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Yoongi was ready for this. There’s no way he could have dared to pop the question without having meticulously planned even the most minutest of details. So there he stands in front of his mirror, allowing himself a little smile as he takes in his appearance, the grey slacks look great on him and the crisp black button up that makes his chest look just a bit wider is tucked in just right so his waist seems slimmer. He even had the forethought to shine his belt buckle. Step one, done. He looks good, and god he hopes his date will think so too.
It had taken him years of pining, months of agonizing over it every which way, and weeks of plucking up the courage to finally ask his life-long best friend out on a date. A real one. Not their usual friend dates. An honest-to-god more-than-friendly-feelings kind of date. And it had to be absolutely perfect if he was gonna win over the other boy’s heart.
So Yoongi was stressing the fuck out. Though he was the picture of effortlessly cool and calm on the outside, inside, his mind was reeling. He was finally going out with who might just possibly be the actual love of his life and he could not afford to screw it up. It might be his only chance to show Hoseok how good they could be together. With that thought looming over him, he had prepared at least three different greetings, about a dozen topics of conversation ready for dinner, and four different scenarios that could occur when they went dancing. He would’ve made a damn good tiger scout with how well fucking prepared he was for this.
The drive to Hoseok’s place was too long and too short all at once. He was fretting whether he should try to play it smooth and go with a casual ‘hey’ paired with the always cool head nod. Or maybe Hoseok would prefer a formal ‘good evening’? A handshake? A slight bow? Didn’t Hoseok say once he likes to be treated like a princess? Should he have brought flowers? Fuck he hadn’t even considered that in all his planning. But it’s too late now, and it does him no favors to show up late. His hands are sweating as he knocks on Hoseok's door, heart is racing and he's pretty sure he’s getting lightheaded from all the worrying he’s doing.
When Hoseok opens the door, Yoongi freezes. Hoseok is dressed in a wide collared green sweater, accentuating his long tan neck and making his collarbones peek out. His jeans are tight and is that a fucking garter on his leg? Oh god Hoseok wants him dead. That’s it. He’s dead and dying. RIP here lies Min Yoongi, murdered by Hoseok’s good looks.
“Earth to Min Yoongi. Hello? Hyung?” Yoongi startles as he sees Hoseok waving his hand in his face.
“Oh h-hi. Hey. Hello. Good evening. What’s up Hoseok?” he stammers.
“You okay hyung? Do you need to come inside? Maybe drink some water? You're looking kind of flushed,” Hoseok says, worry in his eyes, his hand reaches up to place the back of it on Yoongi’s forehead. Yoongi flinches back, pretends not to notice the slight frown the other gives him but he might literally combust if Hoseok touches him right now and the date hasn’t even started; he can die after the date but not before. “I’m fine Hoseok. We should get going? Yeah?”
The car ride to the restaurant is a quiet one, Yoongi can’t stop thinking about how it hasn’t even been ten minutes and he’s already screwed up. He’s determined to make the rest of the night perfect. Hoseok probably thinks he’s ignoring him but Yoongi knows if he tried to open his mouth right now, he might actually throw up. And maybe Hoseok can sense something is off with Yoongi because he simply sings along to the radio while he looks out the window, doesn’t try to make conversation either.
“Hyung you never said we were going somewhere fancy, why didn’t you tell me to change earlier?” he pouts as they pull into the valet of one of the more luxurious hotels in Gangnam, housing a five star French restaurant on the 34th floor. He crosses his arms over his chest when they step into the elevator, almost like he's self-conscious about not fitting in.
“No! No Seok-ah you look perfect. Beautiful. I mean wow you look so pretty,” and god can his mouth just stop moving before he embarrases himself any further. But even though that was the farthest from smooth, the light blush on Hoseok’s cheeks assures him it was worth the embarrassment.
“Thanks hyung, so do you by the way. You look really good too.” And before he loses his nerve, Yoongi ducks his head and grabs Hoseok by the crook of his arm and drags him out of the elevator making the younger laugh loudly.
Yoongi had reserved a table just close enough to the windows where they could see the view of the city below and the Han river in the distance, but far enough where Hoseok wouldn’t feel nervous being so high up. Once seated and the waiter served them water, Yoongi finds himself staring at Hoseok as the other takes in the view. The window’s reflection of the city lights make Hoseok’s cheek bones glow and his eyes sparkle.
“It’s beautiful up here.”
“It sure is.”
“Hyung you’re not even looking!”
“Was too,” Yoongi grumbles looking down at the menu. The prices are exorbitant, but nothing is too much when it comes to Hoseok. He finds himself getting distracted again when he hears Hoseok humming, he looks up to see the other trying to read the french words, his lips mouthing the words. Yoongi smiles when he sees Hoseok’s signature triangle pout form.
“Hyung you realize I’m not on the menu right? Not yet at least,” He looks up through his eyelashes at the last comment, winking at Yoongi and laughing heartily as Yoongi sputters, choking on air.
“I’m not- I wasn’t- we don’t have t- I-” maybe there is a god above because the waiter returns to take their order and saves Yoongi from whatever word vomit was about to spew from his mouth. Once they’ve ordered, conversation finally starts to flow naturally between them, as it always has but Yoongi can't help but continue to feel nervous, slightly on edge.
He can’t enjoy himself like he wants to, can’t appreciate that he's finally on the one date he's always hoped for. He doesn't want this to be like any other time they’ve hung out. He needs it to feel like a date, to make it special. What if at the end of the night Hoseok just tells him they should just stay friends? That he didn’t feel any different with him? That they just won't work out romantically? He’s so far deep in his own head again that when the food arrives Yoongi just pushes the food around in his plate, appetite long gone.
“Hyung. Why aren't you eating, you don't like the food?”
“What? No it’s good I just. I’m so nervous around you.”
Hoseok frowns, “Don't be nervous hyungie. You’ve been my best friend since forever. I’m happy you asked me out,” he gives him a soft smile and Yoongi can feel his heart thudding faster.
“I just really want you to like me. As more than a friend,” he mumbled the last part. Hoseok just hums and smiles, his eyes twinkling. And Yoongi wants to hope that means something, wants so badly for Hoseok to like him just as much but he reigns in that hope. He’s taking a huge risk alone with this date and he knows what Hoseok has been through in the past. Knows how many times Hoseok has had his heart broken, and just how fiercely he protects it now. He also knows how much Hoseok values their friendship and how the younger wouldn’t jeopardize it for anything in the world.
They continue eating their food, Hoseok makes small talk and while the nerves don’t exactly leave Yoongi, he starts to feel at ease with the comfort that only being around Hoseok brings him.
As they step out of the hotel, they decide to leave the car there and simply walk to their next destination, a dance club nearby. Maybe it’s the crisp night air that has them walking a bit closer together or the fact that it’s a date but the back of their hands keep brushing. And Yoongi really wants to be brave and grab Hoseok’s hand but is it too much too soon? Does Hoseok even want to hold his hand? Lady luck must be on his side just this once because as they reach an intersection, Hoseok keeps going straight and Yoongi instinctively reaches out to seize his hand, pulling him back and leading the way.
“It’s this way Seok-ah.”
“Right. Totally knew that,” Hoseok says with a laugh and squeeze to Yoongi’s hand.
A loud thumping bass and neon lights signal the entrance to the dance club. There’s a couple people mingling outside or out on a smoke break. Inside, the atmosphere is heady, the pulsing beats going right to Yoongi’s heart, the smell of sweat and alcohol intermingling in the air. Already there’s a crowd, even though it’s not that late. He holds onto Hoseok’s hand tighter as they maneuver their way towards the bar. He orders a drink for both of them, his only one for the night, so by the time they leave he’ll be fine to drive them home.
It’s too loud for any kind of conversation but they sit back and people watch as they slowly drink. Yoongi knows Hoseok is gearing up to dance when the other starts swaying in his seat, bumping shoulders with him. Finally during one particularly upbeat song, Hoseok jumps from his seat.
“Hyung c’mon let’s dance!” Hoseok shouts above the din, feet already tapping along to the song. And Yoongi wants to. He really does. But he’s not the greatest dancer at the best of times, let alone next to Hoseok, a dance prodigy. So rather than make a fool of himself, he shakes his head no, motions to the drink still in his hand and tells (or yells) at Hoseok to go ahead, promises to watch him.
And Hoseok does go but he surprises Yoongi, who expected him to get right in the thick of it and show off his moves. Instead Hoseok stays on the edge of the dancefloor, moving his body in an exaggerated manner, arms flapping all over the place as he stares right at Yoongi. He’s clearly trying to get a rise out of Yoongi if the mirth in his eyes says anything. And it works, Yoongi is hollering in his seat as he watches Hoseok, especially when the people around Hoseok start giving him a wide berth, afraid of being caught by his flailing limbs. Yoongi decides to have pity on them, puts his drink down and goes to join Hoseok.
“I see my mating ritual has attracted a mate,” Hoseok jokes as he grabs Yoongi’s hands to dance together. Yoongi was a fool to think he could deny Hoseok anything let alone one dance, not when the younger has the biggest brightest smile on his face, and his eyes are alight with pure happiness. His legs almost gave out as he feels his insides melt from the sheer power behind that smile. He feels incredibly lucky to be here with Hoseok, and even though he still has that nagging doubt in the back of his mind that Hoseok will decide at the end he doesn't want a relationship, he’s grateful for the opportunity to have this moment. He’s content just knowing he made Hoseok smile that brightly, made his night even a little bit special.
Hoseok is being silly again, not letting Yoongi feel uncomfortable, that is until he grabs Yoongi’s arms and places them on his hips, putting his own arms around Yoongi’s shoulders. He starts swaying them lightly, their slow dancing not really matching the pulsating beats of the song playing but Yoongi doesn’t mind. Not at all when he has the boy of his dreams in his arms. He wants to savor this moment, etch every second into his mind so he can keep it forever. Treasure this closeness that he doesn't think he’ll get again after this. Suddenly he finds himself wishing they’d gone somewhere a bit quieter, less crowded, where he can have Hoseok all to himself. And maybe Hoseok can sense his change in mood because Hoseok grasps his hand and leads him outside.
They don’t talk as they walk farther away from the club, the heavy bass dissipating until the only sound is the heel of their shoes against pavement. It should have been a peaceful stillness and under any other circumstance it would be but tonight the silence is eating away at Yoongi. He keeps sneaking glances at Hoseok from the corner of his eye trying to gauge the expression on his face. Yoongi hopes he’s not mad or disappointed, kind of hates himself for having ruined the good time they were having.
The cool night air aids in tempering Yoongi’s wild emotions. It helps center him, allowing him to finally notice the small circles Hoseok is rubbing onto the back of his hand with his thumb. When he does finally realize, he looks down at their hands a little dumbfounded.
“Come back to me Yoongs,” Hoseok whispers softly, “Everything is fine. We’re okay.” There’s a soft smile on his lips, making a little dimple appear on his right cheek. He looks around and finds that they’ve somehow made it to the bank of the Han River, the water reflecting the light from the moon and the lamp posts scattered along the path.
“You want to sit down for a bit?” Hoseok gestures to the park bench a little way ahead. Yoongi can only nod, still scrambling to keep his anxieties at bay. Yoongi doesn’t know how long they’ve been there when he finally registers Hoseok’s head on his shoulder, his left hand intertwined with Yoongi’s right, the other hand rubbing up and down Yoongi’s arm as they sit there gazing out at the river, the calmness of the water occasionally interrupted by a fish jumping up from beneath the surface.
“I’m sorry Seok-ah” his voice coming out a bit gruff, Hoseok jolts a little, lifting his head up to look at Yoongi, “Didn’t mean to shut down on you.”
“It’s okay hyung, I like just being here with you.”
Yoongi’s breath catches in his throat. He feels so unbelievably lucky to have Hoseok in his life. He is so grateful for the endless patience the younger has with him. He knows for a fact that people eventually leave him. They become frustrated when he shuts himself off from the world and decide he’s no longer worth the effort. But not Hoseok. Hoseok has stuck by him through days where he refuses to even leave the safety of his bed, through takeout dinners where barely three words will leave his lips the entire night, through texts that go unanswered for hours. Hoseok is always there, who’s mere presence alleviates the ache in Yoongi. So he allows himself to be selfish for few minutes. To sit there and pretend that the boy clinging to his side loves him just as much, to pretend that this night hasn’t been a total disaster.
“Let’s go Seok-ah. I should take you back home, don’t want you getting sick.”
Yoongi drags his feet as he walks Hoseok to his door. His heart feels heavy and there’s a sadness that permeates his very being that this time not even Hoseok could dispel. He wonders if Hoseok will allow him a good night kiss. Doubtful. They’ve been holding hands since they left the park, Hoseok even taking the hand Yoongi usually keeps on the gear shift on the drive back, but he’s not sure that means anything. That’s Hoseok’s way of comforting him, especially after his little episode earlier.
When they finally get to his landing, and cross the hall to Hoseok’s door, they both turn to look at each other. Yoongi steels himself for rejection, grits his teeth and takes a deep breath. Hoseok grabs his other hand, “Hyung, I-”
“I know what you’re going to say Hoseok-ah and it’s okay. I never expected you to feel the same way about me and I knew one date wasn’t going to change that. It’s completely okay. I promise you I’ll get over it. We can still be friends and I swear I won’t make it weird,” he smiles a little looking away from Hoseok’s big bright eyes, “I hope you still had fun. Good night.” He doesn’t know where that speech came from but he’s glad his voice didn’t break or his eyes started tearing. He turns to pull away, to walk away with some dignity, but Hoseok’s hands don’t let go.
“Hyung please let me talk,” he says earnestly. He doesn’t continue until Yoongi is looking directly in his eyes. “I had a lot of fun tonight. I always have fun with you. And I do like you. No let me finish hyung. I really like you. As more than a friend. I don’t want to ruin us either but you know what I realized? Nothing really has to change. We can still be us you know? Just with more cuddling and kissing.” He trails off towards the end, an embarrassed giggle leaving his lips and a light blush painting his cheeks.
“I want to date you hyung. Can we?”
Yoongi can only stare, not believing what his ears are hearing. His brain stops working and the next thing he knows he’s launching himself at Hoseok and what was meant to be a sweet kiss ends up resulting in their heads colliding.
“Ow hyung! What was that? I confess to you and you give me a head butt,” Hoseok whines, lips pouting.
“Oh my god Hoseokie I’m so sorry I was trying to kiss you I didn’t mean to hurt you I’m so sorry.”
“Maybe I should rethink this whole us dating thing,” his hand gesturing to the space between them.
“No!” Yoongi all but yells out as his face gets flushed tomato red, god what is he twelve can his brain jumpstart again soon before he says or does something even more idiotic.
“I’m joking hyung. I like you even when you’re acting all weird.”
“Wait so you like me too?”
“Yes hyung,” Hoseok rolls his eyes fondly, “that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all night but you’re so inside your head I bet you didn’t even notice.”
And it’s true. He’s been so worried about having the perfect first date, and then resigning himself to getting rejected that he didn’t even realize how Hoseok’s eyes haven’t stopped gleaming since he opened his door earlier that evening.
“Tell me one more time. I swear I’m paying attention now.”
Instead, Hoseok just leans in, slower than Yoongi had earlier, and lightly presses his lips against Yoongi’s. It’s a chaste kiss, but Hoseok’s lips are warm and soft and Yoongi swears his heart stopped beating for a split second. He’s never felt so happy. When Hoseok leans back he opens his eyes to see Yoongi’s stunned expression, eyes blinking slowly. Sighing fondly, he intertwines their fingers and leads him inside, “C’mon Yoongs I’ll make you some tea.”