Chapter Text
Yoongi was 10 years old when he planned out the rest of his life. Being the son of a CEO and a doctor, he had plenty of time to let his imagination run wild.
He would take over his father’s business, obviously, but instead of technology, he would focus on candy. Willy Wonka be damned. It would be Yoongi Min’s world. Well, Yoongi and Jungkook. Yoongi would never leave his best friend behind.
Jungkook was two years younger, but he was probably the smartest person that Yoongi knew. The younger boy even skipped a couple grades, so he and Yoongi were in the same class. Jungkook’s mom worked for the same tech company that Yoongi’s dad was in charge of. He wasn’t completely sure what she did, but she had a big fancy office so she was probably important.
Yoongi wasn’t sure his dad would be thrilled with the idea of pivoting to candy, but the boy was sure he could make a compelling argument when the time came. Plus, he figured when they weren’t taste testing new treats, he and Jungkook could fly all over the world visiting theme parks. Yoongi was kind of scared of heights, but Jungkook loved roller coasters.
He figured he and Jungkook would get a massive house together that they would fill with dogs. And instead of stairs, they would have slides and a fireman pole. They also needed a game room for Jungkook and a big piano for Yoongi.
They would live together and work together and be best friends forever.
It was the perfect plan.
~
Yoongi was 14 when he and Jungkook went to Min Corporations for Take Your Kid to Work Day. He was incredibly excited. There was a girl in his math class that he had a teeny tiny crush on and she said her dad was a security guard at Min Corp, so they would probably have orientation together.
Things didn’t quite work out that way. Yoongi was kept in his dad’s office, and Jungkook in his mom’s. They didn’t get to go with the other kids to the board room where there were drinks and treats.
At least they got to eat lunch together.
~
Yoongi was 16 when he realized he was bisexual. It wasn’t anything grand - he was rewatching High School Musical and found himself imagining kissing both Gabriella and Troy. He sat on it for a couple days, but the feeling didn’t go away. He even started noticing boys at school.
He wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed about the revelation, but he still didn’t know what to do about it. He thought about asking Jungkook, but his best friend was only 14. Plus, he didn’t want to scare the other boy or make him uncomfortable.
So he went to his parents. His mom was a doctor and his dad ran a billionaire dollar company. Surely they could help him.
He was wrong.
He had never seen his father so angry.
”I will not tolerate that in my house. You better get your act together, Yoongi. I didn’t raise a gay son.”
Yoongi snuck out of his house that night and ran to the comfort of his best friend. When Yoongi told Jungkook what happened, the younger boy wrapped him in a hug and told him everything would be okay.
~
Yoongi was 17 when he started dating his first boyfriend. They met on the subway when the other boy complimented Yoongi on his leather jacket.
The boy was sweet and he tried to be understanding of Yoongi’s situation with his parents. He never pushed for anything more than Yoongi was willing to give. But hiding their relationship did take a toll. He had to be careful to avoid his family’s inner circle and it often dictated when and where they could go out.
Yoongi was 17 when he had sex for the first time.
It was as good as it could be for two teenagers with limited experience. But it was special and Yoongi was happy.
He was happy until he got home and found his parents sitting in their dining room, table littered with photos of Yoongi and his boyfriend. Photos of them at dinner, at boardwalk, little dates they thought they were alone for.
”You had someone follow me?”
Turns out Yoongi wasn’t as good at sneaking around as he thought.
Yoongi was 17 when he was given a choice - gay conversion camp or moving out. He packed his bags and said goodbye to his parents that night.
When he turned up at Jungkook’s house with tear stained cheeks, Jungkook hugged him and said that he would always be there. No matter what, they would have each other.
Yoongi was allowed to stay the night, but after that, Jungkook’s mother insisted he leave. He had never seen such a cold look in her eyes.
Luckily he found safety at his boyfriend’s house. His parents were lovely and when they found out what happened, they assured him he could stay as long as he needed.
That turned into one year. He saved enough money and got a shoebox apartment all to himself. Things didn’t end up working out with his boyfriend and they broke up 5 months into his stay with his family. But they didn’t stop loving each other - they just realized they would be better as friends.
~
Yoongi was 18 when Jungkook came over to see his apartment for the first time.
”Maybe when you’re 18 too, you can come live with me?”
He knew now his plan to take over his dad’s company would never happen. He didn’t want it to happen anymore. But Jungkook was still in his plan. Jungkook would always be in his plan.
”Obviously. I was already planning how I’ll redecorate.”
~
Yoongi was 19 when he realized he was in love with Jungkook. Sweet, special, motivated, dedicated, thoughtful, smart, funny, beautiful Jungkook.
The younger boy was the most important person in his life and he’s always loved him. But learning that it went beyond a platonic love was sobering.
He immediately went next door to Jimin and Taehyung’s apartment and proceeded to freak out. They just laughed at him and told him it was about time he realized.
Yoongi decided to sit on the knowledge that he was hopelessly and desperately in love with his best friend. The other boy had college exams coming up and Yoongi didn’t want to distract him.
When exams were over, Yoongi still didn’t say anything. Jungkook was distant and stressed. It wasn’t the right time.
~
Yoongi was 20 when everything changed.
It was Jungkook’s 18th birthday. They had been planning this for the last few years. When Jungkook turned 18, he would finally move in. They would be roommates and navigate the world together. That was the plan.
Yoongi excitedly paced his apartment waiting for Jungkook. But when the other boy turned up without any boxes or bags, his excitement turned to dread.
”I’m so sorry, Yoongi. I can’t do it.”
“But why? We’ve been planning this for so long.”
Jungkook bit his lip. A nervous habit. “Your dad - he wants to groom me to take over the company. I’ve been working so hard for something like this, Yoongi. Everything...everything has been building up to this.”
“What does that have to do with you moving in here?” Yoongi already knew the answer. But he needed the other man to say it.
Jungkook dropped his eyes to the floor. “The offer is off the table if I move here. I’m so sorry, Yoongi.”
Yoongi let a small smile cross his face, but it was devoid of happiness. “I didn’t think my father would still be so angry with me. Or cruel enough to take away my best friend.”
“We’re still friends, Yoongi. We’ll always be friends. I told you before, you’ll always have me. We just can’t live together. Not yet.”
“Given your crazy high IQ, you’re kind of an idiot” Yoongi said as he pulled Jungkook into a hug. “You’re my best friend and I love you. But you gotta do what you gotta do.” He pulled away with tears in his eyes. “Goodbye Kookie.”
“It’s not goodbye. We’ll still see each other all the time.”
Yoongi was 20 the last time he saw his best friend.
Until now.