Namjoon confides, his voice soft and deep. He’s lying in bed as well, hair unstyled and falling over his forehead, glasses nowhere to be seen. Looking so casual and warm that it makes something in Yoongi ache. “If I could just get on tenure track, I’d feel more secure.”
“Is it hard to get?” Yoongi asks, watching the minute shifts in Namjoon’s expression.
Namjoon hums and scrunches his nose slightly as he considers the question. “That’s not the word I would use. It’s just… weird politics and hierarchies. There’s a lot of proving myself and far too much ass kissing, but I feel like I’m getting close. It’s hard when I’m young and they think that means they can give me a broom closet office and no respect.” A huff. “But the dean of my department talked about giving me more classes next semester so that should move me up from adjunct.”
“That’s good, then,” Yoongi says encouragingly. “Is that what you want?”
“I guess,” he sighs. “It’ll be good for my career, but it’s not what I always wanted to do. I wanted to be a museum curator, but things didn’t work out for me.”
Yoongi wants to push a little, ask why, but from how wistful Namjoon sounds, he thinks the questions might not be entirely welcome right now. “Do you like it though, teaching?”
“I do,” Namjoon confirms. “At least most of the time. The students can be tough, but I do like it. It just wasn’t my dream. What about you?” he asks, flipping it back to Yoongi. “Do you like what you do?”
“Ah.” Yoongi huffs out a breath through his nose. “Yes and no? It’s nice getting to make my own schedule, accept the projects I want, all that stuff, but… I wish I could make real music, you know?”
“Mm,” Namjoon hums. “I think you make real music, Yoongi hyung.”
It’s kind of him to say, but Yoongi doesn’t think it’s quite true. “I wanted to be a songwriter or composer, maybe a producer. Or writing music for movies, something like that.” He frowns, taking a moment to suck his teeth. “All I do is write commercials.”
“Some of them are very catchy though.”
“Yah,” Yoongi complains. “You wouldn’t know.”
“I know,” Namjoon laughs, and Yoongi watches his dimples appear in his cheeks. “I’ve managed to find a few of yours. But either way, I think you could get there, if you wanted to. You’re talented, hyung. And I’m here cheering you on.”
“Thank you.” Something warm is filling Yoongi’s chest and he smiles shyly. “I’m cheering you on too. Those academic dickwads better treat you right or I’ll sick Basak on them.”
Namjoon laughs again, curling up with the force of it. “I don’t think Basak would hurt a fly,” he wheezes. Yoongi likes him like this, likes the way his dimples pop when he smiles and how he tilts forward when he laughs, open and loud, even through the phone.
“Maybe you’re right, but they still better give you a better office,” Yoongi declares. “Or I’ll sick Yeontan on them.”
“Now there’s a real threat!” Namjoon grins at him through the camera. “Thanks, hyung.”
They smile at each other and Yoongi can’t help the warm fluttering in his chest, the butterflies zipping around his ribcage. Not when Namjoon is handsome and kind and cool and when he smiles like this, so warm and open, right at Yoongi.
𐂯
It takes almost a week, but the rain finally stops. Or mostly stops. Slowing from steady downpours to a drizzle, slow and light enough for Yoongi to finally take Basak on a longer walk again. Once they’re outside, Basak pulls hard at the leash, clearly desperate now after days of Yoongi denying him. But this time, Yoongi lets him, following as Basak heads down the sidewalk, watching how his tail begins to wag when he realizes Yoongi isn’t dragging him back inside.
Namjoon and Ungno are coming from Namjoon’s office, so they don’t meet them on the corner. Basak seems confused for a moment, but Yoongi keeps going, encouraging him along. “Come on, Basak-ah, Ungno will meet us at the park.” And Yoongi knows the dog can’t understand him, but he seems to perk up at Ungno’s name.
By the time they’re close to the park, Basak is panting, tail waving rapidly with every step they take closer. They cross the last street before the entrance and Basak whines, starting to pull harder, dragging Yoongi with him. It becomes apparent why quite quickly. Because he hears a bark, and then Namjoon’s voice, trying to calm a nearly frantic looking Ungno.
The little dog is wiggling and whining, tugging at his own leash. Even with how small he is, he still manages to pull Namjoon forward, making the other man stumble along the grass beneath his feet, closer to Yoongi. Practically jogging now, Yoongi tries to slow Basak down, his own sneakers slipping when Basak drags him onto the grass as well. And then the dogs lunge for each other and everything happens in a split second.
A chest colliding with Yoongi’s own, the leash wrapping around his legs before being tugged from his hand. A tangle of limbs and leashes and fur and the wet grass beneath Yoongi’s sneakers has him clutching at strong arms - Namjoon’s strong arms - before the world tilts and Yoongi lets out a very embarrassing yelp.
They land in a heap on the muddy grass. Yoongi winds up on his back, the wind knocked out of him, dazed as he blinks up at Namjoon’s stunned face. Namjoon’s face that is millimeters away. Because Namjoon has landed atop him, body blanketing Yoongi’s, breath tickling Yoongi’s lips. They are soaked and covered in mud and Yoongi can barely draw in a breath, but he doesn’t care.
Because, suddenly, all Yoongi can focus on is how he really wants to kiss Namjoon.
But Namjoon seems to realize he’s crushing Yoongi and scrambles up. “Shit,” he curses, slipping again before managing to get his feet under him. He offers Yoongi a hand to help him up. “I’m so sorry.”
Namjoon’s hand is warm despite the chill seeping in through Yoongi’s soaked clothes. He grips the offered hand and lets himself be pulled up to his feet, slipping a little again on the wet grass. An arm wraps around him, warm and solid, holding him upright, and Yoongi’s free hand grips Namjoon’s bicep. They wobble a little, wide eyed as they cling together.
And Yoongi can’t look away from Namjoon, can’t even blink. Not to look at their dogs who he knows must look very smug right now. Not when they are a breath apart and Namjoon’s eyes are dipping down, just for a moment, to Yoongi’s lips.
“I guess -” Yoongi clears his throat, his voice coming out breathless and hoarse. “I guess the dogs really missed each other.”
“Yeah,” Namjoon laughs, sounding just as breathless. “And they’re not the only ones.”
When Namjoon leans in to press their lips together, Yoongi forgets about the cold and the rain. It all washes away, replaced with the warmth of Namjoon’s kiss.