It happened every so often.

Seokjin would see, out of the corner of his eye, that boy approaching, with a small, hopeful smile on his face, and the words that came from his mouth were always the same.

"Would you like to go out with me, Jin?"

He didn't know why or how Namjoon could be so persistent. Jin hadn't left it in subtext that he was straight. He said it outright, pretty much every time, and stressed that he wasn't going to change his mind. And yet still that boy came back, as though completely disregarding those words.

It was becoming exasperating.

Jin knew he was never really a patient person, but recently he had been trying to improve that, but this was just pushing him the wrong way. And the thing that bothered him was that Namjoon wasn't a bad person, so he didn't want to be rude, but at the same time, the boy's persistence was getting out of hand. No means no, he'd told him on several occasions. Apparently that hadn't made it clear enough.

He just didn't understand it. How a boy could fall for him, moreover a boy who was allegedly, like him, 100% straight. But again, he had confirmed this wasn't merely some ongoing prank, because he had spoken with Jimin about it, and more importantly, he could see the look in Namjoon's eyes. Something pure, genuine, something Seokjin had never seen anyone look at him with. Not even any of the girlfriends he'd had before.

It was frustrating. Troubling, and Jin just wished Namjoon would get over it already.

On the Monday of a new school week, he woke up on the wrong side of the bed - Seokjin, that is, whereas Namjoon awoke with that vague determination of his that he was convinced would never waver.

Yes, he would ask Jin out again today. And Jin would go to school today, dreading that question.

It just wasn't a good morning for him. On top of feeling as though he received not a wink of sleep, a package of his that was delivered that morning had been stolen, and even though it wasn't extremely expensive, it still upset him. Because of his sour mood Jin also forgot to grab the lunch he had taken the time to prepare the previous night, which he only recalled upon arriving at school.

The stolen package and forgetting his lunch were two strikes.

And just shortly after the school day began came the third one.

Kim Namjoon, that persistent boy.

It was right before PE started, and Jin was sitting on one of the benches in the gymnasium, his head in his hands as he tried to shake off the stress that had gotten the best of him that morning. He knew to an extent that maybe he was being dramatic, at least about the package and his lunch, but he justified himself in the sense that there were other things on his mind that just added to the exhaustion.

One being that persistent boy, who Jin, for once, didn't see approaching due to being distracted. In fact, it almost slipped his mind.

But then he heard Namjoon open his mouth, and he flipped.

"You're the last person I want to see right now," Jin groaned, not even trying remotely to hide his exasperation. "For goodness' sake, don't you get tired of this crap?? You're driving me up a wall with this!! What part of no don't you understand?! Just leave me alone!!"

It struck like a bullet. Not sugar-coated in any way, raw, unfiltered exasperation that caused Namjoon's countenance to grow pale, his eyes sparking with guilt and heartbreak like two simultaneous blows to the head. He looked like a kicked puppy, and Jin had been the one to kick that puppy.

"I...I'm sorry..."

He bowed. Something Seokjin hadn't expected, hadn't asked for, and hadn't wanted. And that struck him. As did that awful, heart-wrenching regret on Namjoon's face as he apologized once more, than gradually peeled himself away from Jin's presence. And Jin just watched with conflicted eyes as that boy he had grown so used to seeing with optimism in his dimpled cheeks, now trudging away dejectedly back to his best friend, who looked to have witnessed the scene.

Jin didn't want to be bothered by it. He really didn't.

*

That lunch period, Namjoon didn't show up at the group's table like he usually did. And as soon as Jimin realized his friend wasn't coming, he also left. Because he knew why Namjoon wasn't there.

Yoongi and Jungkook had also been around to witness Jin lash out at Namjoon. Hoseok, however, was none the wiser.

"What's going on?"

"I already told you," Seokjin muttered, pushing away the food his red-haired friend offered him. "I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, my package was stolen, and I left my lunch at home. End of conversation."

"No, you know what I mean..." Hoseok sighed and glanced at Yoongi, who just shook his head.

"It's not my business to say."

"Well, then, how am I supposed to know what's going on??"

"Jin yelled at Namjoon to leave him alone."

They all looked at Jungkook.

"...jeez, thanks, Kook, you're a real trooper."

"Don't get mad at him," Yoongi said, putting his arm around the boy. "Poor kid just doesn't like seeing his parents fight-"

"Parents?!"

"Jin, I'm joking, calm down."

Evidently, he wasn't fond of the joke, which was rare for Seokjin because he found most things funny. Once upon a time he had even found kissing Namjoon on the cheek with lipstick funny. Just not this, and not now.

"Jin-"

"No, don't talk to me," the boy huffed, "you're probably gonna say something like I should go apologize to him or whatever."

"And what if I do?"

Seokjin pouted, hesitating to meet Yoongi's gaze.

"Jin, you're more mature than this, c'mon." The mint-haired boy sighed, acquiring that admonishing parent disposition of his that could make anyone feel guilty for their actions. "I get you're stressed, and you have every right to be, but you shouldn't have taken it out on him like that. Whether or not he wasn't getting the message to quit asking you out is irrelevant. He has feelings, too, and you could have treated the situation a little more delicately."

He had kept his voice down, as this was a secret only known among their small group of friends at this point. Namjoon had never made a scene in his asking Jin out, but rather done so quietly, subtly most times, to avoid drawing attention to the two of them. Then there was today, where Jin hadn't even attempted to keep anything quiet, or subtle. He'd probably embarrassed Namjoon, on top of making him feel utterly terrible.

He really didn't want to feel bothered by this. But he knew it would eat at him if he didn't say anything.

"I don't have Jimin's or his number," Seokjin muttered after some time.

"I have both," Yoongi said. "I'll just text Jimin and ask where they are."

*

"I knew he'd get exhausted by me sooner or later."

They ended up going up to the roof, where just a few other students were at this time, not nearly as many as in the cafeteria, so it was much quieter up here. More room to think and talk, which was what Namjoon needed right now.

"I was worried he would," Jimin added. His expression had been taken over by the same regret that had washed over his friend's. "I should have told you sooner."

"No, no, I think it's better I learned the limits on my own." Namjoon forced a tiny smile. "But thank you, Chim. I...appreciate you more than you know. I'm jealous, though, of what you and Yoongi have." His smile broadened. Jimin's cheeks reddened.

"Don't say that."

"Why not?" Namjoon lowered his voice, but raised the volume of his cheeky grin. "You guys literally made out on his couch, and yet you're somehow not dating."

A frown took form on Jimin's face as the heat rose on his face. Why did I tell him that? "Stop...you know it's not that easy for me right now."

"Yeah, I know." Namjoon stifled a laugh. "Your relationship status still in 'it's complicated'..."

This teasing comment earned the boy a gentle slap on the arm, which honestly just lightened the mood. So he was grateful, once again, for Jimin just being Jimin.

"What happened after the make-out session, by the way?" Namjoon nosily added. "You never elaborated, I wanna know how you guys reacted after that."

Jimin just shook his head in defiance. He wasn't about to tell his friend about Yoongi looking deeply into his eyes and thanking him...

Luckily, he didn't have to. Because right then their conversation was interrupted by that last person either of them expected to interrupt them.

Seokjin stood over the two, who had been sitting on the ground, but stood up upon noticing him.

"Uh, J-"

"I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm sorry."

Namjoon was shocked. And Jin could see that, and it honestly didn't sit well with him that the boy would react that way to an apology. If anything, Seokjin would say it should have been expected, or at least hoped for. But Namjoon just seemed confused.

"You don't need to apologize," he insisted. "I'm the one who was being inconsiderate. I wouldn't leave you alone. I don't blame you for getting frustrated with me."

"Don't say that or I'll get more frustrated." Jin ran his fingers through his hair and tugged at the locks a bit, because he didn't have anything to hit his head with at the moment. "Listen-" He looked directly at Namjoon. "I'm sorry, okay? Don't tell me an apology isn't necessary. I wasn't having a good morning, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you. So...I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Namjoon."

It was as heartwarming as it was heartbreaking for him. But Namjoon just smiled and gave a brief nod, then said softly, "I'm sorry, too."

Jin arched his brows. "No. Don't you apologize, this was my-"

"Nope, I shouldn't have been pestering you constantly in the first place. I started it."

"No, you're missing my point here, I-"

"-had every right to get frustrated with me-"

"Stop."

Namjoon just laughed warmly at him, which acted as the defeating strike and drew a sigh from Jin. Jimin, who had been watching in silence, found it nothing short of bittersweet. Of course, he was glad Seokjin had come around to apologize, but at the same time, it only made Namjoon's situation sadder to him.

If Seokjin were a jerk, he could help his friend get over the boy easier.

But in truth Namjoon didn't want to get over him.

He just knew he had to.

Somehow.

But he supposed it's what he had coming when he fell for a straight boy at some party.

"So are you guys gonna join us for the rest of lunch, or-"

"If I'm allowed," said Namjoon, dipping his head. Jin rolled his eyes.

"Yes, you're allowed..."

Dear heart, please let these feelings fade...