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He didn’t know when it started. It all happened on a Saturday morning when Yoongi wanted to pass by for a moment to a clothes shop named ‘92 Clothes to Wear.’ He thought it was funny, so he went in and maybe buy an addition to his closet. Once he entered, a waft of oak wood scent filled the air. The atmosphere felt comfy and warm, similar to his small apartment complex. His eyes wondered around, the lines of clothes formed in columns, the light brown planks below him, the white walls and illuminated lights. But one thing that stood out the most is the man at the cashier who greeted a couple of feet away beside him.“Hello and good morning sir! Feel free to have a look!”
A man enthusiastically exclaimed.Yoongi, being polite, nodded his head and murmured thanks. Though deep inside him was his heart suddenly beating fast and butterflies going crazy in his stomach. The man who greeted him is attractive, handsome, cute, and the list goes on about how good looking the man is. His dark brown eyes stares at him with his smile that instantly melted Yoongi in his place. Don’t even let him start at how kissable his pink plump lips are, hell he would do anything to taste them, if only he had courage to do so, then he probably is somewhere better than browsing some clothes he has no interest in buying just yet. Though, there’s something he wants to know that very same day.That something happened to be his name. Yoongi decided to pick a simple gray colored shirt with a cat print by the chest. He took a quick look on it before heading to the cashier. This will do, he thought as he sighed, whilst handing it to the orange-haired man who greeted him earlier. That was his chance to see his name tag closely, it said Seokjin. Seokjin, he repeated, a beautiful name for a beautiful person just like him. Seokjin, the man in front of him with soft reddish cheeks and strong brows that are slightly furrowed as he was busy packing his shirt to a paper bag. It’s him, Seokjin, the man Yoongi starts to like.“Here you go, thank you and have a nice day!” Seokjin said as he handed the paper bag to him. Yoongi could only look back at him and smile. He took the shirt he bought and head his way to the entrance and left the store to continue his day.---Yoongi, who thought it might be a one-time thing found his self at the very same store and doing the usual, pretending to have a wardrobe malfunction and needing for some clothes that can pique his interest. This is an excuse that Yoongi created in order to visit the store every now and then. He peeked through the gaps of clothes to watch Seokjin work. The man, doing some sort of paperwork at the counter while nibbling the pen he is holding. Yoongi suddenly thinks what his doing is creepy, but he can’t help but get a little glance of Seokjin. Just a bit, he thought. He continued on with his little secret until someone poked his shoulder that made him jumped in shock.“Oh, I’m sorry sir! I didn’t mean to surprise you!” Yoongi looked to his shoulder to see a man apologized. He was a bit shorter than Yoongi, with crescent eyes and blonde hair. His eyes lowered to the name tag that says ‘Jimin.’ He didn’t see Jimin the first time he went to the place. He must be new, Yoongi thought.“Ah no, it’s okay, thanks.” Yoongi replied with a small grin.“Anything you find, sir?” He asked, looking at him expectantly. Yoongi shook his head and pretended to browse some shirts from the clothes line, pretending to search carefully. That’s what he does best, pretending to be hooked on to something he is not.“Not yet, I suppose.”“Alrighty then, call me whenever you need assistance!” Then the guy named Jimin walked his way towards to another customer. As much as Yoongi observed, he’s so cheerful that it could brighten up someone’s day. Yoongi thought it was a nice thing, especially around such a comforting and humble shop, Jimin definitely gives off a warm personality. Yoongi kept glancing at Seokjin who is now talking to one of the customers. When he laughed, it brought a smile to Yoongi’s face. Seokjin looked adorable scrunching his shoulders up and down as he chuckled with the customer. It was obvious that he is whipped for the man at the counter, and his day to day visits turned to weeks that Seokjin himself recognized Yoongi and sometimes tells him ‘hello’ or ‘hey, you’re here again!’ Though, it’s only the small talks that happened between the two so far, nothing more, yet nothing less. The interactions are more than enough to Yoongi since only glancing at his long-time crush can make his heart flutter and smile already. He’s contented but saying he doesn’t wish for something more would be a flat out lie. Maybe, just maybe, a miracle might happen to him. And that miracle could make Yoongi happy for days, or possibly, a year.---
God knows how many times he’s already been here, but Yoongi is still on the same place. Again, he’s pretending to search for clothes that he doesn’t buy at the end. The same thing he always does. Yoongi doesn’t know why he’s doing this for almost a month now, always peeking through the gaps of several clothes lined up to see Seokjin. As he spent more time on the clothes shop, he met almost every worker there, and seen the regular customers that also visited the store (including him, of course.)
There, he met not only Jimin, but also Jungkook and Taehyung who worked at the shop. Taehyung and Jimin were actually working for a year during afternoons, while Jungkook is the new part-time worker. Taehyung, being Seokjin’s cousin that helped him on a daily. Yoongi knows, because Taehyung would love to talk to him about his life. Yet the favorite part of all was whenever Taehyung would talk about his cousin, Seokjin.“You like him, don’t you?”
Out of the blue, Taehyung said with his boxy grin. Yoongi felt a rush of red to his cheeks and ears as his eyes widened. He was flustered by the sudden comment. He tried to remain his composure and respond,“I, uh, I guess?” was the only thing Yoongi could say, Taehyung lightly punched him in the shoulder and chuckled.“I knew it! Seokjin hyung told me you love to stop by and look around. It’s obvious that you like him, silly! You rarely even buy something!” Taehyung laughed and Yoongi’s face became redder, he placed his index finger in front of his lips to try and lower his voice down.“P-please stay quiet or he might hear us, Taehyung.” Pleaded Yoongi as he glances at his surroundings. Taehyung would only laugh out louder and shake his head. Probably in disbelief on how much fond the man has for his cousin. Yoongi swiftly checks on Seokjin by the cashier, looking back at their direction, probably curious when he see Taehyung laughing out loud with one of the regulars. Making their eyes meet, both were subtly startled by the sudden eye contact between them. Seokjin gave him a small smile and a wave which Yoongi responded with a small grin. As he went back to Taehyung, trying to hide his big gummy smile by biting his lower lip, Taehyung rolled his eyes and shook his head in distaste.
“You better tell my cousin about what you feel. I mean, you seem like a great guy. Before it’s too late, you know?” Taehyung advised before leaving him to assist another customer. Yoongi tilted his head slightly, reflecting upon what Taehyung had just said. Pondering deeply, he questioned himself, why haven’t I confessed to him yet? Is it because of the concept of rejection if he said those three risky words to a person who didn’t know him that well? Or is it the lack of courage that keeps holding him back? Either of the two, one thing remains constant and that is his bursting feelings for Seokjin.After minutes of standing alone in between clothing racks, he decided to leave the shop a bit early that day, still thinking about Taehyung’s advice for him. Perhaps he decided to finally make his move. He doesn’t know when, but definitely soon enough.---
Due to Yoongi’s sudden change of shift, his visits turned from occasionally, to rarely, and now seldomly. His night shifts at the hospital changed to mornings. It was a big pain in the ass especially on how he must wake up early for work from now on, only to come back at the store closing as it reached 6:30 pm. He thinks it was way too early for a shop to close, but then he remembers how early the shop opens. Yet right now, he manages to grasp the allotted free time given to him on a chilly Sunday morning.With a bit of excitement, he swung open the entrance and step into the familiar store. The familiar scent, such as the familiar atmosphere embraces Yoongi. He really missed the shop, and the big gummy smile visible in his face shows it as well. Once he laid his eyes on the counter, he found Jungkook greeting him. His smile turned into a frown, trying to hide it with a lip bite. Where’s Seokjin? He thought. His eyes linger through the whole space only to find no trace of Seokjin at all. Yoongi has no choice but to check some random clothing line and flick through the clothes, looking interested.“I wonder why you’re not here.” He muttered under his breath. He keeps browsing clothes that weirdly have the same blue color over and over again. Boring Yoongi as much as he hates to admit that he might be waiting for nothing, not until someone poked his shoulder and made Yoongi jolt.“Whoops, my bad.”
Yoongi turned his head around only to see the man he had been looking for. It’s him, Seokjin, the man Yoongi likes for so long. Then something itched at the back of his mind, he felt like this happened already before at the same exact place and he just can’t remember when. He was surprised when Seokjin suddenly gasped and smiled.“Oh, you’re back! I haven’t seen you in a while, how are you?” He asked sweetly. Yoongi found himself frozen in his place. He still can’t believe it’s Seokjin, the same man who’s always on the cashier, standing in front of him and starting a conversation with him. It almost resembles a dream that Yoongi sometimes had three nights ago. The only difference is it being real in his eyes.“Hey, I’m great, thanks. Been busy at work, you know, shift changed and all that.” He ended up being a mumbling mess. He hates his self for being obviously shy and flustered to the situation he is in right now.“Aw, that must suck. You’re a nurse, right? According to what Taehyung said to me, if he’s not wrong.” He added. Yoongi nodded as he fidgeted with his fingers.“Yeah it does. He’s right too; I’m a nurse at a hospital around here.” After that, it became quiet. But not the awkward type of silence, it was slightly comforting. Yoongi continues to rummage through the clothes as Seokjin watches him. Both remained like this for a couple of minutes, until about three newly arrived customers started to come.“A tough job, but you can do it! Oh, well, Taehyung, Jimin, and Jungkook are on their way soon and, I’ve to go and,” No, not yet. Please stay, don’t leave yet, Yoongi thought. Although repeatedly saying these things in his mind like a prayer will not lead him somewhere. He has to do something, before it’s too late and before he’ll never encounter the opportunity ever again. He will never forgive himself if he lets Seokjin escape from his grasp at this moment, he swears.
“There’s customers coming so-” He grabs a piece of random clothing from the rack and showed it to him. Cutting Seokjin off mid-sentence and earning a confused look in the process.“I want this,” Yoongi, with full determination asserted. In his hand holds a striped shirt larger than his actual size in the brightest blue you could ever think of. It was not his style at all, but Yoongi got to do what he’s supposed to do in order to prevent Seokjin from leaving too soon. It seems to be working as he saw Seokjin laughing hysterically, clapping his hands, and his shoulders shaking. Other people are now starting to look at their direction. Yoongi tried fighting off the chuckles due to his own stupidity, only able to give a wide smile. Yet that doesn’t mean he forgot his real purpose to why he did it, though.“I respect your choice in clothing, but isn’t that a whole size larger than you? I could help you find a si-” Yoongi stared at Seokjin with such affection and finally said the words he was keeping it in his chest.“-But I also want you.” Right then and there, Yoongi felt a weight being lifted off from him. He finally did it, he finally said what he felt for so long. He somehow confessed without it being a complete fail. Yoongi was crashed with waves of relief. Those words were powerful enough to shut Seokjin up, his crescent eyes from laughing became full moons as they widened. His mouth became agape and his face flushed red. He was certainly surprised and mostly flustered by Yoongi’s confession. It makes him want to tease Seokjin a bit. Seokjin looks cute in Yoongi’s eyes and he has this urge to cup Seokjin’s face and give him the softest kiss he could ever make. That is, if Seokjin feels the same. Yoongi’s heart is beating all over the place inside his chest, one for nervousness, and one for the pure fond and admiration he has for the other. Only one question remains in his mind, and that is whether if Seokjin likes him back or not.“I-I, uhm,” This is the moment he’s waiting for. Judging by the hesitant tone he hears, he was sure he’s about to be rejected. It was not worth it after all, it was not worth visiting the damn shop almost everyday for his stupid crush he feels for him. All those stolen glances and efforts he made, all thrown away just like that. He was an idiot to let his feelings took over him, so, so stupid. Yoongi’s not sure what to do next after being rejected, as if his world crumbled right in front of his face. He shuts his eyes, expecting to hear the words of total rejection coming from Seokjin.“-What does a c-cactus wear to a business m-meeting?” Out of nowhere, in a time like this, Seokjin pulled a joke. Yoongi’s train of thoughts stop in its’ tracks. Eyes abruptly opening and giving the most questionable look at Seokjin. He was puzzled, what is he supposed to do in a situation like this? Pretend he didn’t hear anything? Laugh at his joke even if he didn’t tell the answer yet? Leave the shop? Clueless, he asked,“Excuse me?”“A c-cactie, get it?”Silence. It went silent after that. Yoongi having no time to comprehend what had just happened to his confession earlier and having no time to process the joke, became silent. Thinking about everything, about the whole situation. Seokjin looking like he was about to explode in embarrassment with his red face. He became a shy mess as he tried to explain.“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t know what to do next after you said that to me, I could only think of saying a joke to brighten up the mood and maybe it didn’t work out after all, and I became flustered and I couldn’t speak with how serious you really were. Which I thought is hot, by the way and it’s-am I mumbling? Of course, I’m mumbling, I-” Yoongi could only cup his face in attempt to calm him down. It worked well, and Seokjin stopped rumbling and deeply breathed.
His face is hot against Yoongi’s cold fingers that almost sends shivers down to Seokjin’s spine. He raised his eyes to meet Yoongi’s as he gave him a reassuring smile.“Thanks.”“It’s fine.”“Oh, and Yoongi?” It was the first time he heard Seokjin call him by his name, it sounds like music to his ears. As if his name was only meant for Seokjin to say. Yoongi stares at him expectantly, waiting for what ever he was about to tell him.
“I like you, too” Seokjin confessed. Yoongi might say that Seokjin calling him by his name sounds music to his ears, but he might want to add that hearing this almost made him see colors, notes, and symphonies around him. Like he sees something visual, something more bedazzling than music, something enchanting and dreamy. Yet all of this is a part of reality. Yoongi showed his gummy smile and placed his forehead to his. Both, liking the comfort their giving, stayed like that for a while.Not until someone spoke up, or rather, yelled.“Well fucking finally! It’s been like months before you two get together. We were all waiting for this to happen! You guys should be thankful, we told the three customers to come back later in case you started kissing.” It was Taehyung, Seokjin and Yoongi were like a deer caught in a headlight, surprised by seeing Taehyung, Jimin, and Jungkook by the entrance.“Congrats hyung! You’re not single anymore!” exclaimed Jimin as he laughed at the same time. Jungkook could only roll his eyes and cross his arms,“Thank god! Seokjin hyung kept bugging me about how hot you are but he was too shy to approach you, so he was stuck at the cashier.”“Shut up Jungkook!” Seokjin scolded, heat rushing to his cheeks again. Yoongi could only chuckle at the sight. They were like family and it was amusing for him to watch as they bicker each other. Seokjin and Jungkook telling each other off as the latter would only laugh at the scene. Yoongi felt quite belonging, like a part of them. A part of their family, it was a nice feeling for him since he’s always alone inside his small apartment. Yoongi can’t wait to spend more time with them, to know more about them. But nothing compares about wanting to be with Seokjin more in the present, or better yet, for years ahead.