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Inside the campus hall, people are still dancing and drinking, and the four who had disappeared for the supposed competition still haven't returned. The lights are purple, blue, and foggy. Yoongi leans back in his chair, taking a sip from his cup as he observes the two men chatting in front of him.

Their mutual adoration for each other is blindingly obvious and also sickeningly sweet, the black-haired man rolls his eyes as they blush and stutter, stumble over words, and avoid eye contact.

He wonders how these two could know each other for so long and still act like they're hallway crushes and not friends (with blatant feelings for each other) of three years. He knows that he and Jimin aren't the best when it comes to communication but Namjoon and Seokjin take it to another face-palmingly stupid level.

Yoongi looks down at his empty cup, swirling around the little red drop that still clings to the bottom. Suddenly, the lights fade from purple and blue to pink and orange. Yoongi knows the playlist well, it's time for him to take his leave. He could be smooth about it, make up something about needing to go to the bathroom or getting another drink.

Instead, he stands up, his chair scraping against its reluctance abruptly. Two sets of stupid(ly in love) eyes dart his way, quizzing in their narrowness.

The black haired just shrugs his shoulder, walks away. He can see the urgency and desperation in Namjoons gaze. Please, don't leave me, it says. Still, he walks away. He's given him as much advice as he can, it's his fault that they're still firmly in the friend zone.

Seokjin raises an eyebrow at his friends' strangeness but doesn't question it. When you've been friends with Min Yoongi for three years, you learn it's easier to just go with the flow, let him do what he wants, it's not like you could stop him.

Namjoon clears his throat and Seokjin realises it's just them. The two of them. Alone. His heart beats a bit harder.

This is stupid. He knows he's being stupid. He's in his twenties for god's sake. He's about to graduate and become a real adult in the real world. He should start acting like it.

But there's just something about the man beside him. Something that makes him nervous. And I'm allowed to be nervous, alright? Seokjin thinks to the voice in his head that echoes the sentiment of stupidity, the voice that sounds suspiciously like Yoongi.

Kim Namjoon. With his dark brown hair and honey-sweet eyes, that charming smile, those devastating dimples. He's extremely handsome, that much is as clear as can be. But what draws Seokjin in, like a moth to a flame, is less about how he looks and more about how he acts.

He's eloquently spoken, always knows the right thing to say in the moment. Very intelligent, both pragmatically and emotionally. And he's just a really kind, down-to-earth guy. But that doesn't mean you can't have a laugh with him; as funny as he is smart. Who wouldn't be in love with him?

Seokjin still remembers how they first met, it's a memory he often looks back on, usually when he's sitting in an empty room or lying in a cold bed, when he feels lonely.

He was already running late and his father's nagging wasn't doing anything to help, getting the train is always a pain but especially in the mornings when everyone is tired, angry, and has somewhere they need to be. Seokjin was a mess that morning, he remembers the panic welling up in his stomach, the pressure in his chest, the prospect of being late didn't usually bother him so much. But that day was different—he'd had an exam at 9 on the dot and if he didn't catch the train everyone was currently pushing and shoving their way into then he would miss it. His professor was harsh, rescheduling would not be an option.

He'd been going over his notes before the train had rushed into the station, attempting to sear the flashcards into his memory. When the relentless crowd had formed around him, abrupt and cruel, the cards had spilled across the dingy platform floor. People had stepped around him, some treading on his notes and accidentally kicking them further away, some kicking him in their rush to secure a seat. Seokjin had truly begun to panic at that point, certain the train doors would close long before he was able to gather his bearings.

But, like a beam of sunshine through a particularly stormy cloud, someone had noticed Seokjin on his knees with tears forming in his eyes and had decided to help instead of walking past like everyone else. Namjoon had collected the cards out of reach before kneeling beside him to help with the rest. Seokjin had stared at this complete stranger with glistening eyes, bewildered.

"T-Thank you." He had stuttered out, accepting the pile the man handed to him and adding it to the one already in his hold. Notes procured, Namjoon stands once more, Seokjin following suit.

"No problem! C'mon, let's get on, or we'll miss the train."

The rest was history. They'd become friends quickly enough with the rest of the group forming around them. But even still, two years later, it's difficult to look him in the eyes, face that honey straight on. But, he tries.

"So, uh, how have you been?"

Namjoon, having been in the middle of downing his drink, coughs a little before responding.

"I'm...I'm good, thanks for asking, Hyung. What about you?"

"Me too.."

And, fortunately, before the tension that clamps around them gets too intense and explodes this entire hall and everybody inside it (and everybody outside it) a new song plays on the speakers. Slower than the others, more intentional. The soft guitar is nice but nothing to note on, it's the familiar voice accompanying it that takes Seokjin off guard. He snaps his head toward Namjoon, honey already dripping all over. The younger gives him a smile that seems almost nervous.

"Since when did Jimin make music? And why didn't he tell me about it!?" He exclaims, the other chuckling at his indignation.

"It's actually, uh... Jimin did the vocals. It was Yoongi who produced the song and—and me who wrote it.."

Seokjins shock only grows. "Like a collaboration? That's so cool! How come I didn't know about this?"

It takes Namjoon a second to reply.

"It was meant to be a surprise."

There's a gleam in his eyes that Seokjin has never seen before, his shock simmers into confusion.

"Why? I mean, again, it's really cool, but why make the song a surprise?"

It takes Namjoon an even longer second to reply this time. He's quiet when he finally says;

"The song is for you."

Silence, confusion bubbling back to shock.

And then, the lyrics filter in.

'We laugh together, we cry together.'

'These simple feelings were everything I had.'

'When will it be? If I see you again.'

'I will look into your eyes and say, I missed you.'

Namjoon isn't looking at him. He's tense, gripping his cup with formidable strength. Face bright red. Like he's desperate for Seokjins' feedback but terrified to ask.

Seokjin needs his own second before he can even attempt to string a sentence together. For him? But the song, it's so—it's so... Romantic.

He takes a sharp breath, so urgent it almost chokes him.

"I—!"

Just then, Jimin and Hoseok return to the table. All giddy and giggly, they drop into their seats heavily, breathing harsh with twinning dopey smiles.

"Did you see us?" Hoseok asks as Jimins eyes flit around the hall, probably looking for Yoongi.

"Er, were we meant to watch..?" Namjoon seems grateful for the distraction.

"It was a competition!" Jimin says, outraged heightened, probably from the alcohol he's been consistently drinking. "Someone has to choose a winner!"

"Taehyung and Jungkook definitely." It's Yoongi, who's returned from god-knows-where, who responds in a monotone voice. Jimin smiles and runs up to embrace him, but Hoseok doesn't seem very satisfied with his answer.

"And why's that?" He challenges.

"They had more chemistry." Yoongi shrugs, wrapping his arms around a clingy Jimin. "Which is a good thing, by the way." He adds, a little possessive. Head of silver hair nuzzling deeper into his neck.

The redhead still isn't convinced. "That's subjective." He crosses his arms over his chest. "Where even are they?"

"Oh, yeah, I saw them leave together. Pretty sure they went to hook up."

...

"What?!"

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Published: 05/08/24

Word count: 1440