Archive of Our Own

The scent of fresh coffee radiated from the sacks of coffee beans lining the walls behind the counter. Numerous sweeteners and creamers added to the waft of freshly made pastries sitting in their display case; Their honey buttered tops shining underneath the artificial lighting. The same sultry jazz song looped through the speakers only to be muddied by the chatter of customer and employee, mixed with the occasional cover of outside rain. Sensory chaos overloaded the small coffee shop, but the only thing worthy enough to grab Yoongi’s attention was Jimin.

Jimin let out a laugh that took priority over the many quirks of the room around them. To others, his laugh might have been a nuisance or a distraction, but to Yoongi, Jimin was the escape.

His body shook with every exhale of his laugh. His eyes were disguised with a squint almost well enough for the glow of his irises to disappear. Focusing on his bright smile, it was a shock to Yoongi when Jimin’s sleeve-covered hands came into frame. The forest green sleeves were a great contrast to Jimin’s pale skin. Encasing his body, the knitted turtleneck gave off an appearance of bulkiness to his body yet somehow exaggerating his sweet and bubbly persona. Soon the hand swallowing sleeves were positioned over his mouth, hiding his smile. Yoongi reached up to grab them.

Touching the tips of his exposed knuckles, Yoongi snaked his hand into Jimin’s closed fist. He pulled at the boy’s hands, slowly but surely revealing his smile once again.

“So shy…”

Yoongi’s voice was like butter to Jimin’s ears.

The blonde-haired boy complied, lowering his hands to the table still encased in his boyfriend’s grip. Glancing down at their intertwined hands, Jimin’s eyes traced up his body. Yoongi’s forearms were bare. His skin rested on the surface of the table, only to be shielded by the bunched fabric of his creme long sleeve near the bends of his arms. Once entering the shop, minutes hadn’t passed by before Yoongi decided to push each sleeve to the bends of his arms. With his elbows resting in the edges of his sleeves, the rest of the turtleneck fit naturally, hanging off his shoulders. The shirt draped over his body, only touching his chest with each breath; not including the consistency of it hugging his neck, elbows, and waistline with the help of his belt and jeans securing it in place.

Tracing up his neck, Jimin’s eyes finally met Yoongi’s.

His stare was purposely intense; melting Jimin in more ways than one. Jimin could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks as his heart began to race. Soon his whole face was on fire. Not being able to stop, the idiotic grin on his face only intensified the warmth that traveled through his body. Trying to find a way out, he quickly became aware of his surroundings. Sitting up straight, Jimin adjusted his posture as he stretched his neck, swinging his hair out of his face, not knowing what to do with himself.

Resembling the color of a rose, he put all of his energy into his throat. He cleared it with a push.

“I have a surprise for you.”

Yoongi almost laughed at the quick change of subject. Averting his gaze from Jimin’s eyes, he too sat up in his seat sitting back, slowly losing grip of Jimin’s hands.

“A surprise?” asked the black-haired boy as he sipped from his cup of tea.

“Yes. It’s our anniversary gifts,” replied Jimin.

“Oh?”

Yoongi questioned him with the raise of his brow.

Jimin continued flashing another smile.

“I couldn’t wait to give it to you- soooo, here.”

Reaching into the space right of him, Jimin roamed his hand around in his coat pocket. Finally landing on the fist-sized box, he gripped it letting his fingers glide along the silk lining of his pockets. Pulling out his hand, his knuckles scraped the coat’s wool.

As Jimin placed the box on the table in front of him, Yoongi stared. Sliding their empty containers aside, he finally reached for it. Pausing just before touching it, Yoongi spoke.

“I’m still not giving you your gift until next week.”

Yoongi quickly addressed the fact their two year anniversary was still a week away. Though only seven days, that was 168 hours Jimin had to wait before receiving his gift. Yoongi knew Jimin just as much as he knew himself. Jimin had a tendency to be impatient when it comes to anniversary gifts. Though this being the second time exchanging the highly anticipated gifts, Yoongi caught on quickly when giving Jimin his first year anniversary gift two days in advance. He didn’t want to make the same error again.

This time, Jimin was simply 10,080 minutes too early.

“Ahhhh,” Jimin sighed with the roll of his eyes. “Just open it.”

Giving Jimin one last glance, Yoongi picked up the box when Jimin flashed him a reassuring raise of his brows.

Feeling the weight of the box, Yoongi let it bounce in his hand toying with his boyfriend. A gleam of light caught his attention. When he raised and lowered the box again, he noticed the gold crown stencil gleam as it caught the light. He felt his heart quicken. Squirming the lid off the box, Yoongi stared at the emerald green box inside. Once running his thumb over the small gold crown in the bottom center of the lid, Yoongi didn’t let a single second pass. He took out the green box tilting its lid back as it rested on its hinge.

Staring back at Yoongi’s wide eyes, the face of a Datejust 41 Oystersteel and White Gold Rolex sat comfortably on its creme cushion.

“Ahhh,” grunted Yoongi in embarrassment letting his head tilt slightly.

Jimin leaned in, letting his elbows and arms rest flatly on the table. He crossed his black boots at the ankles, letting his knees fall apart as he pulled his feet toward him resting them on the balls of his soles.

Yoongi grunted again.

Jimin comically rolled his eyes.

“You’d think after two years of me giving things you wouldn’t be so shy,” he said mocking his boyfriend’s previous statement.

Closing the box, Yoongi placed his hands on top of Jimin’s.

“You know surprises aren’t my thing. They make me feel awkward,” he said trying to mask his shyness in a stern tone.

Jimin saw right through his ruse, returning the smile.

“You should be used to getting compliments from me by now.”

No longer able to contain his rush, Yoongi turned his head toward his left. Staring at the booth’s wall, he tried to hide his face from view. His cheeks slowly turned a light pink as he felt flush with excitement involuntarily revealing his gummy smile. He dragged his thumb across his bottom lip trying to draw his attention somewhere else, but to no avail.

Now resting his cheek on his arms, Jimin watched Yoongi in silence. With his face centimeters away from the table’s surface, Jimin glanced past coffee cups and empty food containers looking up at Yoongi at a sideways angle.

The view was phenomenal.

“Happy Early Anniversary,” he said in a soft tone that barely broke through the loud clatter of Yoongi’s embarrassment.

Yoongi glanced down at his boyfriend returning the phrase.

“Happy Early Anniversary.”

With the moment being too much for Yoongi to handle, Yoongi slid his remaining hand away from Jimin’s reach.

He spoke once swallowing the lump in his throat, “I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be back.”

Jimin nodded in confirmation.

Soon Yoongi scooted out of the booth adjusting his clothes and began walking toward the coffee shop restrooms. Jimin rested his chin in his hand looking over his shoulder watching Yoongi shyly try to hide his blushing face. Flashing himself a puffy-cheeked smile, Jimin tapped his fingers along his chin letting the words stumble softly off his lips.

“So cute.”

Soon Jimin retracted his hands into his lap, letting his back sink into the booth. He brushed his hair out of his face, finally breathing in the scent of the coffee shop. He let out a large, soothing sigh.

The coffee shop’s bell hung just above the door frame on a thin piece of twine, just low enough to sound every time the door opened. So when the bell rang out its high pitched chime, accompanied by the sounds of the soft pour of rain outside, Jimin’s attention was gained. Glancing at the door, Jimin watched an average height man waltz into the shop. Backlit by the evening’s fog and street lights, the man looked almost unreal. Sporting, what was assumed to be a long sleeve black shirt tucked into his grey slacks, he appeared to be a well-dressed man. Accompanied by a pair of black loafers, he also wore a pair of socks that hugged his ankles to match. A long grey scarf hung around his neck, resting underneath the collar of his black trench coat. As for accessories, a simple silver watch hugged his wrist and a pair of black and silver glasses framed his face. Jimin found himself smirking at the choice of color scheme.

It oddly enough reminded him of Yoongi.

Jimin found his eyes being drawn to the man’s facial features. Though long-faced, his cheeks and jawline were prominent; strikingly strong in appearance. His lips were a nude pink, almost fading into his skin along with his eyebrows and nose. But his eyes, his eyes were something different. Similar to his cheek and jaw structure they were bold, daring in any light. But similar to his lips and eyebrows, they were soft and calming. His eyes lied somewhere in between, blurring the lines of bold and timid; they were both.

Stepping into the shop, the man lifted his hand to his scalp, running his fingers through each strand. With his forehead now revealed, the man’s tongue traced his lips slightly. Jimin felt himself inhale; not natural and routine, but sudden at the sight. Soon the man’s hair and hand fell back to their natural place, along with Jimin’s breath. Walking toward the coffee shop’s counter, the man joined the line of three people making himself the fourth. With his back to him, no longer could Jimin see the man’s face.

He wanted to see more.

Soon the sounds of Yoongi’s voice echoed through his ears. Prying away from the man, Jimin glanced up to his left to meet eyes with his boyfriend. Yoongi’s lips continued to move. Following Yoongi with his eyes, he watched him sit down in the seat across from him. Finally sound returned to Jimin just in time to be able to hear his name being called.

“Jimin,” said Yoongi.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

Now he waited.

Ignoring Jimin’s question, Yoongi turned his attention toward Jimin’s previous gaze, soon finding the source of Jimin’s attention.

“He is handsome,” Yoongi finally said turning back to Jimin.

Jimin wasn’t taken back at the comment but simply found it amusing. He had hoped he had not been caught, but in fact, he was. Giving in to what he hoped was Yoongi’s ruse Jimin responded.

“Ahh. But not as handsome as you.”

“Do you know him?” Yoongi asked.

Jimin chuckled.

“No, he just walked in,” said Jimin putting his coffee cup to his lips.

Yoongi responded in an elongated ‘ahhhh’ as he lifted his chin; eyes still locked on the man in line.

Growing worried someone might see, more importantly, the man, Jimin chimed in removing the cup from his lips.

“Stop staring at him.”

Yoongi returned his gaze to Jimin, “Why, you were?”

Jimin’s eyes widened. His voice pitched up slightly as he spoke, “I was not.”

Yoongi replied with a simple pressing of his lips and a discerning look.

Jimin frowned at the challenge, “I wasn’t.”

Yoongi nodded finding humor in Jimin’s coyness.

“So you don’t like him then?” asked Yoongi.

“Why would I like him?” said Jimin shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head.

“Don’t act like we haven’t done this before,” said Yoongi raising his brow.

Jimin’s heart skipped a beat at the realization; this wasn’t another ‘Classic Yoongi Ruse’, he was serious. Soon Jimin fell into truth and mentally rolled his eyes at the statement. How could Yoongi be so confident when talking about things like this but when it came to receiving compliments in public, it drove him wild, like ants on his skin.

Yoongi sure was complex.

Thinking back on Yoongi’s statement, Jimin had to admit he wasn’t wrong. They had done this before. And the ‘this’ Yoongi referred to was including a third person in their relationship. Though the idea seemed wild and off-putting when Yoongi first mentioned it, the outcome seemed to be joyous, but only on the surface.

Almost a year ago, Jimin spotted a handsome young man along his daily commute. Sticking to the unwritten rules of monogamy, Jimin found himself ignoring the attraction. Upon multiple flirtatious encounters, Yoongi brought up the idea of trying to incorporate the man into their lives. After going on a few separate and joint dates, the throuple seemed to mesh well. Sadly, the relationship lasted less than three months due to the man’s inability to adore both men naturally instead of forcing the relationships with each other. Ending smoother than expected, the man parted ways from the relationship leaving Jimin and Yoongi to pick up where they left off, which once again exceeded Jimin’s expectations of how easy it was. Jimin soon brushed off the idea of adding another person to their relationship; not that it was complicated enough, but it seemed easier. Yet for some reason, Jimin couldn’t shake the idea that the mystery man in the coffee shop could be different.

Returning to reality, Jimin was met with a brow-raised Yoongi. Letting his worries get the best of him, he quickly thought on his feet.

“He’s…handsome sure, but that’s all.”

Yoongi hummed at Jimin’s high confidence in hiding his lies. Standing once again, he slid his hand into his back pocket collecting his folded wallet. Holding it tightly in his hand, he stepped out of the booth and walked toward the line of now three people.

Jimin looked on in confusion. It wasn’t until he saw Yoongi standing behind the mystery man did Jimin grow nervous. Yoongi stood for a moment in silence. Simply standing in line. For a moment Jimin thought the worst was over, that is until he saw Yoongi part his lips letting a conversation starter echo from his throat. Jimin was too far away to hear the specifics of any words, all he could do was watch shyly. The mystery man turned to Yoongi nodding and shaking his head, replying back to him. Soon the two were pointing at pastries in the display cases as if they were old friends chatting about the menu. Jimin felt a smile form from his lips. As the conversation went on, so dwindled the line of customers. Before long, Yoongi and the mystery man were the last two in line. The mystery man stood in front of the cashier. He slid his wallet out of his pocket, pulling out a couple of dollars. Yoongi halted the conversation as the man began speaking with the woman. Watching Yoongi’s genuine smile made Jimin feel whole; with it now gone he felt empty. Soon Yoongi turned facing Jimin glancing at him over his shoulder. He gave Jimin a wink before turning back to the counter now addressing the woman at the register himself. Pointing to a honey-buttered pastry, Yoongi nodded in agreement engaging in a short conversation.

Once again having his eyes drawn somewhere else, Jimin couldn’t help but notice the stare of the mystery man. Standing a few feet away, the mystery man leaned against the counter, mindlessly pinching the fold of his receipt. His eyes trailed up and down Yoongi’s frame, never straying from the path. Jimin took pleasure in watching the man study Yoongi naturally. Giving him a sense of pride and joy, Jimin soaked in the moment; He enjoyed the voluntary attraction Yoongi was getting.

Soon, the man’s eyes trailed off in the distance as Yoongi stepped away from the woman at the register returning his attention to him. Flashing a smile at the mystery man, Yoongi leaned against the counter continuing their conversation. Jimin began feeling mentally drained whipping his eyes back and forth from Yoongi’s lips to the man’s trying to read what they were saying. He had been lost so long that he didn’t even realize the cashier had placed two brown paper bags next to the two men until Yoongi picked his up. Standing up straight, the mystery man adjusted his coat, feeling around in his pockets. Not a second went by before handing Yoongi a small white object along with a laugh. Yoongi accepted it kindly. Soon the man scooped up his bag and headed toward the door. Providing Yoongi with a smiling goodbye, the man then did the unexpected. Locking eyes with Jimin, a small smirk crossed his lips. Something so subtle put Jimin in a trance only to be broken when the man left the room.

He was amazed.

Yoongi sauntered his way back toward the booth with the brown bag tucked tightly in hand. Dropping the bag slightly, it hit the table with a light slap as its plastic window crinkled. Jimin could smell the warm honey as it leaked through the thin cardboard.

“What was that about?” he asked.

Yoongi tossed a white thin sheet of paper on the table. Placing his hands flat on the surface, he slid into the booth hunched over the table. Leaning downward, he grew closer to Jimin placing a light kiss on his forehead. Feeling his face heat up again, Jimin’s eyes fluttered. Upon looking up, he was met with a smirk.

“You’re welcome,” he said as he sat down in the booth grabbing the paper bag.

Jimin scanned the table searching for the small sheet of paper Yoongi had so kindly discarded. Once finding the sheet resting underneath the edge of a few containers, Jimin plucked it from the table. Turning over the blank sheet, he soon realized it was a business card.

His eyes lit up.

Looking up at his boyfriend, he rolled his eyes as a cocky Yoongi bit into the pastry.

Quickly reading through the short list of numbers, company name, and address, Jimin found them of no importance at the moment. There was only one goal in mind. Finally finding what he was looking for, embroidered into the card Jimin traced his fingers over the black font; Jung Hoseok. So the mystery man did have a name.

It was moments like this that Yoongi would remember forever; no matter how distant the memory.

The abstract blend of the night sky and city lights poured in through the windows. The honks of the cars and rumbles of their engines fifty feet below provided a simple white noise beneath the sea of jazz that radiated in the room. Paired with the cotton of the sheets, the warmth of Jimin’s bare back pressing into Yoongi’s chest made him feel on top of the world. Yoongi laid back in bed propped against one of many discarded pillows that now decorated the floor along with their clothes of the day. Entangled in each other’s limbs, Jimin rested against Yoongi comfortably soaking in the mood.

There was something so perfect about that moment; it was too precious to forget.

Yoongi starred in soft darkness at the back of Jimin’s head tucked neatly in the nape of his neck. Lifting his own chin slightly, he visually trailed down Jimin’s silhouetted facial features; gliding over his nose, across his jawline, down his neck and out to his shoulders. He leaned into Jimin. Growing closer to his scalp, the sweet smell of his shampoo flooded Yoongi’s nostrils. He buried his face into his hair. Soon he drifted down, eventually finding his nose and lips grazing against Jimin’s neck and shoulder, getting lost in the sensation.

The sudden touch of Yoongi’s lips shattered Jimin’s calm. Soon the cold sensation disappeared being replaced by a rush of excitement. He could feel the hairs on his neck stretch from their rest. Finally, a wave of pleasure washed over his body. Warming him from the inside out, the flame resting in his stomach grew too hot. Leaning his head back into Yoongi completely, their bodies further intertwined. The blend of emotions morphed together resulting in a chill to shoot up Jimin’s spine revealing itself in the form of a giggle.

Jimin’s body shook.

He spoke softly, “What time is it?”

Yoongi removed his lips from Jimin’s neck and glanced over at the small digital clock on their nightstand.

“Late,” he smugly replied.

Smiling at the small tease, Jimin turned in Yoongi’s arms to face him. He playfully hit his boyfriend’s chest. Yoongi remained still through the interaction despite feeling the slight sting on his bare skin.

Yoongi replied, “11:37, why?”

“I just wanted to know the time, but you decided to be difficult.”

Seconds later Yoongi removed his arm from around Jimin’s shoulder, letting him go from his embrace. Eventually, he lifted up and slid out of bed.

Jimin clambered for his hand, turning toward the naked man that stood on the side of the bed, he clawed at the sheets.

“Wait…I didn’t mean it,” replied Jimin through an elongated whine.

Yoongi turned facing Jimin with a smirk, finding his boyfriend’s sudden retraction amusing.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Yoongi replied.

Though he did enjoy the sight of Jimin mentally cursing his own sharp tongue, he knew not to keep the young man waiting. There was something about the air that made him want to run back to the safety of Jimin’s warmth. Quickly grabbing a small card from the dresser, Yoongi returned to bed resuming his position.

“Here.”

Jimin took the card and shuffled in bed allowing Yoongi to grow comfortable.

“What’s this, another gift?” he questioned.

“One that you already opened,” Yoongi added.

Jimin scrunched his brow only to release its hold once staring at the name on the card: Jung Hoseok.

“Ahhhh,” he sighed in realization.

“You still haven’t called.”

“How do you know?” Jimin question, “I could have.”

“If you did, he’d be here.”

Yoongi’s voice broke through Jimin like a sledgehammer to glass. He was right. Frozen, all Jimin could do was sit in the silence.

“You should call him, he’s nice,” Yoongi spoke.

“How do you know, you’ve had one conversation with him a week ago?”

“Actually, I-”

Yoongi’s low voice took second fiddle to Jimin’s high pitched vocals. Sitting up in bed, the thin sheet fell from Jimin’s grasp exposing his bare chest. He looked down at Yoongi.

“-You called him?!”

“Yeah, I called him the day after we met. He wants to meet you too,” said Yoongi not being phased by the sudden shift of calm in the room.

The final words that left Yoongi’s mouth made Jimin pause.

“Wait, he what?”

Jimin’s eyes grew wide.

“You heard me,” Yoongi said through a chuckle.

Jimin’s mind filled with a thousand and one questions, but only two found their way to the surface.

“What do you mean ‘he wants to meet me too’? He knows about us; about the relationship, I mean?”

“Yes.”

“He’s ok with that?”

Yoongi simply replied with a soft smile, “Call him.”

Jimin continued to rattle his brain for patches to the questions that leaked through the cracks.

“Wait, you like him don’t you?” asked Jimin.

“If I didn’t like him, I wouldn’t have gotten his number in the first place.”

Jimin began to open his mouth again, but this time Yoongi was too quick. Sitting up, Yoongi lightly pressed his lips onto Jimin’s. Staring at the blonde-haired boy in the darkness, Yoongi softly trailed his thumbs over his boyfriend’s hips. He grew lost in his dark eyes.

“Just call him.”

Yoongi lowered his body down on the mattress, allowing gravity to do the work.

Jimin blinked slowly turning his head toward the condo windows. Looking out at the city lights, he trailed his thumb over his lips. Glancing over at his nightstand, Jimin flicked the card in his palm. With one smooth motion, he plucked his phone from its charger scooting back toward the middle of the bed. Unlocking his phone, Jimin thumbed his way through his phone until he reached its dial pad. Soon he keyed in the number printed on the small card.

His mind began to swim.

He would blame it all on the night’s festivities if he could; in fact, he did. The combination of the blood-stained wine coasting through his veins along with the high of excitement from the whole day had his courage fueled with adrenaline. If it weren’t for the sober curiosity that spread through his mind, he wouldn’t have put the phone to his ear, but he did. Laying back in Yoongi’s arms, Jimin found comfort in his arms. Wrapped gently, the soft continuous thump in his ear provided the perfect distraction from the phone’s dial tone. Soon it stopped only to allow the sound of a hollow empty silence followed by a raspy voice.

“Annyeonghaseyo.”

For a moment Jimin contemplated hanging up, forgetting about the voice on the other side, but the curiosity was too strong. Jimin’s voice shook slightly.

“Annyeong, is this Hoseok?”

Waiting in silence, Jimin found himself leaning into the phone for a reply, stilling his movements entirely; afraid that if he moved, the slightest sound might muffle the response.

“Yes,” replied the voice.

Jimin relaxed at the word.

“Hi, this is Jimin, Yoongi’s b-.”

Before finishing his soft-spoken sentence, the voice on the line broke through. No longer was the man solemn and somber, continuing business as usual. The man’s tone perked up, reaching a more cheerful note, rounding off with a smile. He could almost picture the man’s glee.

“-Ahhhh, Jiminie…You finally called,” said Hoseok dragging out the nickname as he interjected.

Jimin blushed at the sudden nickname. Never had he spoken to Hoseok before; only briefly exchanging glances with the man face to face. He relished in the nickname given to him by his boyfriend of now, two years. When falling from Yoongi’s lips, the name felt like a calming storm soothing him to sleep, but when falling from Hoseok’s lips, the name felt bright and airy, almost imaginative. For a moment Jimin pondered how such a similar equation, could result in a different solution of butterflies resting in his stomach.

Jimin spoke once again, “I did.”

“And I’m glad you did. Right now I am knee-deep in paperwork and you are the perfect distraction,” replied Hoseok.

Jimin giggled at the shameless flirtation.

Hoseok spoke again, this time with haste in his voice.

“Wait?! It’s still the eighteenth right?”

Jimin laid puzzled at the question, “Last time I checked, yes.”

“Good. Well, Happy Anniversary to you and Yoongi.”

A smile blossomed from his lips.

“Thank you. How did you know?” asked Jimin not really wanting to know the ‘why’; the ‘what’ was quite enough.

Hoeseok replied with a laugh.

“Yoongi told me a few days ago. I was going to call earlier today during my lunch break, but I didn’t want to push. I thought it was best if you called me first,” Hoseok admitted honestly.

“I see,” Jimin trailed off at the realization.

Hoseok had been wanting to call but refrained. Jimin had kept the mystery man pacing and waiting for relief; relief from the pain he put him through.

Hoseok soon interjected his way into Jimin’s thoughts as his voice rang in his ear.

“Jimin listen, I don’t know if tomorrow is too soon- I understand if it is, but I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner? You know, finally meet face to face. We could sit down at one of my favorite restaurants, but if dinner is too much, we can have lunch. Maybe grab a coffee or a quick bite to eat.”

Jimin melted at the way the man began to ramble. His heart began to race but somehow the warmth of Yoongi calmed him. Staring out of the large windows, Jimin began tracing patterns into Yoongi’s arms. He enjoyed the warm breeze escaping from Yoongi’s nose on his neck. Falling victim to the mood of the night, Jimin noticed the strange feeling content; feeling all of his emotions blur and wash away with the start of the rain.

Yoongi’s feet tapped lightly against hard carpet. Humming along with the 80’s electronic synths that whined through the store’s speakers, his eyes scanned the thousands of greeting cards that lined the shelves. Starting at the far left, he quickly glided past the generic ‘Get Well Soon’ and ‘Happy Birthday’ cards taking up most of the entire left side of the aisle. Toward the halfway point, the cliche cards began to morph into what resembled most fourth-grade arts and craft projects designed with glitter headers that made him want to almost gag.

Quickly swallowing the dizziness, Yoongi now neared the end of the aisle. Staring at the last few rows of cards left, Yoongi’s eyes began to wander toward the more refined and sleeker cards of red and black. Marked by a small header poking from the shelf itself, the ‘Grand Occasion’ cards had a more classic approach; much like him, they were subtle. As his eyes swiveled from side to side, a flash of light caught his eye. Ignoring the flash, Yoongi deemed it to be from the harsh fluorescent lights flickering in the far corner of the store; he tilted his head down. But seconds later when the flash of light caught his eye again, Yoongi paused. Scanning the crowd of cards for the source, he was now drawn into the game. The satisfying game of solving the puzzle. Soon his eyes landed on a simple matte black card with gold foiled lettering as he began to read the eye-catching title: “You have been invited to…”

Yoongi was intrigued, forgetting all about the game.

Not wasting another second, he plucked the card from the shelf, opening it as curiosity coursed through his veins.

Upon opening the card, the first page was blank; untouched and clean, not even a fingerprint smudged the matte coating. Occupying the center of the second page, written in the same foil the card read as follows: “…Our Wedding. That is, of course, if you say yes. Will You Marry Me?”

Ironically enough Yoongi found himself smiling.

He had never been one for romance, but even he knew marriage proposals were supposed to be personal, not mass-produced and sold in stores for 80 cents apiece. But somehow, Yoongi couldn’t hide the smile on his face. Hearing footsteps fade into the carpet, Yoongi glanced up at the familiar figure walking toward him. Quickly closing the card, he slid it back into place forgetting all about its existence.

Smiling from ear to ear, Yoongi noticed a tan faced Hoseok standing in front of him. Tucked loosely, his burgundy and black sweatshirt provided the only color of Hoseok’s ensemble outfit. Coupled with a pair of ankle high boots, his perfectly fitted black jeans hugged the edge of his socks. Resting in the grasp of his left hand was the neck of a bottle of blush-colored wine. Hanging in the right, was the store’s handheld basket holding its white wine counterpart along with three scented candles, one box of chocolates and a box of condoms.

“I got the wine,” Hoseok said shaking the bottle on display.

“They had the rosé this time, so I grabbed one rosé and one white.”

Yoongi allowed a smirk to cross his lips, “You do know just because you buy two, doesn’t mean it’s going to last us any longer?”

“Of course not. I just figured since they were out to the rosé last time, I would grab one.”

Hoseok pouted playfully. Yoongi watched closely at the involuntary protrude of Hoseok’s bottom lip as he spoke.

Stepping closer to Yoongi, Hoseok now only stood inches away from the elder. Wafts of Yoongi’s fourteen-hour old cologne seeped into his nose. He smirked as he breathed it in. His eyes locked with Yoongi’s.

“And besides, I know you like the white and Jimin likes the rosé, so why should tonight be anything less than perfect?”

Hoseok leaned in placing a small peck on Yoongi’s lips. Only allowing a second to pass, Hoseok placed a second kiss on Yoongi’s lips taking his time causing their skin to linger.

A brief pause rested between the two.

Feeling the breath from Hoseok nostrils graze his damp lips, Yoongi opened his eyes. Replacing a once childlike pout only seconds before, Hoseok now sported an intimate appearance. Hooded eyes and lips slightly parted, Hoseok leaned his forehead against his. Yoongi smirked at the loving trance his boyfriend had quickly drifted into getting lost in his surroundings.

Soon the melodic chime of Yoongi’s phone rang from his coat pocket.

Pulling away, Yoongi allowed his nose to grace Hoseok’s. A contact so light and barely noticeable forced a smile to shoot cross Hoseok’s lips. Smiling, Yoongi glanced down at the picture that displayed on his screen; He swiped.

“Yeoboseyo.”

With his phone positioned between his ear and shoulder, Jimin stood in the kitchen of their condo, on the other end of the line. As he pulled down the door of the oven, it creaked at the hinges. A mixture of dry heat and the scent of pureed jam became overwhelming. He contemplated as he’s studied the golden-brown tops of the freshly baked goods. Nodding to himself as he closed the oven door, he bent over its railing turning off its power. He was done.

“Hey, are you almost home?”

“No, we had to make one last stop,” replied Yoongi.

“Ahhh,” sighed Jimin. “It doesn’t take that long to get wine.”

“You’re so impatient… Here, talk to your boyfriend.”

Yoongi held the smartphone face up for Hoseok to collect. Hoseok laughed at the comment as he reached for the phone.

Leaning onto the kitchen counter, Jimin propped himself up as he comically rolled his eyes. With the phone now in his right hand, he held it to his ear waiting for the voice that would soon burst through the speaker.

“Annyeong, Jiminie.”

Like a rush of cold air, Jimin shuddered at the nickname that still managed to give him butterflies. Shifting his weight from one leg to another, he thumbed his collar as his fingers traced his necklace’s chain. A whole year had passed and not a single thing changed.

He smiled.

“Hi Hobi, what are you two doing?”

“We stopped at the drugstore.”

“I thought you two went to the liquor store.”

“We did, but they closed early. We’ll be home soon,” Hoseok assured.

Jimin sighed as he shifted his weight again.

“Ok, well when you two are done, hurry home. I’m done cooking so get here before it’s cold. Things can only stay in the oven so long before they dry out.”

Hoseok’s interests peaked, “What’s on the menu?”

Jimin giggled as he drug-out the silence between each dish, “A little Bokkeum… some Kalbi… freshly baked Manju…”

“Oooo that sounds good,” Hoseok replied as he closed his eyes. He swore he could smell the food through the phone.

“And it tastes good too, but you have to get home to find out for sure.”

Hoseok continued to listen as he followed Yoongi toward the store’s checkout counter.

“We’ll be home in ten minutes, we’re not far,” Hoseok replied as he placed the basket and all its contents on the small conveyor belt.

Jimin shot up from the counter as a thought popped into his mind like the flicker of a light bulb.

“Oh! I almost forgot we’re out to condoms, can you get some before you leave? And buy them in the bulk box if you can.”

Hoseok smiled as he watched the cashier pick up the box of 24 condoms sliding them across the scanner.

“We already thought of that; ringing them up right now.”

Yoongi looked up from the register’s display screen meeting Hoseok’s gaze. Without hearing a word from Jimin’s side of the conversation, he smirked with satisfaction. From the time the two men had entered the frequented drugstore, Yoongi had only one goal in mind. Going straight to the aisle labeled ‘Health & Wellness’, Yoongi quickly grabbed the box of condoms, dropping them in the empty basket Hoseok had only picked up moments earlier. Of course, there was no protest from Hoseok’s point of view and Yoongi felt there was no reason to explain. Needless to say, he had proven himself correct.

“Ok, see you soon,” replied Jimin as he ran his hand through his hair. “Saranghae.”

“Saranghaeyo,” Hoseok replied as he waited for the voice on the other end of the line to disappear.

Once silence occupied the speaker, he ended the call handing the phone to Yoongi.

“Dinner’s ready.”

“Good I’m starving.”

Yoongi’s eyes lit up with excitement as he slid his phone into his pocket swapping it for the hard plastic of his debit card.

Resting in the dip of the chair’s spine, Jimin pressed his foot into the seat. As his toes dug deeper into the cushion, he lazily drifted to the side, dragging his fingers around the rim of his glass. Swaying his hand at the peak of his knee, the weight of a full stomach had finally settled in. Measured by the distance of dirty dinner plates, Hoseok sat across from Jimin miles away yet the scent of his Terre d'Hermes perfume lingered nearby. Hoseok leaned into the table, staggering his arms on top of the other. His solace seemed to be not from the fullness of his stomach, but the warmth of the air around him. For no particular reason other than the persuasion of routine, Yoongi sat positioned at the head of the table. Adjacent between the two, he too slouched into his seat. Tucking his left foot underneath the chair’s frame, he sprawled his right underneath that of the table. He cupped the bowl of his wine glass as he shifted in his seat.

Shrugging his shoulders, he cocked his head to the side with a smugness that was all too familiar. Jimin threw his head back in laughter as his eyes clamped shut. Shaking his head at the remark, Hoseok too retreated in humor, collapsing onto his arms. Yoongi spectated, hiding a smirk behind his glass. Extending his lips to the rim, Yoongi drank through shaking shoulders resulting in wine washed breath and a gratifying grin.

The laughter began to die down, Yoongi spoke, “Ah ah ah… Ok, ok. Time to get serious.”

Jimin and Hoseok trailed their attention from one another landing on the elder as he stood and raised his glass in the air.

“On a more serious note, today marks the end of the first chapter. A very important chapter in our lives, that taught us how to love. Not only did it teach us how to love but it also taught me the meaning of love. Tonight we celebrate the end of a chapter that gave us each other; Tonight I celebrate love. Here’s to a new chapter. Happy Anniversary. Geonbae.”

“Ahhh,” groaned Hoseok as he nodded, “Geonbae.”

“Geonbae, geonbae. Happy One Year!” Jimin said as he raised his glass.

“Happy One Year!”

“Happy One Year.”

Raising the foot of their glasses, mixtures of white and rosé made their way through their bloodstreams.

“Ahh, Yoongi, what a beautiful toast,” said Hoseok with pursed lips as he held his heart through his chest.

“You should cherish them, they only make an appearance a few times a year,” mumbled Yoongi.

“And for that, we’re grateful,” replied Jimin.

He nodded his head slowly with a slight raise of his brows. Hoseok’s staple grin shot across his face at the sarcastic remark.

“Ahhh,” replied Yoongi in annoyance.

Grabbing his discarded dishes, Yoongi made his way past the dining room table to the kitchen sink. Hoseok stood, grabbing the remaining two plates and his own glass shortly following behind. Jimin was the last to leave. Lingering at his own pace, he eventually joined the two men lifting himself on the edge of the counter.

Yoongi washed his hands under the water of the faucet, careful not to dampen the edges of his sleeves. Drying his hands, Yoongi watched Jimin as he balanced his feet on the handles of the bottom cabinets rolling the stem of his glass between his fingers. Hoseok stood next to him playing in the water rinsing cold paste and broth down the drain. Suddenly, Yoongi found himself stepping around him. Careful not to get too close, Yoongi lifted his knuckles, allowing his hand and arm to brush against the small of the man’s back. Hoseok jumped, arching at the unexpected touch.

Foolishly, Yoongi convinced himself this was all he needed.

As his feet slapped on the bare tile beneath them, longing began to manifest. Slowing his stride, he stopped in front of Jimin laying his arms on either side of the blonde’s thighs. Leaning forward, he closed his eyes as he pressed his forehead into the male’s chest. Trailing his forehead left and right, he raised his chin forcing the thin shirt to tickle his eyelashes and nose. The sweet smell of its fabric softener was purely intoxicating. Lightly clawing at the bare counter, he breathed in deeply feeling each of his ribs expand as desire made him ache.

Jimin giggled at the sensation.

Gently placing his hand on Yoongi’s head, Jimin swept his fingers through the man’s scalp. Finally exhaling, Yoongi nuzzled deeper, pulling Jimin closer as he eased his thumbs into the belt loops of the other’s jeans. He steadily placed soft kisses into his skin eventually coming to a halt only feeling the cloth of Jimin’s shirt graze his lips.

Hoseok watched in delight.

Soon, the haze of deliriousness in the air lifted and Jimin loosened his grasp. Raising his knee, he forced Yoongi to stand, allowing himself to slide off the counter. Yoongi remained still, blocking his path as they stood chest to chest.

“Where are you going?”

The words spilled from his lips in desperation.

“I still have one more gift for both of you,” said Jimin cheerfully.

Sliding out from beneath Yoongi’s weight and the solid force of the counter, he ran off to their shared bedroom. Yoongi leaned against the counter, dropping his head into his hands. Letting out a soft sigh, he rolled his shoulders, stretching his greed thin.

“What do you think he’s going to get?” asked Hoseok after finding his voice in a dry corner of his mind.

Pivoting his chin in his palm, Yoongi glanced at the man with now red-tinted eyes.

“Hopefully to get more wine.”

With his hands tucked behind his back, Jimin raced into the living room bouncing on the balls of his feet, “Close your eyes.”

Without hesitation, the two men closed their eyes. There was no need for protest or arguing; doing so would be pointless. When it came to Jimin, it was a rare occurrence if he lost in an argument. He had such a way with the art of persuasion, that even when he did lose, it never felt right when others won. Both men learned in the long run, it was much simpler doing as they were told.

Guided by Jimin’s grasp, the three shuffled out of the kitchen, past the carpet of the beneath the dining room table, landing on the thick rug of the living room. Hoseok felt his toes tangle in its silver yarn. Standing in muddied darkness, the sounds of fabric snagging against rigid edges made anticipation grow in his stomach.

“Ok, you can take them off.”

Once getting permission, Hoseok unraveled the blindfold letting it fall to his collar. Leaning against the couch, a dark sheet draped over an object no larger than three feet tall by four feet wide.

“Ooooo,” awed Hoseok with wide eyes, “what a mysterious picture frame.”

Yoongi chuckled gripping his blindfold in his hand.

“Do you want to see it or not?” questioned Jimin, failing to hide his laughter.

“Yes.”

Pausing in anxiousness, Jimin stepped to the side reaching for the sheet. Clutching it between his fingers, his knuckles turned white. Yanking the fabric, he revealed a photograph of the three men encased in a frame of slate-grey metal. On the right side of the frame, Jimin sat pressing his knees together as he hugged Hoseok’s arm close. Hair loosely parted down the middle and slightly covering his right eye, Jimin leaned his head against his shoulder. To the right of Jimin, sat Hoseok in a similar position. With a wide heart-shaped smile, he glanced at the camera with hooded eyes as his head tilted slightly backward against the crook of Yoongi’s neck. Finally, sitting on the left side of the frame, Yoongi sporting a gleeful smirk that when looked at in the right light could be misconstrued as a full-on smile. Leaning his head on top of Hoseok, their blend of black and dark brown strands merged perfectly in the sunlight. All dressed for cold weather, the three huddled up together for what seemed like an extreme waste of time considering the number of photos they had already taken. But now, looking at the large framed photo fourteen months later, it all seemed worth it.

“Ahhh, Ppang-Gwa Beoteo, that’s Bread & Butter Cafe! Wow, we haven’t been there in months…” said Hoseok trailing off with a hint of sadness.

He began to feel ashamed. The cafe hadn’t crossed his mind for what seemed like centuries and when it did, it was only an afterthought soon to be forgotten. Like one’s childhood toy, dirty and ripped at the seams, sitting in the back of the closet high on a shelf; left alone and no longer thought about.

“That’s a picture from our first date right?”

“Yep,” said Jimin with a grin.

“I can’t believe it’s been over a year since we met.”

“It’s also the place where Jimin and I met three years ago,” added Yoongi.

“Really?! You two never told me that,” said Hoseok in shocked.

“Yeah, I think it was a Tuesday and Jimin was reading something for one of his assignments or extra credit-”

“-‘Human Acts’ by Han Kang. Extra credit for my literature professor,” added Jimin.

“Right, he was reading ‘Human Acts’ and I was making music. But because I kept catching him staring at me instead of the pages, I finally decided to ask him what he was reading,” Yoongi paused.

“He didn’t even hear me the first time I asked, he was still staring by the way. I asked him again and when he realized I was talking to him, he froze like a deer in headlights.”

Hoseok covered his mouth as he laughed, “Gwiyeowo. He does have a habit of staring, doesn’t he?”

Yoongi and Hoseok both eyed Jimin from the corner of their eyes. Taking his hand out of his pocket, Jimin playfully hit Hoseok’s arm.

“Hey! I only stare at the things I like,” he gasped.

Hoseok felt his cheeks turn red.

“When did you get this made?” questioned Yoongi.

“The frame came about two weeks ago but I didn’t have the photo yet, so I hid it behind the couch. The photo took a little longer than I expected; it arrived yesterday.”

“That’s why you rushed out of bed yesterday morning when the doorbell rang! I should have known, you never jump out of bed to get the door.”

Yoongi shook his head is disapproval as Jimin threw his head back in laughter. Soon all sound faded and time started moving slower. Hoseok could see everything, feel everything. Taking it all in, he turned to Yoongi.

From the moment he first laid eyes on Yoongi, Hoseok knew he was mesmerizing; he loved his presence. Studying the way Yoongi stood, he scanned his body. His grey button-up stretched around his torso as it pulled, getting caught under his own weight as he leaned against the dining room table. His chest collapsed and expanded as he breathed. The shirt’s bottom draped over his belt woven into his jeans. He loved the way Yoongi’s hair laid sprawled on his forehead. Trailing back up his features, Hoseok watched as he licked his lips continuing to mouth gorgeous words. Hoseok found himself looking, searching for the reason his heart raced every time he heard Yoongi laugh. Smiling, Yoongi’s lips parted, revealing his teeth protruding from the edge of his gums. Like clockwork, Hoseok’s heart skipped a beat.

Turning toward Jimin, Hoseok was met with the back of the younger. Facing the wall, he watched as he pointed toward the bare wall above their sectional. Jimin conducted and waived, debating the decorative decisions for the newly made photo to take center stage, but Hoseok paid no mind. He was too focused; eyeing him as he trailed his fingers through his natural roots fading into blonde. No matter how many times a day Jimin indulged in his habit, to Hoseok it would never grow old. As Jimin turned to Yoongi, he finally locked on to his eyes. He loved the way they sparkled when he grew excited. Lightening as he raised and furrowed his brows, they squinted as he shook with amusement.

Hoseok’s head began to swim. Spinning in circles, he tried to keep his head above the water that desperately tried to drown him in the ocean known as love. Hoseok began to feel overwhelmed. Swimming through tidal waves, Hoseok wrapped his arms around Jimin’s waist laying his chin on his shoulder. Sound crept back into existence. Gasping for air, he had found his buoy.

“I am the luckiest man in the world,” he said softly.

Both Yoongi and Jimin chuckled in embarrassment.

“I’m serious,” he reiterated.

Jimin’s hands molded onto Hoseok’s. Catching an upward glance, he smiled. Leaning down he pressed a kiss into his lips that burned with a sting.

Hoseok closed his eyes in content.

Jimin looked over his lover’s head, meeting Yoongi’s gaze. For a moment he felt breathless- as if it were all too much. Feeling Hoseok’s physical warmth combined with Yoongi’s warm-blooded stare made him feel whole. Recalling each moment in his life where he felt happy, safe, and loved, Jimin compared each and every one stacking them as high as the ceiling could hold, but none compared. Not a single one neared the amount of fulfillment he felt in this very instance.

Jimin reveled in the sensation of home.

Soon the sound of Yoongi placing his empty glass on the table caused Hoseok’s eyes to shoot open. He and Jimin watched in curiosity.

Pushing himself off its edge, Yoongi began thumbing the buttons of his shirt, unbuttoning it from the top down. Without a word, he strolled toward the bedroom with purpose. Jimin’s eyes widened as the pin of Yoongi’s belt clinked against its buckle followed by the dragging of its leather tearing through the loops of his jeans. He dropped it to the carpet with a thud. The sound of his zipper unclenching its teeth made Hoseok let out an involuntary moan.

“Wait for us!” Hoseok called.

Tightening his grip around Jimin, Hoseok prepared to lift him. Forcing all of his weight in favor of gravity, Jimin stopped him before his feet even left the ground.

He giggled at the inquiry, “Wait, I wanted to hang the photo up tonight.”

“We can hang it up later,” replied Hoseok eagerly.

“We’ll be too tired later,” Jimin protested in a whine.

“You’ll have most of your energy back by tomorrow. We can do it then.”

Hoseok lifted Jimin off the ground, this time leaving no time for him to react to his indicated innuendo. Slinging him over his shoulder, Jimin yelped in excitement. Swaying from side to side, Jimin steadied himself placing his hands into Hoseok’s lower back. Watching the dining room table grow further away, Jimin flicked the lone light switch on the wall as he entered the hall. The fluorescent lights of the living room were no more, leaving only the dim glow of the dining room bulbs. The two men made their way down the hall in the darkness, following the moonlight from the bedroom windows and the scattered trail of Yoongi’s discarded clothes.