"All the best, you're gonna do amazing," Namjoon says patting Ivy's head slightly. She smiles back nervously at him before sucking in a deep breath and ringin the bell. He shakes his head, the lump of emotions at the back of his throat preventing him from smiling or even speaking further and takes a step back, turning to go into her apartment so she's alone when Hoseok opens the door. 

After yesterday, he had thought that maybe, just maybe she'd look at him the way he wants her to but he was wrong, she still woke up with the thought of asking out Hoseok next day. He smiled at her, telling her that he was so happy for her. He tried, he really tried being happy for her but he couldn't. He wanted to just grab this chance and not let her go because he knew if there was any other man who could treat her as good as he would, it'd be Hoseok. 

Ivy on the other hand woke up confused to the very bone, there was this certain intimacy she had with Namjoon, a certain comfort in his eyes she couldn't shake off, not after she cried herself to sleep in his arms yesterday. The moment all over was as beautiful as it could get but she knew he didn't think of her as more than just a friend. She knew it would be wrong to ruin her only source of comfort. He's just a friend, she told herself repeating it over and over in her head. Maybe she could be like that with Hoseok too, he was a nice guy after all. 

"Oh hey Ivy," Hoseok says opening the door to let her enter inside but she shakes her head denying the offer. Jungkook was inside too, it would be awkward in front of him. 

"Hi Hoseok," She smiles slightly with nervous pupils looking directly in his eyes. She's always had this weird habit to keep a confident eye contact even when she was falling apart inside. Only if somebody would pay enough attention, only if they'd see through that thin wall of confidence.

"So, I was thinking," She says intertwining her fingers behind her back and stepping forward.

"What were you thinking?" He asks closing the door behind himself and stepping closer too. Only a step and a few inches separating them. The sexual tension high enough to suffocate her but she decided to keep up a brave frontier. 

"I was thinking maybe I could take you out on a date," she says softly smiling. He smiles back looking at her with adoration. 

"Glad you asked, I was planning to do the same," he says stepping even closer and placing a hand on hers. 

"So, does dinner at that restuarant by Han river sound good to you?" She asks smiling nervously when he intertwines his fingers with hers of both hands, one by one. It was a small gesture but the skin of her palms burned at the sensation. He hums in satisfaction with a nod. 

"Anything would work for me," he whispers slowly bringing up their intertwined hands to kiss the back of her hand, all the while maintaining eye-contact with her. 

"Great, it's my treat, be ready by 8," she says quickly when he kisses both her cheeks softly before she could turn around to enter her apartment without turning back even once. 

Hoseok's cheeks take of colour as he takes support of the door, leaning against it with a happy smile. He had waited enough and was ready to make the move but she did it first. 

Namjoon quickly opens the door and she crashes right into his chest. He stumbles back slightly but quickly composing himself. He looks down at her as she just keeps looking at her feet, head resting against his thumping heart. 

She was uncomfortable, he had understood it right away. 

He holds her by the shoulders softly at first, testing the water as he slowly moves back towards the kitchen. She brings her hands up, clutching the material of his coat in tight little fists. 

"Ivy? Coffee or hot chocolate?" he asks wrapping one arm around her shoulders as she doesn't even bring her head up. She shakes her head multiple times and he sighs before pulling her away from his chest to look at her face. She closes her eyes tightly, biting down on her lower lip. 

"Do you wanna talk about it?" he asks as she places her cold bare feet on the top of his socked ones and holding onto the lapels of his coat tightly. He found it adorable. 

"He said yes but I don't know," she says looking up at her with a terrified expression. 

"What happened?" he asks handing her the packet of MnM's he had in his pocket. 

"He kissed my hand and cheeks." She states opening the packet. His jaw clenches but fortunately her concentration wasn't on him. 

"Did he ask before doing it?" Namjoon questions but she shakes her head dividing the MnM's into two equal halves. One for herself and one for her best friend. 

"So he touched you without your permission?" She nods hesistantly, catching the underlying message and mood in his tone. He gives an understanding nod, inhaling deeply. 

He knew it wasn't his place to say something to him but he also knew how uncomfortable she could get if anybody touched her without permission. Even if it's a small gesture, consent is very necessary. 

"Did you not tell him to ask for permission next time?" He asks and she shakes her head slowly. 

"For god's sake Ivy, learn how to say no to that guy, this is not how it works. If you feel uncomfortable with something just say it like you did with me and Taehyung. I'm only saying this for yo-" she quickly feeds him a bunch of the MnM's, effectively shutting him up. 

"Don't yell at me. I'll say no next time." He chews nodding slightly in dissappointment. 

"Alright I won't yell but listen to me okay, come." He says sitting on the couch and extending an arm towards her. She takes it without hesitation, settling down next to him, closely. 

"Rule number one: only you can know and decide what you want and what you don't. If you're okay with something, it's only and only upto you and if you're not, learn to say no, no matter who the person opposite you is. From family to friends to strangers, no one has control over you because in the end, you'll be one treating your scars, looking at them everyday, feeling them on your skin all day. Not necessarily physical actions, somebody's emotional actions can be controlling too." She nods sitting on the couch with her knees tucked under her chin. 

"Don't let anybody cross your walls of personal space. This applies for the other person too. If you're uncomfortable with some things, they can be too so let's be a little more considerate okay?" He asks looking into her eyes carefully. They always told him the truth, the one that nobody else saw in her. 

"Okay. Do I go or do I stand him up?" she asks biting her nails nervously. 

"Standing him up would be rude, why don't you go and then ask yourself if he's the one you want to stay with?" He suggests genuinely, drowning all his own feelings only for her happiness.

"Okay, I'll be brave and tell him 'no' if I don't want something," she states with determination and he chuckles before stretching his body and slumping down lower on the couch. 

"Namjoon, why do I keep feeling like this?" 

"Like what?" 

"Like I'm missing out on something when I'm with Hoseok." 

"Maybe you are," he whispers so it doesn't reach her ears but she had already heard it. 

"Yeah, maybe I am."