Puzzle Pieces With all of their friends pairing up and finally moving on to the next stages of their lives, Yoongi and Jimin find themselves being constantly pushed into each other's orbits as the only unmated alpha and omega left in their group who have yet to "tie the knot".

And in theory, maybe it would've worked out, if not for the fact that Jimin has no plans of ever being mated, and Yoongi's just too busy chasing his dreams.

-T -omegaverse -alpha!yoongi x omega!jimin -friends to unconsciously lovers to lovers -mostly fluff, fleeting angst -hopefully wholesome -probably going to be long lol -a stress-reliever *will add tags along the way if needed :D

Yoongi received the invitation about a month ago, only somehow remembered its existence last week, managed to open it just yesterday, and today he's running on 2 hours of sleep and 3 cans of Red Bull as he speeds through the expressway headed straight to Busan.

Attending a wedding in his current state--sleep-deprived in an uncomfortably tight, rented suit, with a crooked tie and greasy, unruly hair, basically one drop of Red Bull away from a heart attack--probably isn't optimal, but he figures it's better than not attending at all.

He wishes he had more time to berate himself for not reading that invitation much, much earlier. Or for not even remembering about it if it wasn't for his beloved 5-year-old notebook finally running out of pages and him discovering that he tucked the letter at the very back.

He does berate himself--because he could always find time for some self-deprecation but never for important matters like reading his friends' wedding invitation--groaning and cringing and making faces as if that would absolve him of his clear disregard to human relationships.

It's pretty funny how he's got an obvious lack of common sense when it comes to anything that has to do with feelings or emotions or all those other abstract sensations when most of his songs are centered around such concepts. Huh. Maybe that's what's lacking from his music.

Well at the end of the day, he can only really sigh about his shortcomings, stepping on the gas and hoping he can at least catch Taehyung say his vows with snot dripping down his annoyingly handsome, lower face. Even making it to the reception might be pushing his luck too far.

Or not. He has always been undeservingly lucky, finding an empty parking space as soon as he reaches the venue and indeed making it to the beach fast enough to watch Taehyung absolutely bawling all over the mic as he professed his undying love to Jungkook for the umpteenth time.

Yoongi doesn't make it to his designated seat where all their other friends are whooping and crying. He stands at the far back, clapping along as the newly-married couple finally--god, /finally/--seals the deal with a kiss.

It's been a long time coming, and Yoongi's just thankful he no longer has to see the two of them tiptoe around each other like the pair of hopeless idiots that they are. God knows he's been through enough of that ever since college.

Still, it's surreal watching them walk down the aisle hand in hand, laughing and smiling as the sun sets on the horizon behind them; a truly picturesque scene out of a fairytale. Just like the rest of their love story--all roses and no thorns. He told himself he won't cry, but...

"Yoongi-hyung, is that you?" His hand come up to his face as if on reflex, wiping the tears that were definitely not rolling down his cheeks just a second ago.

"Oh my god, are you crying?" "Fuck off." He groans, trying to pull away from Hoseok's embrace but ultimately failing. "You are! I knew you'd cry!" Yoongi glares at the ground, a juxtaposition in the sea of smiling faces and joyous celebration.

"Where have you been, though? Did you just arrive?" Yoongi just scowls even more, trying to think of a good enough excuse as to why he's late. He doesn't want to say he forgot to read the damn invitation and had to run all over Seoul the last minute looking for a suit and a gift

"I bet you forgot about the invitation and crammed until the last minute." He hates that his friends know him too well. "Well, at least you made it!" Hoseok pats him on the back, as if he's a kid who finally did something right in his life for once.

"Tae was having a massive panic attack a while ago--you know, typical wedding blues." Yoongi couldn't possibly know. "He was demanding for the wedding to be postponed so we can search for you. He thought you got lost again and ended up in some forest or something."

"I know how to use a damn navi." He sighs, exasperated. At least, he knows now. "Yeah, that's what we told him! Good thing Namjoon managed to talk some sense into him. The whole thing was mess before it started. You should've seen it." He's kind of glad he didn't.

"Appa!" They both turn at the childish squeal, finding Hoseok's son running towards them with a plastic sword in hand. "Woah, slow down, Kai." Hoseok picks the kid up before he can crash into Yoongi's leg, hefting him up in his arms. "Say hello to your uncle Yoongi first."

"Yo!" Kai greets him with a peace sign and a big grin, almost rivaling his father's energy. Yoongi always thinks he's just seeing a de-aged Hoseok whenever he sees this kid. "Yo to you too, kiddo." Yoongi ruffles Kai's dark hair with a smile.

"Ah, Yoongi-ssi! Hello." Seungwan also walks up to them, following close behind her son, clad in a simple dress that makes her look prettier than she already is. "It's so nice to see you." "Hey, you too." Yoongi bows in greeting, reaching out to shake the kind omega's hand.

"It's been way too long. How are you?" "I'm good." He answers with a light shrug. "Just busy with work." "Aish, Hobi does tell me you've been working way too hard." "'Way too hard' would be an understatement." Hoseok pipes in. "He's exaggerating." Yoongi rolls his eyes.

"Well, drop by sometime, okay? Kai always asks about you." "I want to be a rapper like uncle Yoongi!" Kai suddenly exclaims. "A rapper swordsman!" He says as he brandishes his toy blade, playfully hitting his father who produces sound effects with every swing his son makes.

"Really now," Yoongi chuckles. "You think you can beat me in a rap battle?" "Of course!" Kai says with full confidence. "Appa taught me how to beatbox. He told me I can wipe your butt on the floor with my skillz. Easy peasy lemon squeezy."

"What kind of words are you even teaching to your kid?" He snorts at his friend, shoving his hands deep in his pockets as the temperature starts to drop. The sky is getting darker, the people thinning out as the rest of the guests head towards the nearby resort for the reception.

"Gotta start 'em young." Hoseok winks at him. Yoongi's not sure what that's even supposed to mean, but he's fond. He can't help the softie in him from crawling out whenever he's in the presence of his friends' pups. It's like he becomes another person altogether. A better one.

He makes Kai promise to show him his beatbox skills, and tells him they can battle it out the next time he visits. The kid couldn't be even more excited. Seokjin and Namjoon joins them short after, towering over Yoongi with their handsome smiles and glamorous outfits.

"If I had a penny for every time you show up looking like you've gone through 6 Shibuya meltdowns in one night, I'd probably be rich." Seokjin jests as a greeting, staring pointedly at his overgrown hair just swaying carelessly with the wind. Of course he notices the damn suit.

"And if I had a penny for every time I see your face without wanting to punch it, then I'd probably be broke." Yoongi snarls back, but he lets himself be pulled by those annoyingly long limbs, breathing in the familiar waves of sea breeze and cool, winter snow.

"I missed you, Yoongi-ah." Maybe it should be annoying how Seokjin's scent still has that tranquilizer effect on him, easily calming down his nerves and relaxing his sore muscles and basically just dissolving every problem and worry he's ever had in his life.

He doesn't say it back, there's no need to. They both know Yoongi always misses Seokjin. "Hey, Joon." "Hyung." Namjoon flashes him his dimples, probably the only friend he has who is also a no-nonsense greeting enjoyer like himself. "Long time no see."

It really has been a long time. He doesn't know how many months he's gone on without seeing any of them. He doesn't want to think about it. They get caught up in mindless banter and chatter--forced to listen to Seokjin's bad jokes and Hoseok's questionable teachings to his son.

Thankfully, said son grows bored and impatient, pulling at his mother's dress and pointing to where all the other people has disappeared to. "Eomma, let's gooooooo! I'm hungry!" "Shall we?" Seungwan laughs at her son's eagerness, urging them to come along as well.

Yoongi lags behind his friends, watching their coupled backs grow farther and farther away as they hurry to the reception, all the while he keeps his pace leisurely and consistent. A wistful smile spreads across his lips, thinking how conveniently metaphorical it is.

Well, he never was the type to hurry on anything (aside from work). He never quite understood the need for it. He much prefers leaning back and taking it slow, content on watching everything flash by him while he goes at his own preferred speed.

His mother says he doesn't have much time; life is too short, you only live once, and all those other overused phrases old people like to tell you just so they can sound the least bit wise about what you need to do with your life before you kick the bucket.

Seokjin says he's just afraid of change.

Maybe he is, so what? Who the fuck isn't? Not like he's ashamed about it. His one philosophy in life is that if it works, then there's no need to change it. And this works. 34, comfortable job, nice apartment, alone. It still works.

So he doesn't see why he should disrupt the balance when he's been so comfortable living like this for so long. Other people just can't seem to understand that for some reason.

It's hypocritical to fault them for it though, seeing that he can't comprehend their side any better. He just wishes they can cut him some slack and think up of a more profound conversation starter other than bringing up his age and the visible absence of a mate by his side.

Either way, he braces himself as they approach the fancy, glass doors, hoping he won't be the sole target of tonight's grilling (just as he's been for the past two weddings he had to go through) and that he can share the torture with kindred souls who share the same sentiments.

Stepping inside, Yoongi can already tell-- This is going to be a long night.

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A/N: hey! (not so) long time no see~ i just wanted to write some warm fluff for some stress relief so here we are. i hope you're enjoying so far and thank you for reading thank you for still being here merry christmas to you all btw!!!

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Yoongi should've known better by now to always be careful of what he wishes for, because the universe really has a funny way of twisting his good intentions against his favor each and every time without fail.

It seems he's not the only latecomer written on the guest list for tonight, a familiar face he hasn't seen in way too long bursting through the doors and making quite the ruckus as Taehyung practically zoomed across the room with a resounding squeal. "Yah, is that Jimin?"

Yoongi can't contain the urge to sit up straighter and crane his neck in intrigue, also trying to get a glimpse so he can confirm if it's really their long-lost friend who has arrived. Last he checked, he's supposed to be halfway across the globe, just past the Pacific Ocean.

But it is Park Jimin, with his never-changing blonde hair and youthful eyes. He's wearing a dashing suit and a big smile as him and Taehyung make unintelligible noises that only the two of them can probably understand. Yoongi is hit with an unexpected sense of longing.

Some dashed excitedly to join the commotion, greeting the omega groom's best friend (and apparently supposed Best Man) that they haven't seen in, well, forever. Even in Yoongi's skewed sense of time, he knows--felt it--to himself just how long it's been since Jimin left.

He also wants to get up on his feet and make his way to where his friends are, as uncharacteristic of an urge that is for someone like him. But he wants to greet Jimin with a warm welcome too, check up on how he's doing after all this time and stuff like that.

It's jarring to him just how much he wants to do it--as soon as possible, if even possible--that wistful sensation of missing someone dearly just spreading inside his chest like a bad case of heartburn. It occurs to him only now, in full magnitude, just how much he missed Jimin.

He stays stuck on his seat though, just watching the whole thing from afar with a small smile. He'll get his chance later. Besides, he's pretty sure he's going to keel over if he even attempts to stand up right now in his debilitated state.

Something about the food caterers encountering a culinary-related issue that's delaying getting some actual sustenance in his system. Not that he's complaining or anything, he'll be fine as long as he keeps his ass still and seated. So he does just that.

The program picks up from where it left off, Yoongi barely hanging by a thread trying to focus on the speeches and the conversations around him. Seokjin's "hey, you still alive?" every now and then actually helps in keeping him grounded, not that he'll admit that out loud.

When dinner finally comes, he almost cries.

Seungwan was kind enough to offer getting some food for him, probably noticing just how much of a wreck he's becoming the longer the night progresses, but Yoongi still has his ego in check so he politely refuses.

Drinking water helped clear his mind a bit, just enough to suffer through the long line with Soonyoung and Dokyeom chattering his head off, teasing him of being a studio caveman and just generally expressing how much they missed hanging out with Yoongi through their usual jokes.

Yoongi missed them too of course--he misses all of his friends--on a good day, he could ride along to match their chaotic energy, but today is just not turning out to be one of his bests, and it's giving him a headache instead.

He pushes through, by some god-given miracle, coming back with a plate full of food. His first proper meal for the day. The wedded couple is waiting for him when he returns to their table, along with Jimin, whose eyes widen like saucers upon seeing him. "Yoongi-hyung!"

Yoongi almost drops his precious plate from the force of Jimin throwing himself at him in a tight hug. Yoongi wants to hug back despite his fragile, startled condition, but he just ends up awkwardly balancing the damn plate in his hand while his other pats the omega's back.

"I was looking for you. I thought you weren't here." Jimin says in a frenzy when he pulls back, eyes darting all over Yoongi as if to check if he's real. "You're one to talk. I thought you're going to miss your best friend's wedding." "Yah, I was just late." "As usual."

Jimin pouts at him, giving him a "beakie" as Yoongi likes to call it, which quickly dissolves into a smile. "I missed you." It's been--5? 6 years? But Jimin is still the same. "I missed you too."

He's not sure how it's even possible for someone to not age for 6 years, but Jimin seems to have done the unthinkable. He always does. Exhibit A: he's the only one who can make Yoongi verbally say that he misses him.

He's smothered once again in a hug, that flower-citrus scent still making Yoongi's nose scrunch in a sniff. It has always been too strong for his oversensitive nose, and his tolerance for it seems to have regressed quite a lot, making him want to sneeze.

He holds it in though, not wanting to upset the omega as it has been quite the touchy issue between the two of them ever since they first met.

Although he knows they've both made peace with that "archnemesis" phase of theirs, and that Jimin no longer finds it offensive when Yoongi reacts poorly to his scent, he still doesn't want to do anything that could potentially ruin their little reunion.

Which is unfortunately cut too short than Yoongi would like it to be, Jimin's attention being whisked away by other people who also wants a piece of his precious time.

Yoongi quietly fades into the background despite wanting to talk with the omega some more, convincing himself that he'll have all the time in the world to do that later and that at least now he gets to focus on eating first.

Two returns and a bowl of steaming soup he doesn't even know the name of later, Yoongi finally feels a little bit human. The color has come back to his face, the headache subsiding, and he could stand up on his own two legs now without wobbling. He feels okay, albeit sleepy.

Booking it early and driving back to Seoul crosses his mind once or twice, but he doesn't want to be a dick more than he already is for arriving late. He can't believe he's thinking of work when Hoseok and Jungkook is quite literally dancing to WAP right in front of him.

Like he's well aware he's workaholic, but even he surprises himself sometimes.

"Beer?" He's pulled out of his thoughts by that familiar, sweet voice, turning his head to the side to find Jimin offering an ice-cold bottle with his equally sweet smile. "Probably not a good idea." "Oh. How come?"

The younger pulls a chair right next to him, scooting closer to also watch their sober--emphasis on sober--friends act like they've chugged ten shots of tequila in one go. "Too much Red Bull in my system. I might end up joining them."

"All the more reason to drink. I'd love to see that." Jimin's light giggles are a welcome sound amidst the blaring party music currently blasting out of the speakers, like a god-sent melody in the middle of all the nonsensical noise irritating Yoongi's sensitized ears.

They're close enough for Yoongi to get a whiff of Jimin's scent. At least, he should, but it has tamed down considerably compared to earlier, the mutedness bringing another sense of nostalgia that he associates with Jimin's presence. Maybe he's being a dick, after all.

"You didn't have to do that..." He sighs, shooting Jimin an apologetic look, which the other dismisses with a snort. "What? It's fine! Should've applied it before I came. I mean, it's a good thing I even remembered to bring it, knowing you'll be here."

"Besides, you look like you've gone through a lot today. I didn't want to add on to whatever's bothering you." "I'm /fine/," Yoongi retorts, because really, he is. Leave it to Jimin to turn "you look like shit" into something caring that tugs at his heartstrings.

"It's not like I'm allergic to your scent. You don't have to put on blockers for me, Jimin-ah." He can't count how many times he's had to say that, but Jimin ignores him every time. He has basically turned it into a whole personality trait when it comes to Yoongi.

"I just don't want you to sneeze on me when I get close to you, hyungie. Don't worry too much about it, okay?" Yoongi worries about it. He's been worrying about it ever since Jimin showed up one day smelling like /nothing/.

Imagine inadvertently forcing an omega to subdue their scent just for you. Sometimes Yoongi thinks about it at night, how it's one of his biggest regrets in life out of countless others, and wonders if he can ever do anything to make it up to Jimin.

Or better yet, turn back time so he can smack his stupid, younger self on the head for being so immature and rude to someone he literally just met. Sit him down and just give him a 3-hour lecture about the gravity of words and their long-time effects on a person's life.

"You're worrying about it." Jimin calls him out, giving him a light flick on the forehead to snap him back to reality and out of his spiraling thoughts. Denial is already on the tip of Yoongi's tongue, but Jimin knows him too well, so he doesn't bother.

"/Seriously/ hyung, stop it. Stop. Just--stop." Warm, soft palms squish his cheeks, forcing him to look at that frown he hasn't seen in way too long. "Okay, I'm stopping." Yoongi mumbles. Secretly, he worries about it. "Good." Jimin releases him with a huff. "So--"

"So." "So." A hand lands on his thigh, squeezing as Jimin gives him an expectant look. "What?" "What /what/? I haven't seen you in forever! Start talking." "Start talking about what?" "Anything. Everything. Your life. You're the only one who doesn't chat with me."

"Should I chat with you?" "Um, yes? Why /didn't/ you chat me all those years, hyung?" It sounds accusatory and Yoongi is surprised that he feels even the slightest bit of offense for looking like an uncaring friend. He knows he's got lots of shortcomings but he /cares/. Lots.

"Well, why didn't you?" He fires back, the toned-down, creeping agitation under his skin so nostalgic it gives him a momentary whiplash. Only Jimin can really bring out this stubborn side of him without much effort.

It will always be a guilty pleasure seeing Jimin splutter and lose his bearings just from a little teasing. Something about making those eyebrows furrow and those lips frown in a pout that Yoongi finds so oddly satisfying for reasons that are still beyond him up to this day.

Maybe that's why he finds himself always going out of the way just to pull a reaction from him. Although he supposedly left that childish "hobby" of his behind when they all went their separate ways after college, he can't believe he still enjoys doing it after all these years.

When Jimin takes too long to formulate a believable excuse that Yoongi wouldn't even bother believing because it's not like he /minds/ the lack of communication ever since Jimin flew to America to dance and pursue his dreams, he decides to spare the man some mercy.

"Aish, just drop it. It would've been boring anyway because I'll just say 'I'm fine' every time you asked me how I'm doing." "That's how you answer even in real life." Jimin counters with a huff. "Exactly. It's small talk. It's futile and it doesn't work on me."

"You really haven't changed much, have you?" And it doesn't sound bad coming from Jimin. More like fond. "I'd be worried if I did. You will no longer have the cringey awkwardness you need to offset all the fun, spontaneous things going on in your life.

"I missed you." Jimin smiles goofily at him, like all it took was Yoongi mentioning his best quality--cringey awkwardness--for him to decide that yes, indeed, he missed Yoongi very much. Yoongi always had a hard time understanding what goes on in that pretty little mind of his.

"Because you have way too much fun and spontaneous things going on in your life?" "Yes. I think I need some uncomfortable silence and dead-end conversations for a change."

Except there have never been uncomfortable silence nor dead-end conversations when it comes to the two of them. Jimin's just saying that but he has never really experienced first-hand what Yoongi is best known for. He's too much of an odd, special case to ever experience it.

That is to say, they've never been the closest with each other. Like, they're close, but not Taehyung-Jimin "let's just marry each other if we still don't have partners by 50" close. Or Seokjin-Yoongi "you're my bestfriend but I fell in love with you oops" kind of close.

It's more of...fondness. Yoongi's fond of Jimin--shit, who won't be--and again, he doesn't easily get fond of another human being unless they're annoying little children running around, but Jimin's the type to bring it out of you by pure force. Like you just can't help it.

And they're just comfortable with each other despite their differences--and oh, are there a fucking lot--so it works. Somewhat rocky at the beginning, but they grew up and now Jimin has become a vital part of Yoongi's social dot that he is trying his darn hardest to preserve.

For the first time that night, Yoongi talks. He talks a lot, forgetting about his need for sleep in exchange of making up for those 6 years he hasn't talked with Jimin (not counting their obligatory birthday/holiday greetings to each other on the groupchat).

For the first time that night, he's compelled to talk, because Jimin has chosen a more profound conversation starter that didn't involve mentioning his age nor the visible absence of a mate by his side.

It's a relief; he knows Jimin won't bring up such overused topics because they're technically on the same boat when it comes down to it. Maybe he's the kindred soul Yoongi has wished for. The one and only who shares the torture that is mid-life social "obligation" crisis.

The only difference is, Jimin hasn't been present to most of their friends' weddings, so Yoongi had to soak up most of the aggravating questions alone. He's practically an expert at being scandalized at this point. "So you're staying here for good?"

"Just for a time. Maybe. I don't know," He watches the other laugh, blonde hair pushed back by ringed fingers. He's still very much into jewelry and accessories it seems. "I haven't thought much about it yet. I just wanted to go back home."

"What about your, uh, crew? Is that what you call them?" "My crew, yes. Well, we all decided to take a breather. Get some break while we're at it and do whatever. Most of them started to have families too, so you know how it is." Yoongi hums in understanding.

"It's good though. That you came back." "Mm. My parents won't let me hear the end of it, only coming back after so many years." "You kind of deserve that one." "Probably." Jimin laughs. "And did you know that Jiwon is having a baby?"

"Your younger brother?" Yoongi asks in surprise. "Yes! My baby brother is having a baby! Can you believe?" "Wait, since when did he even grow up? He was only, like, a beansprout the last time I saw him." "Right? My exact same thoughts. Time is fucking weird."

"So weird. I feel like every person I know is either getting married or having pups." "Same." Jimin chuckles, swirling whatever's in his glass before chugging it down. "It's cute, though. Being an uncle and all."

"Handsome and rich uncle Jimin." Yoongi teases with a grin, earning a light kick on the leg. "I know I'm handsome, but I don't know about the rich part. I'm basically unemployed right now." "But you must have earned a lot from dancing around all those years."

"'Dancing around,' what am I, a stripper?" They share a laugh. Somewhere in the background, someone screams. Probably a kid. "I'll probably be fine for a while, but I have to think about my next step and shit. First off, I need to go hunting for a cheap apartment in Seoul."

Yoongi can't help but snort, "Goodluck with that. Where are you staying right now? With your parents?" "Yeah. Only a matter of time before they kick me out for being a freeloader though." "They're not going to do that." Yoongi reassures, although he's sure Jimin knows that too.

"I know, but like, I can't just depend on them all the time, you know? I need to get my shit together. On my own." Jimin's got some serious issues when it comes to depending on people and Yoongi wants to point it out, tell him there's nothing wrong with that, but he doesn't.

"Besides, if there's some place I'm going to settle in for good, it has to be Seoul." "Why? What's wrong with Busan?" "Nothing's wrong with Busan. I just want to be in Seoul, that's all. It calls to me."

Yoongi's the opposite. If he can get away from that city, he would. But he couldn't. Not even for a little while.

He thinks he desperately needs to.

"What are you two talking so seriously about?" Jungkook appears out of nowhere, wearing that same boyish grin Yoongi has known him for as he invites himself in Jimin and Yoongi's circle. Of course Taehyung is not too far behind, also joining in on the conversation.

"What's going on here?" "They're having a meeting without us." Taehyung gasps, all dramatic and in full offense. "How /dare/." Jimim and Yoongi share a weird a look.

"Don't you two have more important matters to attend to?" Glancing around at the other guests, they definitely warrant more attention from the stars of the evening compared to the humble little corner Yoongi and Jimin have saved for themselves.

"Hey, this is important!" Taehyung defends, plopping down on his alpha husband's lap with a giggle. Of course they just had to get all flirty and distracted, sucking faces with no regard whatsoever of their friends' wellbeing.

They're worse than a pair of horny teenagers getting it on for the first time, Yoongi thought. And they're /married/.

"Get a room, jesus." It's Jimin who speaks up this time, though he looks more amused than apalled. Must be all those years rooming with these two that made him immune to such scenes. "Didn't know the honeymoon was also being held here." Yoongi adds on with a snort.

"Okay, give us some slack. It's been a while since Jungkookie made love to me, and this reception is dragging /on/." Yoongi wants to gag. "Shut up." Jimin's quick to shut his best friend down with a raised brow. "There's no such thing as 'been a while' with the two of you."

"Seriously, Chim! 3 weeks, 2 days, 17 hours, and 13 minutes. I've been keeping count!" "I didn't need to know that." Yoongi mumbles, mostly to himself. "Seriously," Jungkook looks them with a grim expression, "Planning a wedding is a nightmare."

"Good thing I'll never plan one, then." Jimin shrugs with a laugh, sounding so carefree that Yoongi is almost envious. "Mm, baby watch your mouth." "It comes back around." They even finish each other's sentences. Great. Jimin, on the other hand, just rolls his eyes at them.

"But you would look so good in a tux, babe. What happened to your dream of wearing a gown on your own wedding?" "Oh, Tae, I don't need a wedding to wear a gown. I'll wear one tomorrow if you want. Besides, I'm already gorgeous on the daily." Yoongi can't help but snort mid-sip.

"Yes, hyung? You want to say something?" By the look Jimin is giving him, Yoongi better save the taunt at the tip of his tongue for later. Or better yet, never. "Nothing." He clears his throat instead.

"How about you, Yoongi-hyung?" "Huh?" "Hyung looks like the type to have everything planned down to the very last detail." "Even how many centimeters the table napkins should be from the edge." "I can totally imagine him fussing around trying to perfect everything." "Cute."

Yoongi lets them be because it's their big day. Better not to comment on such subjects anyway and add unnecessary fuel to the flame. He will neither confirm nor deny. Soon, Namjoon and Seokjin join them, then Hoseok, who's magnetized wherever the fun seems to be brewing.

The topic stretches on, all kinds of wedding and honeymoon anecdotes thrown around for the laughs. Jimin and Yoongi both stay as mere listeners with Jimin occasionally joining in with his dynamic reactions.

"Man, nothing could beat Hoseok's Everland wedding." "That carousel ride was amazing." "Didn't he barf after getting off?" "Exactly. So romantic." "Shut up, you little shit." Hoseok joke-chokes Seokjin, and Yoongi thinks it's nice.

Not Hoseok choking Seokjin (although that's entertaining in its own right) but being together like this again. Complete. And chaotic. It's been way too long since he's had a genuine, good laugh.

"How dare you make fun of me on my wedding day when you guys didn't even bother inviting us to yours!" Hoseok points at their two tallest friends with an accusatory finger.

Waking up one day with a picture of Seokjin wearing a wedding ring and a casual "me and Joon got married" on their groupchat is still a sore, recurring topic that Hoseok likes to bring up every now and then every time Seokjin is being an ass. Which is, all the time.

"Man, you should really do an upgrade because your rebuttals are getting stale." Seokjin shakes his head with a laugh. "Also, again, no plane tickets to Vegas, no opinion." "You didn't even invite Jimin! And he was only, like, one state away or something."

"Well, unlike you, Jimin doesn't hold it against us because he's an angel. Right, honey?" "I think it's romantic." Jimin sighs dreamily, smiling up at the alpha couple. "Spontaneous wedding in Vegas, honeymoon in a cheap motel...I really loved that for you guys."

The whole fiasco was Seokjin-coded. As to how he managed to convince Namjoon to do it though...Yoongi is yet to know.

But he guesses it's just fitting for the two of them. It's not like they can do something like that here, being a same-alpha couple. Korea's still got a long way to go when it comes to those things. And Seokjin can be pretty convincing if he wants to. Yoongi's happy for them.

"In all fairness, our motel room was Pokemon-themed and we had a blast." "Uh huh. I bet your Dickletts had a real blast." Yoongi shoots Namjoon a smirk, who just groans at his bad joke.

They all get immersed in their own circle, with Taehyung and Jungkook excusing themselves for a bit to attend to their other guests, and Yoongi was almost on the brink of relaxation when the dreaded question comes up. "When will /you/ two settle down?"

"Settle down like get married?" Jimin sounds properly horrified by the notion, his reaction more than enough for the two of them. "Yeah! Didn't you meet any nice alphas while you were out there in California, Jiminie? Anyone worth bringing home?"

"Well, I've met a lot, but I'm not going to 'settle down' with any of them nor bring them back home here. God." "You look like someone just suggested you to eat your own shit." Seokjin observes with a laugh.

"Hey there's always Yoongi-hyung as last resort if you're out of options." Hoseok pats him on the shoulder, wriggling his eyebrows at the two of them. Ah, here we go again.

"Yah, Yoongi-hyung is not a last resort," Jimin says in his stead. At least Yoongi had enough energy to flash the younger omega a grateful smile, knowing they'll both have to endure this overused joke that has been going on around their friends since time immemorial.

"He'll always be my first choice." Jimin winks at him and Yoongi has no qualms riding along because Jimin says that to everybody. He's sweet like that. "You guys look good together, actually." Namjoon pipes up. "Agreed." Seokjin hums with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Yeah, you've said that a thousand times already. Too bad we're not." His replies are robotic at this point, a well-practiced response. He sighs, the fatigue catching up to him. Maybe he should go after all. Drive home and get some actual sleep.

"It's not going to work out because hyung can't stand my scent. Imagine we're fucking and he has to hold his nose like--" "I don't--" Yoongi opens his mouth to say something, but he shuts it back up, watching his friends laugh out loud with a frown.

Yoongi is used to Jimin being frank and brash at times, and it's not like he's saying those things to get back at Yoongi or make him feel guilty, but it's equally concerning how Jimin can make jokes like that at his own expense.

"I'm kidding! Don't be mad!" Jimin elbows him on the arm, trying to coax a smile out of him but Yoongi just stares until the smile melts from Jimin's face. "Hey, I'm just kidding." He says much more seriously this time, tilting his head at Yoongi in worry.

He lets out a long-winded sigh, ruffling the other's hair. "You're fine. I don't hate your scent." He bids an abrupt farewell after that, much to the wedded couple and their friends' complaints, but Yoongi thinks he did enough socialization for the night to last a lifetime.

"You sure you'll drive all the way back to Seoul? It's pretty late." Taehyung is pouting at him and that's dangerous to Yoongi's health. "You do know you can just get a room here, right? It's all paid. "Yeah, I've got work tomorrow anyway. I need to get up early."

Now it's Jungkook's turn to look at him with those big eyes. Super dangerous to Yoongi's health. "Hyung? Stop working so much." "I'm not." He reassures their maknae with a smile.

"Drop by sometime, yeah? You promised." Hoseok tells him, with Kai waving wildly and Seungwan also waving but in a much gentler manner. "Bye, Uncle Yoongi!" "Answer my texts, will you?" Seokjin huffs at him. "And stop pretending like you're asleep and answer your goddamn door."

"I'm not pretending. Maybe stop coming to my house at ungodly hours of the morning without warning. " He retorts. "You want me to visit at dawn, then?" "Yes." "Ugh, you're impossible." Seokjin rolls his eyes. "Drive carefully." "Yes, mom."

"Take care on your way home, hyung." Namjoon smiles at him, and they bump their fists. "Thanks, Joon-ah." "You're seriously going?"

Turning around, he finds Jimin with his arms crossed. He doesn't look too happy when Yoongi nods. "Can't you stay a bit longer?" A pout. Fucking lethal to Yoongi's health. "Please?" "Sorry, Jimin-ah. Hyung will make it up to you when you go to Seoul. I promise."

"You better." Jimin punches him lightly on the chest before hugging him. Yoongi holds on just as tight in that brief moment. "See you around?" "Yeah. See you."

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A/N: sorry for the extreme slow burn and equally slow updates but i hope you're enjoying so far? thanks as well to those who are reading and interacting as always <3 i super appreciate it very much <3 anyway i would love to know your thoughts~ retrospring.net/lunaillumina

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It doesn't take long for Yoongi to see Jimin again. And it happens in a way that he never would've expected.

Friday morning, Yoongi just got home from work. He's on the verge of passing out when he crosses the threshold of his bathroom, but he feels pretty good about himself for the first time in a while.

The song he has been working on for weeks was finally finished, and it couldn't be more perfect than it already is. After taking a long, hot bath, he gets ready to spend the next three days in bed absolutely dead to the world when a loud noise startles him out of his relaxation.

It came from the other side of the wall, presumably from the room next to his, which has been vacant for quite some time now. Oh, is he finally getting a new neighbor?

The possibility doesn't garner much thoughts from his mushy brain, more concerned about the noises that's keeping him from completely shutting down. It's ignorable to a degree, but Yoongi's got sensitive ears, and he can't sleep until his whole room is a black hole.

He debates on what course of action he should take, though there's not much to debate on when neither choices are appealing. Eventually though, his need for some peace and quiet wins, and he soon finds himself getting up from bed with a sigh.

His boss keeps telling him to be assertive. That he should voice out what he wants instead of keeping quiet all the time. Yoongi thought this would be a perfect opportunity to practice that.

His confidence wanes the closer he gets to his destination, and when he's right in front of his neighbor's door, he reconsiders. Will the social awkwardness be worth it? He could just wait it out, no need to interact with another human being if he just goes back inside...

No, right, he needs to be assertive. Without thinking too much, he rings the doorbell. It produces that horrible buzzing sound like something getting zapped with a thousand volts. That's when the regret kicks in.

He doesn't have much time to mourn about it though, the thump of footsteps quickly approaching along with a muffled "Coming!" that he's pretty sure is for him. Shit. The door opens without warning, showing a familiar face that makes Yoongi blink in surprise. "Jimin-ah?"

For a moment, Yoongi thought his sleep depravity was just playing tricks on him, but-- "Yoongi-hyung?" Yep, it's him. His eyes may have deteriorated over the years, but his ears never miss. He knows that voice all too well.

"Um, hi? It's...nice of you to visit me? How did you know where I live?" Jimin laughs, brushing back the strands of hair that have fallen over his face. He looks haggard, skin matted with sweat, like Yoongi just interrupted him in the middle of a workout session.

"Uh...hey," Yoongi greets back, brows furrowing in confusion. "I'm not--" He shakes his head. "So you live here now?" "Yep! Just moved in today." Jimin sighs, hands over his hips. "Don't tell me you also live in this building?" "Actually, I'm right next door."

"Whaaaaaaaaaat, that's crazy. So we're neighbors now? Is Seoul really this small?" It's obvious the younger is too exhausted to express the full length of his surprise. Usually he's more...dynamic. Makes Yoongi wonder what he was doing before he knocked.

"Nah, I kind of see how you ended up here. This place is cheap, but worth it. Good job on finding it." "Thanks. You can't even imagine how many places I've checked out before I landed here." "Trust me, I know."

"Yeah? How long have you been staying here, hyung?" "3 years? Almost 4 this October, I think." Jimin nods with a hum and a couple seconds pass by with just them standing there before the younger speaks up again. "Anyway! Why did you knock?"

Right. Yoongi's reminded of why he's here in the first place. "Uh, yeah, I was just going to ask if you could quiet it down. I'm trying to sleep. Didn't know it was you, though." "Oh! Shit, I'm sorry, hyungie. You do look like you haven't slept for a month."

"You can just say I look like shit." He rolls his eyes but with a smile. "What are you doing, anyways?" "Ah, I was just--" Jimin points his thumb inside, letting out another long-winded sigh. "Assembling some furniture. You know, just moving in things."

"Yeah?" Yoongi's interest piques at the mention of furniture assembly, like a switch getting turned on. "Need some help?" "Oh, no, no, I'm fine. You should sleep. I'll try to keep it down. Sorry again, hyung." "I'll help you, Jimin-ah. Seriously."

"You sure? Because honestly, I'm at my wit's end here with the fucking bed. It's insane how much I suck at following instructions." Yoongi chuckles, "I'm sure. Come on, let's take a look." Jimin steps aside to make way, inviting him in and closing the door behind them.

"I'll hug you, but I stink right now." Yoongi hears Jimin say while he takes off his slippers. "Well, more than usual. Sorry it's all over the house." "You don't stink." He mumbles, following the omega further into the apartment.

The layout is the exact same as his, Jimin's scent indeed the strongest once they reach the bedroom. It doesn't /stink/, it's just...too strong for Yoongi. He switches to breathing through his mouth, hoping the younger won't notice.

But Jimin is already dashing around to open the windows in a hurry, and Yoongi feels guilty. He doesn't comment on it though, not really in the mood to do a back and forth of this neverending scent issue all over again. "I'll be back. Make yourself at home, hyungie."

Yoongi surveys the progress of the bed, scanning the pieces and screws all just lying around in a mess. He finds the manual, doing a quick skim of it and figuring out which step is next when Jimin returns. "Hey. I don't really have anything but water right now, so here you go."

"Thanks." Of course he doesn't miss the muted citrus that was prevalent just a few minutes ago, but he ignores it despite the annoyance that bubbles up inside. Maybe it's just the lack of sleep making him crankier than usual. Or maybe Jimin's just too damn stubborn.

Either way, they get down to business. Yoongi finds it amusing how all the tiredness just seems to leave his body in favor of renewed excitement while they screw and hammer the parts together, the bed starting to look like an actual bed in no time.

Conversation is scarce aside from assembly-related questions and instructions, the two of them probably too exhausted--or immersed in Yoongi's case--to explore any other topic. "This takes me back to our dorm days." Jimin snickers, handing Yoongi the screwdriver.

Yoongi snorts, knowing the exact memory Jimin is referring to. "Until now, I still don't know how you and Jungkook managed to break your table so many times." "We didn't mind breaking it because we know you'll always be there to fix it for us." Jimin teases with a laugh.

"Until I graduated." "Yeah, it stayed permanently broken after that." Yoongi shakes his head remembering those times, though he never really minded it whenever anyone asked him to fix stuff for them. It's like music, he supposes. He always enjoyed doing it.

They finish the bed then moved on to the coffee table in the living room. By the time they're done, it's almost noon. "Oh my god, we did it." Yoongi slumps on the couch, wiping the sweat on his brows. Beside him, Jimin looks like he's on the verge of passing out.

"I thought it's going to take me a week just getting my bed done. I was ready to sleep on the floor." Despite the fatigue creeping in at an alarming rate, Yoongi manages a chuckle. He pats the younger's knee, giving it a squeeze to let him know he did well.

"You hungry?" "Yes." "I'll cook us a quick lunch. Let's go." He's the first one to stand up, urging Jimin to follow suit so they can go to his house this time.

"For real? You'll cook for me? God, hyung, I'm starting to think moving in here is the best decision I've ever made in my entire life." "And why is that?" Yoongi muses, keying his passcode to let the two of them in. "Because I get to be neighbors with you."

The truth is, Yoongi rarely cooks. Even rarely does he invite anyone inside his home just like that, overly conscious of his personal space and privacy. But he finds that he doesn't mind doing those things. He doesn't mind a lot of things when it comes to Jimin.

As is the case ever since he can remember.

"Will you help me with the dining table, too?" "You haven't set up your dining table?" Jimin shakes his head with pleading eyes. "What will you even do without me?" Yoongi sighs, pushing more of the fried rice towards the younger. "I seriously don't know, hyung."

And so they do Jimin's dining table. And his shelf. And his shoe rack. And before he knows it, it's already dark out and he's still awake by some miracle.

"Thank you so much, hyungie. I love you, love you, love you." Jimin wraps his arms around him from behind, dropping playful kisses on his shoulder while he tightens the final screw. Yoongi leans into the touch, used to the omega's affection. He missed it, actually.

"I feel like you can fix my life too with how good you are." "Sadly, I think that's way out of my skill level." "I'll still trust you with it." The warmth squeezes him, but disappears all too fast. Quicker than Yoongi could realize how touch-deprived he has been all this time.

"Do you have plans tomorrow?" Plans. "Sleep." Yoongi's the type of person to never have plans on his free days. "I was thinking I'll treat you to breakfast, lunch, and dinner." "Okay, not sleep then." But maybe that's about to change starting today.

"You're all mine tomorrow then, hyung."

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A/N: this is kinda like whatever right now but let me know if you like it!!! and thank you thank you thank you to those who interact and are still reading retrospring.net/@lunaillumina

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Yoongi never thought having a friend for a neighbor would incur major life changes, but here he is.

'breakfast for my fave hyung <3 have a nice day~ love u!! -jimin •᷄ɞ•᷅' A smile plays on his lips even though it's practically the same note from yesterday, with minor differences to the wording here and there. Still, the message is clear: Jimin is too sweet.

He's been finding these small notes stuck on his front door, along with paper/plastic bags of food, everyday ever since Jimin moved in. The younger told him it's his way of saying thanks, even though Yoongi already reassured him that he didn't have to give him anything in return.

But how can he say no when Jimin attacks him full on, with guns blazing in the form of pleading eyes and a "Please, hyung? You need to eat more." He doesn't eat breakfast--can't even remember the last time he did--but he wakes up every morning now to fetch whatever Jimin gave him

He knows it's mostly leftover dinner, but Yoongi is beyond grateful and he doesn't want to waste even one grain if he could help it. He starts dropping by the grocery too, compelled to cook and give something in return, which starts their cycle of sharing food with one another.

Not only is his body clock reverting back to normal, but his eating habits are also improving. As he said, major life changes.

He doesn't see much of Jimin though, the both of them probably too busy to run into each other, save for one Friday night when he's startled by the sound of his rarely used doorbell. He opens the door to find his said neighbor waiting outside.

"Hi, hyung!" "Hey, Jimin-ah." He eyes the big pot the younger is holding. "What's up?" "Ah, nothing much. Just wanted to ask if you want to eat dinner together. I made too much." Jimin gestures to the container in his grip with a sheepish smile. "Are you busy?"

"Uh, no." He glances behind him where he left his bottle of beer in front of the paused movie he was planning to watch for the night. "Not really. Come in." Jimin happily welcomes himself inside Yoongi's apartment, handing him the pot when he offers to carry it.

"So I just realized I could've just chatted you before dropping by. Sorry, it totally slipped my mind." "It's fine." Yoongi snorts, setting the food on the table. "Not like I got anything better to do. You don't have plans for tonight?"

"Good question," Jimin leans over the kitchen counter while Yoongi grabs them some plates. "I /wanted/ to have plans. You know, go out, have a couple of drinks and stuff, but all of my friends are too busy, so." He shrugs. "I thought you might want to hang out with me instead."

"I'm glad I could be here to be your last resort in case all else fails." "You are not my last resort!" Jimin retaliates just as Yoongi has planned, which makes him snicker under his breath. Jimin is just so predictable sometimes it makes it too easy for Yoongi to tease him.

"I'm kidding. If I get free food out of it, then who am I to complain?" He shrugs with a smile, Jimin following him back to the table. "You've been cooking a lot these days." "It's fun to cook for myself. And for you, too." "You didn't even know how to fry an egg back then."

"Hey, living alone has its perks. I learned a lot of important life skills." "Looks like that turned out really well for you. Let's eat."

It dawns on Yoongi that he's actually pretty hungry, though he didn't exactly have plans for dinner before Jimin came. The stew is great, the best he's ever tasted, but maybe he's just being biased. Now it's his turn to wonder what he'll do without Jimin around.

"So what have you been up to these days?" he asks after there's a lull in their banter about food, watching the omega chew with his cheeks full. "You found work?" Jimin shakes his head, "I'm studying right now."

"Studying? You went back to college?" "Yep! Figured I might as well finish my damn degree since I've got nothing better to do anyways. They credited my previous units so I didn't have to repeat my first three years." Yoongi whistles, shooting the other an impressed look.

"Look at you, being a model student." "Ha-ha, I always was. I missed contemporary though. It feels like it's been such a long time since I've tried it." "I also missed watching you dance." Jimin flashes him a shy smile. "You're the first one I'll invite if we get a show."

"That's a promise." Yoongi holds him to it, remembering the days when they'd all come to Jimin's shows to support him. Yoongi is proud to say that he never missed one despite how busy life came to be.

"I'm trying to look for a part-time job, though. Not too demanding. Just to add on to my tuition." "You plan to work while schooling? Sounds tough." "Not like I have a choice. It's fun, anyway. Like I'm finally getting my shit together, you know."

Yoongi gets it, he supposes. That sense of accomplishment when you work hard for things you want to achieve. He has always known Jimin to be the most persevering human being he has ever met. "You interested in being a personal assistant?"

The omega shoots him a funny look. "For who?" "Me." Now he gets an even funnier expression. "Wait, you're serious?"

Yoongi shrugs. He didn't really think too much about the random offer, but he has been pondering lately in passing how nice it would be to have someone organizing his life for him when he most definitely isn't up for such a task.

"It's really nothing. Just remind me if I should be doing something important for the day. I can't be fucked to read my emails." Jimin laughs behind his closed fist, still with that unbelieving look. "Wow, hyung, is being a famous producer that taxing?"

"I'm not famous." Yoongi grumbles, because he isn't. Not yet. "And also I think I'm just lazy." "I think you're cute." Jimin giggles fondly at him. "Okay, sure. I'll be your sexy secretary." He gets a suggestive wink.

"About the payment--" "I'll accept hyung's eternal love as payment." Finger hearts this time around. "I doubt my love can pay for your tuition." "I mean, if you must insist, then feel free to add some bills here and there. You're too generous to me."

Thankfully he's become immune to all of Jimin's mannerisms, and he can just let them fly with an obligatory eye roll. The omega must have majored in sweet, tender-talking and absorbed all the adorable qualities a person could possibly have in this lifetime.

Yoongi has never been this fond of another person, and he thinks it's showing and clawing itself out of his usually stoic exterior whenever Jimin is around. It's a scary power to have over him. Jimin can probably tell since he knows exactly when to use it to his own advantage.

"What were you watching before I came?" They move to the couch after washing the dishes and clearing the table, returning to Yoongi's paused TV and his now lukewarm beer bottle. "Uh, some western show. I don't know, I just downloaded it."

"Downloaded? Isn't this on Netflix?" "I don't have Netflix." Jimin stares at him like he just announced that he actually eats his cereals warm. "Why?" "It's too expensive."

"Expensive? You're willing to pay me to read your emails for you!" "Hey, reading emails is serious business, alright. It takes skill." "Skill." Jimin smiles at him like he's a helpless little kid. "Besides, their subtitles are shitty. Torrents are superior." "Oh my god."

Against his wishes, Jimin forces his Netflix account to him for free, basically spending an hour trying to debunk every bad thing Yoongi has to say about the capitalist platform. They spend the next couple hours browsing, unable to choose on what to watch.

It's not how his typical Friday night usually goes. Actually, nothing in his self-proclaimed routine has ever gone smoothly after Jimin showed up, said major life changes creeping its way into his system bit by bit.

As he said, he's never been good when it comes to changes, always malfunctioning and cowering at the slightest chance of it threatening to happen, but this time, Yoongi finds that he doesn't particularly mind.

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"You look good."

Yoongi frowns. "The fuck is that supposed to mean?" Across him, Seokjin returns the favor with a scowl. "That you look good? Should it have any other meaning that I'm not aware of?" "I'm just used to you telling me I look like shit. I thought you got creative with it."

"This is why I never compliment you." In the end, Seokjin gives up, sighing behind the rim of his mug. "Coffee's especially good today." "That's a compliment. Jimin taught me his blend." "Then I'm complimenting Jiminie, not you."

Touché, Yoongi thought as he sips from his own cup. It's the kind of coffee that makes you sigh with satisfaction. Makes you wonder how long you've gone on in life not drinking it. Grabbing his phone, he drops a quick chat to the genius barista:

[Yoongi-hyung ] your coffee is so good He already made sure to shower Jimin with all the compliments and praises he deserves after letting him taste the holy nectar that is the omega's personally-brewed coffee, but Yoongi thought a little more won't hurt.

[] LOL thank youuuu eat breakfast [Yoongi-hyung ] i am jin's here [] ohhh tell jin-hyung i said hi!! and that i miss him so much "Jimin says he hates you and he never wants to see you again." "Jimin will never say that." "You're right. That was stupid."

[Yoongi-hyung ] he says hello *insert cute jin pic here* [] wah i'm jealous wish i'm there too [Yoongi-hyung ] you have class right now, right? [] yeah boring as fuck [Yoongi-hyung ] pay attention [] if you're my prof, i will [Yoongi-hyung ] bye

Seokjin is smiling weirdly at him when he puts his phone down. "What?" "Nothing." The other denies, though he's still smiling like a maniac. "You look good when you smile." As if on reflex, Yoongi stops. He didn't even know he was smiling. "That was Jimin." "Uh huh."

After an uncomfortably long silence, Yoongi suggested they move to the couch to watch that movie where Seokjin was casted as an extra. "Hey, don't--" Mid-taking a seat, he stops the other alpha before his rear can make contact with the cushion. Seokjin raises a brow in question.

"Don't...sit there." He finishes lamely, his voice dying out when he thinks of the conversation that's about to happen. Seokjin glances down at his chosen spot, where a layer of blanket is laid out along with some throw pillows, still in a squat as he looks at Yoongi again.

"That's Jimin's nest." The words feel like lead rolling off of his tongue. "I think." He adds for good measure. "Oh." Seokjin straightens up, going for the armchair instead. "Cozy."

Yoongi's not entirely sure if it /is/ a nest--do omegas just nest anywhere they want?--but it's Jimin who did spruce up that little area and Yoongi always sees him curled up on the spot whenever they hang out to watch--as much as he's still against it--Netflix together.

He never once dared to touch even one hair of fabric from that part of his couch ever since Jimin made it like so, leaving it as is and resigning to the fact that it now belongs to his friend slash neighbor.

Not that Yoongi's bothered by it in any way. Jimin may not show it much, but Yoongi has noticed how his eyes always seem to sparkle whenever he sees the little spot undisturbed and exactly how he left it, sauntering over the alleged nest with a skip in his step.

Seokjin has that weird smile on his face again, not even hiding the fact that he's staring at Yoongi. Yoongi doesn't engage, hoping that if he ignores it long enough, it will just go away on its own. But of course it doesn't.

"What's the name of the movie again?" "Tonight I'm Awake with an Epiphany from the Moon's Abyss." "What a long ass title." He grumbles under his breath, struggling to type through the remote.

"Wow, since when did you get Netflix? I thought you got that whole teenage piracy aesthetic going on for you." He saves the retort on his tongue in favor of rolling his eyes. Before he could think better of it, he's spilling the truth. "It's not mine, it's Jimin's."

... "Shut up." He slices through the once more uncomfortable silence. "I didn't say anything?" Innocently, Seokjin tilts his head at him. "I know what you're about to say so I just beat you to it. There's nothing going on between us. /Nothing/ will go on. We just hang out."

"Okay," Seokjin holds his hands up, but his face says otherwise. "I'm just saying, me and Joon don't even have this level of domesticity. And we're already married." "Friends can be domestic. Don't make it weird."

"I'm not! Can't you see how happy I am for you? It's nice that you have Jiminie around to drag you out of your studio and get some sunlight. It's doing wonders to your skin and your overall vibe, I swear."

It's true. His time suffering inside his studio has reduced dramatically thanks to Jimin. He even thinks he has become more productive nowadays, finding it easier to gain inspiration from all kinds of things. Who knew distancing himself from his craft was all he needed?

"Yeah, I guess it is nice to have him around." He admits. "Well, more than nice." "He's good for you." "He's good for anyone." He corrects Seokjin, once again feeling unsure of what good deed he must have done in his past life to deserve being Jimin's neighbor and friend.

"You can be good for each other." "I'm good to him." He felt the need to defend himself for some reason, not wanting Seokjin to think that he's just leeching off of Jimin's overall kindness without giving anything back. "I know you are. He won't nest on your couch otherwise."

Yoongi stares at the empty "nest" on the other end of his couch. He could verify with Seokjin if it's really a nest, but he no longer sees the point of delving deeper into the topic. It just means he's doing a good job making Jimin comfortable around him, right?

"Anyway," The other singsongs, hiking up his long legs atop the coffee table much to Yoongi's annoyance. "Until you realize Jiminie's a potential candidate in making your life eternally happy, I got a couple of friends who are pretty interested in meeting you."

Oh, here we go. "Did you babble about me to other people again? I told you, I don't have time for relationships--" "I know, I know, I'm not telling you to date them right away. Just, you know. Try it out. Get yourself out there."

"Out where? In meaningless small talks that lead to nothing? Thanks, really, but no thanks." "Alright, you don't have to be an ass about it." Seokjin scoffs, rolling his eyes. And maybe rightfully so. Yoongi admits that he can be quite stubborn and grumpy when it comes to this.

"I just don't get what's with the obsession..." He sighs, slumping back against the soft cushion. "As if I can't achieve true happiness if I'm not dating somebody. I'm doing just fine, aren't I? So stop making it seem like I'm so miserable being all alone."

"You /are/ miserable alone, Yoongi. You're the only one who can't see that." He glares--yes, he dares to glare--at Seokjin. How did their conversation even end up in this direction? They were just supposed to watch Jin's long-titled movie, for fuck's sake.

"You spend what, 150% of your time working? You barely eat unless I force food down your throat. You don't even /sleep/. And for fucking what?" They've had this conversation before, though Yoongi already conveniently labeled it as a forgettable memory.

It didn't end well back then nor will it this time around, he believes.

Still, this just reminds him why he fell for Seokjin in the first place. He's the only one who can call Yoongi out on all his bullshit and look good while doing it. And the only one who always makes a lot of sense, too. It's just so aggravating.

"You can't keep living like this. You'll shrivel up." "Aren't you being a little too overdramatic? You're right, I just need some sleep, and I /have/ been sleeping, okay? I've been sleeping really well lately, my body clock's even gone back to normal."

"Also I eat. Jimin keeps me fed, and vice versa. As you said, I look good because I'm doing good. I'm fine." Saying all of that is like listing down all of the achievements he has done for the past weeks, which feels pretty good to brag about.

"Uh, yeah, all because of Jimin." But of course Seokjin just had to knock him down a peg or two. It's what he's good at, after all. "You're lucky you receive some form of affection from him, but if Jimin's not there? If he didn't become your neighbor, what then?"

"Then life goes on." He shrugs. "You're not a beta, Yoongi. You /need/ to be hugged, to be scented, to have your hand held--" He scoffs with a shake of his head. Not this shit again. "Please, that whole thing is just a myth--" "It's been scientifically proven two years ago!"

If he can't admit it to himself, then he won't admit it to anybody else. Yeah, he may daydream about physical intimacy every now and then, maybe wrote a song or two (5 to be exact) about it, bought a long pillow just so he can have something to hug every night, but that's it.

He's /fine/. His life isn't in constant threat just because he's not receiving his daily dose of physical connection from somebody else. It's not like he's going to actually /die/.

But it's not like Seokjin to get so worked up unless it's about something he considers really serious, so Yoongi decides to just shut up. Do both of them a favor and get some peace of mind. "Alright, I'll meet up with your wonderful friends. Happy?" "Absolutely delighted."

"Don't expect much, though. You know I'm not good with the whole getting-to-know stage." "Oh, no worries. I already gave them a heads-up how much fun you are to talk to." Yoongi grabs the nearest pillow and throws it straight at Seokjin.

"Hey, despite that, they're still interested! They said you're really hot!" "Ugh, I don't know why I still welcome you into my house when you just scandalize me every chance you get." "Take a compliment, geez. You got that whole washed-up, overworked DILF-in-the-making vibe."

"Wow, what a compliment." He answers dryly. "Can we just watch your damn movie and get this over with?" "Okay, play it. I know just how much you've been dying to see my handsome face." "I'm dying. Period."

"You still owe me miniature versions of you running around. Until then, live happily." "Your existence is making it very difficult to do so." "Shut up. You love me." "I seriously don't know why I ever did." "And I love you too, Yoongi. Now play it and praise me."

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

It's actually not as bad as Yoongi expected.

He made time to meet up with Seokjin's friends--well, more like Seokjin made time in his otherwise busy schedule. Thankfully work hasn't been as taxing as usual so Yoongi managed to go through with it despite his clenched fists and gritted teeth.

There were 4 of them--2 omegas, 1 beta, and an alpha. They've all been very pleasant to have lunch with, all were great conversationalists--which spared Yoongi from the awkwardness he prepared himself for--and their scents were tame enough for him to handle.

Yoongi got to hand it to Seokjin; the pinpoint accuracy he has on Yoongi's tastes is both amazing and terrifying. Yoongi almost surprises himself with how interested he is. Specifically with one of the omegas.

He's a bassist, which is already a win in Yoongi's book as talking about music came all too naturally. He's got that certain handsomeness like a prince, with a touch of being delicate yet manly at the same time, and Yoongi knows to himself how easily charmed he is to those types.

Despite his initial skepticisim, he finds himself going with the flow and seeing where it actually goes.

Today he's bound to go out of the house. By some miracle, said bassist omega wanted to meet up again and this marks the third time. Yoongi is kind of going crazy trying to believe if this is actually happening to him.

He spends about an hour agonizing about his unruly hair in front of the mirror, then another hour trying to pick out a cool enough shirt from his monochrome closet. When he finally steps out of the door, he almost bumps into another person.

"Oh. Sorry, dude." He mumbles a quick "It's okay," catching sight of Jimin in his peripheral vision. "That's the wrong way, Mingyu-ah. Elevator's on the other side." He hears Jimin call out, which has the alpha (? Yoongi can tell he's an alpha) turning around with a laugh.

"Ah, shit, sorry." He watches the Mingyu guy walk the other way, shooting Jimin a big smile as he passes him by. "Thanks again. I'll see you around?" "Mmhm." Jimin nods from where he's peeking out behind his door, only half of his body visible as Yoongi also walks over.

"Oh, hey hyung." Jimin greets when he notices him, sinking further inside his apartment until only his head can be seen by Yoongi. "Hey." He glances to the direction of the stranger and back to Jimin. "You alright in there?"

"Yes! I'm just, uh," He clears his throat. "I'm kinda not presentable as of the moment. Sorry." "Ah." Yoongi looks at the hallway again then back to Jimin, a knowing smile growing on his lips. "Yep." Though he looks shy, Jimin still smiles along with him.

"Boyfriend?" "No," Jimin quickly shakes his head. "Just a...friend. Who happens to be a boy." "Right." Jimin clears his throat again and looks at Yoongi from head to toe. "Going somewhere?"

Yoongi looks down at himself, afraid he's going to find some stain on his carefully-picked out clothes. "Uh, yeah. Just going out for lunch." "Ooooh, a date?" "I--how did you know that?" "Well, you look like you're going out on a date. You look dashing."

"Really? Thanks. My fashion sense is validated now." "You're welcome." Jimin grins. "Well, don't let me keep you, hyung. Have fun with your date! Meanwhile, I should really get some sleep." "Thanks, Jimin-ah. Sleep well." "Mm, catch ya later, hyungie." "Okay. Later."

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

Yoongi comes home later than expected, spending too many hours just chatting with Jeonghan by the banks of Han River that he didn't even notice the time. The so-called "date" went well. Maybe /more/ than well based on the smile he can't seem to erase from his face.

Jeonghan is, by all means, great. And the more Yoongi gets to know him, the more interested he becomes. Being able to coax him to talk for hours on end is already a good sign. Everyone and their mothers know that Yoongi can barely hold a conversation for the life of him.

He doesn't want to get ahead of himself though, storing thoughts of the future into a part of his brain that he reminds himself to visit later on when things are more...concrete. Along with the excitement that comes with the hopeful feelings of meeting someone significant.

For now, he just enjoys all these new sensations; basks in the lightness he feels, and allows himself to look forward to certain things for once. It won't do him good to be his usual cynical self when literally nothing has happened yet. 'Don't be an ass,' he reminds his brain.

He checks his phone after taking a bath, seeing a new message from Jimin: [] heyyyy r u zzz? can i come over for a bit i want to give you something [Yoongi-hyung ] not zzz sure Not long after, his doorbell buzzes.

"Hi, hyung!" Jimin greets brightly when he opens the door. The omega is clad in a very much oversized hoodie and some comfortable-looking sweats. It makes him look smaller than he actually is, the baggy clothes just engulfing his whole frame. "Hey, what's up?"

"Nothing much, actually. I thought you weren't coming home but then I heard your door." Jimin flashes him a teasing smile. "I just wanted to give you this." Yoongi takes the lunch box handed to him, peeking inside to find several tupperwares filled with food.

"Oh, wow." "My mom came by a while ago to visit and she cooked for me. She said to give you some too since she knows you're right next door." Jimin shrugs, shoving his hands inside his jacket's pockets. "Too bad I didn't catch her." Yoongi laments. "This is a lot."

"Eh, you know her. She loves my friends more than me." Jimin's light laughter echoes in the empty hallway. "Wanted to give it to you right away because I might forget tomorrow." Yoongi hums, smiling. "Thanks. This will save you from cooking for me for a couple of days."

They chat for a bit about Jimin's mom, how she's also visiting Jimin's younger brother who has apparently just bought an apartment here in Seoul with his husband.

"We're all going to have dinner together tomorrow and she said to invite you." "Me? Why?" He can't help but laugh. The woman has always been too sweet and kind to him even from the first time they happened to meet in one of Jimin's dance events.

"She doesn't want you to have dinner all alone. We're just going to eat by that chicken restaurant near uni. The one that serves those big ass beer mugs. You're free to join if you don't got plans tomorrow night." "You and your mom are too nice to me. Anyway, you wanna come in?"

He noticed they've been talking for quite a long time now, and it's getting chilly outside even in the hallways. "Oh. Aren't you going to sleep?" Jimin peeks behind him, as if checking if his apartment is already in sleep-mode or not.

"Nah, it's too early. Come in." He steps aside, gesturing for Jimin to enter. "Only if you'll tell me all about your date." Yoongi rolls his eyes at the teasing. "Why do I feel like you only really came here to snoop?" "Ah, you know me so well, hyung."

The same muted citrus wafts over his nose as Jimin passes him by, heavily masked by blockers as usual, but underneath all that is a foreign scent that makes Yoongi's nose twitch in the slightest. He remembers the alpha from earlier and figures it must be that Mingyu guy's scent.

He tows it away as nothing, the scent too faint to be in any way bothersome for him. Well, aside from the thoughts that form in his mind regarding what must have happened between him and Jimin a while ago, which Yoongi immedately dispells from his head.

Jimin goes straight to his spot on the couch, lounging comfortably while he waits for Yoongi to make them coffee and join him. He tells Jimin all about his afternoon, much to his embarrassment and unenthused storytelling. Jimin seems excited and immersed in his stead at least.

"What's his name? Yoon Jeonghan?" "Yeah," Yoongi says slowly, watching as the younger types aggressively on his phone only to stop and look up at Yoongi once more. "Can I search him?" "What? Why?" "I'm curious. I kinda want to see what he looks like."

Yoongi's not sure what to do when Jimin hehe's his way into asking, coupled by those big eyes that plead at him to say yes. "Uh, yeah, sure. I guess." In the end, he relents, unable to do anything at all as the other grins at him in thanks.

"Oh, no." He perks up at the sound of Jimin's voice, looking up from his own phone to watch the omega's brows furrow. "Oh no, no, no." "What?" He asks, almost tempted to cross to the other side to see what's so wrong that got Jimin looking like that. "Noooooo..."

"Jimin. What." Finally, Jimin looks at him, a comical frown on his face. "He's hot."

Yoongi blinks, not really knowing what to say to that. "And that's a bad thing, because...?" "It's not! It's a good thing! Really good. He's so handsome hyung, oh my god. I'm happy for you." "Thanks...?" "But a bad thing for me because how am I going to compete with /that/?"

"Compete--why would you need to compete? Compete for what?" Yoongi is genuinely lost in confusion. "For your heart." Jimin lets out a fake sob, all but slumping dramatically down on his couch. "How am I going to be #1 in your heart if Jeonghan-ssi is my competition?"

Yoongi opens his mouth only to close it. Jimin really does not run out of antics. Ever. He sighs, letting his friend cry fake tears as he laments how good-looking Jeonghan is and how nice they must look side by side together.

"You're such a child." He deadpans, though he can't fight the smile on his lips. "Shut up, I'm brokenhearted and I'm fragile." Jimin retorts with a huff. "Are you going to leave me all alone in the singles' club? I thought we're in this together 'til death do us part?"

"I don't remember ever saying such a thing. Also, we've gone out 3 times. Three. Nothing is set in stone." "So I have a chance?" Jimin's eyes light up, keeping up his charade. "Uh, yeah. Sure. Whatever." Yoongi rolls his eyes at his neighbor's continued shenanigans. "Yay!"

"No, but seriously though, he looks really nice, hyung." Jimin finally breaks out of his character, regarding Yoongi with dreamy eyes. Almost looking hopelessly romantic, like nothing could ever go wrong in his fantasies. Yoongi wishes he could be the same.

"He's nice." Yoongi agrees. He wants to say more, but he doesn't want to sound too excited lest he's subjected to more teasing. "It seems like you guys are a real match. So cute." "Thanks?" He chuckles, feeling awkward talking about romances to a friend. He's not used to it.

"You'll introduce him to me someday, right?" "Of course. I mean, if it works out." "It will." Jimin reassures him, nudging him with his stretched out feet. "Trust me." "Okay, I trust you."

"But hey," Jimin catches his attention with another nudge, those eyes softening as they gaze into him with a small smile. "Even if it works out, I'll still be #1 in your heart, right?"

Yoongi wonders if this is still part of the joke. Jimin mumbles the words so softly that it almost sounds like a sincere question. Either way, he answers-- "Of course," He bumps his knuckles against Jimin's foot, going along with a smile. "You'll always be my #1, Jiminie."

The smile he gets is so genuine and warm that Yoongi can't be mistaken he chose the right words.

It's then that his nose twitches, picking up a scent that's neither foreign nor familiar. More like something in between. Citrus, fruity, but more subtle and somewhat kind of...whole. Sweet. It only happens for a second, not long enough for Yoongi to actually process it.

It makes him blink a couple of times. What was that? But before he could think about it further, Jimin is already calling his attention to show him a picture of Jeonghan playing the bass. He looks exceptionally good in it and Yoongi forgets about that weird scent.

"What about you? It's your turn." He lightly kicks Jimin's leg, seizing the opportunity to turn the tables when he catches sight of all the marks on the omega's neck hidden previously by the hood of his jacket. "Jesus, did you get mangled by a feral animal or something?"

"What about me?" Jimin clears his throat quite audibly, swiping his hood back over his head and tightening the strings so only his face is visible through the hole. "I don't know what you're talking about." Unfair, Yoongi thinks, which he apparently mumbles out loud.

"I'm talking about your friend. Who happens to be a boy." He says, hoping it will serve to jog the other's memory. Just enough for him to stop acting innocent. Yoongi doesn't make it a habit to be nosy, but he convinces himself he's just returning the favor.

"Mingyu?" Jimin laughs. Yoongi doesn't miss the way the omega's skin flushes a shade darker, gaze getting evasive. "He's--well, he's Mingyu." "Insightful." Yoongi says flatly, unamused. "He's just an alpha in one of my classes. Very young." "Uh huh." "But so fucking hot."

"...I guess I could see that." Yoongi whispers after a short pause, making Jimin grin from where he's sitting on the other side. "Knew you'd get me, hyung." Jimin winks at him with a conspiratory giggle.

It's not a secret that Yoongi swings in all possible ways, but he doesn't go announcing it to the world either. Jimin just happens to be sharper than most people so he caught on pretty quickly. Perhaps it's what made them closer in a certain kind of way.

"But are you really alright? Those marks don't seem normal." Still, he worries, checking Jimin from head to toe as if to assess more damage. "He wasn't too rough on you or anything?" Jimin only laughs behind his sleeved fists, eyes disappearing into crescents.

"I'm fine, hyung. I won't let anyone just mark me up like that if I didn't want it. But thanks for worrying." "Okay." Yoongi says, but he leaves some room for doubt. "So you guys are friends?"

"You could say that." Jimin brings up his knees to his chest, shoving them inside the oversized hoodie. He looks like a ball of coziness sitting on Yoongi's couch. "We just...tend to each other's needs." "Needs." "Yeah. You know," The omega shrugs. "Needs. It's nothing serious"

Yoongi ignores how his brain tries to conjure up an image as to how exactly Jimin and his friend tend to their "needs." He doesn't want to know more than he already does. "Is that his jacket?" Jimin looks down at himself and grins sheepishly.

"Yeah," The omega sinks further into himself, wrapping his arms around his own body in what looks like the comfiest position ever. "He's cute. He lets me borrow his clothes, which are really nice and big. TMI, but I like it when alphas let me wear their clothes."

It's weird, but Yoongi suddenly recalls a time when he offered Jimin his clothes to keep him warm, but the omega insistently refused, as if horrified by the mere idea alone. Huh. He always wondered what that was about (maybe secretly offended), but oh well.

"That's nice. Just...be careful, I guess." He sighs, staring blankly at the space betwewn them. "You sound like my dad." He hears Jimin laugh, raising his head when he feels the other get up from the couch.

"Anyway, I should get going. Got a long day ahead tomorrow." He watches Jimin stretch in front of him and he chances a glance at his wall clock. It's gotten really quite late without him noticing.

"And you do, too." A finger is suddenly pointed in his face, startling him out of his thoughts. "Don't forget your 8AM meeting tomorrow, hyung." "Oh, shit, right. Thanks for reminding me." Yoongi groans as he just remembers he got to wake up early tomorrow.

"And you have lyrics to submit for review, too, okay? I'll chat you again so you won't forget." "Okay, okay," Yoongi nods along as he walks Jimin out of his apartment. "How could you remember all of that? You're amazing." "You didn't hire me for nothing." Jimin winks.

"I should give you a raise." "And I won't say no to that." They reach his door, Jimin giving him a small wave. "Night, hyung. See you tomorrow at dinner?" "Yeah, I'll let you know if I'm free. Thanks for the food, by the way." "Don't mention it. Eat lots!" "Mm. Good night."

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

A/N: sorry had to establish how platonic they are as of the moment kksksskskkssk but this will be exciting hehe can't wait to share with you the next scenes. hope you're enjoying the slow burn though, and thank you so much for reading!!! you know how much i love you all

if you got thoughts, let me know down below :D retrospring.net/@lunaillumina

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"Sorry for making you do this." "Hyung, it's the 3rd time you're apologizing for the past hour and I keep telling you, it's fine." "But--" "Shh, you're distracting me. Let me focus." Yoongi shuts up. For now.

It's day 5 of being stuck inside his studio trying to beat an upcoming deadline and Yoongi couldn't be more thankful to Jimin for helping him, but at the same time, guilty for keeping him here for god knows how many hours everyday.

The company is welcome, of course--the mood is much more lively with the omega around, Yoongi not wanting to keel over every 10 or so minutes thanks to Jimin's presence--and he knows what they have is a mutually beneficial arrangement, but Yoongi still can't help but feel bad.

"Stop it." "What?" He blinks out of his thoughts, glancing back at Jimin who is still sitting cross-legged on the floor, crouched over a laptop with a focused furrow on his brows. "You're overthinking again. I can literally hear your brain from over here."

"I'm...not." "Liar." Yoongi sighs. "I just--It's your semester break." "And?" "And I'm making you read emails." "Which is what you pay me to do. I don't see what exactly is the problem here, hyung."

Yoongi stares back at his screen, at the jumble of tracks that are yet to make sense to him. He wants to just delete all of them and start from scratch. "The problem is you should be out and about, enjoying your vacation."

"I /am/ enjoying my vacation. Can't you see how much fun I'm having sorting through your emails and files?" "I don't know if you're being sarcastic or not. You have to tell me."

Jimin finally looks up at him, a helpless smile adorning his lips. Yoongi watches him stand up and walk over to where he's sitting, soft hands cupping his face and lightly squeezing. It forces his gaze to only focus on Jimin. "It's fun because I get to do it with you, hyung."

Jimin's palms are warm and smooth, but they're gone all too fast. "You know what, I think you could use a little snack. How does jjajangmyeon sound?" "Amazing." Yoongi answers in a daze, stomach grumbling in response to the thought of food.

"With pork and soda?" "Fuck, that sounds good." Jimin only laughs, patting him on the head on his way out. "Okay, I'll be back!" With a sigh, Yoongi returns to his computer, taking the time to glare at the screen before he musters all the strength to continue.

He doesn't make much progress, the creative block and the accumulated fatigue finally getting to him after days of refusing to perceive their obvious existence. That, and the immense summer heat is rendering him incapacitated. "You're so sweaty, hyung."

He didn't even notice Jimin's return, blinking at the bowl of black noodles and the glass of ice-cold Coke right in front of him. His stomach grumbles loudly, throat itching for any kind of hydration. He doesn't waste time wolfing it all down like the starved man that he is.

"I also bought ice cream for you. It's in the fridge." "Thanks." He says with a mouthful, shooting Jimin a look of salvation. "You're a literal angel." "You just don't take care of yourself." Jimin snorts, ruffling his hair fondly.

Yoongi doesn't bother defending himself knowing there's not much to defend. He just enjoys the food and the brief contact of Jimin's fingers on his scalp, secretly wishing it could stretch on longer. As if reading his thoughts, Jimin grants his wishes like he always does.

"Your hair is getting so long." Those fingers rake through his messy hair, untangling the strands with every gentle stroke. It makes Yoongi sigh, subconsciously leaning into the relaxing touch. "It looks good on you though."

He continues eating like that--with Jimin combing back his hair and unknowingly lulling him in a state of pure relaxation. It's as if all the thoughts in his head are also getting unraveled one by one along with his unruly locks (that he should probably cut one of these days).

"So how's the song coming along?" The song. Shit, right. He still got a song to finish. "It's not." He feels a light tug, the bulk of his strands pulled into a bun. It's a bit weird, but the air from the AC hits his face more directly, cooling his overheated skin.

"There. Is that better?" Yoongi can't see him but he knows Jimin must be wearing a pretty proud smile, waiting for him to approve of his handiwork. He nods, but he's quietly lamenting the loss of those magic fingers on his throbbing head.

"You can have my hair tie so you can tie your hair anytime you want." Jimin says while tucking some strands behind Yoongi's ear, turning him slightly to the side to get a good look at him. He laughs, "Hyung, you look cute!"

The compliment doesn't appease Yoongi more than those same fingers squeezing his shoulders. It almost warranted a "Please keep doing that," out of him, but he manages to stop himself just in time. Even then, Jimin doesn't stop, massaging the stiff knots out of his muscles.

He finishes the last of his jjajangmyeon and drink with a satisfied "Ah," eyelids fluttering to a close as Jimin continues massaging him. "Is that good?" Jimin asks, his soft voice close to Yoongi's ear.

"You're good." He murmurs under his breath, fully meaning it. Jimin must have heard him with the way he chuckles and squeezes that much more tenderly. "Aren't I the best secretary?" "You are. The bestest of the best."

There it is again--that scent. It happened around once or twice since the first time, but it goes as quickly as it comes, and Yoongi's always left wondering if it's just a figment of his imagination or if his sense of smell is finally malfunctioning.

He suspects it has something to do with Jimin's scent, but with a fuck ton of blockers literally /blocking/ his nose from identifying that distinct, fruity citrus, he really can't be too sure.

Jimin practically beams behind him, Yoongi can physically feel it like a warm hug--only, he is being hugged, loose arms draping around his shoulders and a comfortable weight settling on top of his head. "And you're the sweetest boss ever."

But just like everything that has to do with Park Jimin, it's all gone too fast. "Is it okay if I step out for a bit? I'm almost done, anyway." "Almost done?" Yoongi whips his chair around, watching Jimin grab his phone and keys.

"Yep! I'll come back later to finish the rest." "Where are you going?" "Just gonna eat out with Mingyu." Jimin smiles, straightening out his clothes and fixing his hair. "Do I look okay?"

"When you say 'eat out', you mean actual food, right? That's not a euphemism for something else?" "Yes, hyung," Jimin laughs, standing in front of him with hands on his hips. "Why, what kind of euphemism were you thinking?" "The kind of eating out that doesn't involve food."

"Nasty." Jimin scolds, which is probably deserved. That thought /is/ unnecessarily nasty. "Also, bold of you to assume that food won't be involved." "/Nasty/." It's his turn to hiss, not wanting to conjure any more images than his brain already did. It's borderline invasive.

"I'm kidding." Jimin walks closer to play with his bun. "We're good friends. It's not like all we do is fuck." "That's nice to know." Though it doesn't make Yoongi feel any better. Jimin must pick up on his blatant staring because he stares back, unmoving.

Eventually, the ice breaks. "Are you going to be okay on your own? Do you want me to stay?" Yoongi blinks himself out of it, shaking his head in a sort of knee-jerk reaction. "No. I mean--yes. I mean no--" He groans. Maybe he's at his wit's end.

"Yes, I'm going to be okay. And no, don't stay." "That sounds cold." Jimin pouts, a very unfair skill to use against him if Yoongi may say so himself. Either way, he sighs, "You know what I mean."

"You sure? Because I can always cancel if you really need me here to help you." That sounds nice; having Jimin within the vicinity to combat his creative spiral down to musical oblivion. The vibes are especially bad today, and Jimin is such a...breath of fresh air.

He wants to say yes, he'd love it if Jimin would stay with him and hold his hand through the storm, but the whole world also deserves to be graced with Jimin's light, and to keep him here all to himself is way too selfish. "Go. Eat lots and have fun. With food involved or not."

Jimin walks closer to him with a smile, reaching out to fuss over his hair again. "Okay if you say so. What if we go out later for dinner? You know, walk around? Get some fresh air? Maybe grab some drinks? Would you like that?" "Would you?" "Yeah, of course!" "Okay."

"Cool. I'll see you later then." Jimin kisses his forehead but blocks it with the back of his hand, producing a loud 'mwah!' for much exaggeration. Yoongi feels like a kid whose parent is going out on a date, leaving him all alone to fend for himself.

"Goodluck on your song." "Thanks." Yoongi dreads. "You'll do great." Still, Jimin reassures him. "I'll be back!" And he's already moving away to head for the door, a spring in his step. "Take care." He has half the energy to call out. "I will. Bye, hyungie." "Bye..."

The sound of the front door closing echoes in his ears, and he's left all alone again in the silence. Yoongi should be used to being by himself, but he can't help but wish for later to come a little bit faster so he won't have to be anymore.

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

A/N: is it bad that i think jiminie kinda looks good with mingyu (svt)? wahahahhahahaha we got a loooooooong way to go and i hope it's not obvious that i no longer know how to write. either way, i try my best and thank you for appreciating my efforts! i always love you

thoughts? retrospring.net/@lunaillumina

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Face down on the couch is how Jimin finds him, and sparkly clean is how he finds his apartment when he comes to.

He looks around, blinking repeatedly and wondering if he somehow ended up in some place else. Everything has been organized, his worn clothes that used to hang on the back of every possible chair in the house are now nowhere to be found.

No more cigarette ashes on his carpet, the once overcrowded ashtray on the table now void of any cigarette butts--he can even see the design at the bottom, looking brand new and unused. He turns his stiff neck this way and that, scratching the back of his head in confusion.

Did he just imagine the chaos that is the last couple of days? Because he doesn't remember his apartment being this organized even when he first moved in. Hearing the sound of running water, he heads to the kitchen, squinting at the figure standing behind the sink. "Jiminie?"

"Oh, hey, hyung. You're finally awake." Jimin glances at him with a smile before returning to the glass he's washing. The dishes piled up on the sink are gone, too. "Hey," Yoongi croaks out in greeting, blinking the sleepiness out of his crusty eyes. "You're back."

Jimin hums, putting away the glass to dry and turning off the sink. "Shit, what time is it?" He notices how dark it is, the only light in the apartment being the one in the kitchen. "I think around 10 or 11? You were out for quite some time." Jimin faces him. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah..." He looks around, attempting to smooth out his wild strands. "What happened?" He asks vaguely. "I cleaned up a bit. The trash was starting to pile up and your clothes too, so I did your laundry for you."

"Oh, I cooked too by the way!" Jimin hurries past him towards the dining table, grabbing the pot and placing it on the stove. "I know we were supposed to go out to eat, but I didn't want to wake you up. Are you hungry? Let me just heat this up for you."

Yoongi doesn't know what comes over him--the exhaustion, the hunger, the depravity to function for the past few days, maybe the overbearing weight of living the person that he is, but he's compelled to step forward, eyes squeezing shut as he rests his forehead on Jimin's shoulder

He feels like crying--he is, eyes growing wet with the corners stinging as he tries to fight it. He can't quite stop himself, the emotions too great and overwhelming all at once that he can't compartmentalize for the life of him.

His arms are moving of their own accord, wrapping around the nearest thing it can latch onto like a life line, and just letting out a shaky breath to somehow expel even a bit of what he's feeling. "Thank you."

Its odd for Yoongi to be taken care of, having gone all those years just being by himself. He never knew the realization that another human being actually cares enough about him to do all these things would feel this strong, rendering him incapacitated in a different kind of way.

"Oh," Jimin stiffens, Yoongi can feel every change in his posture and the tension in his muscles. He's aware that he's hugging the omega, he knows it must be weird, but it's warm, and he's so thankful, and Jimin smells-- He smells good.

"You're...welcome." Jimin says quietly, that scent waning off like a good dream Yoongi wants to chase and keep to himself. "It's unlike you to hug me." That snaps him out of it, pulling back both from the omega and to reality where his brain catches up to his actions.

"Fuck, sorry--" He winces at his own self, cringing. Jimin is catching him by the arm before he can fully take 5 steps back. "I didn't say I didn't like it." He gets a smile, a contrast to what Yoongi expected. "Are you crying?"

He swipes at his eyes, shaking his head. Being caught all vulnerable makes him feel like shit, and he blames it on his toxic alpha instincts. He knows he's allowed to cry sometimes, it just really feels wrong when he does so.

"No, I just--sorry." He's helpless with words, hands gesturing between them as if it would explain himself. "I was...I don't know what got into me. I should've asked first."

"You don't need to apologize for that, hyung. And you can always hug me anytime. No need to ask." That's a relief to hear, though Yoongi doubts he'll allow himself to act without thinking again. But it's reassuring to know that he can get free Jimin hugs if he ever needed one.

"Thanks." Jimin's hold loosens, sliding down until their palms graze, and Yoongi unwittingly catches his hand. It's soft and warm and so small, completely engulfed by Yoongi's own. He never knew Jimin had such small hands. "And thanks for, you know. For doing all of this."

"Don't mention it. I figured you'll be too tired after working so hard everyday so I just thought I'd help out a bit." "You helped out a lot. Not just a bit." Yoongi corrects him. "I'm starting to wonder how I even survived all this time without you."

"Oh wow, hyung, that's cheesy." His scent spikes again into that foreign one just as he laughs the words out, confirming Yoongi's theory. "It's as if you're saying you can't live without me." "That's exactly what I'm saying."

Jimin laughs even more, eyes disappearing into those crescents Yoongi knows so well. His pale cheeks brighten into a flush and his smile makes him glow more than usual. The nice scent washes over Yoongi like a cool wave, a little stronger this time but still heavily masked.

"Don't say that or I'll start to think you're actually serious." "What, you think I'm joking? I'm already dreading the day you finally decide to leave me." "You are quite the dramatic today. What's gotten into you?" "Just more thankful than usual that you exist."

The scent lingers for a little longer--the longest it has since Yoongi first caught a whiff. Jimin can't stop laughing and smiling with his flushed face, his eyes having vanished completely in pure glee. Yoongi has always liked seeing him smile. He looks beautiful when he does.

"You know what? That's just the hunger speaking, hyung. You should eat." Jimin ushers him towards the table, practically forcing him down on one of the chairs despite Yoongi's attempts to continue the topic.

"Why are you so good to me, anyway?" He asks once he's got his mouth full of Jimin's delicious cooking. "I don't think I did anything to deserve all this."

"You deserve to be taken care of regardless if you did anything nice to me, hyung." Jimin lectures, watching him eat with a fond smile. "And it's not like I do this because I expect something in return or because I'm returning a favor. I just like taking care of you."

Yoongi can't help but stare at Jimin and look at him. Like really look at him, discovering features and details of his face that he never noticed back then. "What?" Jimin tilts his head with a curious smile. "Just thinking that whoever's gonna have you would be so lucky."

"That's...so random. Seriously, what's up with you tonight?" Jimin asks with a sparkle in his eyes. Maybe it's the kitchen lights. Yoongi wants to answer but even he doesn't know what's gotten into him. It just felt right to say because it's true.

"I'm hit with the sudden realization that someday we won't be neighbors anymore." "Oh." "And it's devastating." "It is?" Jimin seems fascinated by his words. "You like me as a neighbor?" "I love you as a neighbor."

Jimin chuckles, "Well, I love you too, hyung." Oh, how long has it been since someone last said those words to him? "As a neighbor."

"That's a relief. Although I don't think I do anything that can live up to what you do for me." "You're the best neighbor, hyungie. Honestly, I was scared you'll be annoyed with me because I always bother you to hang out."

"You never annoy me. And you're never a bother." The words roll off his tongue as smoothly as butter, hurrying to be heard. "You're like oxygen underwater. The light at the end of the tunnel. You're the best part of my day."

"Hyung, you--" Jimin buries his head in his arms folded on the table. Yoongi can hear his merry laugh, like a comforting melody to his ears. "You seriously need to stop flirting with me or I'll end up falling for you."

"If you fall for me does that mean I get to have you around for a long time? Jimin turns his head a bit to look at him. Even without seeing it, Yoongi knows he's wearing the biggest smile. "A very long time." "Then I guess I should make you fall for me."

"You--I--" Jimin stammers, "You say such crazy things, oh my god. I never knew you had a PhD in flirting, hyung. Is this how you woo Jeonghan-ssi? Because damn if I were him I'd be head over heels for you by now." "It's my secret weapon. Works every time." "I bet it does."

It doesn't, and Yoongi can't flirt for shit when it comes down to it, but he feels light and in his element, and it's always fun watching Jimin be a flustered mess. "Okay, okay, but we should stop for real. I wouldn't want to get in trouble with Jeonghan-ssi."

"Alright, but I'm not just flirting, you know? I'm telling the truth." He says with sincerity, all the fun sizzling back to a comfortable atmosphere. "Seriously, thanks for everything, Jiminie." "I know. You'll always have me, hyung." "And that's why I'm the luckiest."

"Hey, speaking of," Jimin leans closer, smile turning cheeky. "How are things going with Jeonghan-ssi?" "It's going." Yoongi answers without much substance, which is a reflection on his progress with the said omega.

"We chat every now and then, but I've been so busy the past few weeks that we haven't had the chance to meet up again. He seems understanding though, so there's that." "Oh...Well, you're almost free so I'm sure you guys will get to meet up real soon." "Yeah, I hope so too."

"How about you?" He diverts the topic real quick, not wanting to be the only one having his slow-paced love life revealed in all its uneventfulness. "How was the date?" "What date?" Jimin raises a brow. "The one you went to a while ago."

He gets a scoff, the same one Jimin gives him when they're on the topic of his "friend", Mingyu. Yoongi can somewhat pick up on his tells now--the similar-toned snort, the rolling of eyes, the brushing back of his hair coupled with a silly grin--Jimin is not that hard to read.

"It's not a date. We just ate then hung out at the park. Like how friends usually do." Yoongi hums, putting down his chopsticks on top of his finished bowl and turning his full attention on Jimin. "But you like him?"

"No, /dad/, I don't like him." Jimin reiterates, narrowing his eyes at Yoongi's knowing smile. "I mean I like him, but not in that way, and even if I do like him in that way, it's not going to work out." "That's uncharacteristically pessimistic of you to say. Why not?"

"Because he--" The younger sighs. "He's the kind of guy who would want to settle down. Get mated, have pups and all that, while I'm--you know." Yoongi already knows so he won't prod further with any more 'buts' or 'what ifs'. He gets it.

"Besides, he's too young for me." "He doesn't seem to have any problem with your age." "Well, yeah, no. He thinks it's hot--" "Okay, I don't need to know that." "Right, sorry." Jimin throws his head back with a laugh.

"Ah, but...it would be easy. Falling for someone like him." A wistful smile plays on his lips. "He's really good to me." It has always made Yoongi wonder why no one has swept someone as lovable as Jimin off his feet yet. He always figured the competition would be quite fierce.

Only now does he realize that maybe it's a choice on Jimin's part after all.

"As he should." He says more seriously than he intended, earning another laugh. "You sounded scary just now. What if he isn't? What would you do, hyung?" "You don't want to know." "Cute. I like it when you get protective of me." "I don't exercise, but I'll protect you."

"Then I'll hold you to that, hyung." The night passes with them just talking about all kinds of things. Yoongi should be exhausted, but he's surprisingly feeling the exact opposite of that when he suggested they watch a movie just to make Jimin stay for a little longer.

"Can I sit closer to you?" He asks while staring at the blaring gap between them that is always there whenever they situate themselves on his couch. It's nothing much really, just kind of awkward being on both ends trying to converse with slightly raised voices.

It's obvious Jimin didn't expect such a question from him, eyes widening with a suppressed giggle. "Sure? It's your couch, hyung. You can do whatever you want." And so Yoongi does whatever he wants. He sits right next to Jimin.

"That's better." He decides with a satisfied sigh, turning his head to the side to share a grin with Jimin. "This close is okay with you?" It's his turn to be confused, wondering what the younger meant with that question. "Yeah. Why?"

"Nothing, just--You might be bothered by my--" But Jimin cuts himself off, shaking his head. "Nevermind." And he leans closer, their shoulders pressed against each other as they resume watching. The tension leaves Yoongi, relieved by that subtle feeling of being accepted.

There's still that stiffness he can't help but pick up from Jimin's posture, and the sudden proximity is a bit awkward, but it's the closest they've ever been without the omega slithering away in the span of 3.5 seconds and Yoongi thinks he could get used to this.

A weight slumps on his side by the time the credits are rolling in, even puffs of breath blowing softly over his neck. His arm moves in a way it thinks is the best, addled by reflex as it wraps around the sleeping omega's shoulders to keep him close and safe.

Jimin is all warm and soft, cozy as he fits himself by Yoongi's side until he clicks perfectly into place. Something inside Yoongi settles into an abrupt calm and contentment at that moment, and he thinks--

He could really get used to being complete like this.

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A/N: i want them to bang already thoughts? retrospring.net/@lunaillumina

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He doesn't see Jimin again after that night they fell asleep on his couch and woke up with matching stiff necks. And Yoongi is getting kinda worried.

Probably an overexaggeration on his part because they do see each other; in passing on his way to work, on weekends when he catches Jimin going out, and once in the convenience store, but ultimately-- They don't see each other.

As in, they don't hang out like they used to. Jimin still gives him food and leaves him little notes without fail, but that's it. Yoongi tells himself maybe life is just hectic and busy, but it's been almost 3 weeks, and he misses the younger's comforting presence.

He misses Jimin. A lot.

"Everything alright?" Jeonghan's voice pulls him out of his thoughts, and he looks up to see the other gazing at him worriedly from across the table. "Oh, uh, yeah. Why'd you ask?" He tries to mask his momentary dip with a small chuckle, scolding himself for getting distracted.

"You've been frowning at your coffee for 2 minutes now with your eyebrows all scrunched up." Yoongi immediately raises his brows and wills them to relax, clearing his throat in slight embarrassment. Jeonghan doesn't seem too bothered, smiling as he leans his cheek on his hand.

"Sorry," He mumbles lowly, taking a sip of the said coffee. It's all lukewarm now. "Just--there's this friend of mine, he's my neighbor, and we haven't been hanging out lately." "Is this the same friend who thinks you hate his scent?" "Yeah. Same one."

"Jimin, right?" "Oh, mm. His name is Jimin." He didn't even know he already mentioned Jimin's name to Jeonghan. "You seem really distraught about his absence." "I do?" He blinks. "You guys seem really close based on everything you've told me."

He lets out a small laugh, tracing the rim of his cup with his finger and just generally avoiding Jeonghan's curious gaze. Why though, he doesn't know. "I guess. I'm used to him being around and suddenly not being with him is just--"

/Devastating/, he would've said, but he cuts himself off before he can, clearing his throat. That's too dramatic even for him, and he doesn't want Jeonghan to get the wrong idea-- What wrong idea? He shakes his head.

"Are you okay?" Jeonghan asks, sounding that much more worried now than a while ago. "Yes--sorry." He shakes his head again, dispelling whatever it is he's thinking about. Intrusive thoughts, really. He must look weird. "Don't worry about it. Anyway, you? How have you been?"

At least he's successful in changing the topic, listening intently as Jeonghan updates him on what's going on in his life at the moment. He likes listening to Jeonghan--his voice is nice and calming, and so is his scent when he's all relaxed like this.

Yoongi wonders if he's actually starting to like him. ... He thinks he is.

"Oh, by the way, I've been meaning to tell you--" "Hm?" "We'll be having a gig next Saturday night. I wanted to ask if you'd like to come and watch?" A gig, wow. The amazement must show on his face because Jeonghan laughs.

"I'd love to. I just realized I never actually heard you play yet." "Well then now you'll have a chance to." "I'll be there." He confirms without hesitation, sharing a smile with the omega. "Cool. Be prepared though, you might fall for me when you do."

He laughs fondly, meeting the teasing gaze head on. "Aren't you confident. Let's see if your band is up to my standards first. Then we'll talk about falling." "This just gives me more incentive to do better." "Always glad to be a source of motivation."

Again, Yoongi can't flirt for the life of him, but with Jeonghan it's easy. Rather, it has become easy over time as they're becoming more open to each other. Such exchanges flow so naturally now that he almost fools himself into thinking that he actually knows how to.

"You should invite your friend, too." "Jimin?" He asks in surprise, thoughts about Jimin come sauntering back along with the longing ache he can't even place nor name. "Mmhmm. He likes band music, right? I think he'll enjoy it."

"He does." Memories of them going to various gigs to see their faves back in college playing on Yoongi's mind like a nostalgic track he hasn't heard in a while. "Yeah, sure, I'll ask him." "The more the merrier." Jeonghan grins at him, the rest of the afternoon passing by idly.

On his way home, by some miracle, he bumps into Jimin. He was starting to think winning a lottery might be more likely than this happening with neither of them entrenched in their individual agendas for the day. He's speed-walking towards him before he even knows it.

Jimin yelps when Yoongi taps him on the shoulder, whipping around with wide eyes. "Hyung, hey!" "Hey." Yoongi exhales in relief, stopping in his tracks to stand in front of the omega. "Fancy meeting you here. Going home?"

"Yep. You?" He nods. "Want to walk together?" "I mean, do I have a choice?" Jimin jokingly asks. "Nope," Yoongi is quick to say, snaking his arm around the omega's shoulders and holding him close as he starts to walk them to the direction of their apartment.

Jimin goes rigid for a split second before Yoongi sees him school his expression, the younger pulling away just a bit so there's a small gap between them as they walk. Awkward silence ensues for a moment before he decides to get rid of it. "Coming home from school?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah," Jimin beams, Yoongi noting the backpack and the whole college get up. He looks so youthful he could almost be fooled he turned back time and this is actually the Jimin from their university years.

The omega's nose twitches like a rabbit's, "Did you put on cologne, hyung? You smell different." He sniffs playfully at Yoongi, that familiar teasing smile spreading on his lips. "Or perhaps...you just came from a date?"

He snorts, "Should it even be called a date when we're not even together yet?" "It's a date." Jimin decides for him. "No wonder you look dashing today." "Only today?" He raises a brow. "Oops, I mean, everyday, hyungie." Jimin winks. Yoongi really did miss him.

"Wah...So that's Jeonghan-ssi's scent. It's super nice." He hums, agreeing. "He's like Sakura blossoms on a summer day." "Tell me you're whipped without telling me you're whipped." Jimin teases with a snicker. "You know what else he smells like?" "What?" "Boyfriend material."

Yoongi's almost obliged to pinch Jimin on the cheek for such a bad pun, but the younger is quick to dodge and get away from him with a sprint. "You have to admit, that was kind of genius." The omega laughs from--from quite afar, the distance between them now unnecessarily huge.

"It was so bad I almost gagged." He deadpans. He wants to pull Jimin back closer, but something tells him Jimin doesn't want to, so he refrains from doing so. They continue walking back to the apartment with a comical gap between them, which Yoongi wants to question, but doesn't.

Yoongi mentions about the gig and Jeonghan's invitation, to which Jimin responds eagerly. "Woah, I'd love to come! It's been so long since I've been to gigs. I really missed it." "Me too. Let's go together, then?" Jimin nods with a grin. "I'm excited to hear him play."

Just before Jimin could bid his farewell and disappear in his own room, Yoongi decides to take his chances. "Hey, uh, I was wondering if you want to eat dinner together?" Jimin stops short of opening his door, turning his attention to Yoongi with a questioning glance.

"I'll be cooking some pasta. We could watch that show we started a few weeks back? I stocked up on soju yesterday." He only realizes he's hoping (a lot) that Jimin would say yes when Jimin gives him a sad smile and he feels the disappointment before he could even be turned down.

"Ah, I wish I could, hyung, but I'm so fucking spent today I feel like I'm going to collapse any minute now. Dance practice is working me to death. And I badly need a shower. Sorry." "Hey, no, it's totally fine. I hope you're not overworking yourself."

"Only enough to be the very best like no one ever was." Jimin sing-songs with a chuckle. It's not so much of a reassurance knowing Jimin's tendencies to ignore his limits and push past them. Safe to say, Yoongi worries.

He curbs his disappointment in favor of putting on his hyung shoes, regarding Jimin with a serious tone. "Make sure to eat lots tonight and get some rest. Don't stay up late reading manhwa." "Yes, sir." Jimin salutes. "Thanks for caring, Yoongi-hyung." "I always do."

He's almost inside his own apartment when Jimin calls out. "I miss you." That longing doesn't ease up one bit, but something inside him settles knowing Jimin has been feeling the same way. He returns the smile, wishing they could spend some time together again. Soon.

"I miss you too."

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A/N: in a roll for the first time in a while. non-coincidentally, this always happens when my insides are in turmoil so i say thanks to my trials and grievances. something nice actually turns out from them after all. as always, thank you for reading

thoughts? retrospring.net/@lunaillumina

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[min yoongi-hyung] i'm already in the car down at b2 [] oh okay i'm almost done will come down in a bit!! sorryyyy [min yoongi-hyung] no worries take your time

Yoongi taps a beat on the steering wheel while he waits, taking a deep breath and letting it out. Then doing it all over again. He's a mix of nerves and excitement, sensations he's not familiar with in a positive light, so he's kind of at a loss as to how he should deal with it.

Something's going to happen tonight--something important--he doesn't know exactly /what/, but he's almost sure of it. As if the whole week has been building up to this, the anticipation almost bursting at the seams the closer he gets to the promised day.

Or it could just be Seokjin conditioning his brain that enough time and pining has passed, and that today will be the day that he finally takes that step. That big, big step that's apparently very important in life to achieve what they all call "happiness".

Tonight, he'll ask Jeonghan out.

Shit, just thinking about actually doing it is making his stomach twist in impossible knots, palms growing sweaty--sweatier than usual, nerves going haywire at the thought of just about everything going wrong, but heart soaring because what if everything actually goes right?

Good thing he stops thinking altogether when he sees Jimin.

"Hey, sorry I made you wait," Is the first thing Jimin says when he gets in the car, pulling the seatbelt over his torso as he gets comfortable on the passenger seat. He turns his head to the side, meeting Yoongi's staring eyes. "Okay, let's go."

"Hyung?" Jimin calls out to him when it takes too long for him to move a muscle. "Oh. Yeah," Yoongi has to physically tear his gaze away, flexing his fingers to remind himself that right, he should start driving. Yet he can't help but steal one last glance. "You look...good."

"Really? Thanks." The younger giggles, raking his ringed fingers through his blonde hair. It's messy, but in a way that only Jimin can make look, for the lack of a better term, sexy. "I haven't gone out in a while so I wanted to dress up. You're not too bad yourself."

"Thanks..." Yoongi steals a glance again, gaze zeroing in on the black band around the omega's neck. The dark material creates a nice contrast with his fair skin, practically accentuating the long line of his smooth throat.

"I like that--" He tries to point out, but reminds himself to not stare too much because Jimin might find it weird. He himself is finding it weird. "That thing around your neck." "My choker?" Jimin fingers the simplistic gem situated perfectly in the dip between his clavicle.

"Yeah." He nods, unable to stop his eye from wandering on its own. "It looks good on you." "Oh, thanks hyung. I like it, too. Though it's really kinda tight." "I can see that." Yoongi mumbles under his breath.

"So!" The tense air lightens up as Jimin claps his hands together, breaking Yoongi's fixation on that exposed neck. "Special night, huh? Are you excited?" The question brings him back to reality, reminding him of his previous dilemma before he got distracted.

Yoongi just hums while he drives, fingers gripping the wheel tighter in a mix of anticipation and restlessness. "I'm excited," The younger beams. "God, it's been so long since we've last watched a gig together."

"Tell me about it. I think the last time was before you went to America?" "Shit, yeah...My farewell party. That's so fucking long ago." Talking about the past helps calm Yoongi down, finding the shared nostalgia comforting and familiar.

"Didn't you go to any when you were out there in the US?" He asks, slowing down to a stop under a red light. He looks at Jimin and again he's hit with the realization that the omega looks exceptionally amazing tonight.

It's probably the leather jacket. The iconic tights pants, maybe. But also his hair and his earrings. Or the faint gloss spread across his lips. That choker, definitely.

"I did, but mostly we go to noisier places like clubs and stuff." Jimin scrunches up his nose, glancing at Yoongi and catching him staring. Again. He doesn't call Yoongi out on it though, giving him a sweet smile instead. "Besides, it's always different when I'm with you."

"You mean aside from the fact that I always foot the bill?" "Well, that too, but ugh. Why do you always got to ruin the moment when I say something nice and sincere?" Jimin shoves him lightly, which only makes him laugh louder.

"I missed it too. Going with you." He admits once the teasing has died down. "We should do this more often." "We should." Jimin eagerly nods with the biggest grin.

After several more experiences to reminisce and laugh about together, they finally reach their destination.

The place isn't that crowded nor noisy, none of those annoying flashing lights either, thank god. An indie song is being played by the current band, which is just right up Yoongi's vibe, and it's easy to spot Jeonghan and his friends from across the room.

"Hey! I'm so glad you could make it." Jeonghan pulls him into a short hug as soon as he sees Yoongi. "Hey." He greets back, returning the gesture. Jeonghan's scent washes over him in calming waves, settling his nerves almost immediately. "It's good to see you."

"Oh, by the way, this is Jimin." He makes way to show the younger to Jeonghan and vice versa. "Jimin, Jeonghan." "Hi! It's so nice to finally meet you!" "You too, hello! Yoongi has told me so much about you."

"He did?" Jimin shoots him a surprised look. "Only good things, I hope?" "Oh, only the best things, Jimin-ssi." Jeonghan reassures with a smile. Yoongi watches the two omegas laugh cordially with each other. They seem like they'll get along just fine.

Jeonghan introduces them to his band members as well--their vocalist, Seungkwan, and their lead guitarist, Vernon. "We're up next after this set, but our drummer is running late." "As always." Seungkwan groans, not looking too pleased about the situation.

The three excuse themselves not long after to go prepare on stage, while Jimin and Yoongi walk to the bar to go get some drinks. He bids Jeonghan a goodluck before they're separated, already knowing he'll do great anyway.

"He looks even prettier in real life." Jimin gushes once they've placed their orders. "And his scent is so nice, hyung. /He's/ so nice." "He really is." His eyes find Jeonghan, their gazes meeting with a shared smile.

"Alright, /fine/," He turns to the younger in curiosity, watching him down the shot of tequila he just ordered and gesturing for two more of the strong stuff. "I give up. I thought I had a chance, but it seems Jeonghan-ssi has already won by a landslide."

"What are you talking about?" He laughs unsurely, only for his smile to turn into a frown as Jimin drinks the shots back to back then sips on his tall glass of vodka right after. "Hey, shouldn't you slow down? We just got here, Jimin-ah."

"Shh," Jimin shushes him with a finger. "I'm brokenhearted, let me be. And please, you of all people know I can take care of myself, hyung. I'm fine. Look, they're about to start."

Yoongi rolls his eyes at the running joke the younger keeps on playing, reminding himself to look out for him throughout the night anyway. He does turn around when Jimin points to the stage, the crowd quieting down as the lights dim and Seungkwan does a mic check.

They introduce themselves as "13", an up-and-starting rock band hailing from Seoul, and Yoongi cheers along when their song starts and the sound of instruments fill the room.

It's not his go-to genre, but he finds himself bobbing along, cradling his bottle of beer in one hand while he watches Jeonghan play. His confident fingers moving along the length of the bass are mesmerizing, the flick of his wrist graceful just like every other part of him.

Their eyes meet once again from across the room, and Yoongi thinks-- Yeah. He likes him.

(decided this is now a yoongi x jeonghan au)

(just kidding)

(...)

(unlEsS???)

(no okay i'm sorry i'm just kidding on to the story--)

"What the fuck, is that Mingyu?" He hears Jimin gasp beside him, standing up from his seat with squinted eyes. "Holy shit, it /is/ Mingyu." When Yoongi looks, he sees the alpha sitting behind the drum set, arms moving in a blur with vigor and passion.

He and Jimin share a look, then the younger bursts out laughing. "Oh my god, what the hell? Why is he here? This is so random." "So I guess he's their...drummer?" Yoongi asks unsurely despite the clear answer currently rocking it out right in front of him. "What the fuck."

They only get to react properly to it when the set ends, their newly-formed circle of strangers reuniting again once the band members get off the stage. "Jiminie?" Mingyu easily spots Jimin as they approach the table, what with him literally towering above everyone else.

"Yah, what are you doing here?" Mingyu seems elated as he makes a beeline for Jimin, while the omega also expresses his pleasant surprise with matching energy. "Wait, you guys--" Vernon points at Jimin and Mingyu, a funny look on his confused face. "You guys know each other?"

"Yeah! We're classmates." Mingyu grins, an arm around Jimin's waist as he pulls him close. "So what brought you here, anyway?" "Oh, I'm with Yoongi-hyung." Jimin turns to him then back to Mingyu. "You remember Yoongi-hyung, right? He's my neighbor."

"Oh yeah, the neighbor. Hey, man. Nice to finally meet you. I'm Mingyu." Yoongi shakes the younger alpha's hand with a polite smile. "Yoongi. Nice to meet you too."

"Uh, so, Yoongi-ssi knows...?" All eyes turn to Jeonghan, and Mingyu's curious expression clicks into place. "Ah, okay, wow. Small world, huh?"

They all laugh about the peculiarity of the situation for a good minute before they settle down in their little corner of the room. Seungkwan and Vernon leave to get their drinks, leaving the four of them on the table.

"You were great." Jimin tells Jeonghan. "I really liked the last song you played." "Yeah, you were amazing." Yoongi agrees, smiling when he hears Jeonghan laugh. "Thank you. I'm glad you guys enjoyed it."

"What about me?" Mingyu pouts, but it's directed more to Jimin than anyone else. "I totally killed it up there. I believe I deserve some praises, too." "You're such a child." Jimin snorts, though the fondness bleeds through.

"All of you killed it up there. Especially Seungkwan-ssi's voice, holy shit. He is out of this world. But yes, yes, you were good too." Jimin pats Mingyu on the head, and Yoongi swears he can almost see the young alpha's tail wagging at Jimin's words.

Yoongi can't help but watch the two of them, realizing it's the first time he sees them together. Actually, it's the first time that he sees Jimin interact like this with an alpha.

Mingyu doesn't seem to have any qualms invading Jimin's space, his hands confident and sure of themselves, like he knows fully well that Jimin likes it. How Jimin likes it. And Jimin lets him.

He lets Mingyu get close and touch him, all relaxed and willing, not a hint of tension in his body language. It doesn't take a genius to tell that they're comfortable with each other. That they've already established some level of trust that surpasses what he and Yoongi have.

It's a universal fact that Jimin is a sweet person, openly showing his affection to those he cares about through physical intimacy. He's touchy and clingy in the most endearing of ways. Yoongi has witnessed it a lot of times. He just hasn't been...experiencing it as often.

Don't get him wrong, Jimin is /nice/, to him especially--to anyone, really. He doesn't want to seem like the type to think he's Jimin's favorite, but sometimes it do feel that way, and he enjoys playing with the idea for the sake of his own helpless ego.

There just really are instances...instances where he can't help but wonder why Jimin never hugs him, or even when he does, it never lasts for more than 5 seconds. Or why the younger always seems constipatedly stiff whenever Yoongi approaches him This is one of those instances.

He never got around to actually asking about it because he figured "Hey, why won't you touch me more like you do with everybody else?" would be a weird question to raise in any kind of situation. Besides, maybe he's just being self-centered and unreasonable. As always.

"--gi. Yoongi." He's snapped out of his trance by Jeonghan's voice, a warm hand on his arm grabbing his attention. "You okay?" "Yeah," He laughs to mask his embarrassment, shaking his head. "I spaced out, sorry. Uh, you want any drinks? I'll go get us some."

The night goes on without any major hiccups, Jeonghan is pleasant to talk to (and he looks so graceful and pretty under the dim lights), and Yoongi would even say he's having a blast if only he could stop glancing over Jimin's direction like a paranoid guardian.

He knows Jimin can take care of himself, and he knows Mingyu won't do anything bad to their mutual omega friend, but his eyes keep wandering towards the two anyway and watching every little interaction with unnecessary scrutiny.

He catches Mingyu running a finger over Jimin's choker, fiddling with the lone jewelry on Jimin's throat and whispering something in his ear that makes Jimin's cheeks bloom and his lips stretch into a wide smile. He whispers something again, and Jimin gets even more flustered.

It's...an interesting sight. Yeah, Yoongi should just use the term "interesting", seeing that he doesn't know the right words to describe his thoughts on seeing Mingyu practically kissing Jimin's ear right in front of his salad--beer, rather. "Interesting" will do for now.

But there's a discomfort brewing in the deepest depths of his subconscious, unsure why it's even there or what's causing it in the first place. Well, that's a lie. He is aware of what's causing it, he just doesn't know why.

Jimin seems to be fine with all the attention, he's basically basking in it, and that in turn makes it fine with Yoongi . Of course he likes seeing him happy--he should /always/ be happy, and Mingyu looks like he's fulfilling his life's purpose making Jimin laugh like that.

It's fine, of course it's fine, it's just-- "Are you wearing blockers again?" He hears Mingyu ask, sniffing not so discreetly along the length of Jimin's neck, scenting him. Jimin nods, leaning into the intimate touch.

No one bats an eye except for Yoongi. Scenting in public is considered pretty normal. Especially between couples. There's nothing wrong with it. Mingyu makes a face, showing his disapproval. "I don't know why you keep applying some when you don't need it."

"How do you even know I don't need it?" Jimin snorts. "Because your scent is fucking amazing. It's a mortal sin to hide it. From me, especially." "You're a baby." Jimin groans, looking annoyed at Mingyu's clinginess but obviously pleased with what he just said.

"You wear blockers, Jimin-ssi? I heard they cost a ton for just one bottle." Seungkwan pipes up from his side of the table, sounding genuinely intrigued and curious. "Ah, the one I use isn't too expensive." Jimin clarifies, waving his hands in front of him.

"Still, you should stop using them. It's a waste of money." Mingyu huffs. "And a waste of your scent." "I like blockers, okay? It's like my own perfume. Well, reverse perfume. Whatever."

Guilt creeps into the forefront of Yoongi's mind, that same one whenever this particular topic is brought up. His eyes must be boring holes into Jimin's head with all the staring he's been doing, but Jimin never meets his gaze, abruptly changing the topic instead.

He chugs at his bottle of beer, hoping it could wash away the weird emotions that decided to pay him a visit tonight. It doesn't, but talking to Jeonghan helps, so he does just that.

He can't stop fixating his attention to Jimin every now and then, even though the table has practically been divided and they're on two different sides of their respective conversations. At some point, he gives up trying to stop himself, succumbing to it with an inward shrug.

"You really care for him, don't you?" The sudden question catches him off-guard, snapping his head to the side where Jeonghan is smiling knowingly. "You look like you're ready to throw hands the moment Mingyu does something weird."

He stammers for a good second, blood pressure fluctuating at being caught, but he reigns himself in pretty quickly.

"I do. Care for him a lot, I mean." He admits lowly, gaze softening in fondness as he watches Jimin laugh. "But Mingyu-ssi seems..." He clears his throat. "He seems good...for Jimin." "He's a good kid." Jeonghan hums. "Very sweet guy. You don't have anything to worry about."

Nothing to worry about. "Right." He nods even though he's not exactly comforted nor reassured, finishing what's left of his bottle. It's tastes more bitter than usual. "So," Jeonghan sucks in a breath, grabbing his attention, which Yoongi tries his darn hardest to give. "Hm?"

"Did you fall for me?" He almost chokes on nothing. "Wh-what?" "When you watched me play, did you fall for me?" Their previous "date" plays in Yoongi's mind, offering a brief respite from his odd thoughts, and he remembers the words they've exchanged that day.

He also remembers the main reason why he's here, his supposed /goal/ before the night ends.

Jeonghan is being more forward than usual--well, he's never been the type to be shy, always having that certain charm--looking at him with hopeful eyes. It's rare that Yoongi can confidently say the feeling's mutual, but fuck, he thinks the feeling is actually mutual.

He can hear his heart starting to beat louder inside his chest, alarms going off in his head telling him "THIS IS IT! THIS IS THE SIGN! GO FOR IT!" along with a small voice which sounds suspiciously like his father saying "About time you give me some grandpups."

He opens his mouth, ready to take that exciting leap, but then from the corner of his eye, he sees Jimin. For a moment, they look at each other, first time ever since they sat down on that table. Jimin blinks at him and smiles. Sweetly. Tenderly. Like he always does.

And the words that roll off of Yoongi's tongue turn out different than what he initially intended.

"I think I might have to watch another show just to make sure." He says it in a teasing way, but he himself is confused why he changed his mind so quickly--more like chickened out. He can sense some disappointment from Jeonghan's expression, but it's soon replaced with a smile.

"I should keep inviting you to watch until you do, then." "That would be perfect, actually. All part of my elaborate plan to snag free tickets to gigs."

At least he could afford the jokes and still make Jeonghan laugh. He can't say he's not a bit disappointed and confused with himself though, the fact that he just let a perfect chance slip by sinking in like a punch to the gut. He won't be hearing the end of it from Seokjin.

But for some reason it felt like the right thing to do. That he should probably reconsider his capacity to engage in a relationship being the way he is right now. Which is-- A fucking mess.

In the midst of another one of his internal crises (been happening a fair lot lately), Mingyu has stood up to tell them he needs to go. "Already? Where you off to?" Vernon asks from the far end.

"I got some shit to finish. School shit." The young alpha answers, which gets him a long "Booooooo" from Seungkwan. "Fuck school. Cut classes. Don't attend your graduation." Their vocalist jokes. Although Yoongi doubts he's actually joking.

"You're really going?" It's Jimin's turn to pout, nursing a glass of whatever colorful cocktail that is. Yoongi has lost count of how many drinks the younger has had ever since they stepped inside the pub. Safe to say, he is concerned. Immensely.

"Why, want to come?" Mingyu flicks Jimin on the chin with a grin. They share a smile that's probably exclusive only to the two of them, and Yoongi feels like a proper outsider. Which, technically speaking, he is.

"Tempting, but no, I don't want to /come/." Jimin jests back, a playful glint in his eyes. "Too bad," Mingyu sighs, "I thought I could make you come tonight." "I get the feeling that we're talking about a different kind of coming here." Seungkwan so helpfully adds.

Mingyu laughs, leaning down to kiss Jimin on the forehead. "I'll text you." "Mm." Jimin returns the favor with a small peck on the alpha's cheek. "Be careful on your way home." "You too, babe."

Babe. That word repeats in Yoongi's ears like a bad song stuck in his head.

Seungkwan and Vernon keep Jimin company after Mingyu has left, talking his head off while Yoongi and Jeonghan are still sort of isolated on their side of the table.

He gets the feeling that it's on purpose, Jeonghan's fellow band members probably know something's up between the two of them, and it seems Jimin has decided to ride along. Yoongi appreciates their efforts. If only they knew how much he's wasting it at the moment.

At some point, some popular band gets called on stage and people start getting up from their seats to collectively swarm the makeshift dance floor. One way or another, Jeonghan manages to convince him to join in on the singing crowd, and so here he is.

But if Yoongi's going to be honest with himself, he's not feeling too good. His social battery has run out and his mood is at an all time low. The song currently being played is familiar, he probably heard it somewhere in passing, something about realizing your feelings too late.

More importantly, he kind of lost Jimin amidst the musical chaos, and he can't find him no matter which direction he turns his head.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jeonghan must have asked that for the 7th time that night. "Yeah--" He starts to deny, only to shake his head with a sigh. "Actually, no. I'm--I'm sorry." "Oh. Why? What's wrong?" "I just--I keep getting distracted all night. I'm sorry. "

There's only understanding in Jeonghan's expression when Yoongi tries to look for anything remotely negative that hints at what he's really thinking. "It's okay. Distractions can't be helped. Don't apologize for that. I really enjoyed tonight and I'm glad you're here."

"You're too nice to me." He chuckles in slight relief, stepping closer to Jeonghan so they could hear each other better. "That's because I like you."

"Oh." He breathes out after a couple of seconds, realizing he's been holding it in. "Wow." "Yeah. Wow." Jeonghan laughs. "It's--Sorry, that came out of nowhere. You don't have to give me an answer now or anything. I just wanted to let you know."

He should probably be elated, run out of that bar and pump his fist up in the air in victory. But instead he's just gobsmacked in utter shocked silence even though he already knows all this time that it /is/ mutual. Has been for god knows how long.

All he needs to do is to say he likes him too.

But the theme for the night is distractions, and if there's one thing Yoongi's good at, it's being consistent.

His head jerks by itself when he catches a flash of blonde walking out of the door, Jeonghan following his gaze. "Jimin?" The other asks with a tilt of his head. "You were looking for him weren't you?"

"Yeah," He alternates between Jeonghan and the closed door, a peculiar kind of restlessness settling over him. " I, um--" He struggles to find the right words, not even knowing how he should go about this.

A part of him wants to stay--he should--but another part of him is telling him he /needs/ to go after Jimin.

"It's okay," Jeonghan answers for him, still with the same gentle smile. "You need to leave, right?" Yoongi nods. "Sorry. I really--thank you. For tonight. You were great." "You too. I'll see you soon?" "Of course."

Jeonghan hugs him before he goes, the sweet scent of refreshing sakura blossoms lingering on him like a promise. "Hey, I just saw Yoongi-ssi leave." Seungkwan and Vernon find Jeonghan alone in the crowd. "Everything okay? How did it go?"

He wishes he could say everything is okay, that things went well and he got what he was hoping for all night. Instead, he shakes his head with a sad smile.

"Shit, did he dump you?" Seungkwan frowns. "Do we have to punch somebody?" As usual, his friends never fail to cheer him up with such simple words. Jeonghan laughs despite the heavy realization that has settled in his mind.

"No! It's fine. I think he's just..." His gaze fleets towards the door with a sigh. "I didn't know he was interested in somebody else."

The cold hits him as soon as he steps out, but he barely registers it, too busy turning his head this way and that in hopes of finding Jimin. He spots the familiar blonde not too far off, and he swears to god he never heaved a sigh so deep in his life.

Jimin has his back on him, standing on the side of the road with a little wobble every now and then. Although that could just be the wind, Yoongi's not really sure. Yoongi doesn't waste time walking up to him. He doesn't know why he's in such a hurry and also worried, but he is

"Jimin-ah." He calls out. Jimin turns his head with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. He's not drunk, but Yoongi's almost certain he's tipsy. "Hyung, hey. Why are you--" Jimin looks genuinely confused and surprised. "What are you doing out here?"

"Want to ask you the same thing. It's cold." He rubs at his jacket-covered arms, doing a quick check on the younger's outfit. That can't be, in any way, warming him up from this weather. "Oh, I'm going home. I was just about to text you." Jimin gestures at his phone.

"What? How were you planning to go home?" "Uh, I was trying to book a cab." "Why didn't you just tell me? Come on, I'll drive us back." He grabs Jimin's hand, but the omega hesitates. "Ah, no, no, it's fine, hyung. I'll just get back on my own. You can stay."

"No, I don't want you going home alone. Let's go together." He tugs again and Jimin follows with unsure steps. "But--You--H-how about Jeonghan-ssi?" "Jeonghan?" "Yeah, weren't you guys, like--having a moment?" "What moment?"

He stops when Jimin does, turning his body just enough to look at the furrowed brows and frowning pout directed at him. He doesn't let go of Jimin's hand though, gripping it even tighter as if he's afraid the younger would run away at any given moment. He is afraid.

"Weren't you supposed to ask him out tonight?" Yoongi did not expect Jimin to mention that, much less /know/ about it, and it must show on his face because Jimin is quick to add-- "Jin-hyung might have told me to keep an eye on you so you 'won't do anything stupid'." He quotes.

Yoongi's not sure which emotion he'll prioritize first--the annoyance, the embarrassment, or the slight regret for not having done the one thing he was planning to do tonight. Annoyance wins. "He what? That fucking--" He mumbles the rest under his breath.

"So did you?" Jimin cuts through his imaginary cursing battle with Seokjin, peering up at him with big, curious eyes. "No," Yoongi answers after a pause. "I was--" He searches for the right reasons, but he can't come up with a proper one at the moment.

A cold breeze blows over them, making Jimin shiver, and Yoongi uses that as an excuse to change the topic. "Let's get you somewhere warm first." He leads--practically drags--Jimin to the car in the gentlest way possible, ushering him inside in all his fuss.

He wastes no time starting the engine so he could turn on the heater, grabbing the younger's cold hand again to bring it nearer to the fan. "There," He huffs, completely wrapping it with his own to encourage more heat. "You should do the same with your other hand."

Jimin follows his instructions obediently, letting Yoongi hold him until his fingers no longer feel stiff and icy. "Better?" "Mm." Jimin nods, turning to him with a small smile. "Thanks."

The reassurance brings Yoongi some relief, the urge to never let Jimin experience being cold ever again now curbed. As well as this unreasonable need (that has been churning inside of him all night long) to have Jimin's attention and have him close.

"So...what happened?" Jimin speaks up after a long time, glancing at Yoongi. Their fingers are still entangled messily in front of the AC, but neither comments about it so Yoongi figures it must be okay to stay like that for a little longer. "If you don't mind me asking."

Yoongi doesn't mind. What he does mind is him asking himself the same question. What /did/ happen? He sighs, brushing the wayward strands of his hair out of his face and making them messier in the process. Just like his life. "Shit, I don't know. I chickened out?"

"I just--I felt weird. All night. Like I'm out of it. I don't know. Am I making sense?" He scoffs at himself, turning to Jimin for--again, he doesn't know. Support? Reassurance? Agreement? Of course, Jimin gives him all three.

"No, yeah, you're--I get it. You're making sense, hyung. I was also..." The younger shrugs. "I also felt weird. All night." "Yeah?" "Yeah." ... "Maybe because you drank too much?" Yoongi suggests with a slight tease to it, earning a not-so-lethal glare.

"I'm not drunk!" "I didn't say you were." It's effective in diffusing whatever tension was building up in the enclosed space the two of them are currently in. Makes it that much easier to say things. Things that are otherwise embarrassing and awkward and weird to admit.

"You know what, I'm just going to outright say it--" Jimin sucks in a deep breath, but he's not meeting Yoongi's gaze when he speaks. "Seeing you with Jeonghan-ssi made me kind of jealous."

"I was like 'Wah, they look good together and hyung looks so happy.' But it also felt like you were kind of leaving me behind and going forward just like everybody else, which is great, by the way, I'm super happy for you, but I don't know. I felt sad? Ugh, maybe I /am/ drunk."

Yoongi's brows shoot up before anything else, not because he was surprised at the admission, but because he didn't expect for Jimin to voice out the exact same thoughts that have been plaguing him all night. Well, maybe not /exactly/, but it's close.

"Sorry, I'm rambling. Forget it--" Jimin starts to laugh it off, but Yoongi squeezes his hand tightly. "I was jealous too." He blurts out. "I was jealous seeing you with Mingyu. I didn't know you guys were that close."

Of course he knows they're close, they have sex, for fuck's sake--thinking about that fact brings back the irritation for some reason, and Yoongi can only take deep breaths to calm himself. "Oh...You were jealous of Mingyu?" With gritted teeth, he nods.

"Jealous as in...you wish you were in his place kind of jealous?" He's got no reason to lie. This is Jimin. It should be fine. "Yeah, I guess...? I didn't like that he's so--I don't know. Touchy with you? Scenting you and calling you, uh, sweet nicknames."

Wow. That sounded even more psychotic when said out loud. He cringes at himself, wondering what Jimin would think about all of that. He gets his answer through that mouth-watering scent blooming and filling the whole car, making Yoongi gulp as he turns to its source.

It permeates between them like a warm blanket, comfortable and everything good as they let what Yoongi just said sink in. Jimin's cheeks are even more flushed than a while ago, staring back at Yoongi in stunned silence. Even in the dimness of the parking lot, he looks handsome.

"Is that...weird?" Yoongi finds his voice, but it's too low even though it's just the two of them there. "I mean I...feel the same way?" Jimin responds with an equally soft tone. Randomly, Yoongi realizes they're still holding hands, caught in the middle and suspended.

So Jimin feels the same. It's not just him. This isn't normal, he supposes.

But it gets increasingly difficult to think and rationalize, especially with his senses being overwhelmed by everything that has to do with Jimin.

It's that scent, mostly. Yoongi feels like he's being drowned and smothered with how potent it is--how much more potent it's becoming--and he's more than happy to be. Drowned and smothered. Enveloped until he can taste those sweet tangerines in the back of his throat.

If only he could ignore the underlying smell of another alpha mixed somewhere deep in there, making his nose twitch and his insides squirmy with unrest. Unfortunately, he can't.

"Hey, can I--" Yoongi licks his lips to wet them, feeling how dry and chapped they have become. His gaze lands on Jimin's neck and stays there. The question seems to shake the younger out of his dazed trance, blinking at Yoongi in question.

"Sorry, this is going to be even weirder, and you can totally say no of course, but can I just--" He huffs and sighs and stares at Jimin's neck--with that choker--as if it would give him the peace of mind he desperately needs right now. "Jiminie, can I scent you?"

"Scent--/me/? You want to scent me? As in, me me?" That's way too many reconfirmations in one go, but Yoongi doesn't call him out on it. It comes to his attention that he has never actually scented Jimin in all their years of friendship. Nor has Jimin ever scented him.

It feels impossible now that he thinks about it. Scenting isn't even something peers do consciously, it just happens sometimes. He's not the type to be affectionate or intimate with his omega friends, but he's pretty sure he has scented Taehyung at least once, and vice versa.

But Jimin? Jimin never nuzzles Yoongi when they hug. He doesn't cling to Yoongi like he does with Hoseok, nor does he purr in comfort and satisfaction when he's being cuddled--well, they never cuddle--which Jungkook can do without much effort. He doesn't even need to ask.

It's a bit sad, even though Yoongi knows it's nothing personal and it's mostly his fault anyway. But it doesn't make his alpha feel any better about the blatant avoidance and isolated exception. Maybe that's why he himself is reluctant in initiating anything.

A big part of him is scared of being rejected by Jimin.

"You don't want to?" He didn't mean for it to come out pleading with a dash of vulnerability, but it does anyway. "I mean, it's okay if you don't want to, of course. I just--I can smell Mingyu on you and it's--" He groans. Mostly at himself. "It's making me feel...weird."

He doesn't know up to what extent the word 'weird' could be used to describe one's inner turmoil, but it seems to be an effective and fitting umbrella term for Yoongi's unnamed emotions so far.

"It's not that I don't want to. It's just--um, are you sure? I think my blockers are waning off and my scent might be...you know. Too strong for you, hyung." "I don't care." He immediately answers. "I want to scent you."

Tension aside, Jimin still manages to laugh, giving Yoongi a fond look. "You know, you could be surprisingly pushy if you want." "Am I being pushy? Shit, sorry, I'm not trying to force you or anything. Only if you want, Jimin-ah." Though Yoongi wishes he'll say yes.

"It's fine. I kinda like it when you go all alpha on me. I rarely see that side of you." "Go all alpha on you?" He repeats with a funny smile, the air around them considerably lightening. "Yeah, like right now. Being jealous and wanting to scent me. It's kind of...hot."

"You think that's hot? I thought I'm being too possessive." Yoongi starts feeling warmer. And bolder. Definitely bolder. "You are." But Jimin is inviting; it's in his body language, the way he's looking at Yoongi so intensely. Almost provoking him to do something. "I like it."

"So is that a yes?" Slowly, Jimin nods. Some of that confidence chips off, making way for that shyness Yoongi is more than familiar with. How Jimin can switch so seamlessly between his contrasting aspects is beyond Yoongi though. "If you're really super extra sure, hyung."

Yoongi chuckles, matching Jimin's shy smile before he's bringing up his other hand to the side of Jimin's neck, squeezing in the slightest. "I'm sure."

A part of him expected Jimin to flinch away from the touch like he always does, but the omega stays put. Yoongi's fingers dive in the soft mess of blonde strands, his wrist grazing Jimin's gland in the simplest form of platonic scenting between two good friends.

It's quiet, Jimin just keeping his eyes on Yoongi as he leans into it. Citrus finally mixes with his own pine, probably for the first time in forever, giving Yoongi a taste of what their combined scents could've been like if they've done this much, much earlier.

It's quiet--/too/ quiet. He gets the notion that it's pretty awkward. He wonders if scenting has ever felt this awkward and tense. If it should even feel that way with a friend in the first place.

But something inside Yoongi settles from manic unrest into seething impatience. His nose can still pick up bits and pieces of that foreign alpha scent clinging to Jimin several layers deep. He rubs with more purpose, hoping it would disappear and leave no trace, but it doesn't.

He stops trying eventually, still riddled by the incessant itch under his skin. "Can I--" He leans in, stopping midway to get ahold of himself. He stares at Jimin's neck, at the black band digging against the smooth skin.

Jimin leans in too with a curious hum, tilting his head and further showcasing the graceful line of his neck. Yoongi staggers for a second, the sane part of him wondering if this would be crossing a line, but Jimin is alluring in all sense of the word, and he can't stop himself.

Yoongi's hit with an olfactory explosion so intense it makes him feel weak. Pliant, and at ease, his alpha groans in satisfaction knowing it's exactly where it should be.

He hears Jimin's breath hitching before his own sigh makes its way to his ears, eyes fluttering close at the overwhelming sensation. He nuzzles gently, tracing the omega's neck with the tip of his nose, breathing heavily against the curve of Jimin's warm skin.

Fingers curl over the front of his shirt, keeping him close with a tight grip. Yoongi wouldn't be able to pull away even if he wanted to anyway even though it's an awkward position they're in and the gear shift is digging uncomfortably into his side. It smells too fucking good.

When he does pull away, it's almost as if he got drunk--lightheaded and hazy, intoxicated from that heavy citrus which is now complemented by his own scent and nothing but his scent. As it should be. Always.

"You okay?" Jimin asks softly. They're still close enough that he can count the lights reflected on Jimin's dark pupils, can feel the small puffs on his cheek every time the younger exhales. "You should stop wearing blockers around me."

"Hyung--" Yoongi sees the telltale signs of that scoff-eye roll-deprecating denial triple threat so he beats Jimin to it. "Your scent is warm." Not exactly the most blatant compliment, but it's the first thing that comes to Yoongi's mind.

"And comfortable. And familiar." He continues, gaze falling down on their still-joined hands. He flexes his wrist, Jimin's fingers following suit to fill the gaps between Yoongi's own. It fits perfectly-- Like puzzle pieces.

"You smell like home."

When he raises his head, Jimin is looking at him. It's the first time Yoongi sees that kind of expression on his face. He can't exactly describe it or get a full read on it, but he-- He feels it. If that even makes sense.

"You mean that?" Jimin sounds small and afraid of what Yoongi's going to say. But there's also hope in there somewhere. Yoongi wants nothing more but to reassure him no matter how many times it takes. "I do."

The smile he gives Yoongi is special, like it's only reserved for Yoongi and Yoongi alone. As it should be. Always.

Yoongi rarely acknowledges his wolf and all the annoying factors dragging behind it, he has practically subdued and ignored it ever since he first presented, but Jimin brings out the possessiveness lying dormant inside of him.

He makes Yoongi want to protect him and be the sole reason for more of those smiles and that...that scent. Only him. Not anybody else.

Jimin's eyes glisten with something dangerously like tears, and he's sniffing before he could stop himself. "Ah, what the fuck." The younger moves away to cover his face with his hands, breaking off their contact that Yoongi already misses dearly.

"What's wrong?" Yoongi panics, if only a little. "Nothing! Nothing--nothing's...wrong. I don't even know why I'm crying, oh my god." "Hey," Yoongi reaches out, fingers wrapping around Jimin's wrist to pull them away from his flushed face.

Jimin has a small frown slash pout when he meets Yoongi's gaze, flustered with a half-giggle, half-sob, sniffing and groaning at himself in all his adorable mannerisms. "I just--" The younger sighs, tears rolling down his cheeks. Which Yoongi mindlessly wipes.

"I love you." Oh.

"I mean--shit, not in a /weird way/," Jimin hurriedly rambles, holding on tight to Yoongi's shirt again. "Oh." Yoongi lets out a small laugh. For a second there he almost forgot how to breathe.

"I just--I love you so much, hyung. You know that, right?" Jimin is practically wailing now, but still in a subdued manner that makes his voice pitch a tad bit higher. Yoongi has never been this fucking endeared with someone it almost hurts. "I know, Jimin-ah."

After Jimin has expressed his embarrassment for breaking down in front of Yoongi and has more or less recovered from it, they both agree that they should probably go home before it gets too late.

Yoongi's hand refuses to part with Jimin's, so he keeps holding it even as he drives them back to their apartment, intertwined fingers resting more comfortably than he expected on the gear shift. When they arrive, Yoongi finds it difficult to let go.

"Thanks for tonight, hyung. I had lots of fun." Jimin grins while he works his door's lock. Yoongi hovers nearby, convincing himself he's just waiting for Jimin to get inside safely before he enters his own apartment too.

"Yeah. Thanks, too, for coming with me." "Anytime." Jimin winks with a chuckle. "See you tomorrow?" "Yeah." Yoongi watches him step inside, but before the door closes, he calls out-- "Hey."

"I love you too, Jimin-ah." Yoongi can count on one hand the number of times he's said 'I love you' to someone. It rolls off so easily with Jimin. "Not in a weird way." He adds as an afterthought.

Jimin looks stunned for a second only to break out into the sweetest smile. He walks towards Yoongi and hugs him tight with a happy laugh. Yoongi can barely even react when soft lips press over his cheek. "Sweet dreams, hyungie."

If that's the case, he hopes he dreams of one Park Jimin. Because that, for sure, would be the sweetest.

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

A/N: exciting times. thoughts? retrospring.net/@lunaillumina

and if you'd like to support me, it would be greatly appreciated ko-fi.com/lunaillumina

progress? progress! but still a ways to go. buckle up. as always thank you for reading~ //i fucking love all your qrts

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

There has been a massive shift in the atmosphere, but Yoongi can't exactly identify what.

"Oh, Jimin-ah! Not wearing blockers today?" Seokjin greets obnoxiously loud as soon as Jimin steps inside Yoongi's apartment. He pulls the younger into a tight hug and scents him fondly like a doting father. Jimin, the rightful descendant of Kim Seokjin that he is, beams happily.

"Mm, definitely better. You smell so good, my little chick." Namjoon laughs from where he's sitting on one of the armchairs before he's being beckoned to join the cuddle fest by his dear husband. Yoongi can only watch as they both dote on Jimin in a protective, 180cm barrier.

Jimin has definitely been...glowing lately. Blooming? That's probably a more fitting term. More than usual, anyway. The abrupt absence of blockers on his person definitely did not miss Yoongi, but he's yet to make a comment on it. He's just happy Jimin isn't using them anymore.

Sure enough, his strong scent permeates the air in fruity waves, now with a mix of refreshing snow and warm autumn, courtesy of Seokjin and Namjoon respectively. It's a familiar combination, albeit one Yoongi hasn't been graced in such a long time.

"You know, me and Joon have been thinking about having a baby, lately." "Wait, what?" That yanks Yoongi out of his relaxed state. "And I think you are the one." "He's a grown ass man." Yoongi deadpans. "What do you think, Joonie? Should we adopt Jiminie?" "No objections."

"Do I get free meals and a nice bed?" "Everything you'll ever want, my little cutiepie ballerino." "Even my own dance studio?" "We can definitely turn my dear husband's studio into one for dancing, no problem." The smile on Namjoon's face falters. "Hey." "Please adopt me."

"You won't last a day with these two." It wasn't in Yoongi's plans to be antagonistic on such a nice, summer day, but he has to for Jimin's sake. "Don't listen to him. He's just jealous and selfish. He wants to keep you all to himself." Seokjin not-so-whispers in Jimin's ears.

Jimin stares intently at him as if anticipating his answer. It's one to be aggravated because this is Seokjin we're talking about, and another to be /gravely/ aggravated seeing Jimin swarmed by other alphas that are clearly much better than Yoongi in all aspects.

Yeah, something has shifted alright--Yoongi's figurative wolf. And now he feels more alpha than ever. A devastating realization after years of trying to not even perceive that part of him.

He's not possessive, far from it (at least that's what he likes to think). He's never been one to pack-ify his group of friends and be the big alpha doing the "protecting". Whatever that means anyway. They can "protect" themselves just fine.

But ever since that night he scented Jimin, his alpha has been getting all sorts of wrong ideas like Jimin is his to protect, his to keep, his to pack-ify, his to care for, his, his, his-- You can only imagine the internal monologue Yoongi has on the daily with himself.

It doesn't help that Jimin somewhat, kind of, /maybe/ enables him in a way. Not that he's blaming Jimin or anything, but lately he's just been...

"You don't want to keep me all to yourself, hyung?" Jimin asks after the alpha couple have long since gone home, leaving the two of them in Yoongi's apartment as usual. Yoongi has expertly maneuvered around the question earlier but he can't do the same move twice on the same day.

The only thing he offers is an intelligent "Uh," wondering if it's a trick question or a rhetorical one. Neither makes sense either way. Jimin sidles up next to him by the sink until their sides are pressed together, and Yoongi's arm naturally moves to wrap around him.

It's like having a cat brush against your leg before looking up to meow cutely at you. And Yoongi really loves cats. "Well I want you to keep me all to yourself." See, Jimin can easily say such things that leave Yoongi in shambles because he always looks serious in doing so.

"You sure about that?" His hold tightens until Jimin starts laughing. He struggles with a yelp, but Yoongi is unrelenting. They mess around in his kitchen, laughing loudly, which eventually ended up with Jimin trapped and unable to escape Yoongi's embrace.

"Okay, okay, I get it! It's very obvious now that you want me so bad." Yoongi chuckles, chin hooked over the younger's shoulder as he makes no move to pull away nor even give a weak retort. This is nice--hugging somebody. Hugging Jimin. It feels really nice.

He convinces himself for the umpteenth time that he's totally not abusing his hug-Jimin-anytime-I-want privileges, but he's been finding himself in the exact same position everyday. Sometimes even more than once a day.

It's magnetism. Jimin just exudes a certain energy that Yoongi's estranged wolf is attracted to. Also, his scent.

He sighs, making himself comfortable while Jimin washes the dishes, which took them several unnecessary minutes arguing about. Breathe in, breathe out. He tries not to outright sniff like a damn dog, but there it is again. That scent.

Biology has never been his best subject, so it's a relief he lives in the 21st century where getting answers is easier than just asking the actual person about it. Apparently, scents can change. That much, Yoongi knows, but there's more to it than that.

Most of what he's read online didn't give him an exact answer. Even similar anecdotes still vary from case to case, though it did give him an idea. Whatever change there might be in an omega's scent, it has something to do with how they're feeling.

Thanks to his blockers, Yoongi almost never smells Jimin. This whole time they've known each other, he never knew the younger's scent when he's distressed or lonely. When he's excited or happy. At the very least, he can start familiarizing himself with all of those from now on.

But the way his scent changes around Yoongi--how should he say this? It's more...permanent. It's not fleeting, like how Yoongi's used to. And it's just different in a special kind of way. More potent. And thick, if that's even a word to describe it. It's almost alluring.

It makes him curious, sue him. He's been trying all kinds of stuff ever since Jimin's relationship ended with his precious bottles of scent blockers, and so far his experiments have been successful. Kinda.

It gets less citrusy and more whole when Yoongi says something nice. A good-meaning tease. Some genuine praises when Jimin helps him around the house. It blooms when Yoongi touches him.

That sounded weird, but like-- Simple gestures. A quick squeeze on the shoulder, fond ruffling of his blonde hair (so fluffy especially in the mornings), when he sits with him next to his "nest". It's more akin to short bursts, kinda like when you bite down on tangerines.

But the moment when it becomes the absolute sweetest? "Can I scent you?" "Huh? Oh," There. "Sure."

It has been awkward asking the second time, and it's not any less awkward now. But with each iteration it has become easier, bit by bit, to admit to himself that he likes doing it.

His lashes always flutter closed, a barely-there groan building up in his throat until he gets enough sense to prevent it from coming out, muscles relaxing as his mind clears. His parents' house in Daegu doesn't smell sweet. Nor does his apartment.

But being at home is the sweetest. It's warm, with hints of tanginess and spice. The tip of Yoongi's nose barely grazes Jimin's neck, and it's not enough to swiftly clear the other misplaced scents that linger all over him. "Annoying."

"Eh?" "No, not you," He reassures, clinging tighter only to loosen after a second. "Those two." "Jin-hyung and Namjoon-hyung?" "Yeah," Yoongi groans. "They marked you for too long." "Marked? Ah, you mean their scents?" He nods with a scowl.

"Is that...a bad thing?" Well. That made Yoongi think. "...No." But why does he feel like it is when it technically isn't? They do that all the time to Jimin. He doesn't know why it ticks him off /now/.

"You don't look like you mean that." Jimin has turned around to look at him, leaning back against the counter but still staying close. He's got an easygoing smile on his face, his hair is kind of messy, and he's got obvious bags under his eyes, but he still looks nice.

"What?" Jimin laughs after some time of Yoongi just frowning at him. Damp fingers brush some strands away from his face, tucking them behind his ear. It doesn't help in clearing his muddled thoughts. At all. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're being jealous right now."

That's a joke, he knows it is, but Yoongi replies anyway-- "If you knew better? What do you mean by 'better', Jimin-ah?" He takes a step closer, arms on either side of Jimin, caging him between the counter and his own body. "What if I really am jealous?"

"That's what I'm asking, hyung; are you?" It still feels rewarding being able to get this close to Jimin without the omega flinching away or stiffening up. "Because if you are," It will probably always be, but it's also really--

Jimin tilts his head to the side, leaving the left side of his neck all craned and exposed, as if taunting Yoongi. "Shouldn't you do something about it?" Intimidating.

Yoongi alternates between Jimin's face and his neck. His face, then his neck. Face, neck, face, neck, face, neck, lips--

Which then stretch out into a happy laugh.

"Sorry, I just--" Jimin snorts. "That went exactly like one of those dramas I just finished. Did you watch that, too, hyung?" And he laughs some more. While Yoongi is left somewhat dumbstruck from the anticlimactic pull back to reality.

"But yah," Jimin weakly pushes him on the shoulder. "If you want to scent me harder, then just say so." Yoongi blinks a couple of times, taking in the words. "I can--" He glances down at Jimin's neck again. "You'll let me do it harder?"

The omega nods. Eagerly. "Of course, I would. I like being scented. It makes me happy." "Really?" "Really. Also, I don't know if I've ever told you this, but I really like hyung's scent. You smell safe."

Hearing that calms Yoongi's insides down so abruptly it comes as a small shock. He clears his throat, taking one step back once more. "You smell...safe, too. I really can?" "Mmhmm." "You sure?" "Uh huh." "Absolutely?"

"Yes!" He feels Jimin's fuse explode just then, his voice reaching that certain pitch. Without warning, his hand is taken, and he's being dragged towards the living room. "We should do it on the couch. It's comfier that way."

So they get to the couch, Jimin diving in his alleged nest with him in tow. "Is it okay if I sit here?" He asks worriedly, trying not to disturb even a lint on the throw blanket draped over this side of his couch. "'Course, hyungie. Why wouldn't it be?"

It's the first time Yoongi is invited into a nest that doesn't belong to a family member. Even those instances he can count on hand. /One/ hand. This feels weird. Meanwhile, Jimin seems to have settled in, heaving a soft sigh beside Yoongi.

"How do you want me?" "What?" "How do you want me?" Jimin repeats. "Like this? Want me to lie down?" "No, this--" He squeezes Jimin on the knee. "Like this is okay." Jimin smiles, leaning into him. "Okay."

It starts off innocently enough. Just normal scenting. Jimin has opened the TV and Yoongi wraps an arm around his waist, nuzzling his neck with a relieved sigh. It is indeed comfy. There's no place Yoongi would rather be.

"You're surprisingly clingy when you scent." Fingers tread through his hair, putting him even more in a state of pure relaxation. Jimin's voice is soft and close. It sounds good in his ears. "Do you find it annoying?" "No," The younger chuckles. "I think it's cute."

"I haven't scented anyone in a long time." "Oh?" Jimin pulls back a bit to look at him. "Not this thoroughly at least. I forgot how nice it feels." Perhaps Seokjin is right. Maybe he has deprived himself of these natural urges for too long.

"Does that mean you haven't been scented all this time, too?" He nods. Admitting it sounded kind of sad. Well, it /is/ sad. Maybe that's why Jimin pulls him closer with a pained little whine.

"I'll let you scent me anytime you want, hyung." Hearing that makes Yoongi's insides warm and rumbly. If he was clingy earlier, then he's most definitely glued to Jimin now. "You spoil me too much." "I want to. You deserve to be spoiled."

He can't stop the rumbling in his chest, as embarrassing as it is. He feels like a neglected child being shown love and care for the first time in forever. And having tasted such tenderness from Jimin, he thinks he won't be able to function without it anymore from here on out.

Jimin grabs him by the collar and leans in to poke the side of his neck with the tip of his nose, scenting him briefly and in the softest way Yoongi never even knew was possible.

"There." The younger huffs. His cheeks are tinged red, but he looks proud of his work, gaze almost daring Yoongi to say something about the sudden action. But Yoongi's still caught in his initial shock, too busy appreciating the warm citrus that slowly envelops him.

The urge gets to him before the words do, wrapping his arms tightly around the omega's waist--oh, it's so slim--and diving back in with a groan. Jimin yelps and laughs from the force of it, almost tackled down the couch by Yoongi.

"Sorry," He had enough sense to mumble out after the countless minutes he just spent getting lost in Jimin's body heat and enticing scent. "I can't stop." He hears and feels Jimin chuckling, those fingers back in his hair, untangling the strands and smoothing out his long locks.

"You don't have to if you don't want to." Jimin's words sound like lyrics to Yoongi's favorite song, lulling him even further. "Yeah? This is okay with you?" "Mmhmm. I'm yours all night, hyung." His.

"You shouldn't say things like that. My wolf is malfunctioning enough as it is." "Your wolf?" "Yeah. I think it's getting way too attached to you." Jimin's scent spikes, but he's laughing like Yoongi just told him the best joke.

"What's so funny?" He asks in slight confusion, lips tugging up into a smile because of how contagious Jimin's giggles are. "Nothing. It's just been a while since I heard someone refer to it as their 'wolf'." "Well, what do they call it?"

"I don't know. They don't refer to it as anything? Usually you just say, 'I think I'm getting way too attached to you'. Aren't our wolves /us/ in a sense?" Yoongi hums, pondering over it while still absentmindedly nuzzling Jimin's scent gland.

"I guess I don't want to consider it a part of me." "Why not?" "Because it's...weird. It's driven by carnal instinct instead of logic. It's not me." "So what you're saying is that you, wanting to scent me, is a carnal instinct?"

"I...yes? I don't know. I told you, it's weird. It's like...like my wolf is mistaking you as mine. Does that make sense?" "Yours?" Jimin blinks up at him. His eyes are the puppiest eyes Yoongi has ever seen in his entire life.

"Mine." He nods, unsure if he's answering Jimin's question or confirming it. Either way, it pleases that estranged "wolf" inside of him, which just further proves his point. "I feel like I'm kind of taking advantage of you somehow."

"What? Why?" Jimin recoils to give him a confused look. "What makes you say that? You're not, hyung." "It's just...this." He gestures between the two of them, of what little space there is left. "I'm starting to act like you're a member of my pack."

Realization and wonder shine behind Jimin's eyes before they dim into something warmer and accepting. "I mean...you are the closest thing I have to a pack, so..." He mumbles to Yoongi. "Am I taking advantage of you, too, if I really like it that you treat me this way?"

"You like it?" He asks with a small laugh. "Even though I can't leave you alone for more than 5 minutes these days?" "I'm saying I /really/ like it, hyung." Jimin faces him with a determined look. Maybe slightly frustrated. Okay, more than slightly.

"You've never really--I mean, we have never--" He watches Jimin bite his lip in thought. "We weren't that...close before. You and me. In a physical sense, anyway. You know what I'm talking about, right?" Of course. How could Yoongi not know? "I know."

"So I guess it just...makes me happy knowing that you're okay doing this kind of stuff with me. That you actually /want/ to do it with me." Jimin flashes him a shy smile. "I always thought you found me annoying and disgusting."

His violent reaction hasn't even started yet before Jimin is already beating him to it. "Yes, yes, deep inside I knew you didn't really think of me that way, but you know how it is," He shrugs. "I was super hurt when you told me you didn't like my scent."

If he could groan out the groanest groan that has ever groaned in the history of groans, he would have at that moment. Instead, he hugs Jimin even tighter, burying his face in the younger's neck as if hiding from the shame and regret at the same time.

"I was young and stupid and a fucking asshole. The past tense is arguable, but I'm really fucking sorry, Jimin-ah. I swear to god, there's not one day that passes by that I don't regret ever saying that to you." And because Jimin is an angel, he lets Yoongi off with a laugh.

"It's okay, hyung. You can scent me lots from now on to make up for it." "I'll scent you every fucking day for the rest of my life." Making Jimin squeal in glee as he successfully tackles him down on the cushions this time around is a different kind of high altogether.

"You can't do that, but I appreciate the sentiment." The younger laughs, welcoming Yoongi in his arms while they adjust positions in the narrow space. "Why not?" He argues, seeking refuge in the crook of Jimin's neck once again, a spot that's quickly becoming his favorite.

"Because," Their limbs click into place, and Yoongi's entire body relaxes. Oh, this is just perfect. "I don't think your future partner would like it very much." He leans back just enough to meet Jimin's gaze under him. His future partner. He snorts.

"That's irrelevant." "It is very much relevant! Yah, don't go grumbling at me." "Stop thinking about unnecessary things, Jimin-ah." He grumbles some more, if only to aggravate the omega even further. So this is how he smells when he's annoyed. "Just let me enjoy this for now."

Jimin visibly calms down, along with his heightened scent that flattens into a more muted strength. "Okay, I guess I'll just enjoy this too." Yoongi feels arms wrap around him loosely but securely, a huff of surrender near his temple. "For now."

Yoongi doesn't keep track of time, but he's been scenting Jimin for quite a while, making a home in his neck and finding solace in the even rise and fall of the small chest against him. Jimin is the definition of warm and soft and comfort. Yoongi never wants for this to stop.

His lips graze over the tender skin, and Jimin lets out a small giggle underneath him. "That tickles." "Sorry," Yoongi chuckles, making a note not to overdo it. "S'okay. I don't mind." Jimin turns his head to the side to look at him. "It's like you're kissing me."

"You like being kissed here?" He glances down at the younger's scent gland, getting the urge to bury his nose in there and stay for as long as he's allowed. "Kind of. Maybe." Jimin whispers, as if he's telling Yoongi a secret. "Very much, yes."

"Can I--" Again he glances down then back up to Jimin's face. They're close. And is he seriously asking? "I did say you can do it harder." Jimin's cheeks flush a pretty pink, matching the pale tint of his lips. Yoongi intrusive thought #1: What if he kisses him there instead?

"Do I still smell like Jin-hyung and Namjoon-hyung?" Yoongi swallows, internally shaking his head clear of such thoughts but nodding at the question. "Then I guess you can...if you want."

"I want." He leans in, Jimin following suit. The tips of their noses bump at the sudden action. They share a small chuckle, eyes roaming each other's faces before Jimin is turning his head to the side and craning his neck just right for Yoongi. He really is so beautiful.

Jimin lets out a small sound as soon as Yoongi's lips make contact, pressing over the sensitive gland with a barely audible kiss. He does it again and Jimin sucks in a breath this time.

Almost immediately, any foreign scent that's not his is eradicated, which puts him at ease but at the same time just encourages him even more. He's only ever done this with one other person, but that memory can't even compare to how he's feeling right now.

He starts off with featherlight pecks, from the base where shoulder meets neck, all the way up until he's almost at the lobe of Jimin's ear. Under him, Jimin lets out small gasps of breath, eyes shut closed, his fist curling tight around the back of Yoongi's shirt.

He's panting pretty heavily the longer it goes on, getting even more riled up as he continues inhaling Jimin's scent like it can very well replace oxygen itself. He feels raw and feral. More carnal, like he said. His fangs and gums are starting to ache with the need to bite.

But he holds himself back, not wanting to ruin this for Jimin. He reminds himself that the sole purpose of this whole scenting, why it started in the first place, was because he wanted Jimin to be the most comfortable around him. To trust him like how he trusts the omega.

So he stops even though it physically pains him to do so, forcing his wolf down to the deepest depths of his subconscious where it belongs, and repeats to his head that this is Jimin, his precious friend, someone very important to him.

He's not just a mere omega that he could treat as a potential mate just because he's close and within reach and available, and how he lets Yoongi do all these kinds of things to him with such a pleading expression.

"Good?" He asks once he more or less has gotten himself in check, searching the omega's face for any sign of discomfort. Jimin's gaze is hazy and unsteady when meeting his, small hands tugging at his shirt when he tries to pull away. "More?"

"You want more?" He chuckles in a mix of amusement and nervousness. Jimin nods eagerly, not letting go. "Please?" Jimin pleads. Yoongi doubts he's entirely conscious of what he's saying. He looks properly out of it. "I want you..." "Jiminie--" "I want you so much, hyung."

He doesn't know how he'll be able to say no to that. His wolf claws its way back to the forefront of his consciousness, summoned by the desperation to cater to Jimin's needs to the best of his abilities. It's such a textbook alpha urge that he almost wants to laugh.

But then again, Jimin isn't holding back either. He's going all out trying to lure Yoongi in, to make him say yes and do whatever it is he wants Yoongi to do while looking like /that/. Smelling like that--his scent right now is insane, and it's just so...

It's doing things to him. All kinds of things.

"Fuck." In the end, he succumbs to it; hook, line, and sinker. The whole goddamn package. He nuzzles and kisses and scents a whole 7 years worth of life lived without any form of reciprocal affection. He can tell just how much Jimin appreciates the gesture from his scent alone.

The vigor dies down to a calm cuddling once he has doused Jimin fully in pure mint, so much to the point where he can't even identify where their respective scents begin and end anymore, too blended for any individuality to stand out.

"I'm happy." "Hm?" He hums sleepily from where he's nestled. He shifts, taking the space next to the omega so they can face each other. Jimin wiggles closer, smiling and glowing as he stares at Yoongi with warm eyes. "I'm so happy right now. Thank you for making me happy."

"I made you happy?" Jimin nods, leaning into the touch when Yoongi pinches his cheek fondly. "I love being scented by you. I wanted..." He cuddles closer until his face is tucked in Yoongi's neck, taking a deep breath. "I wanted to do this since forever."

Yoongi's happy too. This is probably one of the few instances that he can genuinely say he's the happiest, even though not much is happening. He never knew absolute contentment can be achieved by simply holding another human being in your arms like this.

People aren't made to be solitary creatures after all. Even the shape of his body-- It's like Jimin is meant to fill the gaps. From the crook of his neck to their entangled legs. The curve of his waist fits right under Yoongi's palm, and his frame is small enough to be embraced.

Yoongi has never been this sure that he's in the right place, at the right time.

"Hey. Do you have classes tomorrow?" "Nope. Why?" "Want to spend the night?" Jimin shoots up with a gasp. "A sleepover?" It might be weird, but he wants to spend more time with Jimin. To be graced with his presence for just a little while longer.

Jimin beams as soon as he confirms that yes, he is indeed asking him to sleep over. Nothing peculiar about two grown people getting unnecessarily excited about the prospect of sleeping together under the same roof for one night. Nothing at all.

"Can I borrow some clothes? I'm too lazy to go get some. Please, please, please?" He's taken aback by the sudden question, remembering how Jimin once told him he likes it when alphas let him wear their clothes.

It's followed by a very vivid image of Jimin wearing one of his shirts, the size too big on him that it hangs loosely on his narrow shoulders. The fabric completely swallowing him, the hem going just past his thighs. Ah. He's not sure why he really wants to see that.

"Aren't you coming?" He's snapped out of his daze, finding Jimin already on the way to his room, looking at him expectantly. His legs start moving on their own, drawn to that lingering scent like a moth to a flame. He takes the hand offered to him and lets himself be pulled in.

For the first time in years, Yoongi falls asleep feeling whole.

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

Lately, he's been thinking... Has he somehow become the 2nd Taehyung?

Or maybe the 2nd Jungkook? Either way-- He's not complaining.

Having witnessed it for years, Yoongi knows this is exactly how Jimin treats their two youngest--like they're his precious children that need to be nurtured and loved 24/7, lest they wither and wilt from lack of affection. Well, at least that's how Yoongi feels these days.

There's a sense of pride knowing he has achieved his life-long dream of being treated like everybody else by Park Jimin, and not just some exception to the rule. As if he only had the free trial of the product until now while others have been enjoying the full package ever since.

He never realized how bitter and hurt he has been over the matter. Didn't even realize he has been pondering over it this deeply even after all these years, so much so that it has become an unconscious objective for him. And now that he has more or less succeeded, he must say...

God, this is fucking amazing.

Nothing beats staying locked up in the studio all day, working on a new song, only to hear the faint sounds of footsteps getting closer until arms are wrapping around him from behind. "Hey, hyung."

The smile on his lips is almost immediate, even though he's been suffering and agonizing for the past 6 hours or so. "Jiminie. You're back."

"I am. And you're still here." Yoongi can hear the worried sigh in his voice. "Have you eaten already?" He shakes his head, totally forgetting about the existence of food. His stomach growls as if in agreed disappointment. "Knew it. I bought dinner. Come on, let's eat."

He follows Jimin to the kitchen, and it's his turn to latch on while the omega is heating up their food. "Shit," He sighs in relief as soon as he has his nose on Jimin's neck, getting rid of the foreign scents and taking in his daily dose while he's at it. "How was school?"

This has become a routine. Jimin comes home, Yoongi scents him, then he feeds Yoongi. Sometimes he even helps Yoongi sleep. Most of the time Yoongi hopes Jimin helps him sleep. "Most of the time", meaning every day. "Boring because you're not there with me."

They share a chuckle. Jimin always says that, but it never fails to make him smile each and every time. Maybe that's why he always asks in the first place.

But he listens as Jimin tells him about his day. Arguably this is his favorite part when they hang out together. He likes knowing about the little happenings in the younger's everyday life, no matter how mundane Jimin make them out to be.

He loves hearing his voice especially. A very refreshing and welcome sound after long hours of torturing his own ears. It's a natural song writing itself.

They eat like that, Jimin probably getting the hint that Yoongi's got no plans of letting go anytime soon. He lets himself be fed in small, chopsticked portions, light conversation flowing between them in that dimly lit kitchen of his.

Yoongi feels closer to Jimin in more ways than one. Physically and emotionally. There's this inexplicable bond that has formed between them, and he wonders if this is the closest thing he can have to a pack. He's never had one, so he's not entirely sure.

"Are you going to work all night again?" "Mm." "Okay. I'll just wash up then join you."

That's how he ends up in his studio after dinner, staring at the screen while Jimin lounges on the small couch behind him. The omega just came fresh from a bath, sauntering into the room wearing another one of his large, white shirts. Yoongi doesn't even bother pointing it out.

"Hey, how's it going?" Jimin walks up to him after an hour or so has passed. Yoongi swivels his chair to face his friend, thankful for the brief change of view. "I'm stuck." He admits, glancing at his hopeless work before leaning back on his reclining chair. "How about you?"

"Also stuck." Jimin sighs. "I'm doing homework." "That's cute." He can't help but snicker, earning a pout from the younger. "What is it about?" "Music...stuff. I can't really understand much. I was hoping you can grace me with your godly knowledge, PD-nim?" "Give it here."

He doesn't mind helping Jimin with his school assignment every now and then. In fact, he prefers to do it than his actual work, seeing that it's more rewarding in terms of self-esteem and external validation from Jimin.

"You only say it's easy because you're a producer." Jimin whines when the conversation has turned into the usual lighthearted banter. "No, no, it's really simple, I promise." Yoongi laughs, tugging at Jimin's arm so he won't move away. "Here, I'll show you."

"I should really bring another chair here, hyung." Jimin comments after a while, and Yoongi realizes he's been standing for quite some time now. "Ah, sorry about that." He apologizes sheepishly. "You can sit with me if you want." He lightly taps his lap.

"Is that really okay? I might be heavy." "It's fine. Come here," He pulls the younger towards him until a comfortable weight settles on top of his thighs. He swivels them closer to his desk. "See? This is easier." "Oh." Jimin adjusts himself to sit more comfortably. "Cozy."

It is the coziest; he works on his song while Jimin finishes what he's doing. Sometimes Jimin asks him for help, and it's as easy as looking over the omega's shoulder. Secretly he enjoys the shared body warmth, and the fact that Jimin's neck is so accessible like this.

He finds himself nuzzling against it every now and then, Jimin just letting him with a relaxed hum. Surprisingly, Yoongi manages to do more progress that night than all those morning hours combined. "Do you and Jeonghan-ssi also scent each other?"

The question makes him blink, turning to glance at Jimin, who is already looking at him. "Jeonghan? No." Just thinking about it is making him feel all shy and shit. "No, we haven't reached that stage yet." Jimin slowly nods with a thoughtful hum.

"Why you ask?" "Just curious." Jimin flashes him a small smile, leaning back until he's flushed against Yoongi's chest. "I was wondering if this is really okay." Yoongi's hands retreat from the mouse and the keyboard to settle on the younger's waist. "What do you mean?"

"Like--us being close. Scenting and having sleepovers. Is all that really okay?" "Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?" He answers easily. "Do you not like it?" "No! No, no, I like--I really like doing this with you, hyung." Hearing that puts a smile on Yoongi's face. "I like it too."

"I guess I was just thinking that if I were in Jeonghan-ssi's shoes, I wouldn't like it if another omega is scenting the alpha I have feelings for." "Ah." That...kind of makes sense. "I mean, it's not like we're doing anything wrong?" He replies, unsure. "We're friends."

"Friends." Jimin echoes with another thoughtful expression. "Right." "Yeah. Didn't you and Jungkook do this all the time back then? Even when he and Taehyung started dating?" "We...did, yeah, but that's not--" Jimin sighs. "Actually, you know what, you're right."

"Is everything okay?" There's a barely noticeable shift in the atmosphere, and so he had to ask. Jimin blinks at him before chuckling. "Yeah! Of course. We're cool." The omega grins. Yoongi can't help but notice how his scent mutes in on itself in a particularly peculiar way.

"Guess I'll just have to make the most out of my Min Yoongi rights while I still can." Jimin clings to him, whining like an overgrown child, and Yoongi finds him both silly and endearing. "We don't have to change, Jimin-ah. We can just stay like this for as long as we want."

Jimin smiles, and it looks a little helpless. "I really wish we could, hyung." Almost sounds like he's just going along with whatever Yoongi's saying for the sake of it. "I really, really do."

And for some reason, it's unsettling.

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

He starts seeing Jeonghan again after a couple of weeks or so.

They go for the usual--getting coffee and sometimes even eating dinner together. What happened during that gig has yet to be brought up, but it hangs over them like a wet blanket. Or at least, that's how it feels for Yoongi.

It's not like they haven't been keeping in touch after that night, conversing mostly through texts and small updates of each other's lives, but now that they're seeing each other again, the pressure to provide an answer lingers on Yoongi's mind more often than not.

And it's not as if Jeonghan is demanding one from him in the first place. The omega is not acting any differently around him. Maybe a bit more direct and more frank with his feelings, but other than that, he's the usual pleasant and nice person Yoongi has come to know.

That is, until he hands Yoongi a box one day.

"What's this?" He opens the small, wooden box to find a pick inside. It's customized with his initials, the quality pretty good just from how it feels between his fingers. "You told me you've been playing the guitar lately, so..." "Wow. This is really for me? Thanks."

He has received a couple more gifts from Jeonghan since then, all very thoughtful and sweet. Yoongi really appreciates the gesture, wondering how best he can return the favor. It's in the midst of him using 100% of his brain power to think of what to give that his doorbell rings

"Jimin." He can't help but exclaim, surprised to see his neighbor standing outside his door. The younger hasn't been dropping by as often lately, being busy with school and all, so Yoongi feels excited and relieved to see him after so many days. "Hi! You busy? I brought food."

"I haven't been seeing you much, lately." He speaks up once they're in the kitchen, sheepishly coming up behind Jimin to hug him. "I missed you."

Jimin stops for a second, his scent spikes but reverts back to normal just as quickly. The fluctuation reminds Yoongi of the first few times Jimin's scent changed around him. Almost as if it's fighting itself which one would take precedence over the other.

Jimin whips around with a fond grin, throwing his arms around Yoongi in a tight hug. "Aw, I missed you too, hyungie." But it's all gone too fast. Yoongi didn't even have the chance to hold him like he's been itching to do ever since the last time they've seen each other.

The way Jimin acts right now is nostalgic. Yoongi doesn't think he particularly likes it.

Either way, he's still beyond elated Jimin decided to visit him today. They catch up with each other's lives over chinese food and Jimin even agreed to drink a can or two of beer with him. Being graced with Jimin's presence is always fun, and Yoongi is always thankful.

"This is cute." The younger notices the dainty cat lamp on his coffee table, laughing behind his sleeved hand when it changes color with a simple tap. "/So/ cute! Where did you buy this, hyung? I want one." Yoongi returns with two more cans, taking a seat beside the other.

"Ah, that's--" He cracks one of the cans open, taking a quick swig before answering. "Jeonghan gave it to me." Jimin's face sobers up in an almost comical fashion. "Oh. It's from Jeonghan-ssi?" He nods, opening Jimin's can for him. "He also gave me a pretty cool guitar pick."

He shows the pick to Jimin, watching the younger inspect it with an uncharacteristic silence before staring at him. "What?" "Hyung." Is the only thing Jimin says, still staring at him. "What?" Yoongi only repeats. His brows furrow when Jimin just continues staring at him.

"Hyuuuuuuung!" Jimin raises his voice with more frustration, a pout forming on his lips. "What?" Still clueless, Yoongi asks. He blanches when Jimin slaps him lightly on the arm. "Hyung, he's /courting/ you!" ... "Wait, what?"

"He's courting you! These are courting gifts!" "Courting--" Jesus, he hasn't heard of that word in a long ass time. "People still do that?" "Yes!" Jimin looks like he's about to explode. "Oh my god, hyung. You're unbelievable. Don't tell me you didn't know all this time?"

"Well--I mean--I--" He's got no excuse. He literally did not know. Jimin eventually laughs at him, giving him another one of those helpless smiles. "You at least know what this means, right?" Yoongi just blinks at Jimin. "Hyung, he /likes/ you. Jeonghan-ssi likes /you/."

That, Yoongi knows. He doesn't get a chance to admit it though because Jimin is already shaking him in all his excitement. "Oh my god, it's happening. It's actually happening. You're getting yourself a boyfriend! I can't believe it."

"I--Nothing's set in stone yet, Jimin-ah--" He tries to calm Jimin down, amused by his enthusiasm, but he's suddenly pulled into a hug. "I'm happy for you." Jimin's scent is warm and glowing. Thick with glee, but also it's a bit... It smells somewhat sad.

"But I'm also sad." He's surprised when Jimin just blurts it out like that, a lonely smile on his face. "I guess my Min Yoongi rights end here now." "Yah. What are you talking about?" He chuckles. Why is this making him nervous?

"But hey," Jimin whispers, "I'm still your #1?" His hands find Jimin's, and the other lets him hold them. Yoongi wants to keep holding them all throughout the night. "You know you'll always be."

Maybe he should've held on to those small hands all throughout the night. Maybe he shouldn't have let go so easily when Jimin told him he's leaving. Maybe he should've listened to that small voice in his head. All these things, he should've probably realized much earlier.

Because little did he know that he won't be able to do any of these things with Jimin for a long, long time.

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

A/N: hello! stream stream stream youtu.be/uVD-YgzDzyY

and thank you for reading as always

•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•×•

It's not that he doesn't see Jimin anymore. It's that he sees him /a lot/ these days.

"Oh, hey hyung." He hears just as the door of his apartment closes behind him. Jimin is just a few steps away, all dressed up casually with a bag slung over his shoulder. "Heading out for work?" "Jiminie, hey. Good morning." The smile is automatic. "Yeah. You?"

"Yep! I have morning practice today. Wanna go together?" Yoongi sees no reason to decline. And he also wants to, anyway. So he leads the both of them to his car. Jimin chatters all throughout the ride.

Bumping into Jimin and inadvertently spending time together isn't necessarily the issue. The issue is that they spend time together, hang out, and he sees Jimin a lot these day, but that's...it.

No scenting happens, Jimin doesn't hug him--he doesn't touch even a single thread on Yoongi's clothes, always 120cm too far (he measured)--and he's not the 2nd Taehyung nor Jungkook after all. At this point, he'll never even come close.

Just like Jimin never will to him.

Jimin never really verbally told him they can't do those things anymore--no conversation has ever been explicitly made about it--but it's there. It has become a silent agreement, a universal fact, the invisible walls have been erected, high and tall and impenetrable.

One way or another, they've reverted back to how they used to be, their dynamic reparating itself to its original form despite all the notable advancements they've both made in the past couple of months, and it's just-- Holy fuck, it's bothering him.

More than it should, probably. Well actually, it shouldn't. At all. Because there's nothing wrong, technically speaking. Everything's alright. Jimin seems fine and his usual bright, beautiful, can-light-up-the-whole-wide-world-with-just-his-pretty-smile self. And Yoongi's--

Yoongi doesn't know what the fuck is wrong with him.

Or what his problem even is in the first place. "Thanks, hyung, I'll get going. See you later!" He watches Jimin step out of the car and jog towards the university gates, where a familiar figure is waiting for him.

He watches as Mingyu hands Jimin his morning coffee, watches Jimin's animated gestures, his big smile visible even from the distance. Yoongi can almost pinpoint the exact pitch of his resulting laughter. Problems, huh. He sighs and steps on the gas.

Is it possible to miss someone you see almost everyday of your life? To want to /talk/ to them even if you already are doing so? To crave for their presence when they're already there, standing right in front of you?

To need them closer even if you're already within legal, friendship distance from each other?

Yoongi just doesn't feel like his best lately, even if things are, to some extent, looking up for him in all aspects. He's in shambles 24/7, and he keeps thinking about where he stands with Jimin in regards to their...friendship. Even in moments that he shouldn't.

It's been difficult enough turning down Jeonghan's recent efforts to meet up, but Yoongi thinks it's better than him zoning out in the middle of a conversation and just dowright being rude because he can't get his mind on the right track.

He feels bad, especially with all the courting and direct display of the omega's intentions towards him. Yoongi wants to reciprocate, he really does, he's been considering and pondering over it amidst all the chaos in his mind, and he's starting to think that he wants to try.

He wants to try, but he's just not in any capacity to do so at the moment. He's a goddamn mess. He knows he shouldn't stretch this out any longer, that nobody wants to be left hanging, and that he should give Jeonghan an answer soon.

But the longer he stalls, the more his resolve crumbles. The 'what ifs' are too easy to infest, like ants on an exposed candy, and his brain overclocks from all the thinking he's been doing lately.

He doesn't want to have doubts nor does he want to half-ass this in any way. Jeonghan deserves nothing less than someone who can commit. But struggling to come up with an immediate answer seems to already be an answer in on itself.

Perhaps that someone could never be Yoongi after all.

To add to the already growing pile of misery that is his life, work has become extra demanding lately and he's got no time for anything else. Yoongi genuinely suspects he's about to lose his mind one of these days.

And lose his mind he did.

"J-Jiminie." He opens the door wider, breath hitching, stomach tightening, heart fluttering and all that as his eyes land on none other than the only person that could possibly make him feel better right now. "Hey, hyung."

Jimin looks like he just got home from school, wearing casual clothes, and reeking of--rather, /smelling/ like Mingyu. The citrus is there, lying underneath all the layers, tangy and strong. Yoongi's nose twitches, but then it softens up to that particular sweetness.

Only to come back full force, making Yoongi sneeze behind his hand.

"Ah, sorry--" Jimin steps back with a grimace, but Yoongi grabs on to whatever he can reach--which happens to be an arm--and shakes his head. "It's okay. My apartment's--i-it's dusty inside. Anyway, what's up?"

This has been happening often; Jimin's scent keeps on changing around him just like the first few times, but even more erratic than usual. Almost like it's fighting with itself over which one should dominate. It's always a whiplash whenever it happens.

"Oh, nothing much, sorry for suddenly showing up uninvited--" "You don't need to apologize." Yoongi mumbles, feeling very tired after staring at his computer screen all day. His hand itches where it's resting on the doorknob, wanting to reach out and...do something.

"Right, well, this won't take too long," Jimin beams at him. "I just want to drop in and get some stuff if that's okay?" He blinks. "...Sure." He steps aside, already letting Jimin in even though he's still somewhat confused. "Uh, did you forget something here?"

"Kinda." Jimin laughs, Yoongi following him to the living room. He missed this scene. For a second he gets excited, wondering if they're going to hang out tonight. But then he remembers the younger saying it won't take long. He tries not to look too disappointed.

"It totally slipped my mind, actually. 'Forgetting' would be an understateme--oh, you haven't cleaned it up." Yoongi stops in front of the couch, watching as Jimin picks up the pillows making up his nest and putting them inside an eco-bag without warning.

"What are you doing?" It comes out more forceful and more shocked than he intended, making the younger halt to blink at him with wide eyes. "I'm getting rid of this...?" He gestures to the now-ruined nest. "Sorry I left it here for so long. I should've fixed it before."

Yoongi can't move; he might as well be frozen on the spot. In the middle of summer. He never knew witnessing a blanket be folded can feel this devastating. "I thought you already cleaned this up, though. Ah, I really should've done this earlier. I hope Jeonghan-ssi didn't see?"

"That would've been awkward." Jimin rattles on with a visible shiver, stowing away his nest part by part like it's /nothing/. To Yoongi it's the equivalent of accidentally deleting a track he worked so hard on for weeks. One of his greatest fears in life for real.

"Put it back..." "Hm? What was that, hyung?" He clenches his fists, swallowing the dread lodged inside his throat. What if this is his final straw? "You don't have to--why are you--" Of course, he'll be incoherent. "What?"

"You don't have to...clean it up." He manages to say, calmly, with a level voice. A miracle. "Just--just leave it there, Jimin-ah. Please." Jimin just looks at him for a long moment and Yoongi returns it without breaking eye contact. Still, it's Jimin who looks away first.

"Um, thanks hyung, but I--um." Yoongi hears him heave a breath. "I--I'll actually be needing them soon." He looks up, briefly their eyes meet. "My heat, it's--" Gone too fast, just like everything that has to do with Park Jimin. "It's due this Saturday."

"Oh." His heart starts beating louder inside his chest. But not in a good way. It seems it has already put together the pieces way ahead of his brain. "Yeah. I actually need to pack up tonight since I won't be going home anymore starting tomorrow. You know, might hit early."

Yoongi knows. Jimin's cycle has never been the most stable out there. For years, he has known this. Just like how Jimin knows how intense Yoongi's ruts can get, how he fucking hates dealing with them. These things, you just get to know throughout years and years of friendship.

That's why Yoongi also knows-- "You're going to spend it with someone." It's not a question, because he knows. Jimin /always/ spends it with someone. Sure enough, Jimin nods, and the nest isn't Yoongi's final straw after all. "I'm spending it with Mingyu." Those words are.

Several scenarios start playing inside of Yoongi's head, which was oddly--almost scarily--calm after so many weeks spent in catastropic turmoil. And what's funny is that all of them just lead to one thing and one thing only.

When too long has passed without either of them speaking up or doing anything, Jimin takes it upon himself to break the tension with a carefree smile.

"Yeah, so, anyway! I'm pretty much done here, I think. Thank you once again for letting me nest on your couch, hyung. I'll miss it." Jimin hefts up his bulging eco-bag. "It's getting late. Let me get out of your hair now so you can get some rest. I'll see you next week! Bye--"

His hand, the same one that has been itching since a while ago, moves on its own before he can even think about it, grabbing on to Jimin's wrist just as the omega passes him by. It's not even a particularly tight hold, but it's enough to make Jimin stop in his hurried tracks.

"Don't go." In his ears, his voice is barely above a whisper, but he must have spoken pretty loudly for Jimin to look like that. Like he's just been waiting for Yoongi to say those words all this time.

"Hyung?" "Don't spend it with him." He looks at Jimin in the eye. "Don't--don't spend it with anyone else." An unreasonable request. He shouldn't even be saying things like this. It's not like has any right.

He expects Jimin to get angry. Or even laugh, like he always does. But he just stands there, listening. Waiting. Yoongi, he-- He's done making Jimin wait.

"Stay...please?"

And yet, it's not him who moves first. It's Jimin. Maybe he's done waiting, too.

Yoongi hears the blunt sound of Jimin's bag hitting the floor before anything else. His mind hyperfocuses on it, then to the warm hands cupping his cheeks. His vision blurs, and he's hit with the sweetest, most mouthwatering scent he has ever smelled in his entire life.

He almost staggers back from the force of it, and he actually does. Staggers unsteadily and takes a step back, overwhelmed. Jimin's scent is already sweet before, but this-- This is just pure, unadulterated nectar.

In the split second that it takes him to recover and hold on to Jimin's waist for dear life, it takes him an eternity, on the other hand, to realize how Jimin's body presses up against him. How close they are, and how his face is being cupped by the warmest palms ever.

And how Jimin's lips are just as soft as he imagined them to be.

There's no shock nor does he panic. No "holy fuck, we're kissing", though that will probably come later on. Right now, all Yoongi can think of is that this is right. This is where he should be. Where Jimin should be. This is what's supposed happen. This is just--

Perfect.

With his combined experience of 2 years--maximum of 2 relationships, 1 semi-serious, the other one he doesn't even know how to call it--he kisses back. It seems to be working, Jimin's arms winding around his neck as he lets out the smallest, nicest sound to ever exist.

Honestly, Yoongi doesn't know what he's doing. He's just letting his instincts dictate which way he should tilt his head, this way or that, not even sure if he's taking the lead or just following Jimin's.

But like he said, it's perfect. And it works. Their lips slot just right, his hands clicking into place where it's settled on the curve of Jimin's waist, and sure fingers tickle the long strands over his neck, finding their way back home to his neglected scalp.

The wet noises their mouths make are loud in his ears, their scents-- Shit, he can't even begin to explain Jimin's scent right now.

Yoongi can feel his own desperation. His alpha that has gone into hiding for god knows how long rears its hungry head, slowly but surely taking over as he wraps an arm around Jimin and pulls him even closer. He makes that small, nice sound again, and Yoongi's easily addicted.

It's when his tongue "accidentally" flicks Jimin's bottom lip that the omega gasps, momentarily breaking their heated kiss.

"Oh shit, we kissed." Jimin whispers, like he's afraid somebody else will know. Yoongi literally feels the younger's lips move against his as he mumbles out the words, still being close enough to snatch another soft kiss, as if to confirm. Jimin returns the favor in response.

"We're kissing, oh my god, hyung I--" Jimin attempts to speak when it gets out of hand again, cut off when Yoongi starts pushing backwards--barely missing the coffee table behind them--until they eventually hit a wall, and he kisses Jimin even deeper.

Yoongi isn't the aggressive type by all means. He's rarely dominant--he likes being the opposite, actually--but with the way he's caging Jimin, pressing him up against the wall, and consciously taking over the kiss, he wonders if he's being too much of one right now.

He pauses, abruptly, with the intention of continuing later on--definitely--to get a good look at Jimin. Yeah, they kissed. They're kissing, and will most probably continue kissing (if Jimin still wants to, of course). He never imagined that they would end up like this.

Jimin doesn't seem to appreciate the sudden interruption, gripping the front of Yoongi's shirt tightly to tug him closer. But he's out of it, Yoongi can tell from the crazed look in his eyes, and he's bright red from the neck up. Yoongi cups his cheek, and he outright purrs.

He gulps. "Love your hand..." He barely hears it, distracted by the way Jimin keeps purring and panting against his palm. "Really love your hand, hyung..." He gulps harder.

This is bad. He can literally feel his figurative shackles snap one by one, making him even more eager to.../do/ things. Things he probably shouldn't do when he's under this sort of muddled headspace. Definitely not when Jimin isn't faring any better.

He has already leaned in anyway, going straight for Jimin's neck to take a deep breath. Fuck. The kiss that follows is almost automatic.

"We should probably--mm--t-talk--" "Yeah," Yoongi agrees. He doesn't stop though. He doesn't even know how long they stayed there, making out. His lips feel numb, limbs turning to jelly, and he has this odd urge to collapse all over Jimin and never get up.

"H-hyung..." The faintest push against his chest and he stops. He takes a step back, letting Jimin and himself breathe, but even the smallest amount of distance is painful. Jimin braces himself against the wall as he pants, torturing Yoongi unconsciously by licking his lips.

He himself wipes his own mouth with the back of his hand, clearing his throat and his mind while he's at it. His gaze never leaves Jimin despite the furious blush that settles on his whole face. "Sorry, I--"

"No, it's me that should--" Jimin cuts him off, but he only stutters something incomprehensible. Yoongi wants to hug him. And scent him And kiss him. /Badly/.

"Um, can I--" Jimin stands up straighter, gesturing somewhere behind Yoongi's back. He's shaking from head to toe. "I'll just--bathroom." Jimin zooms past Yoongi without waiting for a reply, leaving him just standing there to stare at the bare wall in front of him.

So... That happened.

Yoongi had to physically snap himself out of it, slapping his cheek hard enough to dispel the thought of what could have possibly happened if they didn't stop. Fuck, he's just so fucking-- He slaps his other cheek as well just for good measure.

"Okay," He takes a deep breath. "Okay." He adjusts his shorts and underwear while he's at it, glaring down as if that would make it instantly limp like a wilted flower. Jesus.

Thankfully, Jimin doesn't come out for quite some time. In fact, Yoongi is kind of growing restless and worried over how long it's taking the younger to come out of the bathroom.

He has cleaned most of the clutter lying around in his living room, brewed some tea (mostly for him to calm down), and braced himself (somewhat) for what's about to happen. But even after all that, Jimin still doesn't show up.

He was just about done convincing himself to gather some courage and ask Jimin if he's okay when he hears the door open. He tenses and sits up straighter than probably necessary, heartbeat accelerating as Jimin finally comes into view.

His face is still flushed, but his blonde hair and clothes have been smoothed down. He doesn't avert his gaze when their eyes meet, quietly plopping down the other end of the couch with Yoongi. It smells sweet and fruity all around them. A bit strong. Kind of... Kind of wet.

"So..." Jimin's voice pulls his mind out of the gutter. "Talk?" "Yeah," He nods. Right, they should. "Talk."

And yet neither of them does for the longest time. If looks could melt, Yoongi would be a puddle of goo right about now. Jimin is staring at him like he's a piece of meat, and Yoongi honestly doesn't know how to feel about that.

"Hyung," He gulps, waiting for--somewhat dreading--the next words. "Why don't you want me to spend my heat with Mingyu?"

That's certainly straight to the point. Jimin isn't beating around the bush, Yoongi can tell from the impatient glint behind his sharp eyes. Going around in vague circles would be useless here.

"I don't like seeing you with him." He answers. Funnily enough, the words aren't as difficult to get out as he thought they would be. "Or thinking about you being with him. It makes me feel crazy." "Crazy?" Jimin asks in a small voice. For a second, he's back to his old self.

"Maybe I am crazy." He chuckles without much humor, shaking his head at how ridiculous he's being. "I keep thinking it should be me." Now that he's started, he finds it difficult to stop. Like a drum filled to the brim. He's reached his limit and he's about to burst.

"I'm so--" He sighs and clenches his fist. "/Fucking/ jealous. And I don't know why. I mean--I do know why. It's just that--I shouldn't be. I know I shouldn't. But I am. It's dumb, but my alpha genuinely thinks you're mine."

"Do you want me to be?" He looks up at Jimin. "Yours." Jimin clarifies. "If that's what your alpha seems to think, then how about you, hyung? Do you want me to be yours?"

He gulps, probably for the 10th time that night. But maybe he takes too long to answer because Jimin is changing his question. "Hyung, do you like me?"

He never really thought about the possibility before. Not that it never crossed his mind, but more like he never let his mind wander to such places. Such intrusive places. For some reason, he has always labeled Jimin as off-limits.

Maybe he didn't initially feel anything for him past the shallow attraction that has been recurring all throughout the years. Even he's not immune to Jimin's charms. Shit, he must be the most vulnerable motherfucker out there.

But he never actually thought they could ever be more than just friends.

They've always been somewhat forced into each other; may it be their friends or the goddamn universe. It's probably the pettiness inside of Yoongi that wanted to go against the world's expectations. To prove them wrong or some shit. He always found it annoying, anyway.

And so he thinks it never occurred to him. He thinks he never considered it at least once. He has fooled himself into thinking that Jimin can only just be a friend. When he has been more than that to him for quite a long time now.

"I do," Jimin's scent turns sweet and soft again just with those two words. Yoongi is starting to get the hang of how he can make it change like that. "I like you, Jimin-ah."

"I like you, too." Their gazes meet halfway, and Yoongi is starting to hate the glaring gap between them. Jimin is so far away, and Yoongi has been without him for too long. Way too fucking long.

"I really, really like you, hyung." "In a weird way?" It's the greatest achievement to make Jimin smile so wide. Yoongi thinks he deserves a trophy or something. "In the weirdest way."

"A little too freaky, actually." "Oh?" He raises a teasing brow. The air lightens up, but the itch to continue what they were doing a while ago just gets stronger. "Care to share the details?"

Jimin, in all his small energy--curled up on his side of the couch like a ball, wearing the fluffiest sweater and the prettiest smile--can look so damn lethal sometimes. "Why don't you come here to find out?"

That's all the invitation Yoongi needs. He makes his way to Jimin, naturally drawn in like an eager magnet, taking the hand offered to him and letting it pull him closer. Jimin kisses him softly, just a soft peck, but it's enough to quiet down the chaos inside of him.

"Always wanted to do that..." Jimin whispers between them, letting Yoongi take his face in his hands and kiss him back. "For how long?" He asks, because he needs to know. "I don't know, I just--" Another soft kiss. "I always thought you had the cutest pair of lips."

Yoongi replies with a kiss, chuckling into it. It's not hurried like earlier, their mouths moving leisurely against each other, knowing full well they got all the time in the world. Someway somehow, Jimin ends up down on the couch with him on top.

"But I think it started when you said I smell like home." He leans back a bit to get a good look at Jimin. His skin is flushed again, breathing coming a little heavier than a couple of minutes ago. The fingers in his hair don't stop, and Yoongi wants this to last forever.

"You do. Everything about you--" He gazes at every little detail on Jimin's face, every faint freckle he can find, committing them to memory. "It's comforting. And right. This feels so right for some reason." That's a pretty embarrassing thing to say.

"Sorry, I'm not making sense." "No I--I get you. Whenever I'm with you I...feel at ease? You comfort me, too. So much." It's too easy to get lost in the deep browns of Jimin's eyes when they're close like this. Yoongi almost never wants to find his way back.

"But hyung, c-can I just say something?" "Of course, baby." The nickname slips out, startling Yoongi with how /natural/ it did. They're both wearing pretty comical faces before they burst out laughing.

"Holy fuck, I'm sorry, I don't know why I called you that." "It's fine! I got butterflies. Bees. I think a whole insect farm inside my stomach. It sounded hot coming from you." Jimin giggles. It's simply the best sound in the world. "You can call me that anytime, /babe/."

He can only really groan, because how else should he react to that? "Do I drive you crazy?" As if that's not enough fuel to the fire, Jimin decides to add some more by whispering all sultry in his ear. "At least now you know how I feel whenever I'm around you."

"I've always known how it feels, you fucking menace." Jimin squeals when he tickles him, unable to escape the torture as Yoongi traps him underneath. The flurry of kisses Jimin gives him as an apology are too effective. Or rather, Yoongi is too weak.

In the end, it's him at Jimin's utter mercy.

"What were you going to say?" He attempts to go back to the topic at hand once they've laughed and teased each other enough. Jimin is a giggling, blushing mess underneath him, also attempting to catch his breath while he's at it. Yoongi has never found someone so beautiful.

Eventually, it quiets down. Jimin holds him close and smiles at him, his voice a soothing melody to Yoongi's ears when he speaks. "I'm happy. I'm so, so happy right now, hyung. Thank you for always making me happy. I love you, love you, love you."

Yoongi, being the expert in romance that he is, can only say the first thing that comes to mind. Which has short-circuited at this point. "I--you're welcome." But if it makes Jimin laugh out loud, then maybe he's not so much of an idiot after all?

The riot dies down, leaving them with another comfortable silence where they just stare at each other in close proximity. It's almost as if they're making up for all the lost time. Well, at least Yoongi is. "Hey, hyung." "What is it?"

Jimin traps his bottom lip with his teeth, the front always having been a little crooked. Yoongi has grown attached to that crooked tooth, always making him smile whenever he catches a glimpse of it. "Do you really want to do this?"

"With me. Are you sure you want to?" "Are you seriously asking me that?" Not gonna lie, he's kind of offended. "Yes. You know I--" Yoongi watches him purse his lips, soothing voice growing quiet between them.

"Things like mating, and having kids..." Jimin glances up at him. "You know I can't give you those, right? You know that I...I don't want them?" "I know." He nods. He has always known. "But you--" Jimin smiles. "You want those things. I know you do." "...I do."

"But it's fine, Jimin-ah. I'm not going to force you into anything." "I know you won't, hyung. That's why I also don't want to force you--" "You're not forcing me in any way. I want to try. I want--" Instinctively, he takes one of Jimin's hands, holding it close to his lips.

"I want you." He hears and feels Jimin's breath hitching, yet another unforgettable sound that Yoongi locks away in his memory for lonely days and nights. "Seriously. I don't think I can ever live with myself again if I let you go without even giving this--giving us a chance."

"Also, I should be the one asking you that." "W-what do you mean?" The younger laughs, though he looks overwhelmed. In a good way. Because of Yoongi. Only Yoongi. As it should be.

"If you're really sure you want to be with me." Jimin's expression turns funny, all ready to explode with a violent reaction, but Yoongi beats him to it. "As you already know, I'm workaholic. There will be days where I forget to function as a human being."

"I'm a mess. I'm clingy and in need of constant attention now that I've experienced how it feels like to be on the receiving end of it thanks to you. And honestly kind of possessive, too...Which I just recently discovered once again thanks to you."

Despite every annoying, unlikable thing he has just listed about himself, Jimin can't stop smiling while listening to him. Yoongi can almost fool himself into thinking he's seeing hearts somewhere in those dark eyes. "So really, are /you/ sure you want to do this with me?"

"Are you listening to me?" "Huh?" Jimin blinks, but he's still smiling widely. "Yes! Sorry, I--" He giggles. "I just love hearing your voice when you speak so many words at once. It's so low and husky." For a second, Yoongi is speechless.

"Are you flirting with me right now?" He asks in disbelief with a sprinkle of amusement and giddiness. "Yes. That should already give you a clue what my answer's gonna be." Jimin taps the tip of his nose with a chuckle.

"Hm, still kind of unclear to me. Aren't you going to say it out loud?" "Hyung, I already said loud and clear that I love you! How much clearer can that get?" Yoongi doesn't think he'll have enough of teasing Jimin. That pout is just so addicting to see.

He rubs his nose along Jimin's neck while laughing, liking how their scents start to blend. When he reaches Jimin's ear, he whispers-- "Jimin-ah." "Hm?" "I love you, too."

Yoongi wants to say they spent the whole night kissing and making love on his couch, but Jimin is pushing him to sit up not even 5 minutes after their lips connected in the most meaningful and sweetest kiss Yoongi has ever received in his entire life.

"A-as much as I want to continue doing what we were doing, I--" Jimin attempts to create some distance between them, his whole face flushed red and his scent turning excruciatingly enticing in that certain way that makes Yoongi's mouth water. "Hyung, I think I should go."

"Is it your heat?" Jimin gives a quick nod. It's not so noticeable, but he's starting to shake again. "Okay, uh, d-do you want me to...?" His hands reach out on their own, but they end up just hovering awkwardly in front of the omega.

Jimin probably picks up on his predicament because he takes it upon himself to hug Yoongi, considerably calming his restless alpha down. "Maybe next time. Let's take it slow, okay?" Yoongi settles, hugging Jimin--/his boyfriend/--back. "Slow. Okay."

"But is there anything else I can do to help you? I can cook you meals, drop them off by your door. Make sure to eat lots, yeah?" "I'd really appreciate that." Jimin squeezes tight. At least he's letting Yoongi soothe him for a bit with comforting rubs along his back.

Jimin pulls back, his eyes glazed and unsteady. Yoongi can sense just how much he's trying to hold back. He can't blame him. If it was him, he probably wouldn't be able to. "Can I borrow one of your shirts?"

"Yeah, sure. Of course." He moves to stand up, taking Jimin with him. "Which one do you want?" Jimin doesn't answer, just tugs at the shirt he's wearing with a pleading look. Oh. Yoongi doesn't waste even one second taking it off.

Jimin's eyes don't leave his exposed chest for a whole minute, clutching at his shirt so hard Yoongi's afraid he's going to tear it apart at some point. He holds it near his nose, inhaling deeply with a barely audible groan.

"I won't be able to return this to you anymore afterwards..." Jimin mumbles in a low voice, still staring intently at his pale skin. "Is that okay, hyungie?" By this time, Yoongi's ego has already grown the size of whatever thing is considered biggest in the whole wide world.

"Of course, baby." He wraps Jimin in his arms again, unable to stop himself from scenting the omega all over. He needs to. "Think of me, okay?" Jimin whines, taking a step back with a frustrated expression. "I'll seriously jump you if you don't stop being such a tease."

"Sorry. You're cute. I'll miss you." "I'll miss you, too." Jimin grumbles under his breath. "Last kiss?" Yoongi gives it to him. Just like he's planning to continue on doing from here on out.

"Hyung." "Yeah?" "You need to talk to Jeonghan-ssi." Yoongi sobers up from his Jimin high. "I will." "No holding hands, no hugs, no scenting, and no kisses until you clear things with him." He doesn't even hide the way he sulks. Kind of deserved, actually. "...Fine."

They reach his door, and it's kind of difficult to let Jimin go. He knows it's just for 3 days, but still... "See you?" "See you." He holds himself back from asking for another kiss, knowing he's already got a lot to keep him going for the next few days.

It's when he's all alone in his apartment that it all comes crashing down on him. Shit. He's dating Jimin now. It took a long time, but he's finally here.

He feels happy. A certain kind of happiness he's never felt before. A special giddiness he never wants to end. He thinks about everything that happened in the past hour or so, unable to stop the stupid smile on his face.

Their friends will never let them live this down. Yoongi can already hear all the "I told you so!" It's going to be annoying, but at least Jimin will be there to be annoyed with him. He thinks it will be absolutely worth it.

He thinks about Jeonghan, the guilt catching up to him real quick. He's been such an idiot, leading the other on when he has been fixated on Jimin all along. He cringes at himself for being an asshole. Okay. He really needs to fix things with Jeonghan as soon as possible.

Finally, he thinks about Jimin. Their friendship, all the years they've known each other, and every little thing that lead them to where they are now. If he thinks about it, they were never really a match.

Starting off on the wrong foot, being so different from each other, having contrasting wants and goals in life... If Yoongi really thinks about it, maybe they're pieces that weren't meant to be together in the first place.

But somewhere along the way, Jimin has softened his corners, eroded his edges, and made him fit perfectly. Like long-lost pieces to a puzzle.

A puzzle that Yoongi never knew he was hoping to complete for the longest time.

•×•×•×• The End ווו×

A/N: and the long, slow burn torture is over. wah it took,,,,months but we're finally here.

i know my struggle has been apparent and i'm really sorry if the last scenes kind of fell off,,,i had an alternative version where it stretches on for quite a bit but i made the decision to end it once and for all. i think i have stretched it out long enough tbh

i understand if some of you were kinda disappointed,,,NOT MY BEST WORK OUT THERE THAT'S FOR SURE. i kinda didn't like this one but it was fun writing it and i enjoyed the process a lot. reading all of your qrts and reactions especially!!!!

i also learned a lot and had some realizations about the kind of writing i want to do from here on out while writing this. i've been lost for so long, i still am, but i'll continue to wander until i find the right thing for me.

so thank you so much, really, for reading. despite the chaotic (nonexistent) update schedule, the subpar writing at times, and the no plot just vibes style of mine,,,,,

even if i wasn't satisfied with this story, if at least one of you enjoyed it and had fun reading it, then i'll take it as a win.

sorry, i'm not vying for attention or fishing for compliments or anything. also sorry if i'm killing your vibe by being such a downer. i have the worst relationship with this hobby of mine, i think you'll know if you've been reading my stories for quite some time, but yeah.

but we're working on our fucked up relationship and i'll keep trying until i achieve whatever it is i want to achieve to please this greedy brain of mine. until i can confidently say "ah, i'm proud of this story",,,,,,,,,,,until then, i'll keep trying!

once again, thank you thank you thank you for reading along with me! it's always the fun part tbh and i always look forward to your reactions each and every time. i've said it a lot of times but i love you all very much <3

see you on the next one~

absolutely feel free to scream retrospring.net/@lunaillumina

if you want to support, then i would greatly appreciate that too ^^ ko-fi.com/lunaillumina

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