"Again?!"

Yoongi couldn't help but chuckle. "Yep."

"You don't think she's stalking you, do you?" Namjoon asked, suddenly serious.

Yoongi stared at him. "What? You don't actually think that, do you?"

Namjoon shrugged, and Yoongi rolled his eyes. "She doesn't strike me as the type."

"Me either," Namjoon answered honestly. "But it's still kinda weird."

Yoongi shrugged. "Well, if there is such a thing as fate, she said maybe it just knew we needed someone kind in our lives."

"Um, excuse me," Namjoon said, feigning offense. "I am very kind!"

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "You know what she means."

Namjoon chuckled. "Maybe she's right. You never know, yeah?"

Yoongi shrugged again. "I guess."

They looked at each other, and Yoongi could tell Namjoon was almost bursting to say something more. He sighed. "What, Joon?"

"You should just ask her out!" Namjoon blurted.

"What?! Why would I do that?"

"She's a nice girl; treats you right and is understanding – "

"But I don't like her like that."

"Yeah, so you keep saying. But I think you're lying to yourself, Yoongs."

Yoongi scowled. "Whatever. Even if I was, and I really did want to ask her out, don't you think I should get all my baggage in check before I do?"

Namjoon shrugged. "I think you deserve happiness, and why shouldn't it be sooner rather than later?"

Yoongi shook his head. "I just can't think that way about anyone right now. Not until I know about the baby."

Namjoon sighed. "There's no law against being with someone, even if your ex is pregnant with your baby. I mean, she's your ex for a reason, baby or not."

"Will you listen to yourself?" Yoongi said. "You're living in a fantasy world."

"No, Yoongs, you are. I'm perfectly grounded in reality, and eventually, you're going to realize that."

"You're not always right."

"But I'm rarely wrong," Namjoon argued, tapping his temple.

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "Sometimes you and that big brain are insufferable, you know that?"

Namjoon laughed. "You know you love me."

"Sure I do, but that doesn't mean I always like you."

"Whatever. Lying to yourself again over here."

They stared at each other again for a few longs moments before both of them burst out laughing.

"So, you staying for dinner?" Namjoon asked. "Jin and Hobi are coming over."

"Then, sure, I'll stay," Yoongi said, wanting to see his other friends. "Just don't mention Hana."

"I won't," Namjoon confirmed. "But be prepared to talk about Misun. You haven't updated any of the other guys about that situation, and they're all worried about you."

Yoongi groaned, but nodded. "I guess I do owe it to them to tell them."

"You don't owe anyone anything, but you'll have to tell them eventually."

"I know," Yoongi admitted. "I was hoping to be able to wait until I knew whether or not the baby's mine. But since I have to wait two fucking weeks, I guess I don't have a choice."

"It'll go by faster than you think, Yoongs."

"It's already dragging."

Namjoon sighed. "I know. Just, try to think of other things to get your mind off of it."

"Like what?"

"I don't know," Namjoon said, a cheeky smile spreading across his cheeks. "How about when you'll run into a pretty, kind girl again?"

Yoongi picked up a napkin, balled it up and tossed it at his friend. "Oh, shut up."

-

Yoongi was at work the next day when he received a text from Hana. He happily opened it.

Hana Hey, Yoongles.

Yoongi stared at his phone.

Yoongi What did you just call me?

Hana Lol, Yoongles. It's a nickname. I like it. It's unique.

Yoongi The whole point of nicknames is that they're unique, right?

Hana Sure. But this is fun and unique.

Yoongi Whatever you say.

Across town, Hana herself smiled. She'd been looking for a reason to text Yoongi, and had decided to after the nickname struck her.

Hana So, do you like it?

Yoongi I don't know. It's kind of weird.

Hana Then, good, I'll continue to use it.

Yoongi rolled his eyes, but smiled.

Yoongi How am I going to compete with that in coming up with a nickname for you?

Hana I guess you've got your work cut out for you.

Yoongi Han?

Hana Kinda boring, but it'll do, I suppose.

Yoongi So, you don't like it.

Hana Never said that.

Yoongi Well, consider it a placeholder until I come up with something else.

Hana That works.

Yoongi chuckled, but then looked at his phone seriously. He wasn't sure what to say now. He found himself beginning to feel stupid again. How did she always manage to do this, to leave him a flustered mess?

Yoongi So, did you need something?

He sighed after he sent it. It was kind of lame, but he was curious.

Hana Nah, just wanted to say hi.

Yoongi Well, hi.

He immediately facepalmed after hitting send.

Hana Lol, hi.

Yoongi What are you up to today?

Hana Just hanging out until I have to go to work. Working the late shift tonight. I hate it.

Yoongi frowned. The late shift? He didn't much care for the idea of Hana getting off work and having to ride the bus late at night.

Yoongi Be careful going home.

Hana Oh, I will. I've done it before.

Yoongi Still...

Hana Are you worried about me, Yoongles?

Yoongi I mean, yeah. You've got a ways to go to get home.

Hana You're sweet. But I'll be fine. It's just one bus ride away, so it's not bad. And the stop isn't far from my building.

Yoongi nodded to himself. He did remember that from when he lived there. But, he found that he still didn't like it.

Yoongi Will you text me when you get home tonight? Just so I know you're safe?

He waited for about five minutes, but no reply came. He furrowed his brow. Had that sounded forward?

Yoongi Han?

After about three or four more minutes, his phone finally chimed.

Hana I can do that. I don't want to bother you so late, though.

Yoongi You're not a bother.

Hana Well, okay then. If you're sure.

Yoongi I am.

He waited again, but no further reply came. His heart began speeding up. He assumed the conversation was now over, and he had the inexplicable feeling he'd made a fool out of himself yet again.