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"Oh," Namjoon chuckles nervously at the sight in front of him. "Oh," he repeats with an increasingly darker flush spreading on his cheeks with the realization that his friend group of "biking enthusiasts" isn't what he thought it was.
Namjoon should have seen it coming. Nothing ever turns out the way he expects it to. At least at this point, he has learnt to let things go and laugh at his misfortune. And oh boy are the seven of them laughing when they all understand the colossal misunderstanding.
But what brought them all here?
"You like bikes right?" the friend of a friend had asked Namjoon one night. The man was drunk out of his mind and Namjoon, who was struggling to even hear him over the loud music of the house party, was not too far behind. He nodded enthusiastically.
"I do! It's my favourite thing to do in the morning," he explained and the man nodded a bit too aggressively, sending drops of the beer in his hand flying out of the red solo cup.
"I know these guys, they- they're great. They love bikes. You'll like them. They'll definitely like you, they're gay as fuck," the stranger said, snatching Namjoon's phone from his hand and typing away, first in his own phone, then in Namjoon's. "There," he gives the device back to him with a satisfied smile. "I had Jimin add you to their group chat." Namjoon doesn’t understand but he thanks him nonetheless. Even drunk and confused he is polite.
And that was the end of that conversation. Namjoon completely forgot all about bikes and group texts until the next morning, when his chiming phone woke him up from his hungover slumber and made him feel ashamed of the odd smell clinging to last night's clothes.
Seokjin
good morning!!
Jungkook
hyung, shut up it's too early
Seokjin
it's noon.
Jungkook
come on we've gone over this, old man
it's too early.
wait…
what?
wtf
Taehyung
Jimin???? Who did you add??
Jimin
idk some guy who also likes bikes
Seohoo texted me at like 2 last night to add him
he said we'd like him
Hoseok
huh? :-O
Jungkook
???ok???
Hoseok
hello stranger! Welcome! :-)
Namjoon
hello? thank you
Namjoon was struggling to keep his eyes open but the intrigue of the new situation he was finding himself in was enough to successfully compel him to fight the sleep that stubbornly tried to coax him to close his eyes again.
He'd stayed awake that morning texting the group of strangers with a cup of hot coffee in one hand and his phone on the other. And after that, he stayed awake every night talking to them. It was fun. It was exciting. Namjoon was always up to meeting new people.
They talked, hardly ever about bikes, mostly about themselves and their lives. They talked and exchanged pictures and Namjoon was left breathless at the sight of each of them. Then when it was his turn they didn’t even try to hide their attraction, which was equal parts overwhelming and charming. Namjoon smiled dumbly at his phone every time he sent a selfie and it was received with tons of emojis and compliments. It made his stomach fill with butterflies. It made his fingertips tingle and his cheeks flush.
They had their charm, each and every one of them. Seokjin was the oldest, he was always willing to lend a helping hand and a shoulder to cry on. Whenever Namjoon needed to vent Seokjin was always ready to listen, ready to offer advice and encourage him to do the right thing.
Yoongi was quiet. He didn’t text much in the group chat but he was always checking up on Namjoon through his DMs, and he had the sneaking suspicion he did the same for the others. Yoongi was quiet but he was gentle, he worried, he remembered. And he was undoubtedly willing to back them up in any sort of fight.
Hoseok talked the most. He was constantly updating them on his life. Even when the six of them were hanging out together, as proven by the abundance of pictures he’d send, he’d still text, it made Namjoon feel included. Hobi texted all of the time and he always used emojis. If he didn’t use at least one it was safe to assume he was terribly upset, but it wasn’t hard to brighten him up. Sometimes all Namjoon had to do was send a little heart and the flood of emojis would resume.
Jimin was sweet. He was the boldest. Always the first to compliment the others. Always the first to reply to Namjoon’s selfies with a “you’re so hot hyung omg” . Jimin was cute and he wasn’t shy. He was the first one to call Namjoon and the first one to admit he liked him. He was the one who told Namjoon that the six of them were in a relationship. And Jimin was also the one to tell him they wouldn’t mind adding one more if he’d be interested in that “but no pressure hyung, you don’t have to reply right away. we love to have you as a friend anyway.”
Taehyung was easy to talk to. He was creative and smart and no topic was off the table with him. Namjoon found himself talking to Taehyung about aliens, monsters, and alternate realities at alarming hours of the morning and odd times of the day more often than not.
Jungkook was the youngest, he was shy but only in the beginning. He’d warmed up easily and he was clearly very interested in Namjoon, even if he was the last to admit it. He was curious and he was honest. Jungkook was willing to try everything, he got in trouble the most. To him every idea was a good idea until proven otherwise. Do first, ask later. “Hyungs!! I found the cutest puppy!” “Jungkook, please tell me there’s not a stray dog in my living room” “Jin hyung, there’s not a stray dog in your living room. There’s a new family member in the bathroom though, I’m about to give him a bath :)” And maybe it wasn’t Namjoon’s place to talk because he doesn’t live with them but “dogs are cute :)”, he has a soft spot for the youngest.
So Namjoon fell in love with them and they fell in love with him. All that was left was to do was formally meet and see where things would go from there.
And what better way to do that than through bikes?
The invitation came from Jimin. A phone call at 10 am on the previous Friday morning.
“Hey hyungie, are you free tomorrow?”
Namjoon could hardly sleep that night. He wasn’t the only one though and that much was comforting. Yoongi was awake on the phone with him, Namjoon was surprised the elder one had offered to call. But it was nice, Yoongi talked, Namjoon listened, they laughed, and soon enough they could hardly keep their eyes open.
So Namjoon woke up early this morning. He brushed his teeth, spent way too long picking out a perfect outfit and ate his breakfast while pacing around his small kitchen, far too excited to take a seat.
He put on his helmet and struggled to get his bike out of his apartment door and down the stairs. But he managed it with a smile and some pulling.
As Namjoon pedalled down the street to the address Jimin had provided, their favourite biking bar to meet outside of, he grew a little self-conscious of his bicycle once more. It was old, oxide clung to the metal and it made a squeaking sound in the wheels every now and then. But Taehyung had assured him it was alright, that as long as he loved the vehicle they’d love it too. And of course, Namjoon loved his bike, but the other six talked about their own like they were their babies. Clearly, they cared about their bikes, and kept them clean and dry and well maintained while Namjoon was guilty of leaving his uncovered in the rain more than a couple of times. Namjoon’s bike was in such a state that even when he forgot his bike lock no one cared to steal it, which was a good thing honestly because Namjoon constantly forgot his bike lock. But Taehyung said it was alright and Namjoon believed him.
Namjoon pedalled until he arrived at their meeting spot. And he’d stopped with a smile, a little sweaty, a little tired, but still excited.
He spotted Hoseok first. Or rather, Hoseok spotted him. With a squeal and a little jump and then he was pulling Namjoon into a hug before he could fully understand what was happening. Then Hoseok had pulled back and finally they'd all looked at each other and "oh," Namjoon said.
"You thought we were all really passionate about riding bicycles?" Jungkook laughs and Namjoon is mortified.
"Well I am!" he argues and they all laugh again but it's sweet. In their eyes, there is nothing but endearment and a touch of amusement.
"You're so cute, hyungie," Jimin giggles, stepping up to him. "But no, this is more fun, I promise." Jimin takes Namjoon's hand and pulls him to his motorcycle. It's pretty, Namjoon must admit, and it's clear he wasn't wrong, they do take really good care of their bikes.
"Hey! Why does he get to ride with you first?" Taehyung is quick to complain with a pout when he realises Jimin is helping Namjoon to his bike.
"Because I'm his favourite," Jimin poked his tongue out at Taehyung and put his helmet on. Namjoon wouldn't say Jimin was his favourite, but he also wouldn't say he wasn't. They're all special, they're all in equal parts his favourite one way or another.
"Hold on," Yoongi says, pushing past a still whining Taehyung and a pouting Jungkook to get to Namjoon. "Put this one on."
Yoongi pushes to Namjoon's hands a new helmet. An actual motorcycle helmet. It's black, plain except for the sticker of a cat showing the middle finger. Namjoon smiles.
During their call last night their conversation had deviated to helmets after Namjoon told Yoongi it wasn't uncommon for him to fall. And honestly, Namjoon should've realised the confusion when Yoongi sent a picture of his helmet, but he didn't, because he was too distracted by the burst of laughter that left Yoongi's mouth when Namjoon sent a picture of his.
"It's old, I know. I'd gotten a new, better one but I lost it somewhere." Namjoon's helmet, the one he is currently wearing, isn't just old, it's also well used, marked by more than a few scratches and bumps.
"Joonie, that's not safe," Yoongi had said with a chuckle and what Namjoon interpreted to be a shake of his head. What Namjoon didn't interpret though was that Yoongi meant he had every intention of getting him a new one that very morning.
Yoongi's fingers are gentle as they take off Namjoon's helmet from his head. He hands it to Jungkook and then ruffles Namjoon's hair affectionately before putting the new helmet on him.
"Oh! You should've told us to bring stickers for him!" Hoseok, whose helmet is almost completely covered in stickers, says with a smile.
"Later," Yoongi responds with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Tae, come on. Namjoon can ride with you on the way back," Jin says with a laugh, pushing the younger one in the direction of his motorcycle.
"Okay!" Taehyung perks up without any more complaints.
"What! What about me?" Jungkook is quick to protest.
"Next time," Jin replies, putting his helmet on to symbolize the end of the conversation. Jungkook whines but gets on his bike nonetheless.
Jin is the last to get on because he goes to leave Namjoon's bike secured with the lock next to a light pole. Namjoon doesn't see the face Jin pulls at the awful sight of Namjoon's old bike.
Once they're all ready they get to drive. Jimin is the last one. His bike rumbles between Namjoon's thighs in an exciting kind of way. His heart is beating out of his chest as Jimin guides Namjoon's arms to wrap around his smaller waist, causing him to lean forward into the younger man as well.
"Don't be scared, I'm a good driver," Jimin giggles, accelerating just a little. "But hold on tight," he says and Namjoon obeys because Jimin drives fast. In an instant, they're passing by the other six and leaving them behind.
Jimin was right, this is more fun.
The next time, as promised, Namjoon rides with Jungkook. Only this time it's only the two of them, and it starts lightly raining in the middle of their trip. They decide to stop at the side of the highway, at a small cliffside framed by trees and small flourishing flowers to appreciate the rainbow that appears in the sky.
Namjoon explains why the light phenomenon occurs and Jungkook ends up daring to kiss him.
When they get back Namjoon is invited to stay over for dinner and they're both scolded by the two oldest hyungs about their damp clothes and light sniffing.
It becomes a routine after that, the riding together, not the kiss, they don't tell the others about it until the day Namjoon confesses he wants to join their relationship and Jin promptly announces he should get the first kiss because he's the oldest. Jungkook's concerningly red face and nervous chuckle give their secret away immediately.
Namjoon rides with them and, like their personalities, the trips with each of them are special in their own way.
Jungkook smells great, when they're inevitably so close Namjoon can appreciate the soft scent of his fabric softener.
Taehyung always helps Namjoon on and off the bike with a charming smile and careful hands. And always, without fail, before letting go he presses a soft kiss to Namjoon's knuckles.
Jimin is nice to hold on to. His body is slim and his curves are just perfect. Wrapping his arms around Jimin is an experience on its own.
Hoseok drives the fastest. When he rode with Jimin the younger was only trying to show off, in reality, Hobi is the god of speed. He finds high velocities thrilling and invigorating (when he's in control of them, Namjoon saw him ride with Taehyung and Hobi kept dramatically pleading with the younger one to slow down). But the best part about it is his laugh, the wind on his face makes Hoseok laugh with glee and the sound is carried back to Namjoon's ears so he can't help but laugh too.
Yoongi on the other hand drives the slowest. He is always careful and attentive to Namjoon's comfort. He helps put Namjoon's helmet on and doesn't even start the bike until he knows Namjoon is sitting comfortably and properly. Yoongi drives slowly and lets Namjoon enjoy the view. He drives slowly until Namjoon's grip is tightening around his waist and he understands it as a sign he can go a little faster now.
Jin's shoulders are wide, and he leans forward in a way that lets Namjoon perfectly rest his chin on one of said shoulders comfortably.
It's fun, it's incredible, it's freeing. Namjoon loves riding with them and he also loves them .
He still prefers his bicycle to a motorcycle though, the risk of injury, if he were to drive one of those, would increase by a thousand. He'd rather stick to bruised knees.
Namjoon loves his bike but the six of them hate it. They don't hate Namjoon going on bike rides in the morning, they love him enjoying himself and they want to do it with him, they want to share that. But God, that bike. Jin has a heart attack every time he sees him on it, he fears it'll snap in half right under Namjoon's ass any second.
“I’m outside,” Jin says on the phone as Namjoon is locking his door.
“I’ll be right there,” he replies.
“Happy birthday!” Hoseok yells suddenly.
“Don’t yell in my ear he’ll be down here in a moment,” Jin scolds before hanging up.
When Namjoon opens the street door he is first attacked with hugs and eager kisses by the three maknaes and once they settle down he is gasping at the surprise.
“Happy birthday,” Seokjin smiles, pushing towards him a brand new white and pink bicycle. “Now we match,” because Jin’s motorcycle color scheme is exactly this one.
Brand new bike and helmet in hand after that, Namjoon teaches Taehyung how to ride a bike and enjoys early morning trips with Seokjin.