The end of the day arrived with no one having questioned Jimin or Yoongi about why they were suddenly acting like friends. To most, it was simply too shocking a sight for them to even be near each other, and for those who had witnessed Yoongi smiling and speaking softly to the boy...

Well, it was a bit much to take in.

Despite having just gone there that morning, Jimin and Yoongi both decided to go back to The Golden Spoon—as much as they loved it for its great coffee, it was also just a place to relax and wind down. So they went there together, few words exchanged as they walked.

Upon arrival, Yoongi held the door open for Jimin who made his way to wait in the short line at the counter. Taehyung was working today.

"Afternoon, Jimin!" He beamed. "The usual?"

"Make that two," Jimin answered. "Thank you, Taehyung."

That soft thank you shocked the barista, but he tried not to show it to avoid bothering the clearly tired Jimin.

In a few minutes Jimin brought their two coffees over to the table Yoongi had reserved for them. And he sat down.

They were expecting a peaceful afternoon at this point.

Not long after Jimin had taken the first sip of his coffee, a student from his school entered the coffee shop. And he happened to notice Jimin and Yoongi sitting together at that small table.

He walked towards them.

"Jimin."

The boy flinched, turning his eyes towards the speaker. As did Yoongi. Both of them recognized the student as Kim Younghyun, their classmate.

"This sure is a sight," he said, raising his eyebrows as he stifled a laugh. "Never thought I'd see the day you voluntarily hung around the pastel boy without trying to push him or his things to the ground. What gives, huh?"

Yoongi wanted to snap back at him. But he waited, just in case Jimin wanted to stand up for himself.

"It's weird." Younghyun shook his head in pity. "Everyone thinks so, you know. It happened out of nowhere. I mean, I'm sure you knew that would happen. You made yourself a reputation, Jimin."

"I know."

"Trying to tear it down now?" The boy chuckled. "I mean, you could've found another way. This is probably gonna do you more harm than good, if you ask me. Really, watch yourself, Jimin. If you're not careful, he'll turn you gay, too-"

Yoongi pushed his chair back and abruptly stood up. Younghyun looked at him with puzzled, irritated eyes.

"What's your deal, pastel boy?"

"Get the hell away from him."

Yoongi's harsh tone took Younghyun aback. He squinted at the mint-haired boy.

"Tryna play hero, are you?"

"No, but if you want I'll spit in your face."

"Why would I want that??"

"I dunno, that's just the vibe I'm getting from you right now."

Clearly agitated, Younghyun began to grit his teeth, glaring at Yoongi who wasn't at all intimidated by the boy being taller or more fit than him.

"You've got a lot of guts for a bratty gay kid."

"Wow, thanks." Yoongi put on a big smile. "And you've got a lot of guts for a brainless chap. There are a lot of stupid people in this world. Thanks for helping me understand that. Now do you mind taking your opinions elsewhere? I'm in the middle of enjoying my afternoon with my friend."

Younghyun was almost speechless. "Why should I do what you tell me?"

"Oh, I'm just trying to be generous," Yoongi said. "I mean, you don't wanna take any chances, do you? If you're around me, you might turn gay, too. That's how it works, apparently."

Now he was speechless. It was like a volcano erupting inside his head, but Younghyun, being in a public place, couldn't bring himself to even raise his voice at Yoongi. So instead he stormed off helplessly.

Yoongi released a prolonged sigh. He didn't sit down yet, but instead slowly turned to Jimin with an apologetic look on his face.

"I'm sorry, Jimin," he uttered in a quiet voice. "He'll...definitely think you're gay now. I should've approached that differently..."

Jimin stared at Yoongi for a moment. He swallowed his breath. "N-no, it's okay," he insisted.

Then he paused for a bit, thoughts drifting.

"In fact, that was...kinda hot."

It didn't register immediately. Those words. But once they did, Yoongi's wide-eyed gaze shot up to meet Jimin's, only to find the boy with half-lidded eyes and the corner of his mouth in an absent-minded upward curve.

"You standing up for me like that...it was pretty attractive."

Yoongi blushed furiously, all at once feeling his cheeks catch aflame and he was powerless against it. He tried to grasp at words before they escaped him. But all chances for him to play it cool were erased once Jimin rose from his seat and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

"Thank you, Yoongi."

An instant K.O.. Yoongi's heart threatened to tear through his rib cage right then and there. He had to act fast.

"Y-you're welcome, I'm just gonna go get, uh, a p-pastry to...to go with my coffee. Be right back."

So he darted over to the counter just as one customer had finished making their order. Taehyung was already there trying to act like he didn't see what had just happened, because no, he totally wasn't watching and definitely had not witnessed Jimin's sweet gesture of appreciation.

"How can I help you, Yoongi?" Taehyung asked, miserably failing in his attempt to refrain from grinning. Yoongi pursed his lips and fired the cheeky barista a warning glare.

"Listen, I can't take your teasing right now. I need serious help."

"What ever do you mean?" Taehyung questioned, feigning innocence. "In need of another coffee?"

"Oh, stop it, please." Yoongi heaved a sigh of frustration and hit his head against the counter. "I just need to stay here until my heart calms down. Holy crap, I've never panicked like this before..."

"...what ever do you m-"

"Cut it out, I know you saw."

Taehyung stopped. Turned his head. Snorted. Then faced Yoongi again. And he leaned in to whisper:

"That was the cutest freaking thing I've ever seen, Yoongi, and if I weren't working right now I would probably start squealing but I am a professional. So consider my composure: in tact."

"Well, mine's not."

"Yoongi, do you like Jimin?"

"No. What? No, of course not. Do I?"

"I think that answers the question."

"No, it doesn't....does it? Oh, my gosh, kill me, I can't go back over there. I've already made a fool of myself."

"Ask him out!"

"No."

"Why not??"

"Shut up, you're not being any help. Other customers are getting in line now, just pick a random pastry for me, I don't care what it is."

"Will do. It's on me. Two of them." Taehyung extended his hand to pat Yoongi's shoulder. Winking, he gestured at the end of the counter, and Yoongi had no choice but go there to wait.

Once he received the donuts Taehyung had so kindly picked out for him, Yoongi returned to his table and took his seat across from Jimin.

"What were you guys talking about?"

"Spirited Away again," Yoongi blurted. "Great movie. 11/10. You should watch it."

Jimin cracked a smile. "Okay, I'll make a note of it."

That smile. Small, but sincere, and eye-catching to say the absolute least.

"I think this is the first time I've ever seen you smile."

Just like that, it disappeared.

"Sorry-"

"Whoa, hold on, 'sorry'?? Why are you apologizing?"

"...don't know."

Yoongi groaned in frustration, a bit more dramatic than he intended, but in his defense, he was all sorts of 'thrown off' right now. So he cleared his throat in an attempt to shake off that feeling, which surprisingly, worked a little better than he thought it would. In reality, it had nothing to do with him clearing his throat, but rather the expression on Jimin's face changing suddenly. His attention had shifted toward the coffee shop's entrance as the little bell dinged. And before even turning around Yoongi had a gut feeling it was going to be another idiot come to address the whole situation of them hanging out.

But that wasn't it.

It was Jungkook. Yoongi glanced at Jimin. The boy looked ready to bolt. But he stayed, even as the same person who started this whole mess walked up to them, head hanging low.

He didn't say anything at first. None of them did. But then Jimin and Yoongi heard Jungkook sniffle.

"I'm sorry." His voice cracked and he sniffled again, still not lifting his head. "Both of you. I shouldn't have said what I said to you, Jimin, I was just afraid of something happening to Yoongi again. And Yoongi, I'm sorry for using that as an excuse. I should have told you. And you're absolutely right, I should have known better. I'm so sorry. Hoseok is, too. I think he's waiting with Seokjin at your house. Please don't be mad at him, Yoongi. This is all my fault. I'm sorry for letting you down."

A tear fell from one of his eyes, and though he was still looking at the floor, Yoongi could see it. Sighing, he got to his feet once again and wrapped his arms around Jungkook, who made no hesitation to hug him back.

"I forgive you," Yoongi said, sighing as he patted Jungkook's back. "Quit your crying, you're in public..."

"Don't care. You're mad at me-"

"I just said I forgive you. And Jimin does, too. Don't you, Jimin?"

Jimin nearly jumped as Jungkook's eyes found their way to his. But he soon collected himself and nodded. "Of course," he said. "Though I owe an apology to you, too."

Jungkook, not bothering to wipe away his tears, tilted his head in confusion.

"I'm sorry for hurting your friend, Jungkook."

All hostility had vanished in both boys' eyes at this point. Now they gazed at one another with a mutual understanding. Cleansing empathy.

"How did you know we would be here, Jungkook?" Yoongi asked, catching his friend's attention.

"You mentioned this place to me before," he explained. "And Hoseok told me you've been coming here a lot. So I figured it wouldn't hurt to try."

"Smart boy." Yoongi chuckled and tousled Jungkook's hair. "Hey, since you're here, you might as well try their coffee. It's really good, you'll love it."

Tentatively, Jungkook agreed, and soon began to make his way over to the counter where conveniently two people had just stepped away from.

And once he was there he froze.

"Hi, how can I help you?"

Immediate shutdown, triggered by the up-close view of the person who Jungkook deemed might have been the most attractive boy he had ever seen. Cute, from his smile to his eyes to his sun-kissed skin to the way he raised his eyebrows whilst patiently waiting for Jungkook's answer which, at this point, wasn't going to be here any time soon. He tried. But Jungkook would sometimes get nervous when ordering at any restaurant or shop that required him to speak to an individual, so the fact that this particular individual happened to be quite pretty didn't help.

Eventually Jungkook gave up and hurried back over to Yoongi.

Yoongi immediately pushed him back.

"Nice try, kiddo."

Flustered, Jungkook tugged at Yoongi's sleeve, clenching his teeth as he tried to hint at why he no longer wanted to order. Yoongi knew why. He just pretended not to.

"Hey, Taehyung, this is my friend Jungkook. Just tryna ask for your number but he's shy, isn't that right, Kook?"

Jungkook whisked himself around hastily to deny Yoongi's claim, devastated to discover the barista wearing a shy, but quite pleased, smile.

"Really? No boy's ever asked for my number before." Forcing a laugh, Taehyung nervously rubbed the back of his neck, and Jungkook could no longer find it in himself to clarify that his friend was only messing with him.

A few minutes later and Jungkook was walking away from the counter with a free coffee and Taehyung's number written on the cup.

This was Yoongi's "getting back at him," he thought.