Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The golden shiny medals have always been prime captivations for the four year old. He fiddles with two of them while the adults in the room coo over the minuscule bundle in the arms of Min Mirae.

His own father is brushing a finger lightly over the baby's soft pink cheeks and the atmosphere was peacefully light. Jungkook soon got tired of trying to make an alloy of the medals(by clanging them together) and waddles over to his father, pulling at his pants for attention. Dohyuk looks down and with a smile lifts up his boy. 

"Hey big boy, you want to see Yoongi again?"

Hell no, he'd seen the scrawny awfully pink baby at church just the previous week and he definitely did not want to see him again. Still to humor his father, he nods and peers at the face wrapped in light blue blankets.

Huh, he's got pretty eyes. Cute cheeks too, soft looking.. 

Jungkook wanted to touch. He leans over and pokes a small finger at the cheeks and–oh they really were soft. The baby gurgles at him, smiling with his toothless gums on display. 

Jungkook thinks that his smile was cute, it made him want to smile and laugh too. Shockingly, he realises his smile dazzled him more than the medals.

"He's a cute dumpling, isn't he Kook-ah?" Dohyuk smiles at Jungkook as he slowly nods, his own smile widening and showing his two large front teeth cutely as he continues peering at the baby.

Alright then, Min Yoongi passes his vibe check with his dazzling smile. He's welcome to the family.

Min Hyunbin and Jeon Dohyuk were college best friends. Although they grew up with completely different professions, they kept in touch with regular family dinners and outings. Hyunbin had even adamantly insisted on his friend becoming his son's godfather.

Their wives had formed a cordial bond too and when Jeon Jihyun lamentably passed away from cancer, Mirae took it upon herself to make sure of three year old Jungkook's well being and happiness. 

Hyunbin took over his father Min Hyunjae's small construction company while Dohyuk had followed his dreams of being a soldier of the country. Now the former was the President of the mighty 'Hyunjae Constructions Ltd' and Jeon Dohyuk was the General of the ROK army.

Little Jungkook looked up to his father the most. The man was a legend of his own for him, with the sheer respect he earned from everyone around him. People bowing and saluting him, showing their gratitude for his service for their country– all of it made Jungkook immensely proud of his father, he was the strongest person he's ever met and at the same time humane. 

He'd seen his father cry at his mom's funeral and had learnt that strength comes from emotions, that it was alright to project them. They helped you understand yourself better, heal better and so he healed.

 Cried on the days he felt his mother's absence viciously. Then he would stumble up, get a piece of comfort strawberry cake from the housekeeper and proceed to be driven over to the Min Residence in Hannam.  

Somehow, sitting near Yoongi made him calm. He'd poke his cheeks and play with the tiny small fingers, a sort of peace settling over him. Over the years he'd gotten over Jihyun's death and their parents could see how baby Yoongi had unknowingly played a huge part in it.

But relations change and people drift apart. The first time Jungkook drifted from Yoongi was when he turned seven. 

He had started making friends in his class and apparently found that playing tag and hide-and-seek was more fun than piggybacking a three year old. 

That's how visits to the Mins' decreased and hanging out with other friends increased. 

The parents, though a little saddened with the change in their children's dynamic, were happy for Jungkook finally being able to socialise and communicate with others. The boy had always been too shy and reserved.

Though Dohyuk was away at the borders most of the time, Jungkook never held any grievances towards him. Even at a young age he understood how important his father's work was while also knowing well that he was loved by him dearly. 

Every three months his dad brought him tons of gifts and took him out for treats and fairs for the entirety of the week. 

The family dinner customs somehow thrived and little Yoongi would have the spotlight each time. Excitedly flailing his arms as he stutters out the narrations of the day from his high chair, joy-filled exclaims at being fed small portions of pudding by everyone present–even Jungkook. 

In fact the three year old had taken quite a liking to the seven year old brunette. Jungkook could calm him down from his mightiest cries to his distressed whimpering. 

As soon as Yoongi had started taking his first steps at ten months, he would wobble over to the boy and clutch his pants tightly with his small fists. Jungkook, always endeared by his favourite dongsaeng, would lift and carry the boy everywhere. 

After dinner the elders would smile lovingly at the two children, the elder of the two helping the younger with his puzzles, drawings and books. 

Though Jungkook spent less time with his younger friend, he knew he loved him dearly. Always his shining star in times of darkness, always his comfort place. He was the constant in Jungkook's rapidly changing seasons.

Yoongi was warmth with his heart touching smiles and adorable "hyung" each time he called out to him. Curvy innocent eyes which looked at him with trust and awe.His cute cheeks and soft reassuring pats on his cheeks. Little kisses on the nose which Mirae had taught him as a form of saying "thank you". 

Still, he had come to terms with the difference in their ages and realised that they couldn't be in the same social circles. 

They couldn't be "best friends" like the kids in his class talked about. Yoongi wouldn't be able to keep up with him and vice versa, but he would make sure to be a good hyung for him, protect him from every trouble the world inevitably sends to each being. It's something he had promised himself when he saw Yoongi cry of pain the first time. 

It was during one of his visits to the Min Residence he had found Yoongi sobbing in Mirae's arms, who rubbed his back and bounced him lightly while whispering sweet reassurances. Apparently the fifteen month old toddler had scraped his little palms in the garden while running. 

The sight of his dongsaeng crying made his heart ache. The kind he feels when he misses his mother. The kind where his dad has to go back again. He didn't like it at all. 

Yoongi with his nose and eyes red, hiccuping, with sad eyes. His pretty eyes expressing sadness is something which Jungkook absolutely hated. His little baby doesn't deserve even the tiniest bits of sadness. 

So Yoongi should never cry and he should never get hurt and never be in pain. He couldn't protect his country yet like his father, but he would protect him, who is one of the most important to him. He'd be a good hyung. He told his father the same one evening. 

"Appa, do you think I'm a nice hyung to Yoonie?"

His father looked up from the orange juice he was pouring him with a surprised face. Setting the glass down in front of him, he pat his back as he replies.

"Of course Kook-ah, why would you think otherwise? Did you hurt Yoongi accidently?"

Jungkook's doe eyes widen and he hastily shakes his head.

"No! I could never hurt Yoongi, I just... I don't play with him much..is it bad of me?

Dohyuk smiles lightly and shakes his head.

"Not at all Kook-ah. You can have other friends too. I know it would seem somewhat...awkward to continue playing with Yoonie as you're growing. You want to play different games, talk to your age friends...and it's completely alright."

"Yoongi too will have other friends. What's important is that you still consider him as a loved dongsaeng, someone you care about. That makes you a good hyung. You're already a great hyung to him! He's attached to you the most." 

He ruffles his hair as Jungkook grins.

"The start to being a protector of the country always starts with protecting your family. Is that clear, Officer?" 

Jungkook quickly straightens and salutes as he yells with a wide grin "Clear, sir!" 

But we've established that life has a certain agreement with irony right?

Eight year old Yoongi wasn't liked by his classmates. He was too short, too pale, too rich, too snobby and spoiled(which he was but can you blame him?) for their liking. So here he was, cornered by Jang Deoksu and his lackeys. 

Apparently Deoksu found his mechanical gold plated pencil interesting and wanted it for himself. Yoongi scoffed at his sneering face, like hell would he let the big bully take away the precious birthday gift from appa(he loves the elder Jeon who calls him dumpling dearly and so he's always called him appa). 

Maybe scoffing was a bad idea he thought, as one of the boys kicked his stomach. 

"Keep your dirty hands off me! I will have all of you smited with a grenade! My dad will buy the school and expel all of you! And my Appa will bring a tank to—"

A punch from Deoksu shuts the black haired boy up. Not because he's afraid of another, but speaking becomes hard when your jaw feels unhinged.

 He looks up at him ready to throw back an insult and threat when he sees his hyung enter the hallway. 

Jungkook has fire in his eyes as he storms closer to them. He had sprinted from the lunch table the moment one of his friends had come running with news of his 'baby brother' being pestered. 

What Yugyeom had failed to mention was that a group of kids were actually throwing hands at Yoongi, his little Yoongi who was untouched even by sharp table edges or insects. 

The brainless pests were absurd if they thought they could even stand near Min Yoongi. Hitting him? Punching him? Jungkook knew it would be wrong to interfere with the younger ones, but if the kids had no morals then, he wouldn't either.

He threw a quick assuring smile at Yoongi, and then swiftly pulled Deoksu away from him by the collar. His face reflected the anger inside him, forehead creasing and jaw tensing. He jostled the boy once and then pulls him closer as he hisses in his ear.

"I don't think you know who he is, but I'll remind you. He's Min Yoongi, you don't touch Yoongi. You don't speak badly to him." He looked at the mentioned boy, eyes widening at the bruise forming near his jaw. 

Jungkook furiously looked back at the trembling eight year old who's collar is fisted in his hands and throws him against the wall. The boy landed painfully against it and started crying while the other kids scrambled away. 

Yoongi decided it's time to step in. Deoksu was still a kid after all, though a really evil one. 

"Hyung, it's okay now. Let's go, we only have 13 minutes left for lunch and I'm hungryyy." Jungkook's face softened and he nodded at him. 

Walking over to the boy crouched near the wall, he said

"I would return the bruises ten fold worse, but I guess you've been saved. Don't forget to show your gratitude later." 

He proceeded to grab Yoongi's hand and they started walking down towards the canteen when Deoksu sputtered from behind them.

"S-so you need an elder to help you? You're still a baby, Yoongi. Can't even stand up and fight yourself" 

Without looking back, Yoongi continued to pull his hyung along as replies back. 

"I don't blame you for being a peasant Deoksu-yah, I know you don't understand. But all Kings have knights. I'll send nurse Choi okay? Byee." 

After a while of walking silently, Yoongi spoke up.

"Thank you hyung, Deoksu has always been a mean bean to everyone, you taught him a good lesson today." He grins at him, wide and gummy. It still had the same effect on Jungkook as he returned a smile as well.

"You don't thank knights for saving you, my king." He teased and Yoongi giggled. He's glad that he wasn't hurt too much, yet can't help but feel guilty as he saw the red bruise on his face.

"I should have come earlier, you wouldn't have gotten this." He gently hovered his thumb over Yoongi's cheek. 

Not liking the sudden gloom on his hyung's face, Yoongi held the hand above his cheek and whined 

"Ah hyung it's not your fault, don't think about it. You know I'm a strong boy like Appa right? A few punches won't hurt me much. A few days and my face will be back to its usual cute one." He winked and Jungkook chuckled.

"Yes yes, you're the strongest, cutest and smartest. I heard about your grades and piano lessons from Aunty, very impressive Yoonie. I'm proud of you." He pat his head and Yoongi blushed.

"Of course, I'm Min Yoongi after all. But you're the strongest one here hyung, you're learning karate, taekwondo and kendo simultaneously nowadays. You could even beat the tenth graders at this point." Yoongi looked at him with shining eyes and Jungkook somehow felt prouder of himself. 

"Thank you Yoonie, but I still have a lot more learning left." He smiled at Yoongi who was then muttering praises about how his hyung would ace everything that he sets his mind to.

As they reach the canteen, he gives Yoongi's shoulder a pat before he starts to return to sit at his table when Yoongi blurted out

"Can we go see the Namsan Tower tomorrow hyung?"

Jungkook is surprised at the sudden question, and he felt  terrible as Yoongi bit his lip waiting for an answer. He would hate to dampen his excitement, Yoongi has always loved the Tower and the park beside it. Yet he still had to decline.

"Sorry Yoon, I promised Yugyeom and Mingyu to help them with the upcoming math test tomorrow." He apologised with a sad smile as Yoongi's face fell.

"Oh, no it's fine hyung, I guess I'll go with only Eomma then. I'll see you at dinner next weekend right?" He asked hopefully.

Jungkook smiled and nodded.

"See you then. Take care of yourself alright? I'll ask the nurse to get you some ice for the bruise. If Aunty is too fussy about it tell her to call me, I'll explain yeah?" With a wave he walks away.

Yoongi sighed. He didn't know why or how, but Jungkook was distant. They had grown distant and the distance kept increasing. He knew his hyung, he had grown up with him and played alongside him yet they were different now. 

Yoongi looked up to his Jungkook hyung a lot. His hyung was always ready to defend him and make him happy,  they were practically family. He loved his hyung dearly and he knew his hyung did too 

but now he also knew they were changing.

Jungkook had friends and hobbies and a dream while Yoongi had his piano and a new friend he met at the piano academy named Taehyung who was great by the way. 

Funny, cute, a little eccentric yet very bubbly and kind. They shared their love and passion for art and designing, though for very different materials. Yoongi liked his company and was glad that he was making friends.

 He hoped that they would soon be best friends, and he prayed that his Jungkook hyung would continue being by his side always.

At fourteen, Yoongi had come to a few conclusions. The first was that he shouldn't have hoped for Kim Taehyung to be his best friend. The drama and gossip he brought gave him a headache each time.

The only reason he is allowed to be his best friend is because they indulge in each other's mischief and understand each other well (also because Taehyung knows his third conclusion).

The second is that praying for Jeon Jungkook to continue being by his side did not work. Their interactions were so rare that they felt like aquaintances. Conversations at the family dinners was all that was left. He also attended his recitals, that and sometimes Jungkook would pick him up from school when Mirae had their driver occupied for some out of tree plantation project. Though again the car rides were silent with the only sound of music from the speakers.

Third, and a very important one. Yoongi was gay. And unfortunately his gay awakening was his very own hyung. Obviously the boy had it coming. They've known each other since childhood and Jungkook has always been kind and loving towards him. Buying him gifts, taking him to fairs and saving him from people with a grudge fuelled by jealousy.

He always talks to him carefully, touches him gently and looks at him softly(even though Yoongi is the whiniest trouble maker anybody has ever seen). His hyung never raised his voice at him, had always indulged in all his chatter and teasing and was always there when needed. 

Jungkook was a bright star for him. A constant in his life, the constant in his life. The pride of his Appa, their family, the school and everyone around him. Captain of the football team, class representative and volunteer at an animal center, a righteous gentleman some said. His hyung was quick witted and smart and extremely level-headed, so much that Yoongi felt like a prickly child in front of him. 

"We fit well together," he had once told Taehyung who snorted in response. 

"Sure, he grounds you and you levitate him. He calms you and you excite him. He's going to be an officer of the country who strives for peace and you'll be a CEO who yells at his assistant all the time. Power couple, super fitting." 

Yoongi squints at him from the opposite end of Taehyung's bed. 

"I don't like your sarcastic tone."

"I don't like you. " Taehyung deserved that pillow thrown on his face.

Back to his conclusions, falling for Jeon Jungkook was easy. His hyung had grown from a boy with too large doe eyes and bunny teeth to a way too handsome eighteen year old. His eyes felt like orbs which hold galaxies in them. Beautiful eyes which reflected his hyung's beautiful soul in them. 

Besides that, all the preparations and training for the army Dohyuk had put him through had made the boy tall, a little tanned, fit and muscled. Taehyung confirmed it with a "Visual attraction? Checked."

Which brings up the memory of one of their dinners. Jungkook had complimented Hyunbin's oxlip tattoo, which he had gotten under his left wrist a few years after his marriage.

"I'm guessing it's a birth flower?" asked Jungkook and Dohyuk laughed as he slapped his best friend's back who yelped at the hit.

"This guy is a total romantic sap, he got it done for their third anniversary and Mirae couldn't decide whether to scold him or cry. So she did both. Imagine two grown ups who're sitting on the couch, holding on to each other while they cry all over a tattoo. The snot and tears were so gross I had to leave the room." 

Mirae let out an affronted voice as Dohyuk shuddered at the memory.

Hyunbin has turned to Jungkook and asked

"Well Kook-ah, have you given any thought to tattoos? You seem like you'll be interested in getting one."

Dohyuk raised an eyebrow at his son eagerly and Jungkook's ears turned red with the sudden attention. 

Meanwhile Yoongi was trying to get his heart under control because he'd probably have an artery burst if he continued thinking about his hyung with tattoos. 

The universe would be imbalanced if Jungkook got tattoos. It's unfair for someone to achieve that level of sex appeal.

"Um...I can't deny that I have. They're cool and aesthetic. Meaningful ones too, like a commitment you make on yourself. I plan to get one after I pass academy." He scratched his years bashfully, relieved as he saw his father nod in approval.

"Ah Jungkook-ah you'll be an absolute heartbreaker with them! They'll suit you, don't worry." Assured Mirae and the rest fell into a discussion of design suggestions.

The next day Yoongi had taken his hyperventilating self to Taehyung who listened to him whine and sigh dreamily. After his monologue, Taehyung had pursued his lips in thought.

"So let me get this straight, you freaked out over patriot boy getting tattoos because it would make him hotter?" 

He'd nodded solemnly and Taehyung had pulled him into a hug, smushing his face into his shoulder as he heavily pat his head. 

"I understand babe, you're already imagining the gay panic you'd face if Jungkook gets tats. Your emo bay boy fantasies would come true."

So yeah, that was another hint.

Back to the present, Taehyung had also made him realise that he wasn't just attracted to Jungkook, he was devastatingly in love with him. The bread on both sides of his head was a brilliant idea. He has a great best friend.

Knowing you're in love with someone who is like an older brother is very frustrating, quite painful too. You see them but can't openly flirt with them. You see them but can't brush their hair away from their face. You see them but you can't kiss them against the fridge door. You see them but you can't crawl onto their lap on the couch. 

Then the age issue. Taehyung thinks he's too young to be in love(that too with an eighteen year old, bleh illegal bleh ) and yet knows he's in love. 

"Your eyes shine in a disgustingly loving way whenever you look at him. It's the starting phase but it's there." 

The age issue also consists of Jungkook being just two years away from leaving for military academy. He had decided to get admitted and he would spend the next years of his life there. 

Jungkook wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, to save and protect citizens and contribute to ending crime in Korea. He didn't want to become a soldier at the borders though. He wanted to actively participate in the elimination of threats to citizen's well-being from within the country, to become someone who is different from and yet similar to his father.

Yoongi was always inspired by the righteous and noble dedication Jungkook gave to his dream and would soon give to the country, but he also did not want to wait for years and months to see him even after years of knowing  that Jungkook would leave someday.

So now, here he sits with Taehyung beside him. Both of them munching on chips while staring into the abyss thoughtfully.

Taehyung jolts with a spark in his eyes. "How about you send him a letter with your confession? At the end write 'date me until our two years are up, leave me with precious memories hyung'. How does that sound? Poetic right?"

Yoongi makes a disgusted face and throws a chip at his friend who efficiently catches it and pops it in his mouth.

"That's a way too terrible, sappy idea. I'm Min Yoongi, you make me sound like Cullen. I'm not begging hyung to date me. Also I'm still 14, I don't want hyung to end up in jail."

Taehyung rolls his eyes at that. 

"Why am I even here? This is your first love, you're the one coming out with a bang, YOU come up with ideas." 

Yoongi frowns at him and Taehyung just coos pinching his cheeks.

"You're cute as hell Yoon, just tell him you like him and then everything would go fine. You might have to wait, but once you're eighteen and he returns for the holidays or something you guys could begin your love story." Yoongi sighs as Taehyung holds his hand and squeezes. 

"I understand the whole waiting, but without hyung I just feel...bereft you know? Once he's gone I don't know what will happen to me." His eyes meet Taehyung's and he sees genuine worry and care in them. He can't help but huddle closer to him in a hug, which he returns tightly. 

"Ah Yoonie, if you cry Jungkook would break my bones. Though it's technically himself he should beat up."

"Not crying and it's not hyung's fault" Yoongi softly refutes.

"Alright Your Highness, so what do you want to do?" sighs Taehyung, he's too invested in this and he sure as hell won't stop brainstorming until his cute best friend's love life isn't settled.

Yoongi thinks for a moment, relaxing in Tae's arms. Then like a switch turned on an amazing solution lights up in his mind. He sits up straight with a mischievous grin as Taehyung raises an eyebrow.

"Appa said he would be back tomorrow afternoon."

Maybe Yoongi should have thought this through thoroughly. Standing outside the Jeon's house without a proper plan and dialogues was a massive mistake from his part. But what's done is done. He looks down at his sky blue turtleneck and navy pants and decides his chosen armour of clothes is perfect. 

Entering the house he calls out to Dohyuk who answers from his study room with a "here!"

Taking a deep breath, he marches into the room and closes the door behind him.

Dohyuk looks up from the paper he was assessing and smiles at him.

"I thought you'll come with Mirae and Hyunbin tomorrow, dumpling. Couldn't wait to see Appa?" He relaxes a little in the presence of the General. Appa is always kind and biased towards him, perks of being cute and the youngest.

But he steels himself and stops before he starts skipping to his Appa for a hug. With a determined face he walks up to the older man and stands straight with his hands in front of him and bows. Dohyuk looks back at him with wide eyes and a raised eyebrow.

"General Jeon Dohyuk, I've come here on this fine evening to ask for your son Jeon Jungkook's hand in marriage. I like your son a lot and I promise to keep him happy and..and..healthy! Yes healthy, I'll take good care of him too! I hope you whole heartedly give me your blessings for whenever I'm ready to ask him." 

He bows deeply again and straightens, exhaling heavily.

Judging by Dohyuk's expression, he looks astounded and confused..a little amused too. At least he isn't disgusted or angry.  

A win for Yoongi then, not that he expected his Appa to ever be that cruel. But maybe for his age he seems unpromising as a son-in-law. Well that's what he's here for.

He'll prove it to Appa that he's good enough for Kookie hyung. A loud laugh brings him out of his internal debate. 

Dohyuk is holding onto his chair and laughing heartily. While disheartening me he thinks and pouts. The older holds up a palm as he continues to laugh. Yoongi doesn't understand, did his Appa think he was joking? Is he laughing at him for thinking he could be a match for Jungkook? Does he not approve?

His heart hurts as these thoughts plague him. He thought telling Appa would make him feel better, that he'd have an ally in wooing his hyung. He feels ridiculous now, he should have listened to Taehyung's warning of how bad this idea is. God now he'll even have to admit that Tae was right. 

His lip wobbles and his eyes blur as tears spring free from his eyes. God is this how crying from emotional pain feels like? He's never felt dejected like this, the feeling from watching sad movies is so different. 

Nobody in his family has ever upset him or refused him something. None of his loved ones ever made fun of him. They joke around, but they've always been encouraging towards him. Even when he started wearing make-up and cute crop tops and blouses. There's never been a barrier or restriction for him. 

But just thinking that his Appa is laughing at his feelings right now, it's like a dull blow to the chest yet his mind has amplified it to a hammer hit somehow and now his eyes are watering.  

Dohyuk takes one look at him and the laughter dies on his lips. His face schools into one of worry and panic as he sees Yoongi wipe away tears from his cheeks. He rushes towards him and pulls him into a tight hug, whispering apologies.

"Oh baby I'm sorry, don't cry dumpling. Appa wasn't laughing at you, not at all. Sshh, it's okay. Would you prefer if I call Jungkook down for you? He's in his room." 

Yoongi shakes his head, which is kinda hard considering his face is pressed into Dohyuk's chest right now. He definitely does not want Jungkook seeing him all splotchy pink faced and swollen eyed from crying. 

Cue life's irony in the form of a knock at the room's door. Which wasn't locked thanks to Yoongi who facepalms internally. 

Jungkook enters the room and sees them standing near the table, one sniffling and the other worriedly reassuring him. 

He drops the plate of sandwiches he was holding which lands with a crash and rushes over to Yoongi, pulling him out of his father's hug and running a hand across his tear-stained cheeks. His eyes overwhelmingly worried and movement alarmed, like Yoongi would break at the tiniest wrong move. 

Jungkook looks into his eyes, and slightly nods at him in assurance that he's here and won't be going anywhere without making sure Yoongi's alright.

He brushes a thumb across his cheek, then reaches his soft hand out to hold his. He brings him to sit on one of the couches and puts an arm around him. Then finally, he starts talking.

"You alright? Need anything? Water?" Yoongi nods and Jungkook quickly pours him a glass from the bottle on the coffee table. He sips slowly and feels his mind calming and body relaxing. 

The way Jungkook is rubbing his arm helps too. Not for long because he then turns to his father.

"What the fuck happened? Appa Yoongi never cries, why is he sobbing his eyes out in your study?!" 

Without waiting for a reply from the hesitant older man, he continues

"Did you say something to him?" His voice turns dangerously deep and for a second Dohyuk is proud of how his son stands up even to high authority for Yoongi, but he's mistaken right now and Dohyuk will not let his son talk to him like that.

"Did you forget who you're talking to Jeon Jungkook? We do not tolerate disrespect in his household." He gives him a stern look making Jungkook lower his eyes in shame. 

Yoongi hates how this has turned out. He hadn't thought that his little proposal would turn out like this. He doesn't want Jungkook to talk to Appa like that, nor does he want Appa scolding his hyung. 

Now it's on him to clear this mess. He won't have Dohyuk lie to Jungkook on his behalf. So it's the way to martyrdom. Or confession if understood simply. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. 

You're not a coward, you're Min Yoongi. And mom says 'what Yoongi wants, Yoongi gets'. Let's get it! 

He opens his eyes and stands up, Jungkook's arm falling off his shoulder. The two others in the room look at him questioningly. He sends Dohyuk a small smile, then returns his gaze to Jungkook. 

Sweet Jungkook hyung who's always so caring. Who's always given and asked for nothing. Who has taught Yoongi to be at peace with himself. To be humble yet proud. To hold your head high yet keep your roots grounded. Whose eyes are always caring and soft. Who is never tired of his demands and spoiled behaviour. Who is always by his side, even when he isn't.

"I asked Appa for your hand in marriage hyung." He whispers. 

The silence in the room is deafening. Jungkook's expression goes from shocked to flustered to confused. 

"You... aren't kidding? This isn't one of your pranks, is it?"

Yoongi shakes his head at that and Jungkook takes a deep breath. 

"I thought so too, though it was a little funny how seriously you asked Yoon. You always have my blessings, my dumpling. But I'm not the person you were supposed to talk to." Duhyuk gestures towards Jungkook and then smiles encouragingly at Yoongi as he exits the room.

Jungkook slowly exhales. He stands and holds Yoongi's hand, looking into his eyes with a serious face.

"What does this mean Yoongi? Be clear and talk to me please. You know I'll list—"

"Hyung" he interrupts, not liking the way Jungkook calls out his full name. He wants to confess while he still has the courage because he can already feel his knees shaking and palms sweating.

"I like you, a lot. I like you the most. No please do not interrupt. Let me finish..okay? I.. I've loved you as an elder brother who watches after me all these years but my feelings have changed/evolved whatever is simpler to understand. They've changed for the better I would say because they make me happier with you, you make me happier hyung."

Yoongi can feel tears forming in his eyes but he reels himself, Jungkook has an anguished expression and he looks ready to pull him back into a comfort hug but he has to finish this honest confession bullshit which people always promote.

"You take care of me and you love me and are always so gentle with me. I don't fear anything with you hyung. I trust you so much, more than anything. Even now I bet you're probably thinking of the safest way to turn me down without hurting my feelings. It's okay hyung, I promise I'll listen well and understand." 

Jungkook's eyebrows are furrowed and it seems that it pains him to say whatever he's about to. His eyes are still full of worry and a little resignation. Yoongi continues standing even though his legs are visibly trembling and keeps his eyes on the brunette. 

"Yoongi-yah…" he starts and Yoongi sucks in a breath, he probably won't be getting any oxygen in after they're done talking.

"You... you're important to me. So very important. But I don't see you like that. I... you're too young for this. I love you–don't ever think that I don't, but I just can't see you romantically. You're the baby of the family, we all love you and want to protect you."

"Yes ahjussi" the younger weakly whispers as a tease and Jungkook gives him a faint smile.

" You do know that I will be gone in two years right? I won't have a metropolitan home-y life, I won't be back in Seoul for years. Don't dwell on this too much Yoon, it will pass okay? I just don't want you hurting Yoonie. You understand me right?" 

Jungkook looks at him pleadingly and Yoongi just couldn't help but nod gravely. 

Jungkook lets out a breath and pulls him into a hug, whispering how he's the best boy and that he has so much to look forward to.

And as much as Yoongi loves being babied, this was the first time he wished Jungkook would stop. With a herculean effort he stops the onset of tears(god for someone who hasn't cried in years he's effortlessly good at it right now) and gives a tight lipped smile to his hyung who returns a small one of his own.

That was the second time he felt his hyung drifting further away from him.

The next day Yoongi's lounging around on his large bed while Taehyung stretches on the couch in his room. 

"You're supposed to be heartbroken and moping." Taehyung squints at him as he pops two tangerine pieces in his mouth.

"Heartbreak is for people who give up hope and don't have a future plan, Vante" he shrugs. 

"Yah stop bringing up my designer name, rude enough you snooped around my creative diary." He rolls his eyes while Yoongi sticks his tongue out at him. 

"Bestie rights babe, you snoop in my secret diary too. Don't think I haven't noticed the sticky strawberry fingerprints on my pages." 

"Well you do have majestic designs and an interesting beau. You pining after Jungkook is the hottest tea I have." Tae grins at him and swiftly dodges the pillow thrown at his nice face.

"Guess I'm pining longer now. He's started avoiding me. Probably thinks it will help with getting over him. How do I tell him my camera roll is filled with his side profile? Our house has a ton of family pictures with him. Apparently I have fallen in love with an idiot." He sighs as Taehyung whistles.

"Look at you finally realising his mental capacity. Alright then, since you aren't moping, what's the plan?"

Taehyung is starting to fear that mischievous grin Yoongi keeps sending when they discuss their strategy and he's proven right when Yoongi chirps brightly

"We wait, and in the meantime I focus on the more important process."

Taehyung leans forward with raised eyebrows. 

"And what is that? Planning our physics project? God I hate this advanced placement shit."  

Both the teenagers fall into a fit of giggles. After a while they sober themselves and Yoongi sighs in determination.

"I'm gonna become the best version of me– The Min Yoongi. Starting with the physics project." Taehyung laughs and gives him a thumbs up with a wide grin.

Yoongi wasn't one to mope around, he'll take charge and grow into the strong figures his dad, Appa and hyung are. He'll nurture himself and the love he has for Jungkook. 

Taehyung did say that they would make a power couple. Well he's not really an epitome of power with his baby face and his dad's black card. 

Journey from Prince to King. About time he gets this show on the road. 

Jungkook expected tears and heartfelt words the night before he was supposed to leave for the military base, but he absolutely did not expect a goodbye party thrown by Yoongi for him. 

After Yoongi's confession two years ago, he couldn't come to terms with the fact that his little dongsaeng liked him. Understandably so, there were never any hints, hell he didn't even know Yoongi was gay. 

Not that he had a problem with that, he would be an asshole and a hypocrite if he did, having had his fair share of flings with girls and boys alike in highschool.

Though he didn't bring anyone home for introduction, none were of importance. Few days of attraction led to sex in the others' houses and then parting mutually. He couldn't afford forming a close bond, no special feelings involved with anyone because he knew he won't stay. 

There was a whole new life waiting for him out there, and nothing could stop him from following his chosen path.

The family was proud of him for choosing the life of an officer of the army–always marvelling at his brave determination. Though his father had made sure that he knew his career options were open, that he could freely choose whatever he wants to become. 

Dohyuk felt like it was the pressure to live up to his name that made him want to join the military life and Jungkook had spent years reassuring and confirming that it was his own willing decision.

He'd been warned by many that the life won't be easy. Harsh training and ever-present alertness of danger would affect him. A change of mindset is inevitable in that life. He'd accepted them all as challenges and was even more motivated.

Coming back to the point, he knew Yoongi was young and naive. He didn't know what was best for him while he deserved the absolute best in the world and Jungkook wasn't the one for him. 

He didn't want to break Yoongi's heart by outright rejecting him, he couldn't. Hurting Yoongi was a sin too grave for him. Yet waiting for him would bring the younger nothing but pain. 

He made it clear then. He'd always seen Yoongi as a younger brother to take care of and he told him so, albeit gently. Yoongi should forget about him, go on dates with good boys who visit him daily with flowers and hold him delicately. Someone who could maintain the pretty dazzling smile of his. 

Someone who understands Yoongi and his insecurities of living in his father's shadow, of not being good enough for his extraordinary family and always boosts his confidence and esteem. Min Yoongi should be loved like worshipping because Yoongi was born to be placed on a pedestal. Though he isn't sure who could handle Yoongi when he's throwing one of his tantrums. God he's a menace. 

And the menace is very evident with the way his friends and family are playing Uno right now. 

Yugyeom, sitting on Mirae's right, gets a 'draw four' added to his last card and he lets out a frustrated yell.

They'd started filing inside the Jeon's house around eight in the evening and after stuffing cakes, dancing and a sparring match between the General and his son(Jungkook had been knocked down too many times) they decided on a calmer game. Yeah right.  

"Wow Mrs Min, for someone who runs tons of NGOs you sure are cruel" hoots Mingyu, and the room is filled with loud laughter. Mirae gives him a sly smile which quickly turns apologetic as she looks at Yugyeom. 

"Looking harmless from the outside while being totally Slitherin cats from within must run in the family" snickers Taehyung as he knocks his shoulder into Yoongi's. 

Yoongi rolls his eyes at the dig and jabs an elbow into his side, making Taehyung yelp back. 

"Ah ah Yoongi, no violence in the house." chastises Hyunbin.

Yoongi pouts at his father and he sighs, patting his head gently.

"Oh man, the power Yoongi holds in this house." Yugyeom shakes his head and the aforementioned boy grins at him.

"You're telling me, I once saw Jungkook carry Yoongi on his back to class from their car because he "didn't feel like walking on such a pleasant day"." 

"Hey he gave me the kitten eyes!" defends Jungkook. 

"Ah you stood no chance" sympathises Taehyung, Hyunbin and Dohyuk nod in agreement.

"Appa tell these two to stop bullying me!" Yoongi drapes himself over his Appa's arm and the latter looks at Taehyung and Jungkook with a calm face.

"The guns in my study aren't just for display boys, careful with the little one." Taehyung's eyes widen while Jungkook clears his throat and sits up straighter.

"Wow I'm being threatened even on my last day with you all. Really feeling the love here." Jungkook huffs and Yoongi gives him a small smile.

"We're giving you a night of normalcy. Would you prefer if we sit around with morose faces hyung? I don't think so." 

A collective sigh fills the room and the atmosphere turns sombre.

Hyunbin breaks the silence by bringing his hands together in a clap as he looks at Jungkook.

"There's nobody who won't miss you Kook-ah, we'll all be waiting eagerly for you to come home. More importantly we all wish you the best. It's not easy, but if there's someone who's ready to handle the military life, it's you."

Mirae too shuffles upto him and pulls him in for a hug, patting his shoulders. When did he become so tall that she had to raise her head to look at him? He's grown up too fast.

"You make us all very proud Kookie, you've grown wonderfully into such a handsome, kind and capable man. You'll do very well, we all have faith in you." She smiles at him and Jungkook suppresses the urge to tear up right there.

His friends stand up too and he's pulled into a group hug with them. 

As he pulls back he sees Taehyung with his arm around Yoongi's shoulder, who looks very sad right now. The sparks in his eyes of his vibrant soul look dulled, his face forlorn and posture closed in on himself. The corner of his pouty lips have curled downwards. Jungkook absolutely hates the look, it feels as if a sword has been twisted in his heart.

He meets his father's eyes which are gleaming with pride and Dohyuk nods slightly towards Yoongi. No words needed to be exchanged between the father and son. 

As his friends move out after saying their goodbyes and wishes, their parents disappear into one of the sitting rooms.

Yoongi starts tidying the room and Jungkook goes to help him when Taehyung walks towards him and pulls him outside to the patio. After he's sure they're at a distance from the younger boy, he drops his arm.

Jungkook raises an eyebrow at him questioningly.

"I don't think we've talked to each other enough for you to start dragging me places Taehyung-ah."

Taehyung scoffs at him and crosses his arms over his chest.

"It's not by choice Jungkook. In fact if not for Yoongi I wouldn't be talking to you at all." 

He's taken aback at the lack of honorific. He wouldn't even have known of Taehyung if he wasn't Yoongi's bestfriend from third grade. 

Taehyung had changed to the same school and highschool as Yoongi after their friendship blossomed in the academy. Jungkook had heard quite a bit about him from his dongsaeng. 

Kim Taehyung was the son of the director of Stigma Art Gallery, Kim Taehee, liked to sketch designs, wants to be a fashion designer, the whole bio data.

Yoongi hadn't made any other friends and Taehyung and he were very close, physical affection a common occurrence with the two. They often discussed and compared their fields of designs, pencils and stencils in hand as they gave their inputs and opinions to the other's work.

Truth be told, Jungkook had expected the two to date. Taehyung clearly liked Yoongi according to him. Always checking up on him and sticking to his side. He would be lying if he says he hadn't hoped for them to have feelings for each other. Taehyung was a good match for Yoongi and would keep him happy. 

As good as he was for Yoongi, he does need to learn some respect.

"Jungkook? Kid I'm older than you, it's hyun—"

"Yeah no, see me and Yoon have this principle– You don't use honorifics with someone whom you strongly like or someone whom you strongly dislike." Taehyung sends him a mocking smile and Jungkook looks at him sceptically.

"Uh..sorry I don't like you like that. Does Yoongi know you're—"

"Ew no I don't like you you dumbass, on the contrary I dislike you with a fervour." Taehyung makes a disgusted face and now Jungkook really feels like a jackass.

"Okay...so why exactly am I here?" 

"Right..to the point then." Taehyung takes a deep breath and nods determinedly. 

Huh he's quite tanned, a little taller than Yoongi too. Nice unique eyes and features, deep voice, though a little lanky. He'd grow up to be quite the charmer. A perfect complimenting match for Yoongi . 

Jungkook shakes himself out of his thoughts, he feels like Mirae now. Searching for potential partners for her precious son. 

Once she had asked Jungkook's weight and he'd been horrified when she mumbled something similar to "could easily swing and carry Yoonie then, eligible." He had stopped humouring her motherly tendencies since then.

"I hope you know that you're hurting Yoongi" says Taehyung with a leveled voice, bringing him out of his trailing thoughts and back to the conversation at hand.

Jungkook's heart stops at his words. Hurt? Yoongi? He instinctively turns to look at the mentioned boy through the glass ceiling to floor window. 

The boy is stacking up the Uno cards and straightening out couch cushions. He's wearing a lilac bell sleeved top with an emerald brooch at the centre paired with fitting ripped blue jeans. Eyes focused and tongue peeking out as he tidies up with concentration. Cute .

He looks back at Taehyung who was doing the same, a fond smile on his face.

"You like him" he blurts out.

Taehyung looks at him as if he's crazy. 

"Jesus you're really dumb, of course I don't. I mean I love him, he's too precious not to but we're just besties. He's an amazing, angelic gremlin of a guy and I can't help feeling protective of him, I'm sure you understand that better. Although he's spoiled and demanding and has a temper...he's delicate. Yoon's feelings are very fragile. He knows how to be strong, hell he's one of the strongest, fiercest people I know but he's vulnerable in front of his close ones."

Taehyung eyes turn sad as he pointedly looks at Jungkook.

"He's vulnerable with you and you know it too. He loves you, he really does and he could never move on from you. Yoonie is stubborn and in too deep because of the faith in your bond with him. God the boy is still waiting and I fear he'll keep waiting for you."

Jungkook doesn't know what to think. On one hand he's glad that Yoongi has such a loving best friend, but about Yoongi's feelings for him, he doesn't reciprocate them. He can't and he won't. Yoongi should never have to wait for love, he deserves to be wrapped in spindles of affection all the time. 

 He is still like family to him, hell Jungkook is leaving tomorrow and who knows when would he be back. He doesn't want Yoongi to wait. God the boy is the smartest and yet too dumb.

"What do you want me to do?" He asks Taehyung who then stares at him for a moment and then replies.

"Tell him not to wait Jungkook, tell him to move on."

Jungkook takes a minute to process what Taehyung wants him to say and then nods. 

Just as Taehyung starts to go bid Yoongi goodnight before leaving, he calls after him.

"After I'm gone tomorrow, I..I don't know if Yoongi would be alright. We've always been there for each other, he needs someone to take care of him from the sidelines. I hope you're up for it Kim Taehyung."

Taehyung smiles at him, a rectangular smile which suits him well.

"I've practised for eight years now hyung, I'm sure I was ready the moment I saw Yoongi play Rêverie by Debussy effortlessly on the piano when we were eleven."

Then he walks in the room and hugs Yoongi goodbye.

A while later, Jungkook steps into the room and helps Yoongi sweep the juice stains on the floor.

The two work in silence, the weariness of the day bearing on them. After cleaning, both of them step out and settle on the white couches on the wooden floored patio outside.

A serene silence envelops them as they stare at the vast black midnight sky, devoid of stars yet it's boundlessness hypnotically beautiful.

Jungkook turns his head and takes in Yoongi's countenance. Yoongi's skin has always been fair–snow white Mirae calls it, just like hers. Jungkook had never seen him tanned, but he flushes bright pink when exposed to the sun for too long. 

His eyes are curvy and sharp yet innocent and pretty with cute, small, soft pink lips, a sweet little button nose and the most adorable chubby cheeks. He's short, he'll probably grow up to be average heighted. Jungkook is almost a foot taller than him currently.

He has thin dainty smooth legs and he hates wearing shorts outside because of them, complaining that they look too thin. He has a thin body and has always been actively disinterested in physical activities. 

"I'm going to be an indoor office worker hyung, I don't need muscles and other shit. All I need is my amazing brain."

Jungkook chuckles at the memory and Yoongi turns to look at him.

"Something on my face hyung?" He asks with a small frown, wiping at his chin and cheeks.

"No no, it was just a funny memory. I suddenly got reminded of your alleged reasons for not exercising." 

Yoongi chuckles at that. "Let some of us breathe hyung, your exercises look like Nazi tortures."

Jungkook laughs at the comparison, and he's hit with the painful realisation that he will miss Yoongi. Way too much than he had prepared himself for.

He's always been around him, picking him from school or driving him to Taehyung's house sometimes. Going bowling and always letting him win, listening to his excited narrations of the week at the family dinners. Playfully bantering with him and betting ridiculous challenges like doing 30 push ups with the younger on his back.

Listening to him play the piano after, cheering and congratulating him after his basketball matches. Reviewing his lyrics and raps for him.(Yoongi had taken a sudden interest in raps after listening to Eminem and now it's one of his hobbies).

"It's a way of letting your feelings lose and spill hyung! It's a method of speaking out your emotions and thoughts fiercely."

Needless to say Yoongi is exceptionally good at spitting fire, though Mirae was appalled when she came to know that her petal-like son has been attending underground battles and street shows. What had followed was a two week long lecture of do's and don'ts and Jungkook being appointed as a de facto bodyguard during his rap scenes.

He may not always stick by his side, but Yoongi is still a permanent, crucial and bright part of his life. They're friends and they're brothers.

He's always been thankful to Yoongi for saving him from completely breaking down after his mother's death. His enthusiasm makes him excited too, his bright eyes and smiles make him happy.

And so he confesses what he should to Yoongi.

"Thank you Yoon." Yoongi looks at him with a confused face and surprised eyes.

He takes one of Yoongi's hand in both of his and stares back at him.

"Thank you for always being by my side too. I know you think that you trouble me too much, but all of your antics are endearing. You could never be too much for me. You unknowingly helped me come out of the grief of Eomma's absence and now I never feel it. Taking care of you, accompanying you, watching you bloom and shine whenever you've achieved another accomplishment, it makes me happy Yoonie."

"Hyung can never forget you, don't worry. You're growing beautifully and so I can leave with my mind at ease. All I want is for you to be happy Yoongi-yah. Don't let anything be a hindrance to your happiness." He squeezes Yoongi's hand in his hold and feels him squeeze back.

Yoongi gives him a sad smile with resigned eyes.

He gives his hyung a once-over and then looks away at the grey house in front of them. 

The Jeon's house was beautiful. A contemporary design with warm yet chic interiors and lots of personal items on display. Jihyun had ensured the house looked like their dream home, actively delving in the structure and interiors of it with Hyunbin. 

Pictures, certificates, a glass trophy and medal case on the wall right in front of a beautiful black piano which Dohyuk had bought for Yoongi. They all loved watching him play.

Yoongi had a passion for playing ever since he had attended a Fantasie performance with Dohyuk when he was seven. Mirae had gladly enrolled him in a posh academy in central Gangnam and he's sure he would be eternally thankful for that. Of course because he learnt all that he could about his beloved piano, but also because he met his best friend-turned-family there. 

His dad joked that his first love was the piano because he spent hours practising on it and was glued to the white grand piano in his room.

How was he supposed to tell them that his first love was sitting in front of him right now, saying goodbye and he wouldn't get to see him for the next decade probably? Though he suspects his mom knows. Moms always do. 

"Hyung.." he starts with a quivering voice. He won't cry, he'd promised he won't. Jungkook would feel sad and that would defeat the whole purpose of the evening.

He levels his breathing, tightens his hand around Jungkook's and then continues.

"Have you seen the lavender colored sky in the evening sometimes? They bring a feeling of awe and serenity in you whenever you look at it." 

The momental analogy was unexpected even for Yoongi. He feels a lump in his throat and he swallows heavily.

"You're like the purple sky hyung, and you're just as vastly wrapped around my heart. If what you said is supposed to mean what I think it does, then I get it. I get why you would say it but I can't obey it." 

Jungkook begins to intercept him when Yoongi puts his other palm over his mouth effectively shutting him up, his glistening doe eyes widening.

Yoongi shakes his head at him and removes his hand. He peers at him while biting his lips. I feel like a nervous wreck, get it together Yoon! 

He takes in a breath and restarts speaking.

"If you're gonna say I'm too young, I'll wait. If you're gonna say you're going to the military academy in eight hours, I'll wait. If you say you'll come back after six or eight years, I'll still wait. If you think I will change my mind, fall out of love and fall for someone else then I'll show you that you're too special for me to forget loving. You give me strength hyung, you bring out the best of me. You and Appa..you both always tell me my smile lights up a room right? Well I smile brightly for you, because of you." 

Jungkook looks conflicted. He wants to stop Yoongi letting his feelings spill like this, but he can't because the sheer sincerity and bare emotions in his eyes are heart-wrenching. This isn't some puppy love/crush which Yoongi would get over, this has an irrevocable and massive impact on him, on their relationship. 

"I'm not asking you to reciprocate my feelings, but don't try to validate them hyung. I know what I feel." Yoongi's voice drops to a soft whisper.

"All I want is for you to remember that I love you...and when I've matured into a wiser, better, worthier version of myself I'll be ready and still waiting for you. I won't ask you to wait for me, but if you don't have someone else in your heart by then, will you give me a chance hyung?" 

And now Yoongi is looking at him with his beautiful pleading eyes with such desperation that Jungkook can't help but nod. 

The blinding huge gummy smile and tight hug he gets in return is worth it though. He hopes Taehyung can keep his word, for now he'll stop worrying about the future.

The next morning Jungkook is gone. Dohyuk had taken him to the station earlier and had bid his goodbye there. 

A few stray tears escape the older man as he looks at his son in the uniform, all grown up and ready for the challenges of life. He pats him heavily on the shoulders as he says in his deep commanding voice.

"You're going to be an army man now, Jeon Jungkook. Remember you live for the country and a country is made by its citizens. I trust you to make the right choices." He gives his son a nod as he salutes him. 

"Yes Sir, I'll remember well." He grins at Dohyuk and gets pulled into a hug.

An announcement about the departure being in ten minutes rings at the platform. As Jungkook finishes settling the last of his belongings in the compartment, he turns to his father with a hesitant face.

"About Yoongi...tell Aunty and Uncle to take care of him well." 

"They're his parents Kook-ah of course they'll take care of him, also he's sixteen now and knows how to care for himself. Our Yoonie is a smart one." Dohyuk chuckles at his son's behaviour.

He was a father and a wise man and he understood his son too well. He knew when a ship is ready to sail and also knew that when this ship docks, it's going to raise seastorms.

"Yeah, he is. It's instinctual by now for me I guess. Yoongi has a penchant for getting in troubl–Oh they're roll calling, bye Appa! Tell Yoongi I'm sorry I didn't wake him to say goodbye! Oh and that I love him! Aunty and Uncle too, You too!" 

With that he dashes inside the compartment with a last wave.

His Kookie grew up too fast. Dohyuk hopes he has some time left with his little Yoonie. He wipes the corner of his eyes and wonders how Jihyun would be watching over their son from above, with her sweet smile and crinkling eyes full of pride and affection. The General smiles to himself at the thought. 

Back at his house, Yoongi pushes his pancakes around as Mirae sets down a plate of French toast. He's lost his appetite and not even blueberry pancakes can make it better. 

Mirae looks at her son sympathetically as she brushes her hand through his hair soothingly. 

"Baby? C'mon we don't play with food like that right? Eat a little more?"

He shakes his head and sighs, picking up a small piece and chewing slowly.

Mirae, dressed up in a forest green dress was ready to head out for a speech she had to deliver at a workshop for soil preservation but she guesses it can wait. Leaving her precious dumpling desolated wasn't an option.

So she sits beside him and asks softly "Is this about Kookie?"

Yoongi glances at her hesitantly and nods. His Eomma sighs and then pulls him into a hug, his head on her shoulder. 

"Oh honey, I know alright? You don't have to explain anything. Jungkook has always meant a lot to you and I understand perfectly."

Yoongi pulls back with an uncertain expression and the corners of his mouth downturned.

"You don't think I'm ruining the family? I..I thought falling for hyung had severed our relationship but can you blame me Eomma? Hyung is just so wonderful, falling in love with him came naturally to me. Now he's gone and I don't know...I fiercely want to wait for him. I just don't know whether I can bear the distance."

He hugs his mom tighter and Mirae feels her heart hurt at the plight of her only child. She rubs his back comfortingly and speaks in a motherly tender voice.

"Everyone faces hurdles in life, look at Jay Gatsby's. He waits years for someone like Daisy–wait let's not talk about her, I have a strong contempt for her character." Mirae pouts and Yoongi lets out a small giggle at her messy speech to make him feel better. 

"It's okay Eomma, I understand what you're trying to say. Gatsby did deserve better." 

Mirae then gives him a dazzling grin which matches his own gummy one. His maternal genes must be formidable.

"My smartest baby, yes he did. Now what I mean to say is, waiting for the right person is worth it and Jungkook would certainly make a great son-in-law." Yoongi blushes brightly at his mother's blunt words. Pinching her son's cheeks she gets up from her seat and slings her bag over her shoulder. 

"Now before I go, let me tell you that you're strong and I believe in you to make the right decision for you. We've always been encouraging of your free will...but we do worry for you Yoongi. Take care of yourself hm? You're always our priority." 

She kisses his forehead and heads out leaving a waving and sighing Yoongi behind. 

A week later Yoongi's sitting in the school canteen with Taehyung sipping on a strawberry shake opposite him. 

"Are you gonna finish that?" He looks at Taehyung hopefully and the other boy shrugs before sliding the cup over to him.

He clears his throat while Yoongi cheerily sips on the drink.

"So...how are we holding up?" 

"In regards to what?" Yoongi tilts his head questioningly.

"In regards to your 'cheot sarang' going to war and not coming back leaving you with a locket with his picture to look at for eternity" monotones Taehyung, making Yoongi choke on the straw as he laughs.

"I see why they let you in the theatre club, I'm good though. The first day was hard, sudden realisation and dread with my brain working on overdrive. Now, I've calmed myself with positive thoughts though."

Taehyung raises an eyebrow and leans forward.

"Ooh what kind of positive thoughts? Are you gonna spend the rest of your years surviving on sexual fantasies of Jungkook?" He snickers at Yoongi's red turned face, totally worth the pinch on his arm.

" Positive thoughts as in positive that hyung will return and keep his word of giving me a chance. So I'm going to stop being hung up on my insecurities and start moisturizing my skin while acing my exams." He lifts his chin up and looks at Taehyung from the corner of his eye, who's busy shaking his head and sketching another dress design in his diary.

"You've already aced all your papers, can't believe I'm stuck with a nerd like you." 

Yoongi lets out an offending "Yah!" 

And Taehyung laughs at his pouty face.

"You're lucky you get to witness a real life genius in the making." He sticks his tongue out at the taller boy.

Taehyung sighs and looks at Yoongi with a serious face, the upcoming conversation seemingly steering in a sober one.

"Alright, putting the Jeon affair aside, let's talk about your other future."

Yoongi tilts his head at the statement. "My other future?"

Taehyung looks at him tiredly.

"Your career Yoon. I get why you want to take over Hyunjae–don't get me wrong, I love your passion for designing and architecture but you do know right that you can choose whatever you want to do?" 

It finally dawns on Yoongi that Taehyung's gonna bring up the suggestion of his alternative careers again. But as soon as Yoongi is about to speak up, Taehyung cuts him off.

"Hey I know Uncle and Aunty have already told you that multiple times, but I feel you still think that someone needs to take over the company and that it has to be you but no Yoongi it doesn't. Uncle can manage the company and you can choose to go pro with basketball, or become a pianist or a rappe—"

"Tae, stop and take a deep breath." Yoongi shakes him by his shoulders and Taehyung halts in the middle of his counseling session, following Yoongi's order and inhaling slowly.

Yoongi loosens his hold and moves his hand to cup Taehyung's cheeks, squishing them. 

"You worry too much and I love you for it, but please don't. Rapping, basketball and the piano, they're hobbies Tae. I love them equally but I do not want to make a job out of them. They're liberating and comforting, almost cathartic but that's it." 

"Architecture on the other hand, I can see myself coming up with new designs, each a challenge on its own and a different story. I'm not gonna stop any of my hobbies, but I'm not going to pursue them officially either. I can't bear to lose my passion for them just because I've exhausted myself with them. You get me right?"

Yoongi looks at Taehyung hopefully and with sincerity in his eyes and Taehyung can't help feeling guilty for pushing Yoongi into an explanation. They've been best friends for years and yet he hadn't understood him like he should. 

"Yeah..I understand now, sorry Yoon. I didn't mean to—" before he can finish apologizing, Yoongi shushes him with a light slap to his mouth.

"Besties do not apologize babe. I know you worry and want the best for me but trust me okay? And even if I end up regretting my decision I know you'll be there to cheer me up. You won't mind if I become a bum and laze around in your apartment in the future right?" He gives Taehyung a lopsided grin and Taehyung scoffs at him but still gives in to his cuddling attempts. 

"Of course, rent would be collected in the form of blowjobs. Call me daddy baby." Yoongi scrunches up his nose and pinches his waist as Taehyung wheezes. 

If Kim Taehee sees her son being chased by a black haired boy with a dustpan in his hand, she doesn't comment on it and just sends a video of it to Min Mirae. 

5 years later

You'd expect a nice sunny morning in the months of June to be serene and pleasant. Unfortunately a certain Kim Taehyung didn't have much luck with serenity, thanks to his best friend.

"TAEHYUNG-AH!! Oh my fucking god, I have other shit to prepare for and no time for thi–Yah Kim Taehyung!" A frantic Yoongi clad in a fuchsia top and black pants comes barrelling into Taehyung's cubicle who swiftly gets up from his seat and catches the train wreck of his friend.

He puts an arm around his waist to steady him because Yoongi looks hysterical and two seconds away from fainting. His pupils are wide blown and his face looks pale like a ghost's, or like someone who's seen a ghost and Taehyung says a mental "fuck it" to his internship as he carefully maneuvers Yoongi to sit on his chair. 

Yoongi still doesn't have his breathing in order with the way his chest is rising and falling, probably from all the sprinting he must have done. So Taehyung cups his face and shushes him softly until he's stopped trying to make sense of his jumbled "I got a-a" and "the call...Appa s-said" phrases.

"Breathe babe. Slowly now okie?" 

Taehyung's gentle instructions take effect and Yoongi starts to inhale and exhale properly. The shorter nods at his best friend and Taehyung removes his hands from the former's cheeks, instead holding on to his shoulders as he asks "What level emergency that you ran in during my working hours?"

Yoongi's eyes are still wide open and frantic, yet there's a glint. A certain, very particular special glint which Taehyung has associated as catastrophic. 

Elaborating more on this association, Taehyung has always categorised Yoongi-related issues under three major groups.

Trouble: When Yoongi creates some ripples of breaking news because he got offended or yet again angry at someone. A higher trouble is when Yoongi's loved ones have been targeted and that sends Yoongi on some vendetta-fueled spree of destruction.

Like the time Yoongi's dear friend and bodyguard Jung Hoseok was sneered at by a rising idol of a girl group–Joy was her name. Now, Yoongi doesn't take kindly to people mentioning how charitable his father had been with Hoseok. 

The next week when Hyunbin interrogated him about his involvement in Joy's removal from the group by JM Entertainment, he'd just shrugged and fed his father a tangerine piece, who let out a mocking resigned sigh and just proceeded to pinch his son's nose. 

Hoseok was already whipped for the pale, sassy-badassy man. But after that incident he'd requested Taehyung to officially recruit him in the 'Yoongi protection squad'.

Havoc: Now havoc was a bit of a worrying problem. It's when Yoongi is physically hurt, or emotionally distressed or confused. These range from falling off a bike and scraping his knee or being berated by Appa for touching his rifles without permission when he was nineteen. 

That was one time and Yoongi had been so shocked and shaken( c'mon the boy has never really been scolded scolded) that he'd teared up a little by the end of his Appa's reprimanding. Dohyuk had felt extremely guilty when Yoongi had immediately ran back home as soon as he had finished his stern speech.

All he wanted was for him to be careful when holding guns for his safety but he had gone overboard. The older man had spent the next three days consoling and making up with his godson, which cost him five million won in a shopping spree and three hours of modelling of newly bought clothes from Yoongi.

Catastrophe: Everything Jungkook related.

Which brings him here, with Yoongi looking at him for direction as he breathes out a "level 5". Taehyung stands straight and rubs his temples. Well that confirms his suspicions.

"He's coming back isn't he?" sighs the taller as Yoongi nods quickly.

"I thought you said he had passed the academy and was deployed for the borders last year." 

From all the babbling, yearning and pining Yoongi did these years, Taehyung had assumed it would be another half a decade before they would get to see that annoying heartbreaker. Cut him some slack, he's been in Yoongi's company for 13 years, his pettiness is justified.

Yoongi quickly sits up straighter, glinting eyes focusing as always whenever he's ready to talk about his favourite person. 

"Yeah, that was so amazing of hyung. Finishing academy in four years... but god Tae I've got even bigger news, the biggest ever! Wait I can't tell you here.." Yoongi's already pouty lips become prominent as he thinks of a safer place to talk.

"Fuck it, take the rest of the day off. Let's go to mine." Yoongi stands up, returning back to his usual finessed and confident stance as he pulls Taehyung out of the building by the hand, giving him barely enough time to gather his bag and clock out.

They reached the Min Residence in a record time of 15 minutes. Because Yoongi has no regard for his passengers' well being and thinks of himself as Hamilton scoffs Taehyung internally while trying to get out of the stupid wing door. 

After getting out he slams the door closed, earning himself a glare from the shorter blonde man.

"A scratch on my Holly and I'm shredding up your monochrome Gucci shirt." He warns, squinting his eyes at his best friend who gasps offendedly.

"Fuck you I'm appointing Seokjin as my new best friend, enjoy cuddling those leather seats for movie nights." 

Yoongi snorts as he links their arms and drags Taehyung inside and upstairs to his room.

"Are we talking about your second cousin whom you last met when you were six and who shifted to LA, that Seokjin? Sounds ominous babe."

They both chuckle at that as they drape their coats over the cream couch in Yoongi's room and plop down on it. 

"So..the top secret? You've got nuclear weapons now?" 

Yoongi gives Taehyung a mocking smile who only grins teasingly and shrugs.

"If I did I would have blown up my supervisor. God just because I decided to begin my career starting as an intern doesn't mean they're allowed to overwork me, that too in my own company! Wait don't distract me from the topic!" He slaps Taehyung's arm, who looks at him with an affronted face. The poor lad hadn't even spoken anything!

"You're the one who started bitchin—" Yoongi covers his mouth to continue speaking.

"Shutttt, good. So about my great news....Appa called me in the morning. He sounded so excited, god I bet he's already back home and scurrying around the kitchen to make sure it's all stocked but I sternly told him that I'll do the cooking so—" 

Taehyung slaps the blond's palm away from his mouth and glares at him.

"You're rambling off topic again, I don't wanna know about your typical '70s housewife tendencies getting excited." Yoongi gives him a dirty look and huffs.

"Shut up, I'd gladly be a loving housewif–wait, house husband for hyung. Anyway yeah so Appa said hyung had shown exceptional progress and skills in the field operations. He'd scored exemplary for his exam too. He's been doing so well that he got a recruitment offer from the NIS already! The freaking NIS Tae!! Hyung consulted Appa and only then took up the offer. And ooh Tae, guess the best part of this whole ordeal?"

Yoongi's voice had gotten an octave higher in excitement and his eyes are gleaming at this point as he looks at Taehyung in anticipation of a brilliant guess. 

The latter though, was still registering all the revelation he's just got. Add in to that Yoongi's brightened up face, Tae's brain needed a minute or two to catch up.

"Uh.. probably that Jungkook is coming back this week?" He trails off as Yoongi clicks his tongue. 

"Close Tae, but it's not just this week. He's coming the day after tomorrow!! Apparently one of his comrades got the offer too and they're coming together." Yoongi lets out a loud squeal and shakes both his fists in excitement. Fucking adorable.

"Oh god, my peaceful days are numbered now." He mutters to himself and shakes his head. He then looks over at Yoongi who's gotten suspiciously quiet.

Taehyung quickly pulls the shorter closer by the shoulders when he notices him biting his lips as he contemplates something with a slightly anxious, unsure look in his eyes.

He squeezes his hand, sending him an assuring smile as he starts.

"Yoon, it's only Jungkook. You guys know each other, you don't have anything to worry about. Also shouldn't you be glad that he's coming back home? I thought you'd be buzzing with elation at that." 

Yoongi sighs and nods at that, corners of his mouth lifting in a shy smile. He looks at Taehyung with that special glint but also uncertainty in his eyes.

"Of course I am, hell I'm the happiest guy on the planet right now. I'm still digesting the fact that he's returning Tae, god I...I've missed him and I want to cry finally because it's like a piece of myself returning. I've waited so long...but it's all so uncertain. What if hyung has changed? What if hyung thinks I have changed?"

His last statement comes out as a whisper and Taehyung quickly pulls him into a hug, resting his chin over the other's shoulder as Yoongi buries his face in the crook of his. The way they've done all these years, a safety cocoon for them.

"Of course you've changed Yoon."  Tae gently continues patting his back, feeling Yoongi stiffen then relax.  

"You've become such a wonderful and beautiful person. Jungkook would be proud of you and you know it. Now cheer up and wipe that anxious shadow off your face, you're Min Yoongi and you've got this hmm?"  He pulls back and boops Yoongi's nose, who scrunches it up and then giggles. 

They sit upright and Yoongi leans his head on his shoulder, asking quietly

"You really think so Tae? I've heard quite the opposite from a lot of peopl—" 

Tae pinches his waist in response, resulting in a yelp from the shorter boy who pouts at him with his eyebrows furrowed.

"And you very rightfully put them in place just like the Cypher you delivered in last year of high school. Now stop doubting yourself, I'm not about to boost your already overwhelming confidence again. You're ready for this. Jesus you even made me design you a dress solely for his return!" 

Yoongi grins at that and leans up to kiss Taehyung's nose, who looks at him smugly and gets a swat on his arm in return.

"Yes, I'm very thankful for that." Yoongi lays down in Taehyung's lap and then lets out a determined sigh.

"Let's do this, I'm ready." 

A loud screeching yell from downstairs sends both the boys tumbling down the couch with laughter.

"MIN YOONGI! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME JUNGKOOK IS COMING BACK?! Dohyuk oppa just called me up to ask whether you're coming over to check the pantry and menu items off! Dear god I need to get Kookie a gift and get the houses cleaned and his room readied. Jesus why did I schedule this massage session and flower arranging workshop for Wednesday!"

The two boys peer down the stairs to see Mirae in her flowy yellow dress frantically making calls and pacing in the sitting room.

"I see it runs in the family." 

"...I think so too. Let's go to your home studio, need to recheck the dress fit. I'll call Hoseok." 

Jungkook felt like he was still dreaming. When he'd joined the academy, he'd done it with the goal of being a part of the Special Operations Forces. He thought it would be another four years in training until he would be recruited officially. Yet he knew that the golden opportunity of joining the NIS isn't one to pass on. 

These five years had gone by painfully slow for him. Each day a new challenge, rigorous training and discipline being drilled into them. Being pushed to extremes for thinking, strategizing, analyzing and executing. 

Strengthening your mind with repeated lessons and conducts, barring thoughts of anything before life at the academy. It took its toll, made their mind an ever alert radar. Every step was calculated, every thought processes to its core.

Though the academy fulfilled its  purpose of making him a capable soldier of the country, it also created an emptiness within him. He had felt the faint beginning of a sort of anhedonia creeping up on him in the last few months. It made Jungkook believe that the isolated life was unsuitable for him, it made him desolate. He had realised that he needs the familiarity of home once in a while at least. 

On the bright side, he had got the job offer by the hands of Kim Namjoon, team leader of one of the squads of a branch of NIS. To say he was astounded would be an understatement. Namjoon himself was a remarkable personality, with the way he stood, to the way he carried himself and the way he spoke–like a true emissary, he was awe-inspiring. 

Jungkook wasn't one to undermine himself or question his self-esteem, but he had to admit to himself the fact that if Jeon Dohyuk had a perfect son, it would be Namjoon.

Namjoon had conveyed how the organisation had acknowledged his potential, going into an in-depth explanation of all the systematics of the National Intelligence Service. 

Post his talk with his father he had spent the entire day mentally debating and self analysing with himself. Only after concluding that the pros include a chance at a homey-life and regular communication with his family as well as a chance at actively reducing crime from the country, did Jungkook feel satisfied and relaxed. Having completed all the paperwork, he'd been told that they would have to usually report to the headquarters in Gyeonggi. Half an hour from home. 

Jungkook was surprised he still associated home with two houses—the houses which hold memories of his mother, father, his Aunty Mirae and his Uncle Hyunbin and….Yoongi.

There's a pleasant warmth which fills him each time he thinks about his dongsaeng, warmth which had been absent for the entirety of these 5 years. He'd missed him terribly and couldn't wait to see how Yoongi had blossomed through the years. 

The early weeks in the academy were very hard for him. Not the actual training because he'd mastered most of the specialised activities under the guidance of his father already, but the subconscious anxiety for the well being of his family back home. 

Was Yoongi alright? He had said he had an underground rap competition coming up, did he do well? 

Oh it's winter, hope Yoonie's wearing warmer clothes. He tends to forget to carry his overcoat anywhere. 

It's Yoonie's birthday, Uncle must have gifted him the Aventador.

Yoongi's exam results must be out. 

He must have graduated.

He said he wanted to gain thorough experience, had he started his internship in Hyunjae?

Not a single day where he doesn't regret breaking Yoongi's heart on their last moments together. Jungkook berated himself with the thought that he could have handled the situation better, he should have let Yoongi know how much he loves him, how he wants Yoongi to be happy all the time. 

But it's all in the past and Jungkook had heaved a sigh at the realisation that Yoongi would probably not even remember him like that. It would turn into a cringy memory which would be laughed and grimaced at during family dinners. They can move past it, they will return back to their platonic dynamic and things will be smooth again. Jungkook had believed the sigh to be one of relief, but he has felt bittersweet since the realisation. 

On days where the homesickness got overwhelming, Jungkook was grateful to Jimin for helping and accompanying him, being by his side and distracting him from the ache missing his family. 

Park Jimin had become a great comrade and friend during these years. He was an angelic bubbly guy with a bright and kind personality but could also pack a mean punch and spinning hook kick while dismantling a gun simultaneously.

Though he was a year senior to him, they were in the same squad and worked well together. Hence when Namjoon had announced that both of them would be recruited in the same team, the two friends had been over the moon. 

Jimin was from Busan though. He had told Jungkook that he would have to go directly to his parents' since house hunting in Seoul would take a few days. That's how Jungkook ended up offering him a stay at his house. That way he won't have to travel back and forth from Busan. Jimin had agreed on the condition that he gets to meet the acclaimed Min Yoongi. 

Frankly, Jungkook doesn't have a lot of friends. Yugyeom and Mingyu had literally barged into his life and announced themselves as his best friends, whom he's lost connection with now. Jimin had moulded himself in his life with bursts of affectionate gestures and inclusive words. He made sure of Jungkook's comfort and was patient with him. 

It took them quite some time, with Jimin's overtly touchy and flirty nature and Jungkook's hesitance in their new environment but they had adapted to it and now they worked compatibly with each other. 

Jungkook had spent quite a lot of time babbling about his life back in Seoul to Jimin, who listened with rapt attention and interest. The places and streets, his highschool and his friends, his hobbies, all the prior training and discipline, how eminent his father is and how he misses his mother but has accepted and moved on from her death because he had found a perfect family with the Mins. 

However, what surprised Jimin the most was the detailed and lengthy spree of praises Jungkook reveled in whenever he spoke about his most favourite person in the world–Min Yoongi. 

One day Jimin had exasperatedly asked him "God the number of times you've spoken about Yoongi's hook shots, Debussy and Cypher performances and squishy cheeks, I'm surprised you aren't head over heels in love with him Kook-ah. Or are you?" 

He had wiggled his eyebrows and suddenly Jungkook felt his blood run cold. Did he sound like that? No..that can't be. Jimin must be thinking too much into it. 

"Don't be stupid hyung, we don't see each other like that." He'd evaded the topic then, his tone stern, clearly hinting that he doesn't want to hear more of it. 

Jungkook did not want to talk to Jimin about their possible feelings at all because in some subconscious part of his mind, he feared the truth in Jimin's perspective thoughts. 

He doesn't know the source of this fear, but he knows that it's affiliated with the reason he doesn't feel romantically for Jimin, or anyone else in the academy either. 

Their batchmates had asked them multiple times about it.

"No–really? Not even a little bit? But Jimin is like a whole 11 course meal dude. You guys are practically glued together and you've really never even thought of hooking up?" 

Jimin laughed and shrugged in response. 

"I mean, I'm down if Kookie wants to but yeah, we've got no strings attached."

Not that Jimin was lacking in any factor. Jungkook definitely had his jaw dropped when he saw him for the first time. Who wouldn't? Park Jimin had plump sultry lips, gorgeous puppy eyes and a very nice light voice with a cute smile which made his eyes disappear into crescents. 

He had an angelic light voice and was quite a mesmerizing dancer. He had said he learned it during his early teen years. Jungkook was surprised that this gorgeous man had willingly joined a military career. 

However it was all purely physical attraction of maybe a moment or two. There wasn't a special warmth in his chest when thinking about Jimin. There wasn't any endearment or awe in his actions that made his heart constrict with love and his soul sing, no tenderness which made his eyes soften and body lighten. 

Jungkook doesn't know where he's experienced these feelings, but there certainly aren't any between them. 

Therefore the day before they're set to leave for Seoul, when Jimin asks him if he's excited to be reunited with 'his favourite person', he is surprised when he feels a faint hint of that warmth. 

Min Hyunbin had thought that having succeeded in life with a loving family and a fulfilled empire–the largest main contractors in Asia, he would get to live the rest of his days peacefully.

He wished he could say he didn't see this coming, but the day he had married Mirae he knew the word peaceful would have no existence in his life anymore.

He thinks over all of this as he watches his wife and son frantically decorate the Jeon's house while his son's best friend shouts at him to start getting ready because he 'will not be making any more last minute adjustments and re-do his make up'.

"No! Yoongi the gifts go near the fireplace." Mirae snatches the gifts from Yoongi and artistically places them. 

"Eomma what even! It's not Christmas just keep them on the coffee table!" He screeches while being dragged by an annoyed Taehyung to one of the guest rooms(which had been labelled Yoongi's long ago) on the second floor.

"You want a refill?" Dohyuk raises the whiskey flask in question as he chuckles, receiving a resigned sigh with a nod from the older Min.

"I cannot believe Yoongi insisted on hanging fairy lights in here. He slung it over the crystal chandelier because of the high ceiling!" He face-palms himself over his son's stubborn antics as Dohyuk guffaws.

"Let him be, he's waited for this day for years now. It's one of the most important days of his life." Dohyuk pats his back. 

"You both could at least help me out! I'm the only one running around while you two sit sippi— oh my, Yoongi you look beautiful! My son is so pretty, no surprise there" Mirae squeals over to the man in the white dress stepping into the room followed by a smiling, content looking Taehyung. 

"I gotta agree Aunty, your son is the Muse and model of a lot of my works. God I'd be a passion-starved man if it weren't for you Yoons." Taehyung playfully grins at Mirae and sends a wink towards Yoongi who rolls his eyes.

"All these sweet praises, you should return my 900,000 won you took for the dress Tae." Taehyung waves his hands in a dismissive gesture and skips ahead towards the couches. 

Yoongi is about to walk towards the kitchen to check on the dishes for the 13th time when the bell rings. 

Dohyuk turns to him to ask "Hoseok?" 

Yoongi gives a nod and quickly buzzes him in. After a minute Hoseok walks in through the glass doors and waves to Taehyung and Mirae, with a bow to Hyunbin and Dohyuk. 

"Wow, nice work with the lights Yoon." Hoseok looks around nodding and gives a thumbs up to Yoongi who grins and shrugs.

"Always the best for Kookie hyung, anyway I think it's time, they land at 3 right? We should leave now." He picks up his coat and checks himself in the mirror, patting and fixing his blonde hair waves. 

"Jeez you already look like a million bucks, have some trust in my hard work. Now get going or you'll be late and your Kookie hyung will be lonely at the airport." Tae puts his arm around the shorter's shoulder who scowls at him.

"I don't want to look like a million bucks. That's exactly why I told you to make a dress which looks pretty as hell but simple too. I'm going for the "I didn't try at all and I still look fucking gorgeous" look." 

He looks towards Hoseok for confirmation who gestures the okay sign in agreement.

Yoongi puts on his white ankle boots and sends flying kisses to the three elders as goodbye, then waves to Taehyung as he grabs his white buzz-23 Balmain bag and hurries out to Holly which is parked outside the gate. 

Taehyung too packs his kit and leaves, already late for his work meeting with the supervisor. Yoongi's frantic entry earlier that week and the impromptu day off from work had left a mess that he has to clean up.

Hoseok bows again to the two older men and goes to follow Yoongi out when Hyunbin calls out to him.

"Hoseok-ah, it's been a few days since I saw you. Is your mother well?" 

"Yes sir, she's doing well. She sent her regards and invited sir, Mirae-ssi and Mr. Jeon for dinner this weekend if it is alright with everyone." Hoseok gives a small smile to Hyunbin and Mirae quickly confirms their attendance. 

"Is the savings for your dance studio steady? I have said this before too, you don't have to continue working for us. We will readily pay for the remaining sum for the rent of the studio—"

"I apologise for interrupting sir, but I am more comfortable continuing my job of being beside Yoongi. Borrowing anymore from you would weigh heavy on my already gratified conscience." Dohyuk is about to reassure him but Hoseok turns to him and continues with an apologetic expression.

" I know you all mean well, Yoongi too insists on the same every now and then but I just cannot. Your help with my mother's surgery was already a lot sir. Ah I'll leave now or else Yoongi is going to start his whining." Right on cue they hear Holly's honk and Hoseok chuckles as he walks out. 

"He's a good boy, has a sense of responsibility and kindness. Strong personality too, he'll be a good man." Dohyuk nods approvingly, Mirae lighting up at the prospect of a new eligible bachelor for Yoongi.

Hyunbin senses his wife's upcoming words and puts a halt to her thoughts.

"You really need to stop doing that. Someday you're going to slip up and speak something wrong in front of Yoonie and then he will think his parents are old school primates who arrange their children's marriage. Also god Hoseok is his friend!" 

Hyunbin sighs in exasperation as Mirae makes an affronted expression. Dohyuk raises both his eyebrows in amusement, inconspicuously munching on the lamb skewers Yoongi had prepared for Jungkook. 

"I would never pressure Yoongi into some marriage arrangement! I just want him to open up more. He's never even dated anyone, my poor boy. Yoonie doesn't even consider the idea of loving someone else other than Jungkook and of course, I'd love nothing more than for them to get together but...the variable that things won't work out, they scare me. I thought maybe with Tae...but Yoongi doesn't see him like that." 

Mirae sighs and leans her head on her husband's shoulder, relaxing as his hands rub up and down her arm.

Dohyuk gives her an understanding look as he speaks up.

"Jungkook would never hurt our Yoongi's feelings Mirae-yah, you know that. Let's just see how things work out, now that he's back." 

"So….is your heart fluttering? Beating too fast? You nervous? A lot of things must have changed, do you think Yoongi got hot? I mean puberty really hits them hard.." Jimin has been pestering him from the moment they boarded and he hasn't stopped for a single moment.

 Usually Jungkook's jet lags aren't that bad, but now he can feel a massive headache forming from the constant chatter he's heard for over an hour.

"Hyung, I swear to god I will cargo you back if you don't stop right now. And for heaven's sake do not talk any nonsense in front of Yoongi, I have a cool hyung reputation to maintain and you are a squid ink stain on it." Jungkook rolls his eyes and pulls his luggage off the baggage belt conveyor. 

Jimin huffs and pouts, effortlessly pulling off both his suitcases and joining his side as they walk out towards the exit. 

"Fine, I can see right through you but I'll let you off the hook. Now who's coming to pick us up? General Jeon?"

Jungkook shrugs. "He didn't specify. Maybe he's sent Euishik-ssi, he's the Mins' chauffeur." 

Jimin has his mouth opened in an oval, both eyebrows slightly raised.

"Good lord, you guys really are high society. A chauffeur, really?" Jungkook gives him a bored look as they reach the arrival gate.

"Yeah, now don't go stereotyping us. We're respectful and not vain or unnecessarily arrogant with a superiority complex. Mirae Aunty is a philanthropist and she spends 70% of her time in educating and solving structural and functional issues in the rural parts of Korea. She's very sweet, you know the "here have a cookie" sweet."

They're now standing outside the gate as Jungkook scans through the crowd for either his father or Euishik, when Jimin links their arms.

"Of course Kook-ah, I can never think of you like that. You wouldn't even curse at Captain Yeon after all this time, god his stupid river bank trainings were the worst. Remember the time he slipped on an eel and fell?" 

They both chuckle at the memory of the red faced, fully soaked Captain who had hurriedly squeaked out a 'dismiss' as he ran back towards the jeep.

"That's how I understood that slipping off banana peels is justified. Anyway he was just a guy doing his job you can't blame hi—"  The next words get stuck in his throat as he sees a flash of white coming towards him.

His words, his breath, his eyes and every other sensation is stuck to the goddess of a man walking towards him. How is someone so pretty they make you dream and crash you to reality at the same time.

--

"Yoongi I think we're too early.." 

"No it's already time, they must have claimed the luggage by now." Yoongi waits near the back of the room with his right leg bouncing and palms wringing together. 

Seeing him, Hoseok taps his hands and shakes his head. Yoongi heaves a sigh and keeps his eye fixed towards the gate. 

Hoseok clears his throat as the silence between them is full of nervousness. 

"Yoongi, really just take a deep breath and relax. We won't miss them from here.  You're gonna sweat your liner off and then fuss about it like last time." He sighs but straightens at the sharp look he gets from the younger. 

"My first love is returning from battle and you want me to relax! How insensitive Hoseok-ah." Yoongi turns his head away dramatically while Hoseok rolls his eyes.

"Riiight, go on Juliet. I'm always left in awe at your patience and stubbornness. It surpasses even mine and believe me when I say that I was a second away from buying a plantation land when you ran Holly over that douchy creative director's phone." Hoseok shakes his head to get rid of the terrific memory while Yoongi laughs.

"C'mon he deserved that, I'm literally a hero for saving others from his lecherous schemes and gaze. Bastards who sabotage others deser— what the fuck!" Something very unpleasant catches his eye. 

The initial burst of immense glee at finally seeing Jungkook after all these years is quickly overshadowed by the stab of shock watching a black-haired, otherworldly gorgeous man cling to his hyung while they both giggle at something leaning close. Did he work part-time as an idol or something?!

"What? What's wrong? Can you see him? Where is he?" Hoseok follows the blond's line of sight and lets out an "ah there" when he finds the precious hyung he's heard so much about. 

Well the pictures did no justice to the tall man, he looks like an extremely sexy, inexplicably handsome man with defined features and even more defined muscles. Add to that his cosmic, youthful eyes and you have a walking Korean Hercules.

But then he shifts his eyes to the man beside him and curses out his own expletives. Because if what he's heard of Jungkook throughout these two years is any indication, that shorter man better get his hands off him or Hoseok is due for another conflict with his plantation job idea.

He turns to try reasoning with Yoongi but the other has already started striding towards Jungkook and his friend. 

Maybe unpleasant is an understatement. Yoongi can feel sheer jealousy and annoyance, tinged with anger and hurt. The rational part of his brain reminds him that he was the one who had clearly said Jungkook had no obligation to wait for him, but he can't help but feel betrayed. 

As for the irrational part, he has a strong urge to run down a certain plump lipped man, preferably not with Holly because her tires are expensive. Now Yoon we don't go around thinking of homicide in broad daylight, pull yourself together for hyung's sake!

"The needless giggling isn't helping his case" he grits to himself, but Hoseok catches it and gulps. This dark look on his friend's face is always a premonition of bad news for them. Jaw clenched, an eyebrow pointedly raised, eyes blazingly sharp, Yoongi was practically glaring katanas at the other man. 

"Yoon, you're meeting Jungkook after a long time. Let's focus more on him yeah? It's such a big day for both of you, don't do anything rash. You need to make a good impression as Min Yoongi." 

Hoseok tries diffusing the thick tension, heaving a sigh as Yoongi contemplates his words and nods, eyes softening as he meets Jungkook's gaze.

Thank god. Hoseok is going to age 10 years in a day if he keeps on like this. He reminds himself to call up and curse Kim Taehyung for leaving him alone to navigate through this Trojan war remake of a situation.

++

Jungkook can't tear his eyes away from the man.

The blonde is quite shorter than him, 5'7 probably. He's wearing a white tank-sleeved dress with a sheer flowy overlayer with extended sleeves which ends just above his pink knees.

 The dress is perfect for him, accentuating his slim yet toned arms with a narrow waist. His hair is blonde with fringes covering his forehead, framing his round face prettily. 

 His cat-like curved witty eyes lined with a wing at the corners, enhancing their piercing features. Milky white unblemished skin, prominent collarbones, almost translucent and cheeks which are tinged pink with a blush. Inviting pink tinted pouty lips and a cute button nose. 

Those features look familiar, I swear that nose is—oh shit.

Jungkook snaps out of his dazed stare with a violent jerk as Jimin jostles him, questioning his sanity as well as comfort.

"Okay you're either not okay or just fucking with me now. What even happened? Saw an ex-fuckbuddy? One night stand? Loan shark??" Jimin's eyebrows furrow more as Jungkook keeps looking at Min Yoongi striding towards him with a man hurrying to catch up behind him. 

The man is in a black shirt with the word OBEY colourfully printed on it and beige pants. The man is easily taller than Yoongi, almost as tall as Jungkook. Must be around 5' 8 then. Tanned, with nice strong features contrasting to Yoongi soft ones. He looks lean but muscular, eyes alert and constantly on the look out. Protective.

Jungkook doesn't remember him, must be a new friend or colleague. Must be his boyfriend. 

That bittersweet feeling seems to have risen at the thought, so Jungkook isn't going to think about their relationship right now. Yoongi is here to pick him up. Min Yoongi who is in a fucking dress which looks gorgeous on him. 

Dear god this is not how Jungkook had expected his first moments back in Seoul to go. He did not just check out his dongsaeng a second ago. Hell no. Everyone gets caught a little off-guard when they see epitomes of beauty, also Jungkook had not recognised him then. 

He hasn't changed much, less like some puberty truck hit and more of a puberty caress. His hair isn't the black it was but the blonde suits him too, it adds to his soft aesthetic. He's grown into his features more. The slimness has retained but has also given way for muscles at the right places. Of course he has grown up to be some Persephone incarnate. God give Jungkook the strength to keep his head right.

Beside him Jimin seems to have caught on, the loud "hyung!" yelled by Yoongi hint enough. 

"Oh my fucking holy shit. Why do I think that is Min Yoongi? He is isn't he? God I'd drool too...who in the world could look like an air goddess, a celebrity, a florist and a chaebol at the same time?" Jimin has his jaw fully dropped with his eyebrows raised comically and eyes wide open with blown pupils.

Yoongi and unnamed man have almost reached them now when Yoongi comes straight towards him. With a large gummy smile he flings himself at him and Jungkook instinctively catches him and twirls him around twice as he squeals.  He's missed this, he's missed him so very painfully. There's no way they could lose what they had. He was worried for nothing.  

And that is when it hits him. The warmth. The particular warmth. It's the warmth of home but also of something unknown. It's almost magical the way it spreads inside him. 

He knows this warmth, he's searched for it and found it lacking with everyone but Yoongi and now along with the warmth is a buzz in his veins, an electric feeling that was a result of the close physical proximity of the ethereal man in his arms.

"I missed you so so so much hyung. I'm super proud of you" he says, as comprehensively as he could with his face smushed tightly in the crook of the older's neck. 

Jungkook chuckles at his baby's endearingly said words. 

"I missed you too dumpling. The most. I'm glad that I could make my Yoonie proud."

Yoongi pulls his face back and grins.

"I've always been proud of you hyung. Look at you, finally you're reaching Appa level handsomeness."

"Ah good to see you're still a brat." The two fall into peals of laughter as they naturally fall back into their teasing exchanges.

Jungkook then stops and looks into the younger's eyes with a soft gaze and smile as he says, "Well you've become the cutest and prettiest kitten ever, just as I had imagined."

"Ah hyung, you're too much!" Yoongi's cheeks turn pink and he grins wide.

The warmth had always been a sort of dormant, unbloomed simmer but it somehow responded to only his kitten. Nevertheless Jungkook pushes all interpretation and unravelling for later, wrapping his arms tighter around his waist and relishing the gummy smile he's always loved to see. 

Yoongi could kill with his smile, Yoongi could cure with his smile. Yoongi brings dead emotions and passion to life within him. 

"Ahem, as absolutely disgustingly cute this whole encounter is..maybe we should either start with an introduction or our exit from the airport. Preferably the latter because now half the airport is staring at you both." Jimin smirks at them and Jungkook feels his face heat up.

He lowers Yoongi down and takes half a step back to introduce Jimin but Yoongi beats him to it.

"Hi, you must be Kookie hyung's friend. He told Appa you'd be coming with him. I'm Min Yoongi." With a hard, confident look in his eyes and a polite smile plastered on his face, Yoongi puts out his ring adorned hand for a handshake towards Jimin. 

Jimin who looks flustered with the sudden attention but quickly schools himself and shakes the younger's hand with a smirk even going as far as yanking him forward and placing a kiss on the back of his hand.

"Right and I'm Park Jimin but you can call me hyung too. Also, has anyone told you that you look impeccably beautiful Min Yoongi?"

Jungkook rolls his eyes at his friend's cheesy flirting and hopes Yoongi doesn't kick his shins because he looks quite bewildered as well as annoyed right now.

"Well hyung, I actually have. Five times now in the past fifteen minutes of waiting out here." Yoongi replies with a tilt of his head and a quirky smile.

"Anyway, this is my friend Hoseok. Jungkook hyung must not be knowing him because we met around two years ago, but he's a great guy and part of the fam now." He grins  towards Hoseok who gives a small shy smile to the two elders.

"Hello Jungkook-ssi, Jimin-ssi. Please don't listen to Yoongi, he likes to exaggerate. Ah we should start moving out now, the area is getting more crowded. Should I help you with the bags?" Hoseok moves to help Jungkook with one of his bags but he assures him that it's not necessary, dragging it himself.

Huh, he's not a bad man. Pretty polite and respectful. Plus Yoongi said he's just a friend so..

He doesn't know why the thought eases something in him, but he's got no qualms with it so Hoseok is in the clear for now. 

Yoongi insists on carrying one of the bags and just snatches one from Jungkook's side, skipping ahead in front of them. 

"Sorry he's..well you know how he is." Jungkook chuckles at Hoseok's sheepish smile and nods.

"Yeah I do, you can't stop Yoongi. Also Hoseok-ah, no need to be so formal with us just call us hyungs too."

"Ah okay then hyung." He tells them to follow him as he leads them towards the black Range Rover parked out.

"Damn your Yoongi is intimidating in a very sexy way and god his friend, whew.  You think they're dati— wow is that a Lamborghini?!" Jungkook jumps a little at the loud exclamation from his friend and turns to follow the sight which has Jimin bug-eyed and jaw dropped yet again.

Wow. Okay maybe Jimin is totally justified in his reactions because the sleek grey Aventador has Jungkook drooling too. The awe increases tenfold when the window of the car rolls down revealing Yoongi who has a knowing smirk on his face, eyes shining in excitement as he finally gets to see Jungkook's reaction to his beloved car.

"Hyung! Get in! What are you waiting for?" He teases and Jungkook lets out a breathy laugh because of course Yoongi would get one of the most luxurious sports car as a graduation gift. 

Hyunbin clearly loves his son a tad bit too much.

Jimin elbowing his side brings him out of his awe-induced daze. 

"Kook if you aren't gonna get in then move so I can. Shit who could imagine...an actual Aventador SVJ. God the V12 engine of it, that car literally purrs." He whisper-yells in Jungkook's ear, getting an eye roll as a response. 

Hoseok then chooses to diffuse the situation as he speaks.

"Ah Jimin hyung, I've already put all the luggage in the trunk. You can get inside the Rover and we will reach Cheongdam-dong in about 40 minutes." He gives him a reassuring smile and Jimin looks at Jungkook with a doubtful expression, who nods and squeezes his hand.

"Don't worry hyung, we won't leave you stranded in the middle of Seoul." Jungkook jokingly reassures him and Jimin nods as he goes to follow Hoseok but is stopped by Yoongi calling out to him.

"Ah Jimin hyung, I'm sorry but Holly only has two seats. I promise to let you take her for a drive though." He gives him a lopsided grin and winks making Jimin chuckle. 

"We have a deal then." The last thing Jimin and Hoseok see is Jungkook shaking his head from the passenger's seat before the car thrums to life and zooms away.

As Jimin settles inside the Rover he lets out another chuckle, Hoseok turning to him questioningly, so the former asks with a smile playing around his lips.

"Just wondering, is he always like that?" 

As they navigate through the traffic of Seoul, they can spot Holly cutting through it with quick swerves and high speed. 

I hope Jungkook can make it through without puking.

Hoseok cringes internally at the memory of a green-faced Taehyung when Yoongi had taken him on a drive for the first time. He had unceremoniously thrown up all over the sidewalk right outside the Min Residence. Precisely why Hoseok has vowed to never take up on Yoongi's offer of lifts.

Coming back to the present, Hoseok is certain Jimin is not referring to Yoongi's unique driving skills so he smiles back and shrugs.

"That's just the tip of the iceberg hyung." 

"Then I guess I'm screwed." Hoseok raises his eyebrows as Jimin grins smugly.

"But you know who's even more screwed? Jungkook."