"That wasn't so bad, right?"

Hoseok was referring to Yoongi meeting and hanging out with his friends.

After the movie marathon, they'd talked with Jimin and Taehyung, who, it turned out, had more interests than just talking about sex. [*gasp*]

Jimin and Taehyung learned that Yoongi worked in his hyung's restaurant, and when Jimin questioned Yoongi if he'd kept up with his music, Taehyung became engrossed. After learning that Yoongi played piano, he ran off to his room and returned with the keyboard he used when teaching on-site vocal lessons.

Hoseok was so proud that Yoongi was able to break out of his shell for a little while, nerdily fawning over the model of Taehyung's keyboard and talking with him about the features and presets and then playing the keyboard together on the floor. Taehyung alternated between playing duets with Yoongi and vocal harmonies with Jimin, singing any random thing that came to mind.

Yoongi was in his element and his boyfriend could watch him like that forever.

Taehyung seemed thrilled about Yoongi and Hoseok being together the more he got to know him. He even jokingly took over the keyboard in order to tease them by playing the wedding march when he saw Hoseok back-hugging Yoongi in the kitchen.

It just so happened that Jimin had to get going directly after that.

"No. It was fun," Yoongi agreed as he crawled into Hoseok's bed. They'd just finished putting away leftover birthday cake and decided to call it a night as it was nearly one in the morning.

He felt much more at ease, having talked to Jimin alone, now knowing that they could be friends again. And it was a bit of a relief to know that Taehyung was normal underneath it all - he just had absolutely no filter. This was something Yoongi'd have to get used to, but it wasn't the worst thing.

Still, something nagged at him...

Oh... that.

"Hobi, are you still awake?" Yoongi whispered. He propped his head up on one elbow, straining to see his boyfriend's face as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

"Mhm." Hoseok was barely audible, his face buried between Yoongi's pillow and his own.

"You liar!" Yoongi softly accused, recognizing the drowsy tone in his boyfriend's voice. "Forget it. Good night." He kissed Hoseok's earlobe and smiled, shaking his head as he rested back on his pillow.

Hoseok stretched his arms up toward the ceiling, "No, no - I'm up! You okay?"

"Yeah, I just... wanted to tell you something."

Hoseok draped his arm over his boyfriend and pulled him closer, "Go for it."

"Well... you know how Jimin and I went to school together in Busan? That was part of the reason I was worried to meet your friends... because.. Jimin and I kind of... dated."

Yoongi waited for this to sink in, but it was so dark that he couldn't see the reaction. He continued on hurriedly - if only to fill the silence, "It was four years ago and it was only for a little while, maybe like a month, and it didn't really go anywhere. At least for me. I was nervous because I was afraid he would hate me when he saw me again."

Hoseok laughed. "Whoa. Slow down. Why would anybody hate you?"

"Well, back then, he... he said he loved me and... I didn't love him back. Then everything happened with my dad... I broke up with Jimin and got the hell out of there. It wasn't my finest moment. But today I actually got a few minutes with him alone and apologized... Is this weird for you?"

"Umm.. no. I mean, it's not what I expected but it's not that big of a deal. Tae and Jimin and I have been friends for a long time and I don't think he's the kind of person to hold a grudge. I'm guessing based on how much fun everyone had tonight that he accepted your apology?"

"I think so, he offered to start over - we were friends for a while before we dated. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I hope you don't think I was keeping it from you."

Hoseok smiled sleepily, "I don't think that at all. I'm glad you were able to get closure and apologize. Let's go to sleep, yeah? I can't keep my eyes open."

"Okay. Goodnight, babe." Yoongi waited for the reply and smiled when he realized Hoseok had already fallen asleep.

-   -   -

Yoongi stared up at the ceiling, losing track of time. Minutes passed, then at least an hour.

He continued to stare as the vague shapes of the objects in the room began to morph in the darkness, a result of his eyes trying to process what little visual input they were offered in the pitch-black bedroom.

Lying beside Hoseok, there in the dark, Yoongi could hear the sounds of his boyfriend's breathing. He shifted on his side of the bed, carefully scooting closer, and laid his head on the younger's chest, hoping not to wake him again.

Ear to his chest, Yoongi could hear Hoseok's heartbeat - the most reassuring sound in the world. At this point, he couldn't imagine life without him. Even the thought made his eyes sting with tears.

"Are you okay?" came a soft, sleepy whisper, followed by the heaviness of Hoseok's arms wrapping around him.

"Yeah. I was just thinking... I hesitated telling you that I loved you because I thought what if the universe got me back for what I did to Jimin... I was terrified that you wouldn't say it back. But you had the balls to do it first. And I'm still kind of in awe, you know? That this is happening to me. I never thought it would. To love someone and have them love me back? I mean... I've never felt this for anyone before and we haven't been together that long."

"On paper, no, we haven't been together that long. But time is relative, you know? Do I wish I'd known you longer? Yeah... but I know damn well that if I knew you six months ago, six years ago - it wouldn't matter." He lifted one of Yoongi's hands and pressed a kiss into the palm, "I'd have fallen just as fast."

Yoongi couldn't see in the darkness, but he knew Hoseok was smiling at him.

"How are you this perfect?"

"Well, usually, I get more sleep." Hoseok teased, pausing to kiss his boyfriend, "So tomorrow I'm going to be your own personal nightmare."

"Looking forward to it, Hobi, I love you."

Hoseok pulled him into a cuddle, "I love you, too, Yoongi. Now, shhh." 

[a/n]

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