Chapter Text
Min Yoongi, Suga of Daegu, stared out the window of his empty highrise apartment in Seoul and sighed. It was late. The lights of the city were bright against the dark gray of the night sky, clouds reflecting the ambient light. He held a glass of Scottish whiskey, some fancy brand he didn’t know, that had been given as a gift of respect, and sipped at it. At least it tasted good. He wondered if someone in his position should know more about whiskey, but he really had never bothered. He could hear the sound of his sip too loudly in the otherwise silent room.
His success as an underworld boss had been unprecedented and led to his recent ‘retirement’ to Seoul. Coming up as a kkangpae, no more than a scrappy street hustler, who had to learn the ins and outs of Daegu street gangs while supporting his family had forged him. He learned how to turn what many considered his weaknesses, being small and ‘pretty’, into an asset. Other gangs underestimated him, assumed him to be an easy target. They learned the hard way how wrong they were. After dominating a protection racket in the worst Daegu neighborhoods he invested any money he acquired, getting into gambling and prostitution and then later clubs, hotels, and real estate. His crew was loyal and kept small. He showed his elders' respect and the established families preferred to deal with him over others, and his power rose much quicker than he ever thought possible. He worked harder than his closest rivals, he took care of his people like they were his flesh and blood, and he took advantage of others underestimating him. He even didn’t mind the nickname Suga, because rivals thought he was sweet like sugar. It was so much more satisfying to utterly destroy those who went against him when they thought he was a pushover. Over the years the nickname was spoken of as a dark omen, and eventually, he found himself on top with no rivals to speak of. He had been in the mindset of the underdog for so long, it came as a complete surprise when his best friend and accountant Namjoon informed him that he made more money from his legal investments than his continued illegal activities.
It would be foolish to continue in the underworld when the legal world of high finance was so much more profitable, so he turned his clubs over to his brother got out of the game. Now he lived off passive income and let Namjoon have free reign over his investments. His parents and lived in a mansion in their hometown, and since his investments were all in Seoul, it made sense to move. He hadn’t even turned thirty and was effectively retired. And living alone.
Yoongi expected to be happy when all his youthful ambition paid off. His dreams had come true. He was feared and respected and wealthy. He sighed and took another drink of his expensive whiskey. Was 20,000 won glass of whiskey really that much better than convenience store soju? He wasn’t sure.
For the first time in his life, he was bored. Really, mind-numbingly, heart-achingly bored. But also for the first time, he was free. He had no reputation to maintain, no rivals to keep face to. Maybe it was finally time.
He was dressing in a tailored suit before he really made up his mind to go out. There was one thing he had always wanted to try but knew he couldn’t. For the last decade, he needed to maintain a certain image, and that meant never dating. Sure, he could have dated any number of women, but women had never interested him and anyone in the underworld finding out he was… well, gay, would have meant his death.
He slipped on his favorite Rolex and played with his hair in the mirror trying to think of any reasons why this might be a bad idea. Nothing came to mind. Maybe it was the quiet the apartment that made his mind empty. Maybe it was the tingling need that radiated from his belly, a feeling he had ignored most of his adult life. He was tired of living like a monk.
Seoul had many things that Daegu didn’t. Seoul had gay bars. He had never been to one, and in the few visits, he had made to the city before he had been too cautious of his reputation to risk it. But now… now it didn’t matter if anyone saw him, did it?
With a feeling of excitement, he grabbed his keys and headed out the door of his penthouse. He took the private elevator down to the garage and slipped into his McCleron. The car was ridiculous, beautiful and ostentatious. Did gay bars have valet?
He didn’t even have a destination in mind. Should he look it up on Naver? Was he dressed appropriately?
He grabbed his phone from his pocket and dialed Jin, without really thinking about it. Whenever he needed something, there was someone in his crew to ask.
“Yeoboseyo, Yoongi-shi,” Jin answered after the first ring.
“Jin-hyung. I need your help,” Yoongi said.
“I am at your service, as always.”
“Uh. This is a little weird.”
“I can do weird. You know I would do anything for you.” Jin’s formality, though not surprising given their previous working relationship, made me feel self-conscious. Jin was a friend, but he had worked for him as an information dealer for him for many years before pursuing his dream of becoming a chef. Jin was probably the second closest person to him and still didn’t speak to him informally.
“Can you help me dress like a normal person?”
The line was silent for a few long seconds before he heard Jin’s signature squeaky laugh. “What are you talking about? What do you mean normal?”
“Ah. I wanted to go out, maybe to a club. All I have is suits.”
“But that’s not a bad thing Yoongi-shi. You look amazing in suits. The girls will flock to you like honey badgers to a snake.”
“Yeah. Not the type of club I was thinking of.” Yoongi couldn't help but hold his breath a little.
“Hmm, I see. Come over to my place?”
“I’ll be there in five.”
Yoongi started up the car and spent the short drive over to Jin’s apartment breathing deeply and willing himself to be calm. He trusted Jin, but he had never been fully honest with Jin, or anyone, about his… preference. He didn’t think he was ready to come out to his friend, but then again, he knew that showing up at a seedy gay club dressed in a 3 million won suit sounded even more ridiculous.
Jin’s apartment was small but in a nice building with good security. Yoongi knew it well because he owned the entire property. He parked in a reserved place in the underground garage and made his way to Jin’s floor. When he buzzed the door, Namjoon answered.
“Hyungnim. Come on in.” Namjoon displayed his dimples and gave small bow.
“Namjoon. What are you doing here?” Yoongi came into the entry and toed off his loafers.
“Ah, Jin-hyung and I were having a little movie night.” Namjoon looked a little embarrassed and Yoongi frowned. He hated his only friends didn’t think to invite him. But then who would invite Suga of Daegu to movie night?
“I see.” Yoongi followed Namjoon into the homey living room where Jin was curled under a blanket on the couch.
“Yoongi-ah! Come on in.” Jin smiled wide and Yoongi gave a slight nod to him.
“Would you like anything to drink, hyung-nim?” Namjoon said.
“No, I’m okay.” Yoongi’s voice came out a bit gruff, as the formality annoyed him a bit. He unbuttoned his jacket and sat in a chair facing Jin, as if he owned the place. Which, technically, he did. His confident unaffectedness was a well-worn habit. He noticed Jin and Namjoon eye him with shared nervousness and sighed.
Jin tilted his head in thought. “Come sit over here, Yoongi.” He patted the seat next to him. Yoongi came over, moving a little stiffly before sitting next to his friend. Jin patted his knee affectionately and Namjoon watched on with wide eyes.
“How are you, Yoongi?” Jin’s voice was soft.
“Uh, okay I guess. I’ve been a little bored.” He saw Jin was trying to be friendly, so he pushed himself to be more honest. “And lonely.”
Jin smiled at him, his too-handsome face endearing and kind. “I’m glad you came over then. You should come over more often, huh? I should be a better hyung to you, even though you used to be my boss.”
Yoongi rolled his eyes. “You’re barely my hyung, Jin. You have three months on me.”
Jin looked stern. “And yet I am still your hyung.”
Yoongi’s face remained neutral. “True.”
Namjoon looked between Jin and him from the corner of the couch with barely concealed worry.
“But if you’re looking to go out, maybe we should tone down the intimidation factor.” Jin gently rubbed the lapel of his jacket.
“Uh, I might have something Yoongi-hyung,” Namjoon said.
Yoongi scowled. “Namjoon, you are twice my size.”
Jin laughed. “Yeah, that’s true. But let’s take a look anyway.” He grabbed Yoongi’s hand, pulling him up and away from the couch. Jin didn’t drop his hand as he was pulled into his bedroom and the small intimacy felt strange. And good. Finally letting go, Jin started pulling open the doors of his wall-to-wall closet and it was completely full of clothes.
“You have quite the wardrobe,” Yoongi said.
“Well, half of it is Namjoon’s,” Jin said.
Yoongi looked at the two of them in surprise. “Namjoon lives here?”
Namjoon had followed them into the room and was playing with a string from his sweater. “Uh, yeah. I have been staying here a good amount. So I left some clothes. For convenience.”
Jin looked into Yoongi’s eyes. “We’re dating.”
“Hyung!” Namjoon looked at Yoongi fearfully.
“Oh. Really.” Yoongi was surprised, but more so felt… elated. He really cared for his friends, and they were weirdly suited for each other if opposite in personality. But selfishly, he was even more excited for himself. He had gay friends, friends he could talk to. He almost felt giddy at that prospect.
But Jin and Namjoon were looking at him like he had brought his gun out, wide-eyed and stiff. Right. He was in the habit of hiding his emotions behind a face of cold disinterest. It was a necessity in his line of work. He didn’t even know he was doing it. Was that why Namjoon acted so distant all the time? Surely after so many years, he knew they were friends?
“Yoongi-shi? Does that… bother you?” Jin asked carefully.
“No.”
Namjoon’s eyes were big and he was breathing like he’d been exercising. Jin was far calmer, but still obviously worried. Why were they so worried? He said no.
Jin pressed his lips together and eyes sparkled with something like courage. “Now it’s your turn.”
“What?” Yoongi said.
Jin gave a withering glare, and it was the first one anyone had given him in recent memory. Oh. Maybe he should open up to them. That made sense.
“It’s cool. I might like guys. So we have that in common.”
“What?” Namjoon sputtered and Jin smacked his arm.
“That’s great, Yoongi! I’m really happy we have that in common.” Jin smiled brightly and Yoongi felt a rare feeling of warmth. He grinned back, showing his gums and feeling a little shy. His friends reacted to his expression with awe. Namjoon kept looking at him like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but Jin, at least, seemed genuinely happy. Before he could stop him, Jin wrapped his arms around Yoongi in a bone-crushing hug. “Oh Yoongi, you are too adorable.”
Yoongi snorted but held on. It was the first hug he’d had in so long he couldn't recall, and Jin’s strong arms and broad chest felt amazing. He even tucked his head into Jin’s shoulder, smelling his clean, spicy scent.
Jin released him and the previous tension between them was gone. “It must get lonely being Suga.”
Yoongi nodded. “But Suga retired. Now I’m just Yoongi.”
Jin beamed. “Yeah. I think it might take a little while to get used to that.” He looked at Namjoon pointedly. “But we will. Right Joon-ah?”
Namjoon looked at him uncertainly but then pulled him in for his own hug. It really wasn’t fair how tall he was, but Yoongi enjoyed his friend’s affection more than he would ever admit.
After a moment he stepped back and gave an insincere scowl. “That’s enough sappy stuff. I came here for help. I need to go to a… a gay bar. And I don’t know how to dress. Or where to go.”
“Wait, you came to us for this even before you knew we were gay?”
Yoongi shrugged. “When I don’t know something I ask one of my crew. You’re my crew.”
Jin huffed a laugh. “I guess that makes sense. Well, you got lucky with us. I know of a few places, some clubs, and couple more laid back bars. What kind of vibe are you looking for?”
Yoongi sighed and sat down on Jin’s bed. “I have no idea. I’ve only dated the one time. And that was barely dating because we were both kkangpae. Needless to say, it didn’t work out.”
“Hmm. We will definitely circle back to that story. Are you interested in dating now? Or are you more interested in hooking up?” Jin said.
“To be honest, I wouldn’t mind just hooking up. I wouldn’t know the first thing about dating a guy. I’d like to work up to the more emotional stuff.”
Jin nodded. “I understand. I needed to get a few things out of my system before Namjoon and I started dating.”
Namjoon scowled. “What does that mean?”
Jin gave him his most charming grin. “Oh, nothing.”
Yoongi snorted. “Well, I may be as useless at hooking up as I am at dating. I have no skills in flirting.”
Jin put a finger on his lips. “I might have a bit of a weird suggestion, something that will play to your strengths, and require little previous experience.”
“I’m listening.”
“What if you got yourself a sugar baby?” Jin looked up in delight. “Oh my god, get it? Suga baby!”
Namjoon and Yoongi groaned in unison as Jin laughed at his own joke.
“You want me to get a prostitute?”
“No. Not really. It’s really like a mutually beneficial arrangement between two people who are attracted to each other.”
“You seem to know a lot about this,” Namjoon said.
Jin shrugged. “I’ve done it.”
Namjoon’s jaw dropped. “You had a sugar baby?”
“I was a sugar baby. College is expensive.”
“Really? And you didn’t mind… being paid for sex?” Yoongi said.
Jin sighed. “It’s not like that, or it wasn’t for me. I liked the guy. He was older and lived alone and had a lot of money. We would go on dates and spend time together and yes, we had sex. But I was attracted to him. He liked the fact that he didn’t have to commit to anything serious and I would have had to work two jobs if he hadn’t helped me, so it was a win-win.”
Yoongi looked down at himself. “Do you think I need to pay someone to date me?”
“Oh god no! Yoongi-ah you are a total catch. Believe me. The only thing is, well, you’re a bit intimidating? And you said yourself you’re bad at flirting. Arranging something like this could cut out the awkward first dates and avoid the dangers of one night stands. It’s like dating-lite. And you can obviously afford it.”
Yoongi found himself nodding. Actually, it sounded ideal. “Ok. I’ll do it.”
Jin clapped his hands and Namjoon groaned. “I don’t know, hyungs. I don’t want anyone to try and take advantage of Yoongi-hyung.”
Yoongi smirked. “Are you saying that as my accountant?”
“No! As your friend. I don’t know. I just think we have to make sure we are careful with who you chose.”
Yoongi shrugged. “Then you pick. I trust you.”
“You want me to find a sugar baby for you?” Namjoon raised his eyebrows.
“Is that a problem?”
“No. Nope. I’d love to. Sure.”
“Great. By Friday?” Yoongi looked at him levelly.
Jin laughed. “Yoongi-ah, you’re so mean!”
“I’ll do it, Hyung. No problem,” Namjoon said.
Yoongi gave a small nod. “Good. We can have dinner at my place.”
“Any preferences? Anything to avoid?”
“Hmm. They should be attractive. Like Jin-hyung.”
Jin pouted. “Oh too bad, no one is as handsome as me.”
Namjoon pinched him with a fond smile.
“Also, uh, I like people who are nice,” Yoongi said quietly.
His friends looked at him. “What now?” Jin said.
Yoongi shrugged. “I haven’t spent a lot of time with, you know, normal people. They should be nice. Kind? Normal. Not like me.”
Namjoon nodded, his eyes a little sad. “Ok, Hyung. I understand.”
“Good. It’s a plan.”