"You're going to meet him in person again?!"

"Don't make too big a deal out of it, Hyung."

Seokjin grinned. "I'm so happy for you, Yoongs. This is such a good thing!"

"I said don't make a big deal."

Seokjin waved his hand, brushing off Yoongi's concerns. "You have to admit that this is a big step."

"I know. And that's why I don't wanna hype it up. I'm nervous, Hyung."

"And that's completely understandable. But this is a good thing, Yoongs. You'll see."

Yoongi sighed. "I hope so."

"So, when are you meeting?"

"I don't know yet," Yoongi admitted. "I told him I'd text him today to figure out details."

"And why haven't you done that yet?!" Seokjin exclaimed. "Do it now!"

"Slow down, Hyung!" Yoongi replied. "Let me do this in my own time."

Seokjin nodded, feeling a bit regretful for pushing his friend. "You're right," he agreed. "Sorry."

Yoongi sighed. "It's okay. I just need time to figure all this out."

"I understand," Seokjin replied.

"But," Yoongi said suddenly. "I guess there's no time like the present."

Seokjin grinned, but didn't say anything. He didn't want to discourage his friend indirectly.

Yoongi Are you free this evening?

He held his breath as he waited. He didn't have to wait long, however.

Hoseok Yes, actually!

Yoongi Do you want to meet at the coffee shop near the club? Maybe around 7?

Hoseok I can do that.

Yoongi Great, see you then.

Hoseok 😊

Yoongi looked back up at Seokjin. "We're meeting at 7."

Seokjin smiled. "Remember to just stay calm, okay? Everything is gonna be fine."

"I'll try my best."

-

Hoseok took a deep breath before opening the door to the cafe. He was nervous, but upon seeing Yoongi, his own nervousness seemed like nothing.

Yoongi sat with a furrowed brow, wringing his hands. He was mumbling to himself, and every once in a while, he'd stop, shake his head, and sigh. Hoseok knew it was because this was the first time he was meeting someone since his wife had died. He was obviously having a hard time, and Hoseok made a mental note to be understanding and respectful if that continued while they were talking.

Hoseok approached the table. "Hi," he said carefully.

Yoongi looked up, then stood quickly. He bumped the table, and his coffee knocked over. As the hot liquid pooled on the table and dripped onto the floor, Yoongi hung his head and sighed.

"It's okay," Hoseok said reassuringly. "I'll get some napkins."

He hurried over to the cream and sugar bar and grabbed a handful of napkins. When he returned to the table, he quickly began cleaning up the spilled coffee. Yoongi watched him with flushed cheeks.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled.

"Don't be," Hoseok said kindly. "Everyone's done it at some point or another." He smiled and Yoongi seemed to relax a bit.

"What was your drink? I'll get you another when I order mine."

"No," Yoongi said quickly. "You don't have to – "

"I want to," Hoseok interrupted. "What was it?"

Yoongi eyed him warily, obviously still embarrassed. "Americano," he relented.

"Coming right up," Hoseok said with a smile. He then headed to the counter to order.

At the table, Yoongi dropped his head into his hands. "Great first impression," he muttered to himself. He looked up again and at Hoseok standing in line. He'd been so patient and kind. And despite his embarrassment, Yoongi felt a bit better.

By the time Hoseok made it back to the table, Yoongi's cheeks were no longer red, and he had calmed down. "Thank you," he said as Hoseok handed him his drink. Hoseok smiled kindly.

"You're welcome."

They both sat in silence for a few long moments.

"So," Yoongi said.

When it was obvious that Yoongi wasn't going to continue, Hoseok picked up the conversation.

"So, how have you been today?"

Yoongi smiled a very small smile. "I've been okay. I had lunch with Jin Hyung, then just hung out at home."

Hoseok nodded. "Sounds like a fun, relaxing day."

Yoongi chuckled. "Something like that."

"So, what do you like to do?" Hoseok asked.

Yoongi's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Like, for fun. Do you have any hobbies?"

"Oh," Yoongi said. "Um, yeah, I guess. I really like music. I tinker with it here and there."

"Tinker?"

"I guess you could say I create it. I play a couple of instruments and like to write my own stuff. I work on producing and mixing it."

"Whoa," Hoseok said, genuinely impressed. "Well, yeah, I'd call that creating. That's awesome!"

Yoongi's cheeks flushed. "It's nothing special, really. No one hears it outside of me and sometimes Namjoon."

Hoseok raised an eyebrow. "You've never thought of releasing it or anything?"

Yoongi shrugged. "I doubt it's good enough. I just do it for fun, you know?"

"Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to hear it sometime."

Yoongi stared at him. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," Hoseok confirmed. "I mean, if that's okay with you, of course."

A corner of Yoongi's mouth raised briefly. "I'll think about it."

Hoseok smiled, and Yoongi noted how genuine it was. "S-So, what do you like to do?"

"I like to garden," Hoseok said immediately, excited to talk about his favorite hobby. But then he noticed Yoongi stiffen slightly, and he internally facepalmed. He had planned to avoid that topic.

"Oh, yeah? That's cool," Yoongi said flatly.

"Yeah," Hoseok said. "It's just something I've done since I was young. It's kind of a boring topic, though, I know. So, what do you – "

"It's not boring," Yoongi interrupted, realizing that his reaction was a bit rude. "What kinds of things do you like to garden?"

"Anything really," Hoseok replied. "Flowers, of course. Fruits and vegetables." He was very careful to avoid mentioning tomatoes specifically.

Yoongi nodded and smiled a small smile. "That's pretty cool," he said earnestly. "I suck at gardening."

"Really?" Hoseok said, acting surprised. "Well, maybe I could show you how sometime."

"Maybe," Yoongi said quietly. "Gardening was really my – "

He suddenly cut himself off, and Hoseok cocked an eyebrow curiously. "Nevermind," Yoongi said. "Um, but yeah, I'd like to see your plants sometime."

Hoseok smiled. "I'd be glad to show you."

They sat in silence again until it became awkward. Hoseok eventually decided to bring up a topic he'd been wondering about.

"Can I ask you a personal question?"

Yoongi eyed him. "Sure..."

"If it's too personal, though, don't feel like you have to tell me."

"Okay..."

"Are you gay?" Hoseok asked, knowing he wasn't. "Or bi or – "

"Pan," Yoongi answered. "It's okay that you asked. These are things we should know, after all."

Hoseok nodded. "I'm gay," he admitted.

"Do you feel comfortable – "

"Dating a man who's pan?" Hoseok interrupted, guessing what he was going to say. Yoongi nodded. "Yes, of course," Hoseok finished, and Yoongi visibly relaxed.

"Would you be okay with that?" Hoseok continued. Yoongi furrowed his brow.

"With what?"

Hoseok took a deep breath. "Dating."

Yoongi's eyes widened slightly. "I..."

He looked at Hoseok, who didn't appear to be expecting any specific answer. He ran through things he already knew in his head. Hoseok was kind, patient, funny, understanding, sweet, and it didn't hurt that he was cute. And Yoongi made a split second decision that he was surprised to have come to in such a short amount of time.

"Going on dates, yes," he said quietly. "I don't know for sure about a relationship yet."

"Oh no, I didn't mean that," Hoseok clarified. "But I just... I'd like to take you out sometime."

Yoongi's eyes lit up slightly and he smiled. "I'd like that, too."

"Yeah?" Hoseok returned Yoongi's smile. "Well, that's great. Um, maybe we could get dinner tomorrow night or something?"

"I actually have plans with Namjoon tomorrow," Yoongi said regretfully. "But maybe the day after that?"

"That works for me!"

-

"You didn't cancel our plans for that?!"

Namjoon was gaping at Yoongi, upset that Yoongi had turned down a date in order to just hang out at his apartment and watch movies.

"I don't want to be dishonest with him," Yoongi argued. "Besides, we're going to go out tomorrow night."

Namjoon relaxed. "Okay. Just don't do that again."

"Okay, dad," Yoongi replied with a roll of his eyes.

"So, are you excited?"

"I am, actually," Yoongi admitted. "He's a really nice guy, and I think it'll be a good time."

Namjoon couldn't help himself; he clapped and bounced up and down like a child. Yoongi watched him incredulously.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just so happy for you, Yoongs!"

"Well, be happy for me like an adult, weirdo."

Namjoon laughed. "You love me."

Yoongi just shook his head, rolling his eyes again.

"So, what're you gonna wear?" Namjoon asked. Yoongi's eyes widened.

"Shit, I hadn't even thought about that."

"Let's go!" Namjoon said, grabbing his friend's hand, pulling him off the couch, and leading him to Yoongi's bedroom.

"You're acting like a teenage girl," Yoongi complained.

"Do you want to find an outfit or not?" Namjoon asked.

Yoongi sighed. "Okay," he relented. "Let's see what I've got."

-

"What are you gonna wear?"

"C'mon," Hoseok said, waving Taehyung toward his bedroom. There was an outfit laid out on his bed; black pants and t-shirt, a white belt, and a red suede jacket. "What do you think?" he asked.

Taehyung smiled. "Couldn't have picked a better one myself."

"Bullshit," Hoseok said. "You're a much better dresser than me. But I'm glad you like it."

Taehyung laughed. "I think it's great, Hobi."

Hoseok nodded as he headed out into his living room again.

"Are you nervous?" Taehyung asked.

"Are you kidding?" Hoseok replied. "Of course I am!"

"I don't think you need to be," Taehyung said. "He agreed pretty quickly to the date, right? He's obviously into you."

Hoseok sighed. "I hope so. Because I really like him."

Taehyung smiled. "You're so smitten, Hobi. It's cute."

Hoseok scowled at his friend, but then smiled. "I guess I am."

"Hey, so where are you taking him?"

Hoseok blinked. He hadn't even thought about that, let alone let Yoongi know where they were going.

"Uh..."

"Don't tell me you forgot to pick a place."

Hoseok facepalmed. "I think I was so excited that he agreed that it didn't even cross my mind."

Taehyung chuckled. "Well, let's figure it out and then you can text him."

Hoseok nodded. "I don't want it to be anywhere too fancy," he said. "I don't want to freak him out."

"Well, I don't think you would, but I agree that fancy isn't necessarily the best route to go for now. He's being eased back into dating. I bet he'd feel more comfortable in a more casual setting."

Hoseok nodded. "Exactly."

After some discussion, they eventually decided on a semi-upscale, casual barbecue restaurant. Hoseok recalled that Yoongi liked lamb skewers, and knew they'd have that dish. Taehyung had cooed at him when he mentioned remembering Yoongi's favorite food, and Hoseok had just rolled his eyes.

"Yoongi's a lucky guy," Taehyung said before he left that evening. Hoseok's cheeks tinged pink.

"I think I'm a lucky guy."

"And that very well may be, but you're simply the best, Hobi. I hope tomorrow goes great. Text me afterward and let me know how it went!"

"Will do," Hoseok promised.