Mondays off are always substantially better than Fridays off.

Jordan swore by this and relished in the lack of agenda when she opened her eyes. Of course, in her life, there was always something to do.

Dishes.
Laundry.
Why was there always so much laundry?
Her hair and Jael's hair could use some attention too. His little twists were starting to defy gravity since he refused to wear a durag at night. She didn't even want to think about dealing with what mess was under her bonnet right now.

And then there was the seemingly endless list of things she promised she'd do for herself. Eat better. Getting back into exercising. Not absolutely hating herself when she looked in the mirror.

Y'know..regular self-care shit.

But all of that could wait since it was peacefully silent in her apartment that morning, apart from the birds singing and the distant buzzing of the complex landscapers doing their jobs.

Her bed creaked as it always did when she moved, pulling herself out of it and into her slippers to step into the hallway.

Steamy green tea and kombucha rippled in her cup several minutes later, warming her palms as she leaned against the counter. She notes the time on the microwave.

Around 8 am. Pretty early to be up on an off day but fuck it.

Slices of daylight peaked through her blinds and striped her living room in blades of sunshine, beckoning her to step out into the crisp early autumn air. The chill was welcome, wearing only her sleep hoodie being just enough to keep her from shivering with the warmth of her tea coating her face.

Her eyes lift at the glimpse of movement in her peripheral and she turns her head to gaze at the apartment directly across from hers. Ya'know, the one with all of the plants...

Like clockwork, not that she'd been keeping track or anything, a man emerges from the sliding doors wearing only a pair of navy blue sweats and large headphones, distractedly tending to his plants as if he couldn't care less about someone spotting him outside barely dressed.

A certain curly-haired someone with eyes fixed through the slightly foggy lenses of her glasses.

This is stalking...

No, it's not.
We're just drinking tea.

We could drink tea inside.

But it's so nice outside

You know you don't give
a damn 'bout outside

You just tryna look
at that man's back

Its a nice back though 🌚..

Mmmhmm. Whatever you say, Stalker.

Jordan crinkles her nose bitterly at her inner dialogue's judgmental tone, but her eyes never move from him.

There was a decent distance between their buildings but it wasn't too far for Jordan to take in the way the sun caressed Namjoon's caramel skin. Nor was it far enough for Namjoon not to notice her.

Knowing this, Jordan steps away from the balcony slowly to sink into the shadows. She keeps her eyes ahead though and bites her lip as she admires her neighbor from afar.

The definition in his arms and broad chest flexed subtly as he extended his reach along the railing to drizzle water over every bloom and vine lining his balcony, visibly enjoying whatever he was listening to from the way he mouthed the lyrics silently.

He turned around to tend to the plants hanging from suspended planters, and the wideness of his back was all Jordan could focus on, even catching the way the morning sun shined over his dewy skin. Could it be sweat? Perhaps he'd just taken a shower and didn't bother to dry his upper body properly since he'd be shirtless anyway.

The world may never know.

"Damn.." she breathes, swallowing hard as she lifted her cup to blow ripples over the steaming tea, her eyes still fixed and her thoughts traveling.

Things between them had been progressing slowly and communication remained pleasantly (as well as surprisingly) consistent.

Not the mundane Good Morning, How are you, What are you up, and Goodnight texts she'd grow bored of after a day or two with other men. Jordan pretty much did the same thing every day so being asked what she was doing every hour made her want to scream.

Fortunately for her though, Namjoon was a better conversationalist than that. While he did greet her warmly every morning, it was usually with a song or something he knew would make her smile or laugh. Jordan did the same on days Namjoon's name wasn't on her screen first thing and their daily communication flowed from there.

Hearing his voice on audio messages throughout the day did as much to her as her responses did to him. Phone conversations were sparse because of their schedules but they always ended with both wishing they had more time to talk.

They'd even met up a few times when they could.

One time at the movies to catch the new Ninja Turtles movie because Namjoon wanted to see it just as bad as Jaél did. Although halfway through it, the bubbly toddler climbed into his mother's lap to sleep, leaving his seat open for Namjoon to take beside her. So convenient.

Another time was for coffee in the sitting garden across the street from the hospital where Jordan worked on her lunch break. Namjoon looked everything like the college heartthrob in his open denim shirt and black jeans, white tee, and black dad hat turned to the back. Jordan felt like a frump in her pale blue scrubs and glasses, knowing she would have worn contacts that day had she known she'd be seeing him.

The two had just left the hospital cafe with their beverages in hand and were in search of a nearby bench to settle for the remaining 45 minutes of her break.

"You look nice," Jordan comments as she appraises Namjoon's outfit and height. Lifting the rim of his coffee to his lips, he frowns at his attire curiously before smirking.

"Eh. You look better.." he deflects as he goes in for a sip of the cold brew. Jordan glanced over at him incredulously as they walked leisurely along the winding path that led them between perfectly kept grass, neatly placed flowers, and scattered benches for sitting.

"It's too early in the week to be lying like that, sir. I look like I've been up since 5 and have been counting pills for the last 3 hours.." Jordan chides softly, the curve of her smile keeping Namjoon's sideward gaze on her expression.

"How you feel and how you look are usually worlds apart, maam. And I don't know why you always think you look bad. That's probably impossible."

Jordan snorts at that, shifting her pulled-up crop of loose curls around as she shakes her head in denial.

"Please. You don't see me every day." She jokes although Namjoon isn't laughing.

"And whose fault is that?" he tosses back with a look that renders her silent with blushed smirk, the two of them continuing on their way to a bench in silence.

He had a way of doing that. Shutting her up when she was adamantly downplaying herself. He learned not to dwell on it, opting to move on to a different topic.

"So about this Friday. We still on?"  He asks her, taking a quick sip of his cold brew. Before she can answer, Namjoon places his hand on the small of her back to guide her off the path and towards a bench underneath a large tree. Jordan allowed him to lead as she nodded.

"Yeah, of course. My mom said she'll keep Jaél for me so..." She sits before him, scooting over an inch to allow Namjoon the room to join her on the bench.

Before meeting up today, Namjoon suggested he and Jordan go downtown to the little spot where they shared their first outing for Painting with a Twist. The blended shades of sunset on canvas still sat on display in her kitchen, a daily reminder of that night.

Soul wasn't hosting any events that Friday but there was always a live band and good vibes to be experienced between two adults. And Jordan was running out of reasons why she shouldn't go out with Namjoon again.

As if she didn't want to.

Namjoon smiles softly at her response, slight relief washing over him.

"Cool. Even if she didn't, I was gonna let you flake out on me. Jaél would have just been hitting the club with us." He shrugs nonchalantly and Jordan chortles beside him.

"What?" She laughs and Namjoon shifts his position to face her with seriousness etched in his brow.

"I'm foreal. He can drive, right? Yeah, he looks like he can. We might need him to because I plan on drinking.." he jokes casually, always aiming at a way to make Jordan smile. Her laughter was comforting and although he couldn't explain it, Namjoon could tell she didn't laugh enough. It was like watching a bird take flight after nursing its wounded wings back to health.

"I just imagined my boy bopping his head to 21 Questions in the driver's seat.." she giggles, Namjoon joining her soon after.

"By 50 cent? What does he know about that?" Namjoon perks his brow.

"I'm sure he heard me play it while I clean or cook or something. He loves that damn song. It's hilarious though because he doesn't know the words for shit but still sings it like he wrote it." She shook her head as she laughed, turning away briefly to check her Apple watch for the time.

Namjoon smirked at the thought.

"Sounds about right." He chuckles and Jordan nods.
"Right. but naw don't worry. I made sure to have my babysitter locked in as soon as you asked. I'm not thinking of flaking or anything. To be honest..." she pauses and Namjoon's gaze fixed on her hesitant expression intently.

Jordan fidgets in her seat, her meek eyes downcast before lifting them.

".. I'm actually looking forward to it." She finishes as she looks up.  All other words die on her tongue when faced with the intensity of Namjoon's soft eyes. They both sit silently for a beat to admire the way the high sun cuts through the canopy of leaves shading them with speckled patterns of warmth over their skin. 

Namjoon is the first to break their bubble, clearing his throat softly.

"Cool...So am I," he affirms with a nod, his dimples betraying him as he smiles.

His head dropped shyly for another sip from his coffee as Jordan sipped her tea, both of them adorably avoiding each other's gaze as the afternoon carried on around them.

"Mommy?"

She flinches at the sound of her son's sleepy voice summoning her from the crack left open on the balcony door. Jaél always acted like he didn't know where the hell he was when he woke up, especially if he didn't find his mother in her bed.

Jordan sighs in relief before glancing back towards the adjacent building. Thankfully, Namjoon seemed too consumed in his plant daddy duties to notice when Jordan scurried back inside her apartment, her sliding door sealing itself as she returned to the living room.

The warmth of the living room encompassed them as Jordan directed her attention to her delirious child.

"I'm here Boogie. What's wrong?"

Jaél's eyes weren't even open he was somehow able to traverse the living room without bumping into anything. He says nothing as he reaches for her and Jordan immediately sets her mug down in exchange for him up in her arms.

He nuzzles his mother's neck, finding enough comfort there before allowing himself to drift back into his slumber.
Jordan sighed, rubbing his back mindlessly as she stepped around the sofa to set him down. Jaél squirms with a frown of protest on his face but eventually rolls over to bury his face in the cushions and continues sleeping.

A soft smile formed on Jordan's lips as she watched him curl into a ball with his arms ticked against his chest.

Perhaps she'd get a quick breakfast going and start the day. As she busied herself with preheating the oven and pulling out eggs and a can of biscuits from the fridge, her thoughts drifted to the man beyond the balcony and the Friday night that would seem closer to today since her week was shorter.

Not short enough though.

Tuesday..

The usual chatter and movement filled the student center caf that afternoon. Statistics had been canceled but the lecture notes were conveniently posted on Blackboard for students to refer to for that night's assignment.

The assignment Alana was attempting to do despite some pleasant distractions.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she questioned midway through reading one of the problems aloud. In the corner booth tucked at the back of the grand cafeteria, Yoongi was seated beside her with his elbow propped on the table and his chin resting in his palm.

He entertained the idea of meeting up to go over the notes and homework but he honestly had no intention of doing it. He fucking hated that class. Hence why Alana was the only one there with her iPad and notebook open while he ate.

"Like what?" he lifts his brows, popping a crooked fry into his mouth from the paper basket between them. Alana narrows her eyes at him from behind her glasses, watching him chew innocently with his gaze slowly warming with mischief.

He watched her with a deeper interest she wasn't familiar with, or used to. An interest that made her feel like an exposed nerve attuned to everything.
The rasp in his voice.
The stubble on his chin.
The faint dent centering his bottom lip.

"Damn, he's fine. Like all the time." She cursed to herself.

An all-black Detroit Tigers cap sat backward on his head, his hair pushed back underneath and curving a couple of inches below his ear. He shed his Gojo graphic hoodie and donned only a crisp white tee that was tucked loosely in front of his jeans. His thin silver chain coaxed Alana to focus on his neck the sexy way his prominent Adam's apple moved, and even the tiny silver hoops in his earlobes begged for her gaze.

Then he smelled good, his usual notes of warm sandalwood and citrus rolling off of him, mixed with the scent of the sun. It activated every one of Alana's senses and made it increasingly difficult to focus.

It used to be frustrating, but ever since Saturday, she'd abandoned ignoring his effect on her now that she knew it was mutual. Walls were crumbling and the nuances of their relationship were becoming more obvious.

Just as obvious as his stare.

Saturday

Alana stepped over her bedroom's threshold and shut the door behind her before pressing her back against it. If it weren't so late, she would have squealed like a crush-struck high school girl who just got asked to prom or something.

That was the only way her brain could define this feeling bubbling through her.
Yoongi has feelings for her and he confirmed it in a way that only he could. This was real and tonight actually happened.

But then anxiety churned in her stomach.

What now?
How would they proceed with their friendship now that it had clearly become something more?

Was she even ready for that?

Before allowing herself to overthink any further, Alana pulls out her phone. There had to be some sort of check-in or follow-up conversation because there was no way she was just about to go to bed.

Her screen awakens once it is lifted from her bag and she smiles at the sight of Yoongi's name already in her notifications. He was already ahead of her.

Boongi:
Lmk when ur inside

Alana's heart fluttered at the text. Her bag and keys drop to the floor as she uses both hands to hold her phone now, tapping her response.

Peanut🥜:
I made it in

Boongi:
Good deal😌

She snagged a pinch of her bottom lip between her teeth as she pondered what to say, not wanting their conversation to dive straight into her concerns but itching to get to the point at the same time.

Peanut🥜:
Sorry for rushing to leave
I needed to pee lol

Boongi:
😂 It's all good pissbutt.
You don't have to explain
I just made it to my side too

Peanut🥜:
Cool. Im glad

The ellipses idled on Yoongi's end
Alana watched it float for a few seconds before it disappeared. Frowning, she begins another text.

Peanut🥜:
So..

Boongi:
Lol So?👀

Peanut🥜:
Should we talk
about tonight or...

Boongi:
Talk?

Boongi:
I was just in front of
you and now you
texting me to talk😑
Woman..

Peanut🥜:
Ok? i wasn't thinking
about talking then🌚

Boongi:
Yeah? What were
thinking bout?😏

Boongi:
Pissing?
Or another word
that rhymes with it?
Peanut🥜

Boongi:

Peanut🥜:
Im bout sick of you

Boongi:
😏no you not

Peanut🥜:
LISTEN ok? Im being foreal.
I wanna talk about...ya'know

Boongi:

Peanut🥜:
YOU KNOW DAMN
WELL WHAT ABOUT

Peanut🥜:
The kiss Yoongi.

Boongi:
Whose kiss and which one?
You gotta be specific

Peanut🥜:
Aw yea its on sight
next time i see you

Boongi:
😏 now you wanna fight?

Peanut🥜:
No. I want you to stop
playing and be serious
so we can talk bout
what happened tonight!!

Boongi:
Ok ok. Sorry lol
im being a dick because
im sleepy and sore

Boongi:
Lets talk then
Whats on your mind

Peanut🥜:
I wanna know what it means

Peanut🥜:
Like..for us

Alana wishes she could see Yoongi's face right now. Something about his stoic expression was unreadable the majority of the time, but there was always a shift in his eyes that was very telling. Like earlier, his eyes told her of his feelings for her where words probably failed him.

His eyes would tell her exactly what their kiss meant right now. She's so caught up in her thoughts that she barely notices the bouncing ellipses shifting into a blue text bubble.

Boongi:
What do you want it to mean?

Peanut🥜:
I dont know
Not nothing tho..

Peanut🥜:
I dont think it gonna
mess things up between us but..

Peanut🥜:
I dont know🫠
I want you to tell me it
means something good for us

There was something about the way "for us" looked and sounded in Yoongi's mind that made him anxious. His chest fluttered as he reread the text, sinking to sit on the edge of his bed.

Boongi:
It would never mean nothing, P.

Boongi:
Not with me

Alana's heart soared at his answer. Her brow furrowed as she tried to compose her response, heart pounding as her thumbs typed.

Peanut🥜:
You mean that?

Boongi:
I dont just say shit to say it lol
Everything I said tonight
was real and i meant it

Peanut🥜:
Everything?

Peanut🥜:
Even the part about me
tasting like onions?🤨

Boongi:
And pineapple fanta. Yes

Boongi:
Do you not
always taste like
that or something

Peanut🥜:
No! Lmao

Boongi:
Im not convinced
I need proof or its cap

Peanut🥜:
Proof??

Boongi:
Yeah bring me
them lips or they will be
confiscated for science

Peanut🥜:
Shut up 😂

Boongi:
You laughing and
im dead ass lol otw rn

Boongi:

Boongi:
But naw..fr.
I dont want you rushing anything
because you think I'm tryna pressure you

Boongi:
We can chill just like we been doing
I might kiss on you  if you let me
but its still gon be the same

Peanut🥜:
Oh really?😌

Boongi:
Yea u fucked up.
That's mandatory now.
so you've been warned

Peanut🥜:
Should I be scared?🌚

Boongi:
Not at all.

Peanut🥜:
Lmao liar.
Btw, I dont mind some pressure

Boongi:
Yeah?

Peanut🥜:
I mean from anyone
else I would but with you, its different
You already say you've been holding back..

Peanut🥜:
You dont really have to, you know

Her choice of words couldn't have been any less subtle. Yoongi clenched his jaw as the images of himself applying just the right amount of pressure on or in Alana filled his mind. On his couch. Against that wall separating the kitchen from the living room. In his bed. In her bed. He wanted her. He wanted her bad and the moment their lips met, the more tangible those fantasies felt. But he couldn't just go there with Alana when just a few kisses had her questioning reality.

Every move from here would be crucial and Yoongi knew that.

He shook his head to dispel the nasty thoughts, but he could already feel his conscious bickering amongst themselves on his shoulder.

😈:
😏

😈:
Dont be afraid to let that
imagination of yours run wild Yoongster.

😈:
Its what its made to do.
Dont fight it

😈:
Its late
Its Saturday
Yo dick hard
You aint got no job
You aint got shit to do..

😇:
I shouldn't have to say this but don't listen to anything that Neanderthal says Yoongi.

😇:
Not listening to him has gotten you this far

😈:
Yeah, fiddy two chapters later

😈:
The people wanna see some action!
Some funk nasty
Some fucking

😇:
*sigh*

😈:
Tell her to come over so
you can sweat her baby hairs off.
Its time to give the people
what they want mane.
Hop to it!

Rolling his eyes, Yoongi's thumbs tap over his keyboard.

Boongi:
Good to know😌

Boongi:
Just know im here for whatever.
Whatever you want
this to mean or for us to be

Still leaning against her door, Alana's lips curve into a smile.

Peanut🥜:
Thank you
That makes me feel better
about everything

Peanut🥜:
and im here too❤️

Boongi:
Good.

Boongi:
Dude was worried and shit.

Boongi:
Thats cute.

Peanut🥜:
Youre cute

Boongi:
I...wait🌚

Boongi:
I wasnt expecting that.
I was about to say something
and now its gone

Peanut🥜:
Its ok.

Peanut🥜:
It was probably stupid anyway

Boongi:
Probably

Boongi:
You're cute too btw

Peanut🥜:
Think so?

Boongi:
Duh
And your lips are very soft

Boongi:
In case you were
thinking the same thing

Peanut🥜:
Maybe I was😌

Boongi:
Maybe?
You forgot already??

Peanut🥜:
Maybe😏

Boongi:
Hmm. Bet.

Peanut🥜:
🌚 wym bet?

Boongi:
Just bet lol

Peanut🥜:
Yoongi

Boongi:
Alana😎

Peanut🥜:
Dont play with me

Boongi:
Im not lol just
remember what i said😈

Boongi:
Wyd tho

Peanut🥜:
Lol About to go wipe off my
make up and get in the bed.
You?

Boongi:
Same shit

Boongi:
Minus the make up, but yea lol

Boongi:
I know as soon as i lay down,
its a wrap tho. Is it cool if
I hit you when I wake up?

Peanut🥜:
Lol ok thats fine.
Get some rest.

Boongi:
Yes maam. Night P😌

Peanut🥜:
Goodnight Yoongi

Peanut🥜:
😘

Yoongi's brow lifts at the emoji.
Alana had never sent it to him before.
Not even playfully.
This was new.

😇:
🌚 we like new

😈:
🙂‍↔️
Tap me when this cutesy shit is over..

Smiling at his phone like a giddy teenager, then wiping it from his face after realizing how dumb he probably looked , Yoongi sends her a reply before locking his phone and rising from the couch.

Boongi:
😘😋