The next day, Yoongi didn't show up to school either, and Jimin became even more concerned. He couldn't blame him if the reason was what had happened between them the night before. But it didn't stop Jimin from being worried about Yoongi. Or from missing seeing him.

Jimin blew out a deep breath as he had that last thought. It was true. He had been hoping to see Yoongi and not being able to was making him feel lonely. And he knew he couldn't go back over to Yoongi's house. Not after what had happened the night before. So, Jimin did the only thing he could think of to do.

Jimin Is everything okay?

Jimin You're not at school, so I just wanted to make sure.

Jimin I hope you're doing alright.

Jimin sighed as he got no response. He hadn't really expected to, but he'd hoped nonetheless.

Every time Jimin's phone vibrated in his pocket after that, his heart would skip a beat. But it was always Junho or Hwang or Garam. Never Yoongi. Jimin was beginning to become exhausted by the adrenaline rushes followed by let downs.

He eventually decided to buck up and do what he had wanted to do the night before.

Jimin I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have kissed you.

Jimin It was inappropriate and I regret it now.

This time, there was an almost immediate reply.

Yoongi You regret it?

Jimin's heart leapt into his throat.

Jimin No! I don't mean it like that! I don't regret the kiss! I regret not asking you if I could do it.

Yoongi Whatever, Jimin. It's fine. Leave me alone now, please.

Jimin No! We need to talk about this! Because it's not fine and I want to make it up to you.

Yoongi And how do you plan on doing that?

Jimin Let me come over again after school.

Yoongi I doubt my mom will let you in. I lied and told her I was feeling sick. She likely won't let you anywhere near me.

Jimin Well, I'm still going to try.

In his bedroom at home, Yoongi rolled his eyes. Why couldn't Jimin just leave well enough alone?

Yoongi Don't.

Jimin never replied, and Yoongi got a sinking feeling in his stomach that Jimin was still planning on coming over regardless. He shook his head. He didn't want to see Jimin. He didn't want to talk. He didn't want to dwell on anything that had to do with Jimin. He just wanted to be left in peace to rest and forget about everything for a while.

But no such luck. Because 15 minutes on the dot after school got out, the doorbell rang. Yoongi pretended to be asleep as he heard muffled footsteps nearing his door.

The door opened and he kept his eyes closed. "Yoongi-yah," he heard his mother's voice. "Open your eyes. I know you're awake."

Yoongi scowled. His mother knew him too well. He opened his eyes and sat up.

"This young man was concerned about you because you weren't at school today. He wanted to check on you. Isn't that nice?"

Yoongi could tell his mother was delighted that he'd had someone over for two days in a row now. She gently patted Jimin's back, pushing him into the room.

"Let me know if you boys need anything," she said as she exited and closed the door behind her.

Yoongi sighed as he finally looked over at Jimin. "I told you not to come."

Jimin shrugged "I came anyway."

"Obviously."

"Look, Yoongi, I just wanted to talk. Can you just give me that much?"

Yoongi rolled his eyes toward the ceiling as if contemplating. "I don't really want to talk."

"Great," Jimin said as he sat down in Yoongi's desk chair again. "Then you can just listen."

Yoongi rolled over in bed so his back was facing Jimin. Jimin internally sighed, but continued.

"Like I said last night, I'm not ashamed of you. I really am ashamed of myself. So I did some things today that I hope will make you realize that I'm serious about you. Can I tell you about them?"

Yoongi shrugged.

"The boys finally asked if they can start messing with you again. I told them no. They wanted to know why. So I told them that I felt like I related to you, and I wouldn't want them to treat me the way they treated you."

Yoongi rolled back over in surprise.

"It didn't exactly go over well. It didn't take long for them to tell other people that I related to you. And then it didn't take long for other people to start asking if I'm gay."

Yoongi was listening intently now.

"I told them I am, but that I didn't know if you were, because that's your business."

Yoongi's eyebrows almost reached his hairline. "Y-You told them you're gay?"

Jimin nodded.

"And how did that go?"

Jimin shrugged. "Surprisingly okay. There were just a few people here and there who called me a faggot."

A dark look crossed Yoongi's face. "Of course there were."

"It's okay," Jimin said quietly. "I expected it."

"So," Yoongi replied. "How's your popularity going now?"

"Actually," Jimin said. "it's kinda just fine. Most people acted like it was no big deal."

Yoongi stared at him. "That's...surprising."

Jimin nodded.

"So, that's what you wanted to tell me? That you outed yourself?"

"I wanted you to know that I stood up for myself, and..."

"And?"

"And that I stood up for you."

Silence fell over them for a few, long minutes.

"Thanks," Yoongi finally said quietly.

Jimin nodded again. "I want you to eat lunch with me at school tomorrow. The guys may or may not be there, depending on how they feel about me being gay. I never really talked to them after people started finding out. But anyway, I'll keep them off your back if they are there. I just want to sit with you."

"But why?"

"Because you're my friend."

Yoongi considered this. "They're gonna rip you apart."

Jimin shrugged. "I don't care."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

"Yep."

Yoongi sighed. "I guess I'll go to school tomorrow. But the minute I start getting harassed, I'm gone."

Jimin shook his head. "No one will harass you. I won't let them."

Yoongi looked at him disbelievingly. "I'm sorry," he said. "But I just don't really see that happening. I mean, I doubt anyone will listen to you."

"They will," Jimin assured. "I'm still the most popular boy in school. The only person who might be able to give me a run for my money is Myeong. But I'm not afraid of her. She's still behind me in academics. She'll never catch up. So, I've got fuel for that fire."

Yoongi smiled slightly. "If you're sure..."

"I am," Jimin concluded.

"Okay..."

"So," Jimin said, changing the subject. "What did you do all day?"

Yoongi looked around. "Not much. Played on my phone a lot. I just stayed in bed all day, so I didn't have much else to do."

"Do you play video games?" Jimin asked.

Yoongi smirked at him. "Does it look like I do?"

Jimin glanced around him. There was no console or PC in Yoongi's room. "Apparently not," Jimin said with a short laugh.

"Do you?" Yoongi asked.

"Yeah, I play a lot actually. Probably more than I should," Jimin admitted.

"Well, maybe you can teach me sometime."

Jimin smiled at him. "Yeah! Yeah, I'd like that. And you can come over to my place anytime. I've got a lot of great games."

Yoongi returned his smile. "Thanks, Jimin," he said suddenly.

"For what?"

"For having my back. For really being my friend. I really appreciate it."

"Yeah, of course."

-

Both Jimin and Yoongi woke up the next day, excited for school. It was going to be a dawn of a new era, not just for the two of them as friends, but individually as well.

But the day would not go as planned. And one of the boys would find himself to be quite disappointed.