Hobi's P.O.V.

"Hey, I'm heading out. I made some pancakes for the two of you." Yoongi leaned in as I sat on the couch with my laptop. He pressed his lips on mine and I couldn't help but smile into the kiss. If only I could tell him every minute of every day how I love him, how I crave for him in every way and how grateful I am to him for being true to his promises; he had proved that he meant it when he said 'together in every step'. I slung my arms around him and pulled him closer, pressing my lips further on his. He took the hint and opened his mouth to deepen the kiss.

Effortlessly our actions synced as he pushed his tongue in my mouth and I let mine wrap around his, the kiss growing more urgent than a simple 'I'll see you soon' peck. I could tell he was as turned on as me as his cold hands rubbed sensually on my sides under the shirt. "Shit! Don't do this to me" he said looking at me through glassy eyes and a flushed face, his breathing heavy with need. "Have a nice day dear" I said teasingly licking his lips one last time before retracting my arms from around him. He smirked and straightened himself trying to control the growing bulge below the belt. "I will make sure you pay for this" he said fixing his hair as he walked towards the door and turned around to eye me one last time before closing the door "with double the interest". I chuckled not being sorry at all, although I'm aware he's going to make the payback hard on me.

"That. Was. So. Hot!" I snapped my head and saw Jin squeaking from the stairway with a grin. "You creepy starved ass" I jibed, trying to control my smile and headed to the kitchen to grab some breakfast.

"So you gonna tell me or not" I tried to edge into the discussion which has been gnawing at the back of my mind since last night. We were currently driving to the orphanage, I thought it would be a good idea to bring Jin along since without his camera he literally had nothing else to do. "About what?" He asked rather innocently, I just hope he is well aware of his situation right now.

I swear it's not me being paranoid, I saw them last night and I don't care if Yoongi thinks I'm being over-protective of Jin! Taehyung is the one person whom everyone knows as the rudest, taciturn and unaffectedly detached, and I am bothered about why he seems so interested in my best friend! "About how you and Taehyung were together when you entered the diner last night? About what he told you before we left for the night? About why you were asking him to call you?!" Ok, I agree, maybe I am over-reacting a little bit but I am really affected with what I saw; more so because the two of them were acting so unnatural of themselves. Jin is not comfortable with making eye contact with strangers, I could see his uneasiness with Namjoon, Jimin, Joy and the others who came up to talk to him but then what is this about!

"That shithead stole my backpack, when I saw him at the shop last night I asked him to return it. He said he didn't have it with him and asked for my number to call me when he could. That's about it." He said with an annoyed expression and gave me the stink eye for the nth time because I had been too engaged in other stuff last night. Well, if you ask me he was the one who was over-reacting! "He asked for your number?" He nodded. "And you gave it to him?" This whole thing is taking my astonishment to the next level. He nodded again "I need my backpack, all my supplies and notes are in it." Wait, I think I'm missing something "When and how did he steal it?" It just keeps getting more intriguing!

I saw him exhale and then began explaining the whole forest fiasco before Yoongi had arrived to pick him up. "So that's why the camera was in such a miserable condition." "Well I survived, thankfully" he chuckled at my expression. I hope so too Jin, at least for your sake.

By the time we reached the mansion the school hours had started so most of the hallways were deserted, I showed Jin around the three-storied building which had a big crescent lake at the back and a well kempt garden in the front. It was almost like a boarding school rather than an orphanage. "I have to attend a meeting soon, will you be alright by yourself?" He promptly nodded without looking at me, I could see Jin was enraptured by the place as he eagerly peered over the railing taking in the view. I don't blame him, this is a small isolated town but the place sure has its charms to offer. My eyes caught sight of a truck driving through the front gates and pulled over right by the door to the mansion. Namjoon stepped out and waved at us, he is here for the meeting but my eyes fixed at the driver seat.

Killing off the engine Taehyung stepped out, his eyes followed Namjoon's gesture but the moment he found us his eyes latched onto Jin. Great. I turned to Jin and found him staring back. These two are making my skin crawl! Before I could see anything else both Namjoon and Taehyung had entered the building, and seconds later I saw them climbing up the stairs. "Hey! Morning!" Namjoon greeted with his signature dimpled smile as he walked towards us in long strides. Taehyung towing behind him, he now had a backpack and a smaller bag with him. Jin gave a curt smile and a mumble to return the greeting, his eyes glued to the man behind Namjoon.

"Hey, I was about to call you but was sadly detained" a deep voice spoke over all others addressing solely to Jin, Taehyung gave a stern side glance to Namjoon indicating who was at fault. The other quirks up a brow at him in question which Taehyung decided to disregard. "Good thing I decided to carry it with me, I wasn't sure when I'd get the time to see you" he came forward and handed the backpack to Jin. Seems so normal right? It's just an exchange you would say. Wrong! I will tell you what I saw. Taehyung was inches apart from Jin, eyes boring into him like he was gazing at something celestial and although Namjoon and I were right there, it felt like we didn't even exist in their dimension.

"And this," the boy fidgeted a bit, lowering his eyes from Jin's to the other bag in his hand. I have never seen this Taehyung and from Namjoon's expression he hasn't either. "I'm sorry about your camera" he murmured as his brow furrowed ever so lightly as if he was trying too hard to keep his composure. "I haven't used it in a really long time, hope it's of some help to you." He handed the other bag to Jin as well who looked absolutely lost like the rest of us. But that changed the second he unzipped the bag to reveal an expensive looking DSLR, Jin beamed at the sight. But what snatched my breath was the blissful look that had spread on Taehyung's face.

Oddly enough it seemed quite misplaced, and that's when I realized, in the time that I've spent with him I have never seen Taehyung actually happy.

Seokjin's P. O.V.

"I haven't used it in a really long time, hope it's of some help to you" Taehyung says as he hands me a smaller bag, he seems so fidgety it was almost amusing to watch. I was not sure what was happening, however that changed as I unzipped the bag to see a camera. It was an EOS 6D Mark II! I couldn't control my excitement, smiling widely as an acknowledgement for his help and he flashed an infrequent smile which for a moment drove away the sullen aura he usually surrounds himself with. I stared blinking, as an image flashed through my head, that box smile felt way too familiar to my eyes. I'd like to see that smile some more. "Thank you so much, I will make sure to return it the minute I get my camera back" my reply came out in a rush.

"We'll be in the Principal's office, call me if you need anything Jin" Hobi startled me and I realize they have been here the whole time but Taehyung does not budge an inch aside. The silence in the hallway becomes too overwhelming as I hear them walk away, we stood there for more than a minute expecting the other to begin a conversation. Feeling awkward I turn around to stroll along the hallway "I know a place where you can try out the camera, I can show you if you want me to" I heard him over my shoulder, my heart reacted faster than my mind and instantly I turned to appreciate the offer, "Sure".

He led me through the long hallway and down the winding staircase to lead me out the door which brought us right in front of the beautiful shimmering lake. My breath hitched at the beauty of the scenery. I took out the camera to capture the the radiant pristine waters, the vibrant flora encircling the lake and the emerald forest stretching beyond the azure sky. We walked by the lake, me vehemently clicking at everything I laid my eyes on. Trust me it is not everyday you see such grandeur! While Taehyung followed me, often assisting and at times just staring.

"How do you know Hoseok?" He asked out of the blue, "He's a friend" I replied with one eye pressed on the device. "I see. So you came here to meet him". I don't know if that was a question or an assumption, "That, and I have an assignment on Nature photography to work on for my finals. A friend suggested this would be a nice getaway of sorts." He went silent for a while "How long are you staying?" I almost cooed at this, omo he is so cute with his flirting! "A couple weeks I guess" I replied still pretending to be busy with my work. I heard his footsteps closing in and stop right behind me , "where are you from?"

I turned around to face him this time "and why should I tell you that?" "Why not?" He smirked taking a step closer to me but I stood my ground. "Because you are as good as any stranger to me." I replied knitting my brows, here we go; the jerk is back. "But I thought I became a friend since I helped you, twice" pushing his hands into his pockets he leaned closer, "Aren't you the rude one now Seokjin?" He cocked his head to a side arching his brows in question. Gosh! How I want to smack that smile off of his face. "I-umm...fine. What do you want me to do?"  I braved myself to stare back at him, his playful eyes sent electric waves pulsating in my veins.

"Treat me" he voiced, and I don't know why I was confused with his demand. What were you expecting him to say! "What?" "Treat me with lunch you dummy" he replied still staring at me.

Taehyung's P.O.V

Why do things never work out the way I want them to? I worked so hard to get Seokjin to agree to go out with me, well, the treat was an excuse anyway. But fucking buttheads decided to come along! My blood boiled as I watched Hoseok and Namjoon babbling with Seokjin, who looked way too happy to have them join us. Ughh...Why! I was internally face-palming at the situation. I silently watched as Jimin skipped his way to join the three, giggling and slinging his arms around Seokjin and Hoseok as he added in on the babble. I sighed realizing how royally my plan had been flushed down the drain.

"Why so serious Tae?" The midget asked grinning at me, I turned away desperately trying not to curse. He made his way over to me while the three resumed their chatter. "You know you look like you could kill someone right now" he says trying to meet my eyes, however I avert from looking at him, "What? Someone ruin your plans?" He was grinning like an idiot. I swear I will choke the life out of him if he tries this with me! "Go away midget" I say through gritted teeth. "You know if you want him, you gotta try harder than this, pick your sorry ass up and act!" He whispered into my ear. I was totally unprepared for this, and his smile grew wider when he realized he had caught my intentions right. "Fuck off!" I yelled getting agitated with being teased, and saw the others freeze in their positions. Seokjin stared at me with his big brown eyes and suddenly I felt flustered seeing his gaze on me. I left the table and hurried to the washroom.

Gahh! Why am I acting like a complete weirdo?! Jimin is right, I need to do something, make him remember me if I want this to go any further. I splash the water on my face, opening my eyes to watch the droplets crisscrossing down as they leave a wet sheen over my skin. Do I want to make him remember me? Or is it better if I try anew, not the guy who left him waiting and had never returned home again, but someone who has been through a lot of damage, desperately trying to piece himself back again and is willing to open himself if only he be willing to accept me. Or maybe he's better off like this. What if I hurt him too in my selfish whim to feel alive again? As I stared at the mirror I saw another figure join in on my reflection. "Are you ok?" His voice resounded through the small washroom.

I straightened and grabbed some tissues as I heard him edging closer. "I'm fine" I said turning away, I cannot face him right now, too afraid he will see right through me. "You don't look fine" he says stepping in front of me "your eyes are red, were you crying? Are you in pain Taehyung?" His eyes are so caring that even if I want to I cannot look away. "What if I was? Will you kiss my pain away?" He stilled for a moment, then chuckled trying to take it casually but the pink on his cheeks betrayed him. "Do you ever think before you speak!" "Not when it's you" I smiled seeing his ears turn red, "lunch is served, everyone's waiting for you" he averted my eyes and spoke in a rush before walking out the door.

But I am selfish...I am selfish in my need for you.

[A/N] Do share your views. I wanna know what you think about the story till now .

Things are going to change rapidly after a couple of chapters, so I hope you enjoy the soft chapters before the twists flourish and angst returns!

Thank you so much for reading! Love you 💜

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