Yoongi got back to his dorm to find it empty again. His roommate wasn't back yet, or perhaps, as he often was, wouldn't be returning for the night at all. Yoongi didn't mind. Especially now, when he could use the extra space and quietness to think.

He didn't even bother changing into sleepwear. The moment he walked through the door, he made his way over to his bed and just lay down, eyes turning to stare at the ceiling. In silence. Seconds passed. Maybe minutes.

"...what am I doing, I have to call Joon."

Yoongi quickly propped himself up and threw out his hand to grab the phone which he had placed on the dresser beside his bed. And he didn't hesitate to dial Namjoon's number.

It rang but once. Then his friend answered.

"So soon?"

"Joon, I did it."

There was a long stretch of silence. Yoongi swore he heard crickets on the other end of the line.

"You finally dyed your hair pink-"

"No, you idiot. I kissed Jimin."

More silence. But it wasn't awkward, because in reality Namjoon had the biggest, softest smile on his face and Yoongi could so clearly hear that in the next words the boy spoke.

"I had a sneaking suspicion." He stifled a laugh. "When you were talking to me on the phone earlier. I could tell you were a bit shaken. Over something."

"Yeah," Yoongi sighed deeply, "a part of me knew I couldn't fool you. You're too quick to catch on to things when it comes to me."

"Well, of course I am," Namjoon stated matter-of-factly, and Yoongi could almost see his friend proudly puffing up his chest as he continued, "there's nothing about you I don't know. Nothing can get by me, Yoongs. You know that."

"Yeah. Yeah, I know."

The words drifted out of his mouth slowly, gently, finding their way to Namjoon's open ears and giving the impression that Yoongi was smiling right now. And he was. Only slightly at first, but soon he couldn't fight back the forceful tugging at the corners of his mouth, and he didn't try, either, because what was the point in that? There was no one around to hide a smile from. Only Namjoon. And even if he were in the room with him, Yoongi probably wouldn't have tried to hide it anyway. Not now. Not with how genuinely happy he was feeling. And how he wanted Namjoon to know that.

"Man, I wish I were there right now to see the beam on your face, Yoongs."

"I told him I loved him."

"I would hope so." Namjoon chuckled again. "With how long you've been selfishly keeping those words to yourself it's about time you let the boy hear 'em."

"Yeah..." Yoongi breathed a soft laugh of his own. "You're right. Thank you for enduring me."

That small 'thank you' which was uttered so naturally, yet so sincerely, gripped Namjoon's attention more than anything Yoongi had said in their conversation thus far. Because Yoongi didn't throw those words around carelessly. And it wasn't because he was rude or unappreciative or anything like that. He simply knew how to save them. For when they really mattered. And despite being the boy's best friend, the same person who spent more time with him than anyone else, Namjoon was perhaps the one who heard those words the least. He knew why. For the most part, Yoongi expressed his gratitude in subtle ways only the two of them could pick up, and these subtle ways sort of became the norm after a while and took the place of verbal appreciation. Except every now and then. On occasion, on special days and moments when Yoongi felt they were necessary to be spoken, when his heart took over his stubborn nature and decided to do things the old fashioned way.

"Really...thank you." Yoongi drew in a slow, deep breath, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before exhaling again. "You've been nothing but the greatest encouragement I could have ever asked for. Honestly, I don't know how you put up with me. But I'm glad you did. I'm always glad you do. It takes a special personality to be able to do what you do, to have your kind of patience. You've done so much for me these past eighteen years I've known you, and I know I don't ever say it, but I hope you know I love you for it, Joon. I always have."

There was no immediate response. Not a laugh, not a cocky or all-knowing scoff, not anything more than the faintest breath that Yoongi could detect a slight tremor in.

"Those some powerful words, my friend."

Namjoon chose now to laugh, but it was so clearly forced, because Yoongi heard the tremor still present in his friend's voice. But he didn't say anything on the matter. He simply allowed Namjoon to get his thoughts out on his own, the heartfelt thoughts Yoongi had knowingly triggered with his brief but meaningful speech.

"I'm not tearing up, in case you're wondering," the boy said firmly, which in turn earned him a tender smile from his friend. "You'll never get me to cry, Min Yoongi, nice try, though. Very..." He cleared his throat. "...very nice try."

"...you good?"

"Me? I'm fine. I'm super fine. Do I really gotta prove it?"

"No," Yoongi said, "you don't. I'll believe you."

"And what about you?"

"Hm?"

"How you holdin' up?"

He paused and waited a short while. He waited for his feelings to take control of his mouth so that he wouldn't have to give in to his usual urge to be lackadaisical with his responses. After all, he knew there was more to the answer Namjoon wanted than just a simple 'fine' or 'good, thanks for asking'. And a simple 'fine' or 'good' couldn't do his feelings justice.

"Honestly, I've never been happier in my life. I wish I could adequately put it into words for you, I just......my heart is still going haywire but it's not in a bad way anymore, ya know? I got to kiss Jimin tonight. I got to tell him how I've felt about him, and I got to hear him repeat the same words back to me, and I can't tell you how that made me feel, even if I wanted to. And it just occurred to me, Joon. If you had never invited me to that dumb group chat, I might never have gotten to know Jimin at all. Just another thing to add to the list of things you've done for me, I guess."

"Introducing you to the love of your life is quite something, ain't it? I'm a pretty swell guy."

"Understatement of the century."

"Stop it, Yoongs, baby, you'll make me blush..."

Yoongi permitted himself another gentle laugh as he leaned his head against the wall behind his bed. If Namjoon were with him, he would definitely have hugged the boy. But since he couldn't at the moment, his words would be enough. For him, and for Namjoon.

"Listen, you're gonna have to tell me how things are going between you two. Constantly. Or I'll bug you about it, Mr. 'I swear on my life, Kim Namjoon, I'd rather die than get into any kind of romantic relationship'."

"...that was-"

"Five years ago. I committed it to memory in case irony should one day present itself."

"...you're such a weirdo."

"You know it."

*

*

[Jimin and Taehyung private chat]

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
hey Tae
I got back alright
ur not sleeping r u

Taetae:
no of course not,,
i planned to wait till u texted so I could make sure u were ok
did Yoongi manage to find u right away?

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
I think so

Taetae:
well that's good :))
I'm glad u made it back ok jiminie

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
yeah...
Tae

Taetae:
?

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
there's smth I have to tell u

Taetae:
ok
sure jiminie
what is it?

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
it's about Yoongi
tonight
he
kissed me
on the train

Taetae:
shut up

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
and when we got back to the dorms, he just stopped to hold my hands, and he told me he loved me
and kissed me again

Taetae:
ur not messing w/ me r u jiminie
no,,
u wouldn't joke about smth like this

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
Tae my heart is about to burst rn how am I supposed to handle more of this kind of thing in the future

Taetae:
ur asking the wrong person I still don't know how to handle it lmao
but like
jiminie
tell Yoongi
that even if he becomes the most important person in ur life
I was ur first kiss

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
Tae omf
well
it's late
so
I'm gonna let u go to bed now
thanks for staying up for me

Taetae:
r u kidding me??
I'd have been furious with myself if I didn't
esp after finding out what exciting things happened this fine November night,,
it is late tho now I guess
soooo

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
good night Tae
thanks for being so patient with me

Taetae:
good night jiminie
thanks for
uhh
thanks for
.
.
.

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
Tae lmao it's ok u don't have to think of anything

Taetae:
thanks for coming to my ted talk

Blue_ribbon_mochi:
ur welcome Tae...