When Yoongi woke up the following day, Hoseok was still fast asleep, arm securely wrapped around Yoongi's waist. Yoongi smiled, letting his head continue to rest in Hoseok's chest, remembering the first time he'd woken up in Hoseok's arms had been when they'd ventured to Lake Texoma. It felt so long ago, even though it had only been in November. It surprised him how fast everything had changed. He wondered what his parents would do if they found out Yoongi was sleeping in the same bed as Hoseok. Knowing them, they'd freak out. To what extent, Yoongi wasn't too sure. The way everything had changed had been too fast for Yoongi to process, and Yoongi didn't know how long it would take for the high he was currently on to fall.

He was sure this was how Adam and Eve felt the first time they'd fallen to sin. After being ashamed of their nakedness, they'd woven outfits for themselves and continued to live until they were finally caught. Would Yoongi have to attempt to cover himself up until his inevitable fall? How careful would he have to be? How limited were Hoseok and Yoongi? They weren't in a relationship, but they weren't just friends anymore. In all honesty, they hadn't been "just friends" for a bit now.

Any doubt Yoongi had about his feelings for Hoseok was washed away. Memories from yesterday flooded into Yoongi's mind faster than he could comprehend, and his cheeks warmed remembering the kiss they'd shared, and though the night had taken a sour turn, they'd managed to turn it back around. Now they were here. It felt surreal— it was surreal, and Yoongi feared all he had to do was blink for everything to disappear.

Hoseok looked so beautiful asleep. Serenity laced his sleeping expression, a hint of a smile on his lips as he continued to sleep. His hair was scrawled messily over his forehead, hooding his closed eyes from the sun that had begun to seep through the windows. Hoseok had always been a deep sleeper; even if the sun were beating down on him, he wouldn't budge. Yoongi couldn't believe it. This was the person he loved the most. The person he'd loved for who knew how long and only just realized it.

His fantasy had entailed having a woman by his side. Marrying a girl that practiced the same religion as him, settling down, having as many kids as possible because the church always encouraged pro-creation, and then he'd work for the rest of his life to support them. The vision had disappeared, falling out of Yoongi's grasp no matter how tight he had been grasping the idea of it. It had disintegrated into nothing more than fantasy, and it saddened Yoongi, but not because he wished to have the dream. It was the only dream that would make his parents happy. The only future where Yoongi would have his parents' support.

He knew that his parents' love was conditional. They'd separated Yoongi and Hoseok when they were younger to stop what was happening between them now. If they were willing to go to far lengths to ensure that Yoongi remained on the 'right' path, then Yoongi knew if they were to ever find out about the one thing they tried to prevent, they would lose it. They'd already tried kicking him out, and they hardly looked in his direction. The only time they acknowledged him was when he decided to go to church with them, where they'd quickly tried to find someone who, ironically, was in similar boats to Yoongi.

"I can practically see the smoke coming out of your ears, Yoon," Hoseok mumbled, stifling a yawn. Yoongi broke out of his thoughts and gave Hoseok a soft smile. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just thinking about everything," Yoongi murmured. "This is what my parents wanted to avoid. It's why they separated us. It's weird to say that my parents had known how things would turn out before they turned out that way."

"Can I be honest?"

Yoongi nodded.

"I think we've always liked each other," Hoseok said without missing a beat. "I figured it out first, and when I told my parents, they'd told yours. I think they knew I had romantic feelings for you, and they thought the best way to stop you from feeling the same was to pull us apart when they realized that the conversion therapy place they'd sent me hadn't done anything to fix me. I mean, it worked."

It did.

Hoseok and Yoongi hadn't spoken after he'd come back from conversion therapy. Yoongi couldn't say for certain if he liked Hoseok (or if he knew that there was something between them before), but he did remember always wanting to be with Hoseok. He hadn't liked when other kids were giving him attention, and he'd wanted to keep Hoseok to himself, but he thought it was normal to feel like that. His parents had never told him how romantic feelings felt, and Yoongi supposed that he may have mixed a relationship for a friendship when it came to Hoseok.

"I wouldn't put it past them," Yoongi admitted, exhaling softly. "They detest you. Everyone does."

"Now they detest you too," Hoseok hummed. "At least they will. Well, our school's already shunned you. I don't think you'll be missed that much. We have a couple of months. Then we'll be free."

Yoongi grimaced. "I don't know how my parents will react. I'm definitely getting disowned."

"You don't have to tell anyone anything, Yoongi," Hoseok said, taking the moment to sit up. "That's what they want you to think. You don't have to come out to anyone. You don't even have to come out. You don't see straight people telling their parents they're straight. I told my parents because I thought I had to. Look where that landed me. The last thing I want is for you to go through what I did. You're lucky in that sense. Your best friend's bisexual, and you have me, as well as the support of my family whether you tell them or not."

"You have such a way with words."

Hoseok chuckled, running his fingers through Yoongi's hair softly. Yoongi's heart flipped in his chest, the butterflies happily flying in his stomach. This felt nice, and it scared Yoongi how nice it felt. It felt right, despite always being told that it was supposed to feel wrong. Sure, he had to give up the dreams his parents had tried to have Yoongi make a reality, at least, Yoongi was content. Without the outside world looking at them, Yoongi knew he'd be okay. If Hoseok said that only they would know, and no one else had to, then Yoongi could live with that.

At least, he thought he could live with that.

It was a lot easier said than done.

"Just know that you'll always have my support," Hoseok said, smiling. "I promise."

"Eh, I'm sure I'll have Joon's too," Yoongi responded, shrugging in an effort to hide the smile on his face. "I'm sure Joon is over the moon, knowing that he was the first person to know. Sorry, Hoseok."

"Hey, I always suspected," Hoseok answered defensively. "Okay, well, maybe I just hoped it would be that way. I've wanted you to have feelings for me for the longest time. I thought it had been over once we stopped talking, but once we started talking again, all the hatred I thought I had for you dissolved. If I hadn't had feelings for you still, I don't think I would have reached out to you."

Yoongi didn't think so, either.

Maybe it was a good thing that they both had unresolved feelings for each other.

"I kept telling Jimin that I only wanted to talk to you for friendship, but he saw right through me," Hoseok admitted, shaking his head. "You just kept accepting me, so I kept testing the boundaries. We started hanging out and then became inseparable like the old times, and then we started doing things I'd only dreamed of doing with you. You being unable to write your essays to Notre Dame gave me hope, and then you withdrew your application and applied to the schools we'd intended on applying to from the get go."

"Jimin was pissed, wasn't he?"

Hoseok nodded. "I don't think you realize how much he tried to get me to quit while I was ahead. But you were just so... you, and I couldn't help it. I fell for you all over again. You were changing, and you changed so fast; I mean, we're only towards the end of December, and look at where we are now. I was so obvious, Yoon, and you never realized it. I told you I loved you, and you brushed it off. Now that one had hurt. I was actually contemplating getting over you."

"I'm sorry," Yoongi said, biting his lower lip. "I didn't realize. I'm pretty oblivious when it comes to the obvious. I thought you wanted me to push you towards Alex, and I didn't realize until Winter Formal that I hated the idea of you two together. I think Jimin had his suspicions. That's why he was egging me on. Said it would be the biggest irony of them all if I ended up having feelings for you."

Hoseok's expression clouded for a split second. He sighed and pressed his lips together, clicking his tongue. "Of course he did. Jimin doesn't like you. He's overprotective, and I love him for that, but sometimes he does too much. He had a right to do that, though. You didn't see it like that, but you were leading me on. It reminded him of his ex. You were still straight."

"Yeah, I get you," Yoongi said. "Joon told me similar things. Now you. I think I'm the only one that was a bit behind the times. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Hoseok smiled. "I know. I don't blame you. There's nothing to forgive right now. Things are going to get harder before they come easier, Yoongi, I hope you know that."

"I'm trying not to think about that," Yoongi muttered, sighing. "I'm not ready for change."

"No one is."

A knock on the door, followed by Isla's voice, stopped them from continuing the conversation. Hoseok pressed a finger against Yoongi's lips, waiting a couple of moments, and Isla called out again, this time Jisoo following her.

"We know Yoongi's in there!" Isla yelled through the door. "You're hogging him! You're mean!"

"Yeah, Mom told us he was in there!" Jisoo followed, yelling louder. "Stop keeping him to yourself!"

Yoongi stifled a laugh, glancing at Hoseok, amused. Hoseok had an annoyed look on his face, his arms never once leaving Yoongi's frame. He let them yell for a few minutes before begrudgingly getting up, gesturing for Yoongi to go into his bathroom. Yoongi did, making sure that it seemed as if there had been someone sleeping on the floor, and waltzed into the bathroom, cheeks having never receded their pink. He felt warm; he was warm, tingling from head to toe with feelings he never knew he could have to swirl in his body.

"Yoongi!"

He made sure to be splashing water in his face as Isla and Jisoo burst in, wearing bright smiles on their faces. They hugged him tightly, forcing Yoongi to take a couple of steps back at their energy. Hoseok walked to them, already sending apologetic glances, though Yoongi didn't mind. The girls had always been like this, more so now that Hoseok and Yoongi hung out more often. Eventually, they'd get closer still, and the thought crept into Yoongi's mind faster than he had time to process it.

"There's breakfast downstairs!" Isla grinned. "Mommy thought you and Hoseok would never wake up, so we came to grab you!"

"What time is it?"

"It's almost eleven!" Jisoo answered, pulling Yoongi out of the bathroom. "You have to go eat! You too, Seokie! Can't stay in the room forever. Jimin's coming at noon!"

"Jimin's coming?"

Yoongi couldn't mask the surprise in his voice. He sent Hoseok a pained look, and Hoseok immediately understood, his own gaze mirroring that of Yoongi's. The last thing Yoongi wanted to do today was to see Jimin, especially with everything that had happened the last night. He contemplated returning home, but his stomach growled in defiance, so he headed downstairs and was ushered into the kitchen to eat. Hoseok's mother greeted him the way she always did, smiling at him affectionately as she asked what Yoongi wanted to drink.

After a few minutes, Hoseok came down, sitting opposite Yoongi. He wasted no time eating, checking his phone every so often. Once he was done, he turned to Yoongi, asking him whether he wanted Hoseok to drop him off back at home. Yoongi didn't necessarily want to leave, but he knew that was the best course of action. Hoseok's family didn't know that Jimin and Yoongi had gotten into a fight, and if they did, then they knew that Yoongi couldn't be seen in the house because things could get ugly.

"Are you coming to our Christmas?" Isla asked, peeking curiously at Yoongi. "Well, Christmas Eve?"

"Christmas Eve?" Yoongi asked, to which Jisoo nodded enthusiastically. Recognition lit his features, and he nodded. "I forgot you guys don't celebrate Christmas Day. It's been a long time since I've come. If you'll have me, yes."

"Of course we'll have you, Yoongi," Hoseok's mother chirped, smiling. "You're practically family. Are your parents not leaving the state to visit your other family members?"

Yoongi shrugged. "If they are, they didn't tell me. Considering how I've been acting," he said the word with quotation marks, "I don't think they want the family from Florida to see me. Maybe we'll go for New Year."

"I sure hope you don't," Jisoo chimed, wedging herself in between Yoongi and the empty chair next to him. "We want you over for New Year, too! Right, Hoseok?"

Hoseok shrugged, though Yoongi could tell from the way his eyes had begun to gleam and the small smile that was fighting to blossom on his lips. Yoongi watched as Hoseok took a small bite of his food, downing it with a glass of orange juice, before finally speaking.

"Spending New Year's together would be fun," Hoseok emphasized, Yoongi quickly reading between the lines. "We'd love to have you."

"We'll see then," Yoongi said, smiling. "As long as I'm not burdening anyone."

"You're never a burden, Yoongi," Hoseok's mother laughed, hugging him quickly. "If I could, I would adopt you as my son."

Hoseok wrinkled his nose. "Absolutely not. I will be the only son in this family."

They continued to chatter among each other, and it astounded Yoongi how normal everything seemed to be. In a way, everything was normal. Whatever Yoongi and Hoseok had talked about prior was nothing but a treasured secret between the two of them. No one else would know. No one else had to know— maybe Yoongi would tell Namjoon, but other than that, he didn't have to say anything. Yoongi counted himself lucky. He'd managed to get the guy, even with his constant fuck ups, and even though they weren't official, and it wouldn't be until months later that they would officially go out, as of December 22nd, 2015, they were exclusive.

They wouldn't be going for anyone else.

They would only go for each other.

Hoseok volunteered to drop Yoongi home, and Yoongi accepted, promising Isla and Jisoo that he would be back the following day. When they were fully away from prying eyes, Hoseok laced their hands together, and for a moment, Yoongi felt as if time had stopped. He'd never seen Hoseok shine so radiantly, and it seemed like overnight Hoseok's aura had completely changed. The tension that he carried seemed to have dissipated, and the way that he would squeeze Yoongi's hand every so often reminded Yoongi that everything was different now. Yoongi supposed he was still in that high because as Hoseok drove him back to his house, Yoongi felt nothing but peaceful.

It was like nothing could step in between them. Right now, Yoongi and Hoseok were immersed in their own separate world, away from all the judgment, with all the freedom to be themselves. The doubts that had haunted Yoongi from the moment that he had admitted to himself that he had feelings for Hoseok were gone for now, and Yoongi took it as a sign that things were going in the right direction. He didn't feel guilty yet.

When Hoseok finally got to Yoongi's house, Yoongi found himself not wanting to leave. When their hands let go, Yoongi wanted to reach out to Hoseok again but didn't. Instead, he smiled shyly, and Hoseok returned his smile, his eyes merely pools of warmth and adoration. They stared at each other for a few moments before Yoongi finally forced himself out of the truck, knowing that his parents were no doubt staring through the window at their interactions.

"I'll see you?"

Yoongi nodded.

He watched as Hoseok drove away, resisting the urge not to run after it. Begrudgingly, Yoongi walked towards the house, noticing an unknown car parked in the driveway, and as he opened the, he was immediately bombarded by his parents, who quickly ushered him inside. Yoongi looked at them confused, inching away at his parents hovering over him. He peered over his parents' shoulders and noticed a family sitting in the living room.

"Jess's family is here for lunch," Yoongi's mother whispered, to which Yoongi frowned. "Don't give me that."

"I'm not hungry," Yoongi said, crossing his arms. "I just ate, and since when do you bring company over like this?"

"Yoongi, your job as a host is to help entertain the guests," his father said sternly. "It doesn't matter if you've eaten already; you will act as if you haven't for the sake of the company. Besides, Jess is here. We heard you two hung out yesterday. Alone."

Yoongi's mother smiled at that, her eyes shining proudly. "I knew we had found someone in Jess. Isn't she amazing?"

Jess appeared around the corner as if on cue, her greetings quickly ending the conversation between Yoongi and his parents. They exchanged a knowing glance, and Yoongi asked to be excused, asking Jess if she wanted to talk outside on his patio. His parents practically ushered him away; Jess's parents watched excitedly as Yoongi and Jess went to the farthest part of Yoongi's backyard, where they would be out of earshot but still seen. Once they were in the clear, they turned to each other, Jess speaking first.

"You look different."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow. "You saw me yesterday."

Jess nodded, humming. "You're wearing different clothes from yesterday, but you just got home." Her eyes lit up. "I saw you come out of a truck." At Yoongi's questioning gaze, she added, "The downstairs bathroom faces the driveway. I couldn't resist peeking. Who dropped you off?"

"I'm surprised my parents didn't say anything," Yoongi remarked, glancing at his parents, who were pretending they weren't looking their way. "They don't like him very much. Hatred is a better word for it. We used to be best friends back in the day."

Jess nodded in understanding, though her gaze remained puzzled. "You recently reconnected with trucker boy?"

"Yeah," Yoongi sighed. "My parents didn't like that. Where did they say I was when y'all made your way here?"

"Church," Jess answered. "They said you were trying to align yourself more with God now. You were with trucker boy, though. You've been with him all night."

Noticing Jess's expression, Yoongi laughed nervously. "What are you trying to say?"

Jess grinned, nudging Yoongi playfully. "Relax, Gi. I'm only messing around with you. I'm glad shit's going right with ya. How did y'all even reconnect?"

"He taught me that homophobia was wrong," Yoongi answered truthfully, watching Jess's gaze. "He's the reason I don't call you every name in the book."

Jess nodded seriously. "I must meet this trucker boy. He seems to be the only one with common sense. I swear the trucks here got all the boys thinking the most redneck shit. Must be something in the exhaust."

Yoongi laughed. "Nah. He's different— a good different. You'll love him, I promise. He's great. I regret listening to my parents. Wish I could have kept the friendship we had before. I would have saved him a lot of pain, that's for sure."

"He's that special, huh?"

Yoongi knew exactly what she meant. That implied question could lead to Jess figuring out something about Yoongi that only Namjoon and Hoseok knew. As much as she was comfortable around him, Jess was still a stranger, so the safest option for Yoongi was to ignore the subtle ask and steer the conversation in a different direction. To speak the words out loud in his own home could put him in danger in the case that his parents could hear. It's not like he owed Jess anything. Jess must have noticed Yoongi's hesitation because she backed off, smiling good-naturedly and steering the conversation away from the topic so that they could talk about other lighthearted things.

They continued to talk, their parents conveniently not going to get them when the food was done. The hours passed by, and before he knew it, the clock had struck nearly three. Yoongi knew why his parents were excited about the friendship between Jess and him. It was so easy to fall into a good rhythm with her, and the conversation, albeit awkward at times, but friendly all the same. He noted that Jess was quick to be handsy, particularly when their parents were looking in their direction, which was fine, but she made sure that clear boundaries were respected.

For a split second, Yoongi thought he could see the pride in his parents' eyes, something he hadn't seen for weeks now. The relief they exuded was unmistakable, and though it pained Yoongi to know that the only reason they were looking at him as if he were human was that he was interacting with Jess the way that they had wanted him to, Yoongi couldn't help but take the affection to heart. His heart warmed knowing that his relationship with his parents was slowly mending itself. Jess was his ticket to fixing things with his parents.

If he could lead his parents to think that Jess was the person he wanted to be with, then Yoongi would have someone that would ensure that he could be safe. It was the same thought he had the day before, but now, it felt much more alive. From the looks of it, Jess seemed to be arriving at similar conclusions. When it was finally time for them to head inside and eat, their parents were gloating at how beautiful their connection was flourishing. His father lightly teased Yoongi, asking him when the first set of grandkids would be coming. Yoongi laughed awkwardly, sending an apologetic message on his phone to Jess, who seemed completely unbothered by the situation.

Yoongi ended up walking Jess to her car, as she'd come separately from her parents, claiming that she had something to do right after the visit. This time, they were fully away from their parents, so Yoongi climbed onto the passenger seat, and Jess drove them out of the driveway, parking her car where their parents couldn't see them doing anything. Yoongi stared directly at Jess. Jess looked back at him, their eyes locking with each other as they both struggled to communicate with words. Finally, they looked away, bursting into small chuckles, before Jess spoke.

"I think I want to take you up on the boyfriend offer."

Yoongi shook his head. "That was a joke, Jess. I feel like that would be cheating."

Jess playfully slapped his shoulder, resting her frame on the steering wheel. "Not like that, Gi. I just want to be able to use you as an excuse to get the fuck out of my parents' place. They mentioned you were staying over the holidays, while your parents are going to Florida."

"They're going to Florida?" Yoongi asked, eyebrow arched. Jess looked at him strangely, nodding. "Huh. They didn't tell me. Of course, they didn't."

"Yeah, well, it works out for me," Jess chewed on her bottom lip. "I can hang out with ma girl, pretending that I'm with you."

"Even then," Yoongi frowned. "It's too soon. We met a bit ago. There's no way they'd believe that we're dating. Are you just going to say that you're going on dates with me?"

Jess nodded. "That's the plan. Unless you want to double."

"Double?" Yoongi asked, tilting his head curiously. "Date. And you're assuming I have a date."

Exactly what she'd proposed the day before, only this time out in the open, where Yoongi knew exactly what Jess meant.

"Trucker boy seems like a fine option to me," Jess suggested, smirking. At Yoongi's blank (but blushing) stare, she added, "I told you. I can tell. You seem different. Like shit's weighing on you, but not how it was yesterday. Ya seem lighter on ya feet."

At least this time, Yoongi was sure his parents wouldn't be able to hear the accusations thrown at him.

"I'll invite the trucker boy," Yoongi finally said, ignoring how Jess's face brightened. "But I told you yesterday. I don't know if he'll be down."

That didn't seem to deter Jess's thoughts. "Yoongi, I'm sure trucker boy will fold as soon as he hears you asking him out on a date."

Yoongi scoffed, turning away from Jess indignantly. "I'm not asking him on a date if that's what you're implying. We are going to hang out as friends do."

Jess nodded seriously. "You're right. My girl friend and I will also be hanging out as friends. This is perfect, GiGi."

"GiGi?"

"I was trying out Gi, but I feel like someone else already calls you that, so I decided to add the extra Gi," Jess explained, smiling brightly. "We are officially friends, now GiGi. We must act like it! Oh, I really do hope trucker boy likes me."

Remembering the details of last night, Yoongi grimaced, Jess quickly noticing. She gasped, her eyes widening into saucers.

"Goodness, have I already made a bad impression?" she exclaimed, gasping once more. "Wait, oh, he must have seen us yesterday. What's his number? I must apologize! I didn't mean to give off the wrong impression. Call him for me right now."

"Right now?" Yoongi asked, his cheeks suddenly flaming. "I can't do that."

"Why not?" she questioned. "You have his phone number, right? Just dial it."

Yoongi hesitated. He knew that Hoseok would most likely pick up the phone first ring, but Jimin was supposed to hang out with Hoseok starting at noon. The probability of Jimin having left already was low, especially with how close Hoseok and Jimin were. If Jimin saw Yoongi's contact appear on Hoseok's phone, Jimin would freak out, at worst. At its best, he'd get mad at Hoseok and answer the phone himself. Yoongi didn't think it would be worth it.

"Ya can give me his number then," Jess said, eyeing Yoongi carefully. "I have to apologize, GiGi. It's Southern hospitality."

"Fine, I'll call him," Yoongi sighed, pulling out his phone. Jess straightened, no longer leaning on the wheel, as she waited anxiously for the call to go through. No sooner had the call been answered, that Jess immediately took the phone out of Yoongi's hands. "Hey!"

"Is this trucker boy?" she demanded, waiting for the other to respond. After a couple of seconds, Hoseok finally responded, and Yoongi forced himself to look away, though it did nothing to stop him from hearing Hoseok's very clearly bewildered voice. "Hello? Trucker boy?"

"I-Who's this?"

"Oh my gosh, where are my manners?" she scolded herself, adding, "It's Jess. Ya might've seen me yesterday."

Hoseok grew quiet. "Ah."

"Anyways, trucker boy, I'm sorry for my behavior yesterday," she began, rushing out her apology. "I didn't mean to lay a hand on your man like that. Listen, I'm not even into guys at all, in fact, I'm lesbian and I have a girlfriend and we been long distance for years— I can even show you plenty of pictures of us together so no need to worry about GiGi and my interactions. It is pure friendship. I wrongfully assumed Yoongi was available, but I promise no more exchanges like that between us, I don't want to get in the way of your—"

"Jess."

Yoongi could detect the strain in Hoseok's voice, and he became hyper-aware, his body spiking in worry at the sudden shift in tone. Jess wasn't as quick to detect it, but she stopped her banter, immediately quieting down to hear Hoseok's words.

"Is Yoongi there?" Hoseok asked calmly. Jess responded with a yes. "Can you pass me to him?"

Yoongi took the phone with trembling hands, immediately starting his apologies. He knew it hadn't been a good idea to bombard Hoseok with so much information, but Jess had insisted and in a way, Yoongi wanted to fully clear the air with Hoseok. He had mentioned to Hoseok that Jess was in a relationship, but he'd never specified that Jess identified as a lesbian, so she would have no interest in him. Hearing it from Jess would have come out far better than it would have coming out of Yoongi's lips.

"Where are you right now?" Hoseok asked, to which Yoongi responded. "Why is she at your house?"

"Our parents have it in their head that she and I are hitting it off," Yoongi answered, looking at Jess, who nodded vigorously. "Their cars were in the driveway. I didn't realize it until I headed inside."

"That's why I was extra affectionate towards him, too, trucker boy," Jess added. "My parents were up and about figuring out where I was once I told them I was going to go out with GiGi. I truly didn't mean no harm, I swear!"

"Ah," Hoseok said, pausing for a second. "I see. Well, we may have gotten off on the wrong foot but I appreciate you apologizing. Thank you for letting me know of your circumstances, but I'd appreciate it if you gave a warning next time you're planning on using Yoon like that."

"I just had to have Yoongi call you so I could speak to you myself," Jess nodded to herself, chirping brightly. "I feel so darn awful I did that to you. I hope I didn't cause too bad of a fight between the two of you. Had me sweating like a hooker in church, I tell ya!"

"You resolved our issues well, so I can't be too mad at you for that," Hoseok answered, laughing softly. "You've nothing to be nervous about. Long as you're not planning on snagging him anytime soon."

"Been with my gal for years now, trucker boy, I don't need anyone else but her," Jess grinned. "Listen, trucker boy. I invited GiGi to an outing next week. My gal's coming, and I really wanna hang with her without my parents knowing. Do you think ya got time in your schedule to hang as well?"

"Might could," Hoseok answered. "What're you thinkin'?"

"Was thinkin' the movies to see Krampus or Ant-Man," Jess said. "My gal's a big Marvel fan, so if you have no preferences we can watch Ant-Man. I know she missed the premiere during the summer, so now that it's showing, here again, she really wants to go. Then we can go ice skating. I know a place."

"Ah, Yoon's no good at horror movies," Hoseok chuckled, Yoongi's cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Ant-Man sounds good. You're gonna have to give me the exact date, but other than that, you're golden."

"Thank you, trucker boy," Jess beamed, clapping her hands. "I'm glad we've managed to brush our problems 'side, for a moment. I really do apologize for my behavior, trucker boy. I promise you can have GiGi all to yourself."

"Perfect," Hoseok chirped, his voice no longer holding the hostility from earlier. "It was nice meet'n you. You can take me off speaker now, Yoon." Yoongi did just that, and once he confirmed it, Hoseok said, "She know about us?"

"Nah," Yoongi responded. "She's just excited s'all. I told you she wanted to meet you yesterday."

"I remember, Yoon," Hoseok mused. "Must trust you a hell of a lot for her to tell me she's lesbian. Your parents sure know how to pick 'em Yoongi, I gotta say."

Yoongi laughed, shaking his head. "Works out for us better, right?"

"I like when you use us," Hoseok whispered, eliciting more giggles from Yoongi. "I reckon she's good company. A bit heavy on the Southern accent though. You sure your parents chose her right?"

"Apparently," Yoongi answered, leaning into the passenger seat. "I think they've got a good eye for spotting queer folks. I dunno who's gonna tell them. It's not gonna be me though, come hell or high water."

Hoseok chuckled. "No one's got to tell 'em anything. Personally, I'd rather show up at your doorstep and tell 'em I'm there to pick up their son. I'll bring my best horse."

"You don't have a horse."

"Got the truck, right?" Hoseok inquired. "That's all I need." Yoongi could hear muffled voices coming from Hoseok's phone, Hoseok quickly said, "It's Jimin. I think I've been away too long. I'll text you."

"You better," Yoongi said, smiling softly. "Bye."

"Bye, Yoon," Hoseok paused and, lowering his voice said, "I love you."

Yoongi's smile widened. "And I more."

Once the call ended, Jess was quick to bombard Yoongi with questions, none of which he answered. Instead, he stared up at the car ceiling, smiling to himself and wondering how in the world he'd managed to get so lucky to have someone like Hoseok Jung fall in love with him. Someone, who had waited patiently for years, and who didn't shame him for all his mistakes. Hoseok was the embodiment of perfection, dulling even the brightest of diamonds and the most radiant of stars.

Yoongi only wished that he'd known himself much sooner.

a/n: started my 3rd year of uni i am already ready to throw myself over the bridge ty <3