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This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.
The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.
♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
“Hoseokie… stop.”
 
Seokjin gently pushes his friend back, sighing. He doesn’t know what came over him, but he knows this isn’t right. This isn’t how it should be. Hoseok is drunk,

he’s

drunk, and it would be so easy to try and fill the void of pain they are both feeling with each other, but it would be a mistake.
 
Hoseok blinks, pouting and trying to go back in for another kiss, but Seokjin puts his hand up to stop him.
 
“But I love you hyung,” Hoseok whines, his eyes wide and vulnerable and confused. “Why can’t we?”
 
“Hoseok. You’re not

in

love with me. And I’m not in love with you. I’m not… I’m not the person you really want.”
 
The younger boy, still in his lap, finally crumbles. “I just want to forget… I just want to stop hurting.”
 
“This isn’t the way.” Seokjin tells him, reaching up to stroke his hair soothingly. “It just isn’t. I’m here for you, but I can’t be here for you like

that

.”
 
Hoseok breaks down, dissolving into a sobbing mess when he realizes what Seokjin is saying is true. He wraps his arms around his hyung’s neck and shakes. Seokjin holds him tightly, rubbing his back and pressing a fleeting kiss into his hair.
 
“I’m in love with him, hyung. I’m in love with Yoongi and he… he broke my heart. Oh god, he broke my heart.”
 
“I know, I know.” Seokjin hugs him tightly, letting him cry it out. “I know it’s hard right now, but it’ll get easier. We’ll help each other. We don’t have to be alone.”
 
“I was just so sure… I was so sure he was the one. He made me so happy, hyung. So, so happy.” He hiccups, closing his eye. “He was my fairy prince. My happily ever after. Until he wasn’t.”
 
“Don’t think about him. Don’t. It’s been a long night, Hoseokie. You should get some rest. We can figure out this mess in the morning.”
 
Hoseok nods, his face a red, blotchy mess. “Hyung, I know— I know you said we shouldn’t… do

that,

but can we— can we still sleep together?”
 
Seokjin laughs, standing up to pull back the covers dramatically. “Of course we can. And I will be personally offended if you don’t give me cuddles.”
 
“I do love cuddles.” Hoseok concedes, climbing into bed next to him. They’re both still wearing their fancy suits, but they’re too exhausted to care.
 
Seokjin pulls Hoseok in close, wrapping his arm around him.
 
“Hey. I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but seriously; it’ll be okay. Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not for a long time. But someday… someday it will be.”
 
Hoseok nods, his heart still heavy but appreciating it all the same.
 
Seokjin flicks the light off, leaving the two of them covered in darkness.
 
“Hyung?”
 
“Yes?”
 
“Thank you.” His voice is so soft, Seokjin almost doesn’t hear it. “Thank you for stopping me. For not taking advantage or letting me do something stupid.”
 
“You’re not stupid. You’re just hurt. It’s okay.” Seokjin squeezes his hand. “No matter what; we’ll always be best friends.”
 
“Forever.” Hoseok agrees, tilting forward to press their foreheads together. “I need you to help me hyung; help me get through this. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to get through it alone. To do the right thing.”
 
“I’ll help you.” Seokjin promises. “I’ll protect you; even from yourself.”
 
Hoseok’s lips curve up; it’s not a real smile, but it’s start.
 
It’s a start.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ Hoseok wakes up first; his head pounding and his mind cluttered. He feels heavy; physically and emotionally heavy , like there’s this huge weight pressing down on his chest and it’s difficult for him to do something as simple as breathing. So he lies in bed motionless; watching blankly as the sun starts to come up, casting shadows across the hotel room through the partially folded blinds. Eventually Seokjin wakes, his hyung looking at him with sleepy, but soft eyes. He doesn’t say anything at first, but he does reach out his hand, intertwining his fingers with Hoseok’s. They lie together, face to face, not speaking for a little while longer. But eventually the silence is broken by one of their phones buzzing on the table. Hoseok grimaces, knowing that he will has to eventually wake up and face the inevitable. “Can’t I just stay here? Hide under the covers and pretend last night never happened?” Hoseok says miserably, hiding his face in the pillow. “Trust me; I’d love nothing more than to ignore the outside world, but eventually we will have to leave this hotel room and face what happened.” “Couldn’t we though? Just for a little while?” Hoseok asks, his voice so vulnerable, that Seokjin can’t help but give into him. The older boy nods his head, pulling Hoseok into a hug and back underneath the covers. They both doze off a little fitfully; neither of them able to truly relax, not with all of the events from the Halloween party looming over their heads. The quiet moments are disrupted by the younger’s stomach rumbling, and it’s enough to make the both of them laugh. “Does that mean I should order room service?” Seokjin teases, pushing down the covers and reaching for the menu on the nightstand. “Please.” Hoseok groans, sitting up much more slowly than his friend. “God, I feel… I feel…” “Like you got run over by a train?” “A train wreck does sound pretty accurate.” Hoseok mumbles, his head in his hands. “Stay still.” Seokjin moves quickly to the mini fridge, bypassing the miniature liquor bottles to grab a water from the back. “ This, will do you a world of good.” “Thanks.” Hoseok murmurs, immediately gulping it down, hardly stopping for a breath. “Feel like a person yet?” “Nah.” Hoseok tosses the empty bottle into the trash, laying back on the pillows dramatically. “That’ll take at least a shower and some food.” He looks down at himself, frowning. “I can’t believe we fell asleep with these fancy suits still on. We’ll have to get them dry cleaned, or —” “ Hoseok. ” Seokjin gives him a look. “I don’t give a damn about our suits. The only thing I care about right now is you.” He sits back down on the bed, giving him a hug. “I know it’s tough; I know the last thing in the world you probably want to do right now is talk about last night. And I get that. So why don’t you go freshen up and then we can figure it all out later.” “I don’t have any other clothes—” “I’ll have some delivered; for the both of us. It’s not a problem.” “Hyung…” “Let me do this for you.” Seokjin begs softly. “Please; I know I can’t do anything about your other problems, but I can fix this.” “Okay.” Hoseok stands from the bed, shuffling slowly towards the bathroom. Before he makes it inside Seokjin ducks in, leaving a couple more water bottles for him, along with some aspirin. “You’re too good to me hyung.” “I’m not good enough.” Seokjin counters, leaning against the door frame. “You good? I can start the shower for you…” “I can figure it out, I’m not completely hopeless.” Hoseok turns to the shower, getting his first glance at the complicated series of knobs and buttons. “On second thought, I spoke too soon.” Seokjin chuckles, moving forward to turn the shower on. “Don’t be too embarrassed; the first time I stayed here, I had to call the housekeeper for help and I was only in a robe. But it’s totally worth it; the water comes from the ceiling, so it feels like you’re relaxing in the rain.” He punches on a few buttons and sure enough, water starts to pour from above. “Take your time.” Seokjin smiles, amused at Hoseok’s awestruck expression. “Breakfast will be here by the time you finish.” “What about you hyung? Are you sure you don’t want to go first?” Seokjin points over his shoulder. “It’s the penthouse Hoseokie; there’s more than one shower.” “Of course.” Hoseok places a hand on his head. “I knew that, but at the moment my brain isn’t really… working.” He finishes lamely. “You’ll feel better once you get cleaned up. And make sure you drink all of that water. You need it. I’ll set your new clothes on the counter in here once they arrive.” “Thanks hyung. For everything. ” Seokjin lingers at the bathroom door, his fingers loosely gripping the handle. “Anything for you, Hobi. Anything . You name it and it’s yours.” “In that case…” Hoseok looks down shyly; the small space is already starting to get foggy, the heavy air condensing on the glass of the mirror. “Could you make sure there’s waffles with breakfast?” Seokjin laughs, but nods diligently. “Obviously they won’t be as delicious as my homemade ones… but I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.” “Thank you.” Hoseok says earnestly, before stepping forward to wrap his arms around the taller boy, his head tucking into his chest. “I love you hyung. I love you.” “I know, Hobi. And I love you too.” “I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I didn’t… I didn’t even truly want to. I was just hurting so bad and I wanted it to go away and I used you—” “Ssh, ssh. It’s alright. It’s alright. You didn’t use me. We both stopped; we both knew it wasn’t right. And I’m still here Hobi; you’re still my best friend. Nothing is ever going to change that; especially some drunken kiss.” “You promise? You forgive me?” “It’s not something that needs forgiving, Hoseok. It happened, but it’s not going to happen again. You’ve never wanted me that way, and I respect that. If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you , for kissing you back.” He rubs his hand down Hoseok’s back gently. “Let’s just leave it in the past. Nothing has to change between us. I promised you that last night and I’ll promise it again; nothing can ever come between our friendship.” “I’m so lucky; to have a hyung who’s always looking out for me, the way you do. The way you always have.” That statement makes something twist in Seokjin’s gut, and he takes a step back from the embrace. “Go; before your water turns cold.” “It’s a hotel; the water is always magically hot.” Hoseok lets his arms fall down, stepping closer to the shower. “But the sooner I shower, the sooner I get waffles, so I’ll be good.” Seokjin rolls his eyes, amused and fond. “I’ll see you in a little bit Hobi.” He closes the door and hears the younger shout extra whipped cream and strawberries!!! , which only makes him smile harder. He calls in the order for room service, and notifies one of his assistants to drop them off a fresh set of clean clothes. Once that’s taken care of, he grabs his phone and retreats to the other bathroom — eager to freshen up himself — but stops in his tracks when he sees the name flashing on his notifications. Seokjin pauses; wondering if he should take the high road, maybe even considering saying sorry for a brief moment. Truthfully Namjoon had approached him at the wrong time the previous evening; the only thing that he had the presence of mind to worry about in that moment was Hoseok. It wasn’t just about him hurting over Yoongi’s betrayal; Hoseok was alone and way too drunk to be on his own, and Seokjin had needed to get to him. To keep him safe. If Namjoon could have just waited… if he wouldn’t have pushed him than maybe they wouldn’t be in this predicament. They could have talked out their issues later, but instead the younger boy had insisted on confronting him inside that elevator. Seokjin knows he was harsh, knows that his blatant dismissal had hurt Namjoon, but in that moment, he truly felt like he didn’t have any other choice. He could apologize… tell Namjoon he hadn’t really meant it. But then he remembers the words that the other had spoken so carelessly; you’re just like your father, and his heart goes cold. Maybe it was best to confront the inevitable; things between the two of them were always going to end someday… but it does make Seokjin’s heart twinge that it turned out to be sooner rather than later. Seokjin isn’t sure what bothers him more… the reality that his relationship with Namjoon had crumbled so easily, or the fact that he was hurting at all.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
Taehyung wakes in an awkward position, his head resting against the side of the couch with his legs sprawled out against his hardwood floor. He feels the blood thrumming obnoxiously through his veins and his head hurts — the sure sign of a hangover, even though he knows he was dead sober by the time he passed out at around four am.
 
Once he gets his bearings, he wakes with a jolt.

Yoongi

.
 
He’s furious at himself for falling asleep. His best friend had been beyond inconsolable the night before. He’d go between fits of hysteria and periods of absolute, terrifying blankness. Taehyung hasn’t been able to get a coherent story out of him, and his boyfriends hadn’t answered his texts, so his hold of the situation was vague at best.
 
Still, he was terrified Yoongi would try something stupid.
 
Yoongi wasn’t generally one for trying stupid things, but Yoongi also wasn’t one for falling head over heels in love. This was new territory for the younger.
 
So when he doesn't immediately see Yoongi, he panics.
 
“Hyung?” He calls out, standing too fast and getting dizzy, groaning and holding his head.
 
From behind him he hears a small noise, and turns to see the man in question curled up in his grey armchair, staring distantly out at the view their high rise affords them. It’s drizzling rain, and everything is covered in a thick layer of fog. Taehyung sighs.
 
“Hyung… how are you feeling?”
 
Yoongi doesn’t answer. He doesn’t even move to acknowledge that he heard Taehyung.
 
The younger sighs and goes over, sitting on the arm of the chair and squeezing at Yoongi’s shoulder.
 
“Hey… you can’t stay silent forever, hyung. I know whatever happened last night hurt… a lot… but I’m here for you. I’ll

always

be here for you. We can talk through this and find a viable solution, I promise. Just

talk

to me.”
 
Yoongi finally acknowledges his dongsaeng then, dark eyes flickering away from the window and landing on him, still blank and red-rimmed. His mint hair is a rat’s nest atop his head.
 
“Some things can’t be fixed,” Yoongi says quietly before looking back out the window.
 
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Taehyung argues. “I’m sure this is a big misunderstanding.”
 
Yoongi shakes his head. “It’s not. I fucked up. I lost the best thing that ever happened to me. And now I have to live with that.”
 
He doesn’t say anything else, and Taehyung knows better than to push him. Instead, he busies himself with making some food he’s almost certain Yoongi won’t eat.
 
His phone buzzes in his pocket, and he makes sure Yoongi is preoccupied with his distant staring before pulling it out to check.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
JM: Hyung? Where are you? I wasn’t sure you would answer…

SJ: We only woke up a little bit ago. We’re still at the Shilla hotel. Just… trying to make sense of everything.

JM: Are you okay? Is Hobi hyung okay?!

SJ: We’re okay. He’s okay.

JM: Are you sure?

SJ: Well he’s as okay as he can be...

JM: …Okay.

SJ: And what about you? I’m sorry that I left you by yourself to take care of ending the party. I was just a bit panicked—

JM: It’s fine hyung. I know you were in a rush to get to Hobi hyung. He needed you.

SJ: I know you were stressed last night… trust me, I was too. But I hope today has at least been a bit better?

JM: [nods] It’s been good. Me and Kookie went out for breakfast; I’m not feeling too hungover. We’re headed over to his place now.

SJ: What about Taehyung?

JM: We’ll met him at the apartment. He left last night with Yoongi hyung. I’m pretty sure he’s still there…

SJ: That fucker. I’ll kill him.

JM: Taehyung!?

My

Taehyung!?

SJ: What? No. Yoongi.

JM: ...Tell me, hyung.

SJ: Jiminie, he… he
destroyed
Hobi. He was an absolute
mess
last night. He cried himself to sleep, and this morning he just looks so devastated. Right now he’s in the shower but I know once he gets out we’ll have to talk about this all over again and I’m just…
I
hate
Yoongi for doing this to Hobi.
For putting him in this position.

JM: Fuck… I’m so sorry, hyung. I haven’t seen Hobi hyung like that since… since the last asshole hurt him. Do you know what happened? Has he told you?

SJ: Yeah he did. That fucker cheated on him. Yoongi broke his fucking heart.

JM: Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait,

wait

. Hold on a second. He did

what!?

No… there has to be a mistake. This is

Yoongi hyung.

He’s absolutely nuts for Hobi hyung. Remember the sunflowers? That… that can’t be right.

SJ: He played all of us, Jimin. It was all an act. He made us think that Hoseok was safe with him, when all along… [bangs his fist against the counter] that piece of shit
never
cared about Hoseok. He was fucking around on him the entire time. Screwing someone else without giving a damn if he was breaking Hoseok’s heart in the process.

JM: [shocked pause] Oh god… oh god, hyung, this is

all my fault.

The group chat… it was all

me

. I just wanted to help Hobi hyung… I wanted him to be happy again… oh

god.

SJ: No, Minnie. Don’t you dare take even a sh
red of blame for this… not even for a second. This is nobody’s fault but that
bastard.
It wasn’t just Hoseok that he lied to… he made
all
of us trust him. Made us think that he only had good intentions. 
I don’t… I don’t know if this was just some sick game for him, if he just wanted to see how much he could get out of Hoseok… to see if he could fuck him or
how to test how far he could push his limits… I don’t know and I honestly don’t fucking care. He’s
dead
to me. And he’s sure as hell
never
getting close to Hoseok again. 
I won’t let him.

JM: It wasn’t that firefighter guy… was it? When I was trying to shut down the party, he mentioned that he was a friend of Yoongi’s...

SJ: Yeah. I can’t even believe it.

JM: Wait… but didn’t he come with Nam—

SJ: Yes, he’s the
friend
that Namjoon brought with him. I don’t know too much specifics, Hoseok was pretty drunk last night… 
But from what I gathered, that guy has apparently been Yoongi’s fuck buddy for
years.
He’s not always in Seoul though, so apparently Yoongi decided to make Hoseok his little thing on the side for when he was bored. I can’t… I can’t fucking
believe
him. That he would actually stoop this low. He could’ve fucked
anyone.
He could have found someone to keep his bed warm while that Kyungchul fucker was busy, but he targeted
Hoseok.
He knew how vulnerable Hoseok was and he just didn’t fucking care.

JM: [crying, a hand clasped over his mouth] Hyung… take care of him. Please take care of him. He needs us right now… and I can’t be there. I’m outside of Kookie and Tae’s apartment… Kookie went ahead. That means…

he’s

inside…
 
SJ: He’s worse than Seunghoon, Jimin. He’s worse. He knew how special physical intimacy was for Hoseok… he knew how sex wasn’t simple for him. He knew that Hoseok was falling for him and he did this shit anyway. He didn’t give a fuck about Hoseok; his mental health or his heart. Jimin, the way Hoseok was talking last night… this set him back so much. It was so difficult to help him gain his confidence back after Seunghoon… it took so long. And Yoongi just ruined it. [heavy sigh] Hoseok was even talking about letting Yoongi continue to fuck Kyungchul, because Yoongi deserves a sexual outlet and he’s not good enough because he’s complicated. How Yoongi’s the only one who would ever like him enough to put up with him, so this was as good as it was going to get for someone like him.
 
JM: Hyung… [angrily wipes away his tears] hyung… I’m gonna fucking

kill

him. I don’t care if he’s Tae’s family… no one does this to my Hobi hyung…

SJ: You won’t hear me trying to talk you out of it. That fucker deserves to hurt. But don’t you let yourself worry about it too much.
I have plans, and I’m going to take care of Yoongi. For
good.
He’s not going to be able to hurt our Hobi. Not anymore.

JM: Hyung… wh—what if Tae and Kookie side with him? What about Namjoon hyung and

you

?
 
SJ: [shakes his head] Namjoon isn’t a problem anymore. Me and him are done. And before you even ask, that shit isn’t the priority right now. Jimin… don’t let Yoongi ruin another good thing. It’s understandable that at first they might believe Yoongi, he’s a good little liar and I’m sure he’s found a way to talk himself out of the blame. But you can set them straight about Yoongi. You can get them away from that fucker before he poisons them too. Taehyung and Jungkook know our Hobi. They know he doesn’t deserve anything like this. He’s too good of a person. Way too good for Yoongi. I can send a car for you if you don’t want to be near him… I don’t want to leave Hobi alone. I’m worried he might do something drastic.
 
JM: No… no, I want to confront him. Tae and Kookie love me… they’ll believe me. I can’t let him think he got away with this.

SJ: Jimin, I know you’re angry, but don’t let him hurt you too. If he even lays a
finger
on you, you call me and I’ll come over personally to kick his ass. I mean, I’m already planning on doing it once for Hobi, but I’ll do it twice for you too if he even
dares
to touch you in a way I don’t like.

JM: He won’t. He may have grown up on the streets but I’m still a black belt.

SJ: How could I forget? [chuckles]
Thanks for finding a way to make me
laugh right now. I feel like my mind has been spinning nonstop since last night… I’ve been trying to hold it together for Hoseok but I’m just so
angry.
Can you at least promise to come over later today? I can text you when we’re leaving the hotel. I just… it’s
bad
, Jimin. He’s going to need us,
both
of us, more than ever right now.

JM: Of course. I’ll be home soon, so I can be there for you both. [frowns] And hyung… I know you’re in protector mode right now. You’ve always looked after Hobi hyung and I and I love you so much for it. But… you’re allowed to be hurt too. I know… I know Namjoon meant a lot to you…

SJ: [hesitates] He… he was just a boy, Jimin. There will always be other boys. I’m fine.

JM: Not always. Not when you’ve found the right one. [steps into the elevator]. Okay, I’m off to kick some ass. Give Hobi hyung a cuddle for me and tell him I love him, and I’ll see you both soon.

SJ: Will do. We’re planning on eating breakfast here at the hotel, and then we’ll probably talk afterwards so… you don’t have to rush. Kick Yoongi’s ass and then kick him out of the apartment, and enjoy your boyfriends for a little while before you come home to all of the drama.

JM: [steels himself] If they even want anything to do with me after this… I

hope

it doesn’t come to that, but Hobi hyung is more important.

SJ: They
will.
They
love
you Jimin. They won’t give you up for a selfish piece of shit like Yoongi.

JM: I hope so, hyung. I really hope so.

SJ: You
call
me if you need help or if that fucker tries anything with you. Promise.

JM: Hyung—

SJ:
Promise,
Jiminie. I need to hear it.

JM: I promise, hyung.

SJ: Okay. Good. [takes a deep breath]
I love you
. Text me when you’re on your way home.

JM: I love you too. I will. I’ll see you soon.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.
The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.
♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
Jungkook walks into the apartment first, dropping his keys on the table and immediately seeking out his boyfriend.
 
The photographer stands from the couch — where Yoongi is still curled up — and takes the younger into his arms. He kisses Jungkook quickly, looking over his shoulder for a blonde head. “Glad you’re home. But where’s—”
 
Taehyung hears the door burst open, and he knows that can’t be a good sign.
 
“Where is he?!” comes Jimin’s voice from the front room as a door loudly slams, and Taehyung is moving to intercept him within seconds.
 
“Hyung, you might want to… hide.” Taehyung cringes as he addresses Yoongi, knowing his boyfriend is clearly on a warpath.
 
“I said: where is he?!” Jimin repeats as he crosses the threshold into the living room, laying eyes on Yoongi with a stare full of nothing but spite. Jimin looks entirely dangerous despite his soft hair and small form, his hands clenched with his fury.
 
Taehyung tries to stand in front of him, but Jimin side steps him quickly, his focus zeroing in on Yoongi.
 
“You.

You

. You cheated on my Hobi hyung? You thought you could get away with it? That I wouldn’t make you pay?” Jimin shouts, and tries to move himself forward.
 
Thankfully Jungkook has the sense to get in front of Yoongi, catching Jimin around the waist and lifting him easily to prevent him from going any further.
 
The smaller man flails his arms and legs, trying to fight against Jungkook’s strength, but the youngest holds firm.
 
“Jimin-ah!” Taehyung shouts, launching himself in between his furious boyfriend and his defeated best friend who doesn’t even flinch. “What’s gotten into you?!

Stop!”

“He’s a fucking liar! He hurt my best friend, he

betrayed

him.” Jimin spits, tiny fists clenched and eyes narrowed dangerously. “Hobi hyung told Jin hyung everything. What the fuck, Yoongi?! Are you kidding me? You knew how fragile he was! You know how much of a risk this was for him... to be with you, to let you into his heart. You knew from day one how much he adored you! And you threw it away for some cheap fuck? Was it worth it, Yoongi? Tell me, was that piece of shit worth it?!”
 
Taehyung turns and looks at his friend, who is staring at the ground, almost emotionless.
 
“Is it true?” he asks softly, brows furrowed. “Hyung, is it true?”
 
Yoongi sighs. 
“Of course it’s not fucking true. I would never cheat on him.

Never

do anything to hurt him.”
 
“Liar! Seokjin hyung told me he admitted to sleeping with another guy. He said Hobi is

devastated.

That he cried himself to sleep, because of

you

!” Jimin snarls, shaking his head in disbelief. “You tricked all of us. You

pretended

to be a good person, you

pretended

to care about my hyung. You made us trust you with him, trust you not to hurt him, and now look what you’ve done. You’re worse than the last guy who hurt him.”
 
Jimin judges him harshly, without restraint. “You’re a

million

times worse, because at least that asshole didn’t pretend to be a decent human being. At least he didn’t pretend to love him.”
 
Yoongi finally flinches, crowding into himself, making himself as small as possible. He wants to scream and cry and beg for mercy, but he knows it to be useless in this moment.
 
Taehyung shakes his head, looking between two of the boys he cares about so dearly, feeling utterly lost.
 
“Jimin-ah, stop. You don’t know the whole story. None of us do. Yoongi hyung would

never

cheat on Hobi hyung. I know this better than anyone, especially because of his past.” He looks at Yoongi but the older boy shakes his head, not wanting him to elaborate on

that,

especially not right now.
 
Taehyung sighs helplessly, turning back to his boyfriend. “Just… calm down.” He walks over and places his hands on Jimin’s shoulders. “Baby… please. Let’s talk through this like adults. We don’t need to get violent.”
 
“After what he did? After how he hurt my hyung, he deserves to hurt too!” Jimin hisses before trying to charge forward again. Jungkook hauls him back, a vice grip around the blonde’s waist, and Yoongi takes it as his cue to leave.
 
Taehyung looks at him desperately. “Hyung, wait— we need to figure this out.”
 
“There’s nothing to figure out.” Yoongi stands calmly and gathers his coat before slipping past the angry smaller man and moving out the door.
 “Don’t chase after him. Don’t you fucking dare.” Jimin demands, but Taehyung can’t obey. 
“I’m sorry.” He whispers sadly, feeling hurt by the look of anger in Jimin’s eyes that is now focused on him. But he can’t afford to linger, so he rushes out of the apartment, just barely managing to catch Yoongi before he boards the elevator.
 
“Hyung!”
 
“Go back inside.” Yoongi demands, pushing the button to close the door but Taehyung jumps inside to pull him out and back into the hallway. “

Taehyung.

” Yoongi says warningly, but the younger ignores it.
 
“Yoongi hyung… I don’t know what the hell is going on, but running away isn’t going to solve anything.”
 
“And me staying would?” Yoongi scoffs. “You saw how angry Jimin-ah is. And truthfully… he has every right to be. Even if it wasn’t my intention… I hurt Hoseok last night. I fucked up. There’s no denying that.”
 
“But hyung, he’s accusing you of cheating! And we both know damn well you’d never do that! Especially to someone you love.”
 
“Maybe it’s not that simple.”
 
“It is!” Taehyung crosses his arms defiantly. “I know you hyung.

I know you.

You would never in a million years cheat on someone.”
 
Yoongi looks down at the ground. “Maybe I did.”
 
“Stop, just stop! Stop fucking pretending!” Taehyung shouts angrily. “Stop acting like you deserve this pain!”
 
“Like you are capable of hurting someone you love in such a horrible way. You

love

Hoseok. You love him more than you’ve ever loved anyone. And I know without a shadow of a doubt that you wouldn’t have thrown that away so carelessly.”
 
Yoongi sighs. “He ended it Tae. I told him I loved him and he didn’t care. He walked away from me; just like everyone always ends up doing.”
 
“Probably because he was upset and confused! Very similar to what I’m feeling right now!” Taehyung huffs, his hands on his hips. “Is this about Kyungchul? Because he showed up at the party?”
 
Yoongi nods sadly. “I fucking… I

never

would have knowingly let him come there. I didn’t even want to see him. Hell, I could never see his face again and I wouldn’t even be upset. He’s not… he’s not who I thought he was. 
But it doesn’t matter now because Hoseok… he… he made his choice. I wasn’t good enough for him. I never deserved him.”
 
“Hyung, you’re just talking bullshit now.” Taehyung says a bit upset. “I don’t know all the details of last night, but I

do

know that alcohol and jealousy are

never

a good combination. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.”
 
He pauses, trying to figure out the best thing to say. “Maybe last night things got out of control; maybe you both said some things you didn’t mean. But it doesn’t mean that you’re relationship is finished

forever

. Last night he was drunk and jumping to the wrong conclusions. Now that he’s sober you can sit him down and explain… you can convince him that Kyungchul means nothing because that’s the

truth.

”
 
It

is

the truth; Yoongi’s heart never beat for Kyungchul in the way it does for Hoseok. He never even entertained delusions about wanting him. The moment Hoseok agreed to be his, Yoongi had practically erased the other boy’s existence from his mind, because Kyungchul was nothing to him but an outlet; one that he no longer needed because he had found something —

someone

—  so much better.
 
But Hoseok was so

angry

with him… and Hoseok was so, so hurt. And

Yoongi

was the one at fault. He could barely breathe with the weight of guilt pressing down on his chest. “I don’t know…”
 
Taehyung wants to smack some sense into Yoongi; this self sacrificing act one that his hyung had gotten too used to playing over the years. He knows that

neither

or them —  Hoseok or Yoongi —  deserve the pain they are currently going through.
 
But he also knows the only people truly capable of lessening their pain is each other.
 
“Listen, I want to talk more about this… and later we can. We’ll go through every single painful moment, every word that Hoseok said and we’ll figure out a way to make him realize you aren’t deceiving him. Because you love him,

you love him,

and he needs to understand that. But right now I have my own boyfriend inside who is probably on the verge of losing it—”
 
“Go to him. Don’t… don’t fuck this up. Especially over someone like me.”
 
Taehyung looks at him as if he’s lost his senses. “Someone like you?” He scoffs. “You’re my

best

friend. You’re my brother. The only family I ever cared to claim.”
 
Yoongi shakes his head. “That doesn’t matter. If Jimin-ah doesn’t want you around me, then keep your distance. Don’t lose someone you love over me. I’m not worth it. I never was.”
 Taehyung nearly pulls his hair out. “I’m not going to just be another person who gives up on you hyung! I won’t! I won’t!”  
Yoongi reaches forward, his hands cradling Taehyung’s face. “Look at me. Tae,

look at me.

You’re not giving up on me. You’re doing what’s best for

you.

You deserve to be happy. I’m not going to drag you down with me.”
 
“Don’t talk like this… please don’t give up so easily.

Please.

We can figure this out, I can make Jimin understand and maybe he can talk to Hoseok—”
 
“No.” Yoongi denies him quickly. “I won’t let you fight with Jimin, I won’t let you ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
 
“It wouldn’t—”
 
“Taehyung.” Yoongi laughs humorlessly. “Think about what you’re saying. Jimin-ah isn’t going to change how he feels. He… he

loves

Hoseok, and in his mind Hoseok has been wronged. He’s not going to let it go just because you ask him too. And Jungkook is already stuck in the middle. It would kill him to see you and Jimin fighting, you know it would.”
 
Taehyung looks down miserably. The last thing he wants is for their to be any distrust or anger within their relationship; not after what they had gone through in the past, just to be together.
 
But he already saw the seeds of conflict being planted. He knew Jungkook was already upset; the look in his eyes as he held Jimin back full of nothing but helplessness; unsure of what to do because Yoongi was his hyung

and

his mentor, but not wanting to be the target of his own boyfriend’s anger.
 
Yoongi watches as the realization settles into Taehyung’s bones, the younger man looking conflicted and tired.
 
“I know you want to protect me. And I know you love me Tae. But I told you before… I’m no longer your priority.

They

are. So when Jimin asks you to choose…”
 
“Don’t.

Don’t.

” He doesn’t want to believe that it will come to that, but he

knows

Jimin, and he knows how much his boyfriend adores Hoseok, and there’s no doubt in his mind that Jimin will force him to pick a side.
 
“Choose him. Choose

them.

And don’t worry about me.” Yoongi pulls him close, hugging him tightly, not knowing when he will have the chance to do so again. “Be happy Taehyung. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve this.”
 
“Hyung, please.

Please.

”
 
“I won’t hold it against you Tae. I won’t even be mad. I understand. This isn’t your fault, it is my own. I was foolish, and my actions have consequences. This is just… part of the fall out.”
 
“This isn’t

fair.

You didn’t do anything wrong—”
 
“But I didn’t do anything right either.” Yoongi smiles sadly.
 
“Tae… if I had made the right choices, if I hadn’t been so stupid, then Hoseok would have never believed such a thing. He would have trusted that I only cared for him. But that’s not the case.”
 
“He’s just confused and he’s hurt. He’ll understand once you talk to him… once you explain.”
 
“Maybe.” Privately Yoongi doesn’t think that’s the case; he saw how shattered Hoseok was, and he hates knowing that he is the only one responsible for hurting Hoseok so deeply, for causing the bright boy so much pain.
 
He steps away from the embrace, taking the younger’s arms to push him gently towards his front door. “

Go

. Don’t worry about me.”
 
Taehyung stands his ground. “I won’t.”
 
“Tae, don’t be stubborn.”
 
“I

won’t

.” Taehyung doesn’t budge. “Not unless you promise to try and fix things with Hobi hyung.”
 
“Taehyung…”
 
“

Today.

” The younger demands. “Promise me you’ll go to him today, and sort this out. This is a misunderstanding and I know, I

know

Hobi hyung loves you too. Once he realizes that you’ve been loyal to him, he’ll forgive you. He’ll take you back.”
 
“It isn’t your place to intrude…”
 
“I don’t care.” Taehyung looks at him defiantly. “I don’t care. Promise me, or I’m not going back inside and I’m coming with you.”
 
“So your solution is emotional blackmail?”
 
Taehyung shrugs. “You are the one who refuses to see reason, so you have forced my hand.”
 
“Fine.” Yoongi huffs. “I’ll go to him. I’ll apologize. But that doesn’t mean he’ll want to be mine again. After last night… I just don’t think…”
 
“Just

try

hyung. That’s all I’m asking you to do. Just try.”
 
“And you’ll go patch things up with Jimin?”
 
Taehyung nods and the older boy sighs. “Then I guess we have a deal.”
 
He tries to move away but Taehyung catches him. “Not so fast hyung.” He holds out his pinky, and Yoongi gives him a

look

.
 
It’s a silly gesture, a pinky promise, but to the two of them it means so much more than words could ever say.
 The last time they had done this, it had been years ago in Daegu, when they were both teenagers. Yoongi remembers it like it were yesterday; he can visualize the vivid purple and black bruise over Taehyung’s right eye, the bright red blood spilling from the younger’s split lip. 
He looked so young then,

so

young, and so broken, and Yoongi had wanted to go and break every bone in his father’s body and make him

pay

, but he had the judgement to know that

that

was not what his dongsaeng had needed from him.

He remembers wiping away the younger’s tears, their pinkies locked together as he swore that he would find a way to get his best friend

out,

to keep him safe so he could be freed from the prison that was Taehyung’s home with his father.
 
And it hadn’t been easy, leaving Daegu behind to chase their dreams in Seoul, and for a long while they had they had struggled to simply make ends meet.
 
But they had each other, and they were

free

from their pasts, and for a long time that was enough.
 
It’s been years, but the mere thought is enough to leave him emotional and raw. “

Taehyung

.”
 
“Promise hyung.” Taehyung demands, his big eyes wet and teary, just how they had been when he was too young to take care of himself, so Yoongi had to do it for him.
 
“I’ll try.” He swears, linking their fingers together, his eyes never wavering from younger’s. “I’ll try.”
 
He doesn’t know if he can fix this; even back then, when he made the wild promise to Taehyung that he would find a way to get him out of his father’s clutches, he hadn’t known how he was going to manage to pull it off.
 But Yoongi is the type of person who will sacrifice willingly for the people he loves, so he makes the vow and hopes like hell that he can figure out a way to make the impossible become reality.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ Jimin feels bad immediately after he pushes Jungkook off of him and yells at him. Jungkook shrinks and slides down onto the couch, looking at his hands, and Jimin sighs. Even though he’s furious and his heart feels like it’s going to burst out of his chest entirely, he knows Jungkook was just trying to do the right thing. “Oh Kookie,” Jimin sighs. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get angry with you.” He slides down onto the couch beside the younger, and Jungkook looks up at him with teary eyes. “I just didn’t want you to hit my hyung. I love you, but I didn’t want anyone to get hurt…” Jimin leans in and pecks his lips. “I love you too. I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to get in the middle of this.” He can’t stand to see his youngest boyfriend looking so lost and dejected, so he pulls him into his arms. It’s several moments before Jimin hears the keypad to the front door beeping. Jimin looks at Jungkook and cups his face. “Just remember I love you, okay?” Jungkook’s eyes swim with tears. “No, Jimin-ssi, no , please don’t fight. Please.”  Jimin kisses his nose and stands, squaring off his body, ready to absolutely tear Taehyung down for going after someone who broke his Hobi hyung so irreparably. He feels betrayal sitting deep in his chest for the fact that Taehyung even went after him in the first place. The door swings open and Jimin inhales deeply, really to launch into a verbal attack, but the words die on his tongue when he lays eyes on his boyfriend. Taehyung’s eyes are red and puffy from crying and his cheeks are stained with wet tears. His bottom lip is quivering, and he looks absolutely broken.   “ Tae?” Jimin asks, feeling his heart break seeing him like that, any anger he was previously feeling dissolving from his body and replacing with worry. “What’s wrong? Did he say something to you? Did he hurt you?” Taehyung shakes his head, and Jimin rushes over to him and takes him into his arms. Taehyung breaks down, clinging to Jimin’s smaller frame and sobbing into his shoulder. Jimin is absolutely flabbergasted. “Oppa?” Jungkook says softly, rising and going over to rub Taehyung’s back. “Oppa, talk to us…” Taehyung sniffles and eventually calms. He’s always the strong one out of the three of them. Jimin hasn’t seen him this overwhelmed with emotion since that time in the shower after they first got back together. Jimin realizes very clearly in that moment just how in love with these two men he is. Because even seeing Taehyung like this, he feels like his insides are being slowly and torturously twisted. He doesn’t want to ever spend a day without them. He wants to keep them happy for the rest of their lives. With that realization, he pulls back and cups the taller boy’s face, looking into his eyes. “Taehyung-ah. Sweetheart. Talk to me. Please.” Taehyung looks into Jimin’s eyes, his own full of pain. “Jimin-ah,” Taehyung whispers. “Please… please . Don’t make me choose. Please .” “Choose?” Jimin blinks, confused. “What do you mean?” “Choose between you or Yoongi hyung. I can’t . I can’t lose either of you. He’s… he’s the only family I have. He raised me. He saved me. But I love you so much. Please, Jimin-ah. Please.” Jimin frowns and wipes at Taehyung’s tears with his thumb. “I’m not… I’m not going to make you choose. I understand what he means to you. I just…” Jimin sighs. “I don’t want to see him. If I see him, I’ll want to punch him.” Taehyung nods. “I get it. I do. I’m not gonna stand here and try and argue his innocence to you. I don’t want any of this to get between us.” He reaches out and takes Jungkook’s hand as well, and pulls him close. The three of them embrace. Jimin lets out a relieved sigh. He isn’t sure what to make of any of this — and he doesn’t want to think about Taehyung actually defending Yoongi when Hoseok explicitly said he cheated. But he can’t let go of this — this perfect thing in his life. And he knows his hyungs wouldn’t want him to. He takes Seokjin’s advice and sits them all down on the couch and cuddles them, not worrying about rushing home just yet. The time to delve into the drama of whatever happened the previous night will come. But for now, he just basks in the company of the two men he’s in love with.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ “I feel slightly more alive now.” Hoseok wipes off his mouth with a handkerchief, settling back into his seat and rubbing his belly after indulging in the big breakfast. “Me too.” Seokjin chuckles, grabbing the tray of mostly empty plates and quickly setting it outside of their room. “Thank you. For breakfast, and the clothes, and—” “You don’t have to thank me Hobi.” Seokjin grabs his hand, dragging him back over to the bed. “I’m your hyung; I’m supposed to take care of you.” “I know last night was… a lot.” Hoseok starts tentatively. “And truthfully… I’m not sure I can talk about it without dissolving into an emotional mess all over again.” “Hoseok, if you need to be an emotional mess, than be an emotional mess. I’m here for you; I’m not going to judge you.” “I know you won’t.” Hoseok acknowledges. “I’m just… I guess the realization is settling in now. That I’m… single. That me and Yoongi are…” He can’t bring himself to say finished ; it still hurts too much. “He’s fucking garbage.” “Hyung.” “It’s true. ” Seokjin insists. “He manipulated you, Hobi. He lied to you. He doesn’t get to be with you anymore.” “But last night…” Hoseok sinks back into the pillows, looking up at the ceiling. “Last night he said he loved me. He’s never said that before… shouldn’t that mean something?” “Fuck no.” Seokjin rolls his eyes. “That wasn’t real , Hobi. That was just a last ditch effort to control you, to try to guilt you into staying, into forgiving him. It’s not like Yoongi actually meant it.” “How can you be so sure?” Hoseok frowns. “Is the idea of someone loving me so unbelievable?” “ No. That’s not what I’m saying at all. You deserve all the love in the world Hobi.” He sighs. “I’m just saying that Yoongi isn’t innocent or kindhearted; he isn’t someone who can be trusted. He knew that saying he loved you would make you do exactly what you’re doing right now.” “And what am I doing?” “You’re second guessing yourself! You’re trying to think of reasons why Yoongi could be innocent in all of this, and I’m telling you he isn’t. He hurt you. He betrayed you, Hobi. He doesn’t get to have a happy ending after that.” Hoseok frowns, his hands tugging at his sleeves. “But he insisted that he didn’t cheat… that he loved me… he was so confident when he said it, almost as if it wasn’t a lie...” “Hoseok.” Seokjin says harshly. “He allowed his fuck buddy to come into your home. He… he flaunted him in front of you.” “But he didn’t come with Yoongi, he came with Namjoon.” Hoseok points out. “Yoongi swears he didn’t know he was going to be at the party.” “That doesn’t matter!” Seokjin shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter because if Yoongi was innocent, if he didn’t want that bastard, he would’ve asked him to leave the second he saw him. But he didn’t , which means that he wanted him there.” “But he swore he didn’t want him like that anymore…. That he only wanted me. ” “Then what about those things you saw in Yoongi’s phone?” Seokjin reminds him, feeling sorry when he sees Hoseok’s face fall. “Hobi, I’m sorry. I wish… I wish that I was wrong about this. That there was some magic explanation that could fix all of this, but there’s not. The truth is simple; Yoongi used you.” “So you’re saying he picked me because I was an easy target? Because he knew that he could get away with it?” Seokjin pulls Hoseok closer. “Hobi, you’re an incredibly strong person. You are. It’s not your fault that Yoongi targeted you. It’s not your fault that you wanted to believe that he had good intentions. Hell, we all did. We encouraged you to be with him because we thought he was different.” Hoseok looks away, his eyes staring out the window. “Maybe it makes me weak… maybe it makes me stupid , but I just… I want to talk to him. I need to talk to him.” “Hoseok.” Seokjin shakes his head. “You can’t. You can’t. You already know how manipulative he is. He’ll try to confuse you, try to make you think that all of this was just some simple mistake. He’ll try to make you forgive him and he doesn’t deserve that from you!” “He wasn’t just some fling, hyung. He was my boyfriend. At… at the very least, I should hear him out—” Seokjin cuts him off. “You don’t owe Yoongi anything , Hoseok. Especially not the benefit of the doubt! Not after what happened last night.” “Maybe he doesn’t. Maybe all the things you say are true. But hyung… I loved him too. I love him. And I can’t… I can’t just walk away from him so easily.” Seokjin feels his stomach churning with worry; this is the worst case scenario, because Hoseok is so desperate for the pain to go away, that it’s entirely possible that if Yoongi says the right things, he’ll forgive him. “I know you think you’re protecting me hyung, and I appreciate that. So much more than you realize. But it’s just… this doesn’t feel the way it felt with Seunghoon. Yoongi wasn’t… he couldn’t have been faking it, all those times we were together. I think he really loves me…” “He doesn’t love you enough then!” Seokjin says, a bit upset. “He doesn’t get to fuck someone behind your back and then come home to you! That’s not how it works!” “I just… I want to hear him out. At least once.” “You already heard him out last night—” “I was drunk! No... I was wasted. Practically out of my mind. It’s a miracle I remember anything. I was too hurt to be reasonable, or to try and listen to his explanations. But I can’t… I can’t forget that look in his eyes. The way he stared at me, his eyes… it didn’t seem like someone trying to cover up their tracks. He looked… he looked like he was in so much pain . Yes, he was desperate to make me believe him but… but he was acting like an innocent man who was panicked to make me see the truth.” Seokjin stands from the bed, his hands on his hips. He’s so fucking angry, just absolutely furious at Yoongi for even doing this to his friend. He doesn’t want his best friend to even be in the same room as Yoongi ever again, but somehow that sly bastard has managed to convince his sweet Hoseok that he deserves to be heard out. “I just… right now the wounds are still fresh. You’re… you’re trying to find some way to make all of this disappear, so you can go back to being happy, and I get that, trust me I do. But we can’t ignore everything that happened.”“We can’t just turn a blind eye to Yoongi’s mistakes; he admitted that he had sex with Kyungchul after you two meet, and you immediately got together with him. There’s nothing Yoongi can say to justify being with another man. And before you even bring up the sex thing, even if you weren’t ready to go all the way, you still explored your sexuality with him, very quickly. But for Yoongi, it wasn’t enough. That’s not your fault; it’s his.” Hoseok looks down, hating to know that it’s true. “I know you’re right. Hyung, I understand where you’re coming from, and I know you just want to protect me. But I… I think I need to do this. I think I need to see him. Even if it is to simply ask him why .” “Can we at least compromise?” Seokjin begs. “Just give yourself a couple of days to think this over. Right now everything is still raw and you’re desperate to find some way to make Yoongi innocent, but Hoseok… maybe with a little time and distance you’ll realize… you’ll realize that you deserve better. That you shouldn’t have to compromise and that you shouldn’t have to forgive, just to be loved.” “I don’t know hyung…” “You could go home to Gwangju!” Seokjin comes back to his side, holding his hand. “You were meant to go during Chuseok but you cancelled your plans last minute because of Yoongi.” He fights the urge to curse at his name. “Go now. See your family and get a little bit of clarity on the situation. Then when you come back, we can revisit this discussion.” “I have work—” “Then call out sick. Just for a little while. You haven’t missed a day this entire school year and before you start talking about the play, the kids can manage without you for a couple of days. You have an assistant director. You deserve a break Hobi. Just a few days to recharge and get your head on straight.” Hoseok bites his lip. “It would be nice to see noona…” “I’ll help you get out of town.. I’ll take you to the train station today. Come on, you know this is a good idea.” “But isn’t this just running away from my problems? From Yoongi? I can’t avoid him forever. He is… he was a huge part of my life.” Seokjin sighs. “I’m not suggesting you run away forever. I just think the healthier option for you is to give yourself a couple of days to heal and to really think over everything. I mean, last night you were so upset, you were talking about allowing Yoongi to sleep with Kyungchul on the side if it meant he would stay with you.” Hoseok looks down guiltily. “I wouldn’t have actually gone through with it…” “Are you sure about that? If Yoongi promised to love you and treat you the way he has been — but only if he could have Kyungchul too — in this moment, would you be strong enough to tell him no?” Hoseok hesitates to answer, his eyes filling with guilt, and Seokjin knows he’s right to encourage his friend to get some distance while he’s in a vulnerable place. “All I’m asking you to do is think with your head for a little bit, instead of your heart. And then when you come back, we’ll talk and we’ll figure it out together. And if you still insist on seeing Yoongi, then I’ll drive you to his apartment myself. Just… not now. Not yet.” “Okay.” Hoseok agrees, picking up his phone. “I’ll let noona know I’m coming.” “Good.” Seokjin grabs his own, intent on searching up train times when a notification catches his eye. He opens up his instagram, his mood plummeting even further. He feels a bit of betrayal, which is silly, but it’s there all the same. He checks his other social apps, his resolve hardening when he sees Yoongi’s tweets. It’s clear that Yoongi is intent on coming to see Hoseok, but Seokjin has plans of his own, and this time, he’s one step ahead of Yoongi. He’s going to fix this situation for Hoseok, he’s going to save him from any future heartache, and he’s going to make sure that Yoongi remains as nothing more than a bitter memory.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ Yoongi runs through every scenario in his head, over and over as if it’ll make what’s about to happen any easier. He tries to imagine that he’ll be decisive and clear in his words, but he knows that the second he looks into Hoseok’s beautiful starry eyes, it’ll be a thousand times harder to form coherent sentences. So he has the whole speech practiced. He’s going to sit Hoseok down, show him the text messages he exchanged with Kyungchul again now that he’s sober, and explain that while the first, more illicit one happened before he and Hoseok were together, he didn’t outright reject the next one because  it didn’t even register with him that he needed to; Kyungchul wasn’t his ex, he meant nothing to him, while Hoseok meant everything . So he didn’t even think to tell him no because it didn’t seem important as they had never made any promises to each other. In retrospect, he knows he was an idiot. But he can’t change the past. He can only change what may or may not happen in his future. And fuck if Hoseok isn’t going to be in it. He thinks he’d rather die. He’ll tell him about their very first night together, when Hoseok’s drunk but earnest nature had sparked the first tendrils of their love, the other boy stealing his heart away with something as simple as a smile. Yoongi will reveal himself as Hoseok’s secret admirer, the one who sent the beautiful boy the sunflowers, on the days when he needed the pick me up. He’s going to reveal everything ; about his past, about the depths of his love for Hoseok, because he doesn’t want there to be any secrets between them, not anymore. He punches in the first code to the elevator in the lobby before he steps in, clutching at the rail for strength as he ascends up to the high floor where Hoseok resides. Once he reaches the right floor, he lingers in the front room. There’s a few pairs of shoes without owners, some without their pair, lingering from the night before when everyone assumedly left in a hurry. He stares down at them and levels himself — tries not to chicken out and just leave.  No. Hoseok is worth the terror and the anxiety. Hoseok is worth anything . Taking a deep breath, he knocks. Seokjin answers the door, which is frankly what Yoongi had been expecting, so he doesn’t let it deter him. “Get the hell out of my building.” Seokjin’s voice is cold as ice, his face the perfect mask of indifference. “Seokjin-ssi—” “You have a lot of fucking nerve.” Seokjin steps outside of the apartment, closing the door behind them so they are standing in the hallway. “Showing your face to me again. After I told you, warned you about what would happen if you hurt Hoseok.” Yoongi shakes his head. “I know I messed up, I know I made some mistakes. But Hoseok… Hoseok has the wrong idea. He thinks I cheated on him and I could never —” “Do I look like I care about anything you have to say?” “ Please. ” Yoongi begs. “Please just let me inside, let me see him so I can explain.  I love him, Seokjin-ssi. I love him, and I swear, I swear I have been loyal to him since the very moment he remembered my name. I can explain it all, I can fix this—” “So what?” Seokjin shrugs. “Kyungchul was just a one time mistake? You didn’t mean it? It was an accident?” He scoffs, having no time for the other boy’s explanations. “I don’t give a damn about your past, or what you did with Kyungchul. You fucked him, behind Hoseok’s back, and that’s the only thing that matters to me.” “But he has it all wrong!” Yoongi says desperately. “I never, never cared about Kyungchul deeply. He was just an outlet, it was just sex! And once I found Hoseok and he agreed to be mine, I never even thought about Kyungchul because he wasn’t— isn’t important to me. Not like that. It’s always been Hoseok for me, always.  Please, I need to make him understand that. I need to let him know how much I love him, how perfect he is, that he hasn’t done anything wrong—” “You’re right.” Seokjin squares his shoulders. “ Hoseok hasn’t done anything wrong. He gave you his heart, his body, trusted you in ways that he’s never dared to since the last boy fucked him over. And what did you do? Did you cherish him? Keep him safe? Protect him?” “I did!” “Fucking liar. ” Seokjin sneers at him. “Hoseok may be partial to your words, but I am not. I see you for what you really are. A pathetic man who uses other people to make his miserable life somewhat better.” Yoongi shakes his head. “No, no. It’s not like that. I love Hoseok, I’m not using him—” “You’re damn right you aren’t. Because I won’t let you. Never again.” “Seokjin-ssi, please. Please just hear me out. I can show you everything, answer all your questions. I can prove to you that Hoseok is the only person I’ve ever wanted; the only man I’ve ever loved.” “It doesn’t matter now.” Seokjin says simply. “ You don’t matter, because Hoseok has moved on.” “I know he hasn’t, I know he cared for me just as much as I cared for him, and he can’t give up. Not yet—” “You’re not hearing me, Yoongi-yah.” Seokjin steps closer, towering over the shorter man. “Hoseok. Moved. On.” Yoongi feels as if his chest is being pierced by ice, every single inch of his body feeling cold and numb. He doesn’t want to believe Seokjin, but the older boy has an intensity in his eyes that scares him. Still. This is Hoseok. This is his baby . He can’t just surrender. Not without a fight. “And who are you? His spokesperson?” Yoongi squares his shoulders and clenches his fists by his side. “Has he hired you to speak for him? Is he not a fucking adult who can speak and think for himself? Why the fuck am I talking to you , Seokjin-ssi? I don’t want to talk to you. I want to talk to Hoseok .” Seokjin flinches, but doesn’t move. Yoongi’s briefly overcome by how broad the older boy really is. He blocks the entire doorway. “I’m his best friend . I know what’s best for him.” “Do you?” Yoongi implores. “Do you really? Because I know you’re protective of him. I know you’re his hyung. But he’s twenty-five . He doesn’t need a babysitter. He can speak and think for himself and honestly it’s insulting that you seem to think otherwise.” “I’m speaking to you right now because Hoseok doesn’t want to,” Seokjin blurts. “He told me to tell you to leave him alone, so that’s what I’m doing. You’re not welcome here. You need to leave.”   “ I’m not leaving until I speak with him.” Yoongi demands, annoyed and frustrated by Seokjin’s antics. “Good luck with that,” Seokjin laughs darkly. “I gave you your chance to be with Hoseok, Yoongi-yah. You had the opportunity to be with him, and you wasted it. Your feelings about him now are no longer my concern, because he is no longer yours. Do you get it?” Yoongi stares at him, taken a bit aback. “You haven’t trusted me with him since the beginning, you’ve done nothing but question me and judge me, and for what?” Seokjin rolls his eyes. “Right, because it’s not like you haven’t fucked up or anything. You’re a perfect little angel, aren’t you?” Yoongi is two seconds away from tugging on his hair, just frustrated at this entire situation. “I’m not saying that I’m perfect! I know I’ve fucked up! But I also know that I can fix it if I can just talk to Hoseok—” “No.” Yoongi looks at him as if he’s lost his senses. “That’s not your decision to make. And quite frankly, I am done trying to win your approval. Hoseok is the only person whose opinion matters, so get out of my way.” Seokjin doesn’t even budge. “I said no. ” “You really want to do this?” Yoongi looks at him unflinchingly. “What even gives you the right?” “Because Hoseok is mine now.” Yoongi blinks at him. “He’s your best friend? So what? That doesn’t give you the right to dictate his love life.” “You’re not listening, Yoongi-yah.” Seokjin folds his arms over his chest. “Hoseok is mine. He doesn’t need you anymore because he has me. ” There’s something in Seokjin’s tone, something implied that makes the hairs on his neck stand on end. Seokjin chuckles, his eyes flickering over Yoongi’s face. “Reality is finally starting to sink into that thick skull of yours, isn’t it?” He couldn’t possibly mean what Yoongi is thinking. This has to be some sort of cruel joke, a sick ploy to hurt him. “No… no that’s… that’s—” “Hoseok kissed me last night.” It’s as if the world stops spinning in that moment, everything winding down in slow motion as his heart clenches in pain. His head is throbbing at the implication, and he can’t accept this. He can’t.  “You’re… you’re lying .” “Am I?” Seokjin gets in Yoongi’s face. “Who is the person that Hoseok always looked to when he needed something? Who did he call last night after you ruined things? Who has he always loved?” “No. No. ” “He realized last night, after you hurt him, that I’m the only person he can truly trust. He wanted me, he begged for me—” “ Fuck you. Fuck you!” Yoongi pushes him, but the taller boy barely budges. “You took advantage of him, you claim to love him but you knew he was vulnerable last night! What the fuck is wrong with you?!” He tries to push Seokjin again but the older boy stands his ground. “I don’t push Hoseok sexually, force him to do things he’s not ready for. I’m not you , Yoongi-yah.” Those words cut him deep, hurts him in ways he didn’t even know where possible. Yoongi places his head in his hands. “This doesn’t make sense, this can’t be true.” “It is true . Hoseok kissed me, and I kissed him back. This is the way things are meant to be.” Yoongi feels like all of his worst fears are coming true. He had suspected that there was something deeper going on between the two roommates, but Hoseok had sworn to him that it was strictly platonic. Had his own mistakes, his own stupidity, really pushed the boy he loved into the arms of another? He shakes his head, refusing to accept it. “Hoseok isn’t like us. He’s… he’s special. He wouldn’t have just done that with you. He wouldn’t have wanted it.” “You’re right. Hoseok is special. He doesn’t do such things frivolously. So put the pieces together in your head, Yoongi-yah. Accept reality. Hoseok called me. Hoseok spent last night in my arms. Hoseok kissed me . He initiated everything, and I gave him what he wanted.” Yoongi feels it. He feels his heart break, shattering right inside of his chest. Seokjin uses his speechlessness to keep talking, a satisfied look on his face, knowing that he’s won. “Let’s work together. Yoongi-yah. Let’s do what’s best for Hoseok. Seeing you, having access to you… it will only hurt him more. Don’t reach out to him. Just don’t. If you care about him at all, you’ll help him move on too.” Yoongi wants to keep fighting; he wants to fight for the one he loves more than anyone, but he can’t. Seokjin is right. “If you truly want what’s best for Hoseok, you’ll acknowledge that is me. That it was never meant to be you. Someone like you could’ve never made him happy.” Each word feels like a dagger to Yoongi’s heart; his greatest fears, that he wasn’t enough, that he wasn’t built for love, wasn’t capable of making someone want to stay, are so strong that he can barely breathe with the weight of it pressing down on him. “If you love him, truly and deeply love him the way you claim to, then you’ll let him go. You’ll love him enough to walk away. You’re toxic for him, Yoongi-yah. All you do is hurt him. Do the right thing, be kind enough to stay away. Your presence only hurts him, but I… I can heal him. Do you understand?” Yoongi nods once. “I hope… I hope you make him happy.” He’s relieved his voice doesn’t crack from how much agony and emotion is building in his chest. “Happier than you’ve made him,” Seokjin scoffs. “Now go. I have nothing else to say to you. And neither does Hoseok. We’re done with you, Min Yoongi. For good.” Yoongi feels tears stinging at his eyes, but he can’t turn to leave. No — not until he’s that Hoseok will be okay. “Take care of him. Please. ” Yoongi says softly. “Take care of him and make sure he knows how special he is. How wonderful he is. Tell him every single day, don’t let him ever forget how perfect he really is.” He doesn’t wait for Seokjin’s answer. He turns and goes back to the elevator, having to rest his palms flat against the wall as he descends to keep from absolutely collapsing. Seokjin is right. He’s no good for Hoseok. He’s nothing . Before he mounts his bike, he pulls out his phone and makes quick work of blocking Hoseok in every way imaginable. Hoseok will be happier if he just forgets. If he just moves on. Yoongi knows he’ll never move on from Hoseok, but that isn't the point.  He climbs atop his bike and revs the engine, taking off loudly down the street back toward his own apartment. He feels tears spilling down his cheeks, and tries very hard not to think about that first night they spent together; Hoseok’s breath tickling the side of his neck as he mused about how beautiful the city was. He feels his heart break all over again. He just hopes that Hoseok will never have to feel the pain he’s feeling. As much as it hurts to admit it, Seokjin was the better choice for Hoseok. And maybe, in some sick sort of way, Hoseok had to be with him first in order to view Seokjin in a different light, to see that his best friend could be something more. He hates himself, he hates himself, for giving Seokjin this opportunity. If he hadn’t been such a fool, then Hoseok could have still been his. But deep down he always knew that he didn’t deserve Hoseok, that the younger boy was too good for him, so this is just the universe’s way of correcting itself. Yoongi always knew that fairytales couldn’t last forever; he just never imagined that he would be the one responsible for ruining his one chance at a happy ever after, at being loved.  Because he saw the way Hoseok used to look at him, saw the admiration and want and love that used to sparkle in those beautiful brown eyes. But now because of his own stupidity, Hoseok will only have eyes for Seokjin. It’s ironic in a way; that very first night they met Hoseok had called him a fairy prince, not knowing that eventually Yoongi would become the villain in his own love story. That Yoongi — and Yoongi alone — would be the person to destroy it all. He knows that he’ll never recover from this, that he’ll never attempt a romance again, because no boy could ever compare to Hoseok. And for hurting him, for being the one responsible for making Hoseok cry, maybe an eternity spent alone, with only his memories to keep him company, is exactly what he deserves.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ Hoseok leans his forehead against the window of the taxi, taking a deep, steadying breath. One thing became clear to him when he was in Gwangju: he needed to talk to Yoongi. Sober, and level-headed. He needed to hear him out, hear the full story, in order to have any clarity about what the fuck happened that night. He owes Yoongi at least that. After everything they’ve been through, he deserves to be heard , if nothing else. Yoongi taught him that communication is always key in a healthy relationship, and even though right now his heart is broken because he feels like Yoongi betrayed that understanding, he still wants to practice it to see if it could make more sense out of anything. It’s a gross day outside; the drizzling kind of autumn rain that makes everything damp and cold but isn’t fully rain. It comes with no thunder or drama, but it still manages to make everything miserable. Hoseok’s breath fogs up on the windowsill, and he reaches up with his finger and traces a tiny heart in the condensation. He wants so badly for Yoongi to tell him it was all a misunderstanding. That this Kyungchul person means nothing to him. That he never cheated. That he loves him . He wants everything to go back to how it was. He wants to be Yoongi’s baby again. Being Yoongi’s baby made him happier than he’s ever been. He doesn’t want everything to be ruined between them. He doesn’t want to lose the gorgeous boy with mint hair and piercing eyes. When the cab stops, he slides the driver a few bills before pulling out his umbrella and stepping out onto the glossy wet pavement. The Sinners sign glows bright and neon above him, casting red reflections onto the sidewalk. He stands for a moment with his umbrella sheltering him, just staring at the front of the shop and gathering up all of his courage, before he takes a step forward and grasps at the handle, ready to push the door open. Right before he does, he hears the sound of echoing laughter that makes him pause. It’s muted, from the inside of the shop, but it’s enough to cause Hoseok to look up and try and see its source. Kyungchul is sitting alone in the lobby, looking absolutely smug, looking down at his phone. Seeing him in Sinners looking so at home and relaxed is enough to make Hoseok’s heart break all over again. He doesn’t want to accept it, but it seems that it’s true — Kyungchul really is a part of Yoongi’s life. If Yoongi really cared, if he really wanted Hoseok back, he would have kicked Kyungchul out of his life for good. Instead, here he sits, looking deadly and handsome in a black leather jacket and his hair slicked back. Still, Hoseok doesn’t want to believe it. He doesn’t want to believe that Yoongi would do this to him. He pulls out his phone and scrolls to the familiar contact, pressing call. It goes straight to voicemail. He tries again; straight to voicemail. He then goes online to Yoongi’s instagram, and what he sees makes him want to slide down to the wet ground. The realization cuts him so deep, makes it hard for him to even breathe. He knows Yoongi’s blocked him. Yoongi’s officially cut him out of his life. Hoseok’s heart breaks all over again when he realizes that he isn’t the one Yoongi wanted; that his boyfriend — no, ex boyfriend, his mind corrects — really chose Kyungchul over him. He feels tears well up in his eyes. This time, what he feels isn’t even anger. It’s pure, unfiltered pain, blossoming from under his rib cage and twisting viciously into his chest. Hoseok closes his umbrella, wanting to feel the rain wet his hair and shirt as he turns and walks away, his mind reeling. He doesn’t hear the distant sound of a motorcycle approaching.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
It’s weird being out and about; seeing other people. For the past week Yoongi has barely even left his bed, only venturing out of his room to answer the door to get his delivery food.
 
Of course it’s a terrible day outside — which is fitting considering his mood — but he doesn’t bother with an umbrella; the helmet will keep him dry enough.
 
He parks his bike in the small alley and enters through the back of the shop, hearing voices drifting from the lobby. He considers going straight to Namjoon but judging from Jungkook’s somewhat panicked texts, he needed to check in with the younger first. He still needed to apologize to Jungkook anyway, for making him get in between him and Jimin that morning after the party.
 
His only solace was knowing that the three of them had come to an understanding, courtesy of his most recent conversation with Taehyung.
 
Yoongi doesn’t know what he’s expecting to find when he reaches the front lobby, but Jungkook looking murderous and Kyungchul, fucking

Kyungchul

, sitting there smugly is probably at the very, very bottom of the list.
 
He doesn’t even think, he just

reacts

; Kyungchul is much bigger than him, sure, but in his fury he doesn’t even pause, launching himself across the lobby and hauling Kyungchul out of his seat.
 
“Get the

fuck

out of my shop!”
 
“Hyung!” He hears Jungkook yell from behind him but he ignores it, his fists clenched in the older man’s shirt.
Kyungchul is strong, though. Stronger than Yoongi. So he rips Yoongi’s hands off of him and shoves him backward.
 
“I’m not here for

you

,” he sneers, snake-like and smirking. “I’m here for Namjoon-ah. I’m waiting for him to get his things.”
 
Yoongi blinks. “Get his things? What the fuck do you mean?”
 
Namjoon comes out of the back, carrying a box in both arms, full of supplies and a few pictures of his work. Yoongi stares at him, completely struck.
 
Kyungchul looks between them almost gleefully.
 
“Oh, you haven’t

heard

?” The older man says in a sing-song voice. “Joon-ah is coming to New York with me. He’s gonna study under Park Choa and work out of my shop.”
 
Yoongi is frozen on the spot, his eyes never once leaving Namjoon — someone who he always considered to be one of his very closest friends. Someone who had been through absolute

hell

with him, raising Sinners up from absolutely nothing and turning it into something they’re both proud of.
 
“Is it true?” He says lowly, eyes full of hurt as he stares at Namjoon. “I said, is it

true

?”
 
“I’ve been

trying

tell you.” Namjoon says a bit defensively.
 
“Well you could have tried harder!” Yoongi steps closer, overwhelmed at the mere thought of it. “You can’t, you

can’t

do this Joon! You can’t leave, especially not with

him,

not after what he’s done!”
 
“What

he’s

done?” Namjoon sets his box to the side, squaring his shoulders. “Why don’t we talk about what

you’ve

done, Yoongi hyung. Let’s talk about how you

lied

to me, how you’ve been fucking KC hyung for

years

behind my back.”
 
“It wasn’t like that!”
 
“Don’t bother trying to lie anymore. KC hyung already told me everything. About how he wanted to be honest, but

you

wouldn’t let him. I always… I always thought he was more lenient with you, and now I know why.”
 
Yoongi looks back at Kyungchul, the hatred burning in his eyes. “It wasn’t enough, for you to destroy my relationship with my boyfriend? Now you’re coming after Sinners, stealing my best friend away from me? For what? I turned you down, had the audacity to tell you no, so you try to ruin my life?”
 
“If he was your

best friend

as you claim, then he would have known about us.” Kyungchul shrugs. “Don’t get mad at me because your lies have finally caught up to you. If I would have known your little side piece was going to be at the party, I would have been more discreet.”
 
“Fuck you.

Fuck you.

” Yoongi screams, going to push at him again. “I told you I was in love with him, that he was important to me! You purposely sought me out at the party, you wanted to hurt him, and for what? You know I haven’t talked to you in

forever.

Any time you reached out to me I barely responded. And we haven’t hooked up since I was single, so stop trying to make this into something it wasn’t!”
 
“You can yell and cry and scream all you want, Yoongi.” Kyungchul advances on him slowly.
“But it’s not going to change the facts. It’s not my fault that you weren’t honest with the people closest to you.”
 
“I wasn’t honest because I was

ashamed

of you!” Yoongi admits, his eyes watering. “I was ashamed of what we did and you

knew

that. You knew I didn’t want to tell anyone because of what people might think… what Namjoon is saying right now!” He looks at his friend a bit helplessly. “I wanted Sinners to be because of

us

, for people to focus on our talent, not because of what or who I had done before.”
 
“I invested in this place because I thought you were both good artists. If you had some kind of insecure, unwarranted complex about the whole situation, you have no one to blame for that but yourself. I never forced you to do anything with me. You hooked up with me because you

wanted

it.”
 
Kyungchul shrugs. “Don’t try to rewrite history to try and make

me

the bad guy, when I have done

nothing

but support your career,

both

of your careers, since day one. You’d be

nothing

without me and you know it.”
 
Yoongi clenches his fists and launches himself forward, ready to unleash any and all pent up fury on the asshole in front of him, but Jungkook catches him around the waist at the very last moment, preventing him from moving. He struggles against the younger.
 
“You

worthless

piece of shit. How dare you try to imply that

you

had

anything

to do with our success. How dare you try and take credit! Namjoon and I sacrificed

everything

to give Sinners a name for itself.

Everything

! And what did

you

do, huh? For your business? Has daddy’s money run out yet, Kyungchul? Has the trust fund run dry?”
 
Yoongi’s eyes are wide and his face is red in his fury. The older man just smirks at him, unfazed.
 
“Right. Like my

daddy’s

money also wasn’t part of the reason Sinners got up and running. You were so desperate for my help, you’d do

anything

to get it. Including spreading your legs for me, Yoon-ah. Don’t think I’m so naive. I know why you wanted me to fuck you so bad. Because you

craved

my approval. My support. My

money

. You whored yourself out for your business. I hope you’re proud.”
 
Yoongi looks at Namjoon, stunned that he hasn’t spoken up against this. But the younger continues to stare at the ground, unmoving, not meeting either of their eyes. Yoongi’s in shock.

How

is Namjoon not defending him? How does Namjoon not see how full of shit Kyungchul is?
 
“Joon?” Yoongi asks quietly. “What do you think? Do you believe him? Over me?”
 
Namjoon doesn’t look up.
 
“I don’t know. I just know that KC hyung has never lied to me… not like

you

.”
 
Yoongi scoffs. “He’s lying to you

right now

. Can’t you see? He’s manipulating you! He’s been manipulating you since before the party! I wasn’t talking to him but he was determined to see me anyway, so he used you—”
 
“

Bullshit.

” Namjoon shakes his head at him. “You’re so full of yourself, hyung. You think he went to such lengths, just so he could try and fuck you again? From what I understand, it’s not like it was difficult for him to do that in the first place. You were

easy

for him.”
 
Yoongi looks sticken, his friend’s words cutting deep. “Joon… please…

please.

This is

me

we’re talking about. You

know

me.”
 
“You always thought you were better than me. And now you’re just mad that KC hyung sees potential in me… that he’s giving me attention instead of you.”
 
“I don’t want his attention! I don’t want

him.

Can’t you see that’s why all of this is happening? He’s just punishing me for not giving him what he wants!”
 
“The only thing he wants is a good artist! And I’m sorry hyung that it isn’t you this time. He sees the potential in

me.

So I’m going to go to New York, and I’m going to build my portfolio, and you’re just going to have to deal with that.” Namjoon declares, and Yoongi looks at him with nothing but betrayal.
 
“That’s really how you feel?”
 
“Yeah. Yeah it is.”
 
Yoongi scoffs. “You’re entitled to whatever opinion you want. If being KC’s new

prodigy

is so important to you, then by all means, do whatever you feel like you need to do. It’s good for me to know how much you value our friendship, our business. So you know what, Namjoon?

Go

. Fuck off. Go to New York. I don’t need you here. I don’t need

anyone

.”
 
For a moment, no one moves, the sound of Yoongi’s labored, furious breathing the only sound beside the rain that starting to pick up against the windowpane.
 
Yoongi clenches his fists.
 
“I said

go

! Fucking go.”
 
Namjoon finally looks up at him with hurt eyes before he grips the box in his arms tighter and heads out the door.
 Kyungchul offers Yoongi a small, smug salute before following. Jungkook finally lets go of Yoongi in lieu of running over to the door. 
“Namjoon hyung, wait!” he calls out, but Namjoon doesn’t turn. Doesn’t look back as he loads his box into his car.
 Jungkook storms up to Kyungchul and narrows his eyes. “Stay the fuck away from Sinners. Don’t ever come back.” 
“Stay out of this, Kookie,” Namjoon says in a warning tone. Jungkook shakes his head.
 
“No. I won’t. You aren’t welcome here KC.” He looks at Namjoon. “Don’t go. Please don’t go. Yoongi hyung didn’t mean it. He didn’t. He’s

upset.

After what just happened in there, he has everything right to be.”
 
“What? You mean him getting called out?” Kyungchul laughs and Jungkook looks at him threateningly.
 
“I need

you

to stay out of this. It’s already taking every single bit of self control I have not to break your nose for calling Yoongi hyung those names, and my patience is running thin.”
 
“Jungkook!” Namjoon says surprised, but the younger doesn’t back down.
 
“What? Nothing to say KC? You’ll spew all kinds of bullshit to Yoongi hyung cause you know he’s hurting, but now you’re mute?”
 
Kyungchul rolls his eyes. “You should learn some respect

kid.

This isn’t worth my time. Joon-ah, let’s go. Time for you to leave this place behind; it’s only holding you back.”
 
“Just

shut up

or I’ll make you! You’ve already got what you wanted! Namjoon hyung is leaving with you.  I know it’s difficult for someone like you, but least be decent enough to let him say goodbye

.

”
 
Namjoon glances to Kyungchul. “It’ll only  take a second.”
 
“You sure?” Kyungchul asks, which only draws more of Jungkook’s ire.
 
“He just said so!” Jungkook says a bit angrily. “I’ll wait here, so you can talk to him alone.”
 
“Are you going to behave?” Namjoon asks, looking between the two of them nervously.
 
“We’ll be fine. He’s not going to try anything with me. We both know he doesn’t like a fair fight.” Jungkook crosses his arms, glaring as Kyungchul slides into his car.
 
Namjoon just sighs and nods, leaving Jungkook outside with Kyungchul to head back into the shop. Even if he is angry with Yoongi, Jungkook is right; he should at least say goodbye.
 
He finds Yoongi where they left him, still standing in the center the lobby, his hands slightly shaking.
 
“Hyung.”
 
Yoongi’s eyes cut over to him, but he stays silent.
 
“I’m… I’m going now. I’ll be back in a month. We can talk about Sinners then. Figure out what we’re going to do.”
 
Yoongi laughs humorlessly, shaking his head. “I guess I can’t stop you. You’ve made your choice, and you’ve picked your side.”
 
Neither of them say sorry, the distance already seeming to grow between them, even though they stand in the same room.
 
“Okay then.” Namjoon shrugs. “I guess I’ll be in contact later.”
 
“Joon-ah.” He turns to go but Yoongi’s voice stops him in his tracks, something about it raw and broken.
 
He looks back over his shoulder, meeting his eyes. “Yes?”
 
“Hoseok… Hoseok kissed Seokjin. That’s why I’ve been unavailable.” He looks down. “I know I’ve made some mistakes… I know I’m not perfect. But I haven’t… I

didn’t

do what everyone is accusing me of.”
His voice quivers with his emotion. “I know what it looks like, but it’s the truth. But I guess… I guess I just wanted to say that I’m sorry that my mistakes pushed the two of them together. That I ruined what you had with Seokjin too.”
 
Namjoon just stares at him, barely even able to comprehend the words he’s hearing. But Seokjin hasn’t texted him since their fight, and though it hurts to admit it, it does make sense. The two boys had always been very, very close. “You’re… you’re actually saying that Seokjin and Hoseok…”
 
Yoongi nods. “Yes. They’re… they’re together now.” He shrugs. “Even if you’re pissed at me… even if you don’t believe me… I just thought you should know.”
 
Namjoon nods; he doesn’t know why, but he feels that Yoongi is telling the truth, that he isn’t making up the kiss just to hurt him.
If only Yoongi had opened up to him before, maybe then all of this wouldn’t be happening.
 
But it’s good to finally have a bit of closure on the Seokjin situation,  even if this isn’t the news he wanted to hear.
 
“Thanks… I guess.”
 
“Joon! Let’s go!” Kyungchul’s voice calls from outside, and Namjoon hesitates.
 
“Just go. Just leave.”

Everyone does

, Yoongi thinks, but he doesn’t say it out loud.
 
Namjoon slips out the door, the bell ringing ominously as he leaves Yoongi standing there alone.
 
He’s losing everything —

everyone

— and there’s absolutely nothing Yoongi can do to stop it.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ It’s good to see Hoseok with a bit of color in his cheeks, happily scooping up spoonfuls of rice and dunking them into the simmering red broth between them before shoveling them into his mouth. For a couple weeks, every time Taehyung had seen the older boy when he was picking up Jimin, he’d looked a little gaunt and distant, never quite focusing his big brown eyes on anything in particular.Now he looks… better, if still a bit sad. “Hobi hyung,” Taehyung says after swallowing a mouthful of beef. “How’ve you been?” Hobi pauses, spoon poised just in front of his lips, before he sighs and sets it down without taking the bite. “I’ve been…” He blinks, struggling to find the words. “I’ve been… what is the word for just… existing? That’s how I’ve been. Existing.” Taehyung is a bit taken aback that Hoseok isn’t trying to sugarcoat anything; that he’s getting straight to the thick of it. Especially because of Taehyung’s status as Yoongi’s best friend. “Existing? Explain,” he implores. Hoseok sighs and swirls the straw around in his sprite. “I wake up. I go to work. I smile my way through the day. I go to rehearsal. I smile my way through that too… then I go home, I eat dinner with Seokjinnie hyung and sometimes Minnie, and then I go to bed. There isn’t… there isn’t much in between. Not anymore.” “So you’re saying… the smiles are fake? There isn’t any… happiness, or enjoyment, in your life?” Hoseok nods. “I guess you could say that.” Taehyung decides that if Hoseok is going to be so forward with him, then he might as well be forward too. “I know… I know things have been tough since…” he sighs, thinking of how to phrase it delicately. “Since Halloween.” Hoseok visibly shutters. “Did you know Halloween used to be my favorite holiday? Now… now I think I hate it.” Taehyung frowns. “Hyung… I want you to know that I’m unbiased in this situation… you know I love Yoongi hyung. I told you as much. He’s my family. I’ll always love him as a brother, because he is my brother. But… but I know that doesn’t mean he isn’t… capable of bad things. And I really care about you too. And Jimin-ah thinks the absolute world of you. You’re his best friend. So please, know that you can talk to me, and I’ll listen.” Hoseok offers him a small smile. “You’re a good dongsaeng, Taehyungie. Both Yoongi and I are lucky to have you as one.” Taehyung can’t hide his surprise at Hoseok saying Yoongi’s name. He drops his spoon and it clatters against the table, splattering red oily liquid up onto his white shirt, which he sighs and wipes away with a napkin dipped in water. Hoseok chuckles at him and waits patiently. “Sorry,” Taehyung clears his throat. “I just… haven’t heard you say his name? I haven’t really heard… anyone say his name in an entire month. It’s like everyone is acting like he doesn’t exist and it’s just… upsetting.” Hoseok shrugs. “There’s nothing wrong with his name. It’s his name.” “I just… didn’t know if you were ready to say it.” Hoseok smiles. “You’re so sweet, Taehyungie. Minnie and Seokjinnie hyung treat his name like it’s a forbidden curse word in our house. But… my heart is already broken. It isn’t gonna break every single time I hear his name. It just stings a bit, I guess, but I’ve gotten used to it.” “So… you’ve started to move on?” Taehyung asks quietly. Hoseok shakes his head. “No. Not even a little. Yoongi was… he was it for me. I don’t… I don’t know how I’ll ever be over him. I don’t think it’s possible. At least, not for a long, long time. But… but it’s better if I’m away from him. It’s better. Seokjinnie hyung says he’s no good for me… he says he’s toxic and just wants to use me…” Taehyung looks at him, struck. “Hobi hyung… do you mind if I say something about this? You can say no… because I know you might not want to hear it, but…” Hoseok blinks and picks his spoon back up, playing a bit absently with the rice in his bowl. “No… I want to hear it.” “Yoongi hyung… he was crazy about you. I don’t know what happened that night. He won’t tell me. Says I should just let it go because you deserve better than him. He’ll barely even talk to me anymore… he doesn’t really speak to anyone anymore. But I know that he was genuine about you. He texted me, the day after you two became official, and told me he loved you. He told me… he was in love with you, but he didn’t want to tell you because he was scared it was too early and you’d push away from him. I’ve never seen him like that before, and I’ve known him since I was six years old. Kyungchul is an asshole and Yoongi never loved him. In fact, he showed up at Sinners a few weeks ago and Yoongi almost beat the shit out of him just for showing his face.” Hoseok frowns, not looking into Taehyung’s eyes. “But… but you don’t know … you don’t know whether or not he… he really cheated on me…” “He won’t talk to me about it,” Taehyung says. “But I know he didn’t.” “How are you so sure?” Hoseok frowns. “Because he would never… he would never be a cheater.” Taehyung sighs. He knows he’s probably betraying his hyung’s trust in revealing this, but it isn’t fair for people to keep thinking such horrible things about Yoongi when they couldn’t possibly be true. “When he was little, his mother cheated on his father. It was really traumatic for him. His mother left them and started a new family. She still lived in Daegu but she had nothing to do with Yoongi. His father blamed him. Said he reminded him too much of his mother, and basically just… ignored him. Yoongi raised himself. It’s such a wonder he turned out to have such a big, kind, giving heart… enough so that he took me in without question. We lived on our own when we were still children, because no one else wanted us." Taehyung scrubs a hand through his hair. “So you see… he would never cheat. He would never . Because his mother cheated and ruined his life.” Hoseok’s lip quivers and he shrinks into himself. Taehyung sighs. “I’m not saying any of this to make you forgive him, but… I think you could probably use some closure. And I think it’s important that you know this. Yoongi… hasn’t been doing well. I’ve barely seen him, and every time I do… I just know how broken he is. Losing you was the worst thing that ever happened to him, I think.” Hoseok looks down, eyes tearing up, and shakes his head. “I… I appreciate you telling me this, Taehyung-ah, but… but I don’t think I want to talk about this anymore.” He looks utterly broken, shattered , so Taehyung immediately drops the topic. He thought Hoseok was doing better, but it’s very clear he isn’t. It’s very clear that it’s all a facade to hide the pain he’s living with, day in and day out. When they finish up dinner, Hoseok hugs Taehyung a little too tightly before giving him a sad smile and heading off to walk toward the subway. Taehyung stares after him, dumbfounded, before immediately pulling out his phone to call Yoongi. He doesn’t know what the older can do about it… but he feels like he needs to know. Something about Hoseok’s behavior set off warning bells in his head… something isn’t right .

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ YG: Taehyung-ah. How was it? How was… he? 
TH: He’s… /sighs/ Hyung. I’m worried. Something isn’t right.
 YG: What do you mean? 
TH: At first he seemed better. But then… then he started getting kind of quiet and standoffish. We talked a little about the whole situation…
 YG: What did you tell him? 
TH: It’s not important.
 YG: It is. I need to know the context. 
TH: I told him… about how broken you are. How you would never cheat on him in a million years because… of your mother.
 YG: [sighs] Tae… you shouldn’t be making excuses for me. And that… that wasn’t your story to tell. 
TH: I know. And I’m sorry, hyung. I just… I wanted him to know. I’m sick of people thinking such vile things about you. But I’m telling you… that’s not important. What’s important is that I feel like we made a little bit of progress, I feel like my words got through to him, but then… but then when I texted him afterward, he said he didn’t want to see me anymore. He said… Seokjin was all he needed.
 YG: [frowns] That… is really worrying. That’s not like him at all. He doesn’t… he doesn’t do that. He doesn’t cut people out, especially not people like you.  
TH: I know. Which is why I’m worried. Because it kind of feels like he’s being… I don’t want to say manipulated but almost influenced? Like… Seokjin is the one controlling his actions. Keeping him from thinking for himself. Which doesn’t sound like Seokjin either but…
YG: It absolutely does. 
TH: Since when?
 YG: I’m just saying… Hoseok should be allowed to be your friend, Taehyung. You’d never try to make him uncomfortable or force him to forgive me. It’s just… even if they are together now, it isn’t right for Seokjin to make decisions for Hoseok. 
TH: Together now? What do you mean?
 YG: That doesn’t matter. What matters is Hoseok shouldn’t be pressured by anyone. Not you, not me, and definitely not Seokjin. Even if he is his best friend… or his everything now, Seokjin still doesn’t get to control Hoseok. 
TH: Do you want me to talk to Jimin-ah about it?
 YG: I don’t want this to keep getting in the way of your own relationship. So don’t keep secrets from him, but don’t get involved. I’m going to take care of this myself. 
TH: Hyung… are you sure that’s a good idea?
 YG: I’ve got no better ones. 
TH: You could reach out to Hobi hyung yourself.
 YG: If Seokjin doesn’t want him talking to you, do you really think he’ll open up to me? No… I’ve got to go right to the source. Just because… just because Hoseok isn’t mine anymore, doesn’t mean I want him to be in a toxic situation like this. 
TH: /sigh/ Okay, if you’re sure…
 YG: Get some rest. 
TH: Love you, hyung.
 YG: Love you too. . . . YG: [confused] Jimin-ah? I wasn’t— 
JM: Shut up. Just… shut up.
 YG: ...Okay? 
JM: This is… this is crazy. I can’t even believe I’m doing this. [sighs] I’m just going to come out and ask. Did you honestly not do it? You weren’t cheating on my hyung with that KC fucker?
 YG: [shakes his head] Jimin-ah— 
JM: No, I need you to look me in the eyes. Look me in my face and give me a simple answer. Were you cheating on my Hobi hyung?
 YG: [stares unflinchingly] No. No. I never even… entertained the idea of doing such a thing. Hoseok was… he was the only person on my mind. The only one I wanted. 
JM: So that guy…
 YG: Is a lying piece of shit. I’m done with him. Whatever friendship we had is over.  JM: So you’re saying this is all a misunderstanding? That you loved Hoseok? YG: Jimin-ah… what is the point of this? It doesn’t matter anymore. 
JM: It does matter. It does.
 YG: [sighs] Of course I loved him. I loved him… I love him more than anything. But Hoseok made his decision. He made his choice on who he wants to be with, and I have to respect that. No matter how much it hurts. He left me, so that’s it. 
JM: You really believe that?
 YG: I believe that nothing is more important that Hoseok’s happiness. And I can’t… I can’t be upset if he chose not to find happiness with me. He deserves the best, and I’ll do whatever on I can on my part to make that happen. Even if that means cutting myself out of his life. 
JM: ...Okay. Okay, that’s what I needed to hear. Thank you… for being honest.
 YG: It’s the least I could do. 
JM: I guess… I guess that’s all I wanted to know.
 YG: Jimin-ah? 
JM: Yeah?
 YG: I just… I want to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for hurting your friend. That I put Hoseok in this position. I know… I know all of this is my fault. And I know it’s been hard… not just on Hoseok, but on you and your relationship. I never wanted that. I never wanted to be the reason that so many things went wrong, but I was. I can’t change the past, no matter how desperately I wish I could. But I just… I want to thank you. For looking after Tae and Kook. For recognizing that just because I’m a fuck up doesn’t mean that they are. 
JM: I know they aren’t. And we… all make mistakes. I know I have. I just… I hope there’s a way for all of us to get something good out of this. That at the least, there’s closure.
 YG: I hope so too. Goodbye Jimin-ah. 
JM: Goodbye.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ Jimin wipes away his tears, carrying his empty popcorn bowl into the kitchen to start washing up. “How does that movie never get old?” “I don’t know.” Hoseok chuckles, still a bit teary himself. “It’s Les Mis. It’s god tier. You have to cry when you watch it, otherwise you’re dead on the inside.” “Agreed.” Jimin takes his hyung’s dishes as well, washing them diligently. “It was nice though… to spend some time together. Just the two of us.” Hoseok nods. “It was. Although I do hate that Jinnie hyung is staying late at the office — again — I’m always happy to be with you Minnie.” “Me too.” He smiles and turns off the water after washing his hands, leading his hyung over to the couch. “But there’s something I need to talk to you about.” Hoseok tenses up slightly beside him. “Why do I feel like I’m in trouble?” “You’re not.” Jimin assures him. “I just want to check in with you. Make sure you’re okay.” “Minnie…” Hoseok shrugs his shoulders. “I’m okay as I can be. I’m not— I’m not just going to magically go back to the way things were before.”“Hyung—” “You think I don’t wish I could?” Hoseok looks at him imploringly. “If it were possible… if I could just be over him, if my heart could somehow mend itself back together so I could feel somewhat normal…” He sighs. “I’m trying Minnie. But everyday is a challenge. And for some reason… it just… it just never gets easier.” “Because you’re still in love with him?” Hoseok nods miserably. “I know he made mistakes. But… but so did I. Some of the things I said that night… I was angry and upset and I know I hurt his feelings. It wasn’t right. Everyone is so quick to demonize Yoongi for his actions but… but I’m no angel either.” “You were hurt. You reacted. Maybe it wasn’t in the most mature or adult way, but you thought he cheated on you, with a half naked, obnoxious guy in a firefighter costume. It wasn’t exactly a normal night. Not to mention you were wasted.” “You’re making excuses for me.” Hoseok’s lips turn down. “I’ve made excuses for myself too. But it doesn’t change the fact that I feel hollow. I wanted to apologize to him… to try and figure things out but… but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.” He still shivers, thinking about that day at Sinners, when he saw Kyungchul inside of the lobby, smiling as if he owned the place. “Why does it hurt you so badly, hyung? What is it about Yoongi hyung that you can’t let go of?” Hoseok considers it, sinking back into the cushions. “When we were together… when we were happy, he made me… he made me feel like I could do anything. Like I was special and good and just… beautiful. He made me feel so, so beautiful.” “The way he looked at me, the way he touched me… every single action, every single word was carefully thought out. He didn’t do anything carelessly with me. He cherished me… treated me like I was something precious. Something to treasure.” He smiles a little bit, despite himself. “He just… he made me feel like I was perfect. Like I was whole. When I was with him, I didn’t feel broken. I felt sexy and confident and happy. And I never… I never thought that I could feel that way. With the way I am… I guess I just never really believed that a boy would be willing to put in the time, and the effort. So being with Yoongi… it was like a dream.” He laughs a little humorlessly. “But of course, all dreams come to an end. And in a way… I don’t… I can’t really blame him. For turning to someone else. Because Kyungchul… being with him was probably so easy for Yoongi. You saw him; he was sexy and so sure of himself. He was nothing like me.” “He was also the asshole who purposely showed up somewhere he knew he wasn’t wanted.” Jimin reminds the other, but Hoseok waves him off. “You gotta admit though… they looked good together. Their style and the tattoos… it’s no surprise that they would be attracted to each other, right?” Jimin frowns. “Hyung, there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re beautiful. And I know Yoongi thought so too.” “Not beautiful enough.” Hoseok admits bitterly, shaking his head. “Sometimes I think that’s the worst part.” “What?” “ Understanding. ” Hoseok explains. “Because Kyungchul was gorgeous and charming and just… so, so out of my league. And he was willing to give Yoongi something I couldn’t, even though I claimed to be Yoongi’s boyfriend.” “Hyung, sex isn’t a guarantee in a relationship. You were under no obligation or timeline to be with Yoongi in that way. You’re entitled to go at your own pace.” “I know that.” Hoseok acknowledges. “But I also can’t tease Yoongi, let him get close but never really give him what he wants, and then act surprised when he goes searching for it somewhere else.” Jimin runs a frustrated hand through his hair. “But he also swears that he didn’t cheat with Kyungchul. That whatever they had was in the past.” Hoseok shakes his head. “It doesn’t change the fact that they were together, for years, and I had no idea. He claimed that I was the only one he ever truly had feelings for, but then he never bothers to mention that he was screwing this guy long term?” “It’s… really not that simple hyung.” Hoseok narrows his eyes at Jimin. “Wait, why are you even defending Yoongi?” Jimin startles. “It’s not that I’m… defending Yoongi persay. I’m just… acknowledging that certain things have to be put into context.” “Like what?” “Like just because you had sex with someone a lot doesn’t mean that you had feelings for them?” Jimin pauses, choosing his words carefully. “I know this is a bit… difficult for you to understand Hobi hyung, because for you, sexual feelings are directly tied to your emotional feelings. But for other people, that’s just not the case.” “You think I don’t know that? Only the majority of the entire world feels that way about sex.” Jimin rolls his eyes. “Okay, but actually listen to what I’m saying. I’ve had phenomenal sex with people whose names I’ve barely even remembered. I’ve also had phenomenal sex with my boyfriends. But when I got together with Tae and Kookie, do you think I sat them down and ran them through the very, very long list of my entire sexual history?” The older boy frowns. “I… I guess I never thought about it.” “Well the answer is no. Do you want to know why?” Hoseok nods, so he continues. “Because those guys from my past, boyfriends, hookups, one night stands, whatever, they just… they didn’t fucking matter to me anymore because I had Tae and Kookie.” Jimin shrugs. “It’s not like I would’ve lied to them if they asked me specific questions about my previous sexual partners, but there’s also… not really anything to be gained from rehashing all that information, especially when I had zero intentions of hooking up with those boys from my past again because I was now committed to someone else.” “So what are you suggesting?” “I’m just… pointing out that it could be possible that Yoongi not telling you about Kyungchul had less to do with wanting to keep him a secret or trying to hide something from you, and maybe more to do with not wanting to dwell on the past because he had made the choice that you were his future.” Hoseok shifts a bit in his seat. “But Yoongi admitted to having sex with Kyungchul. After he met me.” “But he also swears that he has an explanation. And frankly, even if he had wanted to give you a long, drawn out clarification to justify his actions that night at the party, would you have been mentally able to process it?” Hoseok looks down, a bit guiltily. “There’s no denying that I was drunk and beyond upset that night. You’re probably right; if he had tried to explain himself in full, I wouldn’t have been in the right state of mind to hear it.” “Listen; I won’t lie to you. I was… I was fucking furious when I first heard about what Yoongi had done. I literally tried to fight him.” Hoseok looks at him shocked. “Minnie!” “You’re my best friend! I make no apologies for trying to protect you.” Jimin bites his lip. “And for a long time… I carried around anger and resentment in my heart towards Yoongi too. But the more I think about the situation, the more I learn about Yoongi , the less sure I am about the whole thing. He swore to me that he didn’t betray you. But he also has been respectful of you and your choice to leave him by trying not to force your hand. Not a lot of people would do that.” Hoseok looks away. “Seokjin hyung says he’s just trying to twist everything around. That he’s trying to manipulate me, so I won’t be mad at him anymore. That’s why Taehyung—” “ No .” Jimin cuts him off. “I’m sorry, I love Jin hyung, but he does not get to put words in my boyfriend’s mouth.” The younger bristles. “Tae was… so happy when you agreed to dinner. He’s wanted to be close to you, practically since the moment the three of us became official. But he was trying to be respectful, and he didn’t want to force you to be his friend. He went to dinner with nothing but pure intentions. He didn’t have some master plan to trick you into taking Yoongi back. He just wanted to check on you and make sure you were doing okay.”   “But Seokjin hyung—” “I don’t care what he thought!” Jimin says exasperatedly. “I know my boyfriend. And I damn sure know how his heart. Hobi hyung he was really, really sad when you told him that you couldn’t be friends anymore. Calling him unhealthy?” Hoseok shakes his head. “I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just… Minnie, I’m barely hanging on. Barely. ” He starts to tear up. “And it’s just… it’s confusing . It’s confusing as hell, because the person that Taehyung talks about, the boy I loved… they would have never hurt me this badly. The Yoongi that I knew, the Yoongi that was my boyfriend, only had eyes for me. Only wanted to make me happy. And everyday, every damn day, I have to fight the urge to go to him. To beg him to take me back and make all of this pain go away.” “Hyung…” “But I know that’s not right! It’s not healthy. Don’t you see Minnie? It’s not that I dislike Taehyung, or Jungkook for that matter. I just know myself, I know how weak I am for Yoongi, and the more I hear people talk about how good he is and how he never meant to hurt me, the more I want to take him back!” Hoseok sniffles, wiping away a few tears stubbornly. “You don’t get it Minnie; Yoongi made me feel so happy. Happier than I had ever felt before. And I’m scared, I’m scared that if I’m even in the same room as him, if I simply see him, that I’ll be powerless to resist him. That I’ll go back to him, even if it means living a lie.” Jimin looks at him desperately. “But what if it wasn’t a lie? What if he really did love you? What if that’s the reason that you can’t forget about him, because somehow, someway, the two of you are meant to be?” Hoseok smiles sadly. “I wish that were true; I wish that every single day. But it’s not. It’s just me being desperate. Seokjin hyung told me so. That’s why… that’s why I have to keep my distance. Not just from him, but his friends, from anything that reminds me of him. Because it just hurts too damn much.” Jimin sighs. “Hyung, I can’t tell you what to do. Jin hyung can’t either. We can have as many opinions as we want, but at the end of the day, it’s your decision because it’s your life. I just… I just don’t want you to look back on this one day and wish that you had done things differently. To wish that you had given Yoongi a chance to explain himself.” Jimin grabs Hoseok’s hand. “I love you. And so does Jin hyung. We want to protect you. And more than anything we want you to be happy. But avoiding Yoongi and avoiding what happened that night hasn’t made anything better for you. I could even argue that it’s made things worse.” “What are you saying?” “I’m saying forget me. Forget Seokjin hyung. Forget what everyone thinks and just focus on your heart. On what feels right. And if it’s telling you that you need to reach out to Yoongi, then do it. And who knows? Maybe you’ll talk and it’ll give you closure. Maybe having all of those questions in your head answered will allow your heart to heal. It’s impossible to move on if you can’t make sense of why the relationship fell apart in the first place.” “So you think I should talk to him?” Hoseok dares to ask, his voice barely above a whisper. “It doesn’t matter what I think; it only matters what you think. Do what’s right for you hyung. Trust yourself.” “But I’ve been wrong; I’ve been so, so wrong before.” Hoseok points out, and Jimin squeezes his hand tighter. “We all have. And I’m not saying you have to do everything on your own. If you do decide to talk to Yoongi, afterwards you can come home to us and we’ll figure out the next step together. But I truly believe that initial decision, whether you should reach out or not, should be up to you and you alone.” “But he blocked me.” Hoseok reminds him. “He’s done with me.” “Yoongi isn’t done with you.” Jimin says a bit knowingly. “I know that for a fact.” Hoseok looks at him helplessly. “Then why would he block me?” “Remember when I blocked Tae and Kookie? Was it because I hated them?” Hoseok can’t help but laugh at the thought. “Obviously not.” “Exactly. I was being stupid.” Jimin chuckles too at the memory. “Of course, I can say that now, because I’m happy and I know they love me back. But at the time… the idea of rejection was so frightening that I just chose to avoid it altogether. And I’m not claiming to know if Yoongi had the same reasons, but I’m just saying that it might not be as simple as it seems.” “The last time I went to Sinners… my heart got broken even more. I never told you before but… that day I came back from Gwangju… I went to see Yoongi.” Jimin nods in understanding. “That’s why you weren’t upset we couldn’t pick you up from the train station.” “Yeah.” Hoseok shivers. “But when I got to Sinners… Kyungchul was inside and I just… I had to get out of there.” “So you assumed he was there for Yoongi.” Jimin pieces it together in his head. “That’s when you called me crying…” “Yeah… stupid, huh?” “It wasn’t stupid. I’m sure if you lived the rest of your life never having to see his stupid face, you’d be happier for it.” Jimin kicks at the ground. “But hyung… I remember that day vividly. Jungkook was a mess because a huge fight broke out at the shop.” “I know.” Hoseok recalls. “I know Yoongi and Kyungchul fought. Taehyung told me.” “I just… I think you’re jumping to a lot of conclusions about Yoongi and his feelings. And I’m not going to pretend like I didn’t do the same thing before, because I did. But maybe the reason this is all so confusing for you, is because you keep depending on other people’s opinions and thoughts about your relationship, instead of the person you were actually in the relationship with.” “So what? I show up at Sinners unannounced and demand an explanation?” Hoseok shakes his head. “That doesn’t seem quite right either.” “I don’t know Hobi hyung.” Jimin sighs. “I don’t have all the answers. I don’t even have half of the answers. But I just know you’re not going to get the information you’ve been wanting from me or from Jin hyung. You’re going to have to go to the source.” Hoseok places his head in his hands. “I have so much on my plate right now. With the play and my kids and getting everything ready for opening night…” “It doesn’t have to be today hyung.” Jimin says gently. “And remember, I’m not saying you have to talk to Yoongi. I’m just saying that the choice should be yours. If that means you wait until things calm down with the play, or if it means you keep going the way you are now, it’s fine as long as it’s your decision.” “You’ve definitely given me a lot to consider.” Hoseok hugs him. “Thank you Minnie; for not treating me like a kid, and for not pretending it’s easy.” “Of course it isn’t easy. And honestly, if it wasn’t for you kicking my ass way back when, I could’ve missed out on my chance to be with Tae and Kookie. So in a way, I think I owe you.” “No way. You would’ve figured it out… eventually.” Jimin rolls his eyes. “Yeah, because my plan of petty insta posts and subtweets to make them jealous was definitely the pinnacle of maturity.” “You were hurting. You were trying to deal with it, in your own way.” “Yeah. But I didn’t manage to fix anything until I actually talked to Kookie and Tae. If I wouldn’t have done that, who knows how long that dramatic period would’ve lasted. And I won’t lie to you… it was scary. Putting my heart on the line and being vulnerable. But in the end… it was so, so worth it.” Hoseok finally smiles, leaning into his friend’s embrace. “Thank you… just for everything.” “I love you Hobi hyung. I’ll always help you and look out for you, no matter what.” “I know.” Hoseok retires to his room then, needing to be alone for a little while. He goes to bed early, but lies awake for hours; his mind spinning with the possibilities of a brighter future where he didn’t have to hurt anymore.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ Seokjin’s knee deep in files and already three cups of coffee in; it’s barely even noon but he has a throbbing headache building behind his temples, because he knows the work day is nowhere close to being over. Of course he’s working through lunch, as per usual, just trying to stay afloat as the fourth quarter draws nearer to a close. Things always get busier at the end of the fourth quarter, but it seems like this year in particular is especially brutal. He doesn’t know if it’s because of his father’s seemingly never ending demands, or the constant stress of the near impossible deadlines set before him, but he feels like he’s barely managing to make it through. He’s always prided himself on doing good work, but even he feels himself growing nearer and nearer to his breaking point. And then there’s the problems of his personal life; he hasn’t even spoken to Namjoon since their fight, the younger boy’s move to New York not exactly surprising considering the fact that he had brought it up to him in previous conversation, but the knowledge that the other boy had moved away without even attempting to say goodbye isn’t lost on him. And then there’s Hoseok, who he feels like he’s barely managing to keep afloat. Between the long hours at work and the stress of trying to keep Hoseok in one piece, he feels himself stretched to the limit. So when his secretary buzzes him that he has a visitor, he’s not exactly in the nicest mood. “Mr. Kim—” “Jihee, I really don’t have time for any last minute meetings. I know my father expects a lot but I’m not a miracle worker.” “It’s not a client.” She bristles, looking over her shoulder a bit nervously. “He says it’s a personal matter and that it’s urgent.” Seokjin looks at her quizzically. “I’m not expecting anyone today. Did he leave a name?” “Min Yoongi.” Seokjin drops his pen at that, his heart immediately speeding up in his chest. He takes a deep breath, already gearing himself up for a fight. “Send him in. And don’t disturb me until he leaves.” “Yes, Mr. Kim.” She shuffles out and a few moments later Yoongi strolls in, looking like his typical self in a leather jacket and ripped up jeans. His hands are in his pockets, a show of being casual, but his eyes are hard. His hair, like Hoseok had said, is most certainly now jet black. It inexplicably makes him look both somehow harder and more delicate and fine-featured. Like a dangerous porcelain doll. The secretary closes the door behind them, and the two of them are left alone. “Seokjin-ssi, I—” “You must be out of your damn mind.” Seokjin cuts him off, stepping out from behind his desk to approach the other. “You actually had the audacity to come to my place of business?” Yoongi doesn’t look the slightest bit apologetic. “I don’t have much free time these days. And this couldn’t wait.” “Oh, I’m sure this will be rich.” Seokjin rolls his eyes. “Tell me Yoongi-yah, what’s so important that you felt inclined to confront me here in person?” “You know why I’m here.” Yoongi meets his stare head on. “We need to talk about Hoseok.” “I’m not sure you have the right to say his name anymore.” Yoongi scoffs. “And now we’ve arrived at the problem. You , thinking that you have some type of ownership over Hoseok , when you don’t.” “Oh, really? I’m not sure if you’ve lost your senses Yoongi-yah, but you stopped getting to have an opinion on Hoseok the moment you fucked him over.” Seokjin looks at him, puzzled. “Why did you even come here? What did you think you would accomplish?” “Listen, if you want to hate me , that’s fine. But trying to turn Hoseok against my friends? Pretending that associating with Taehyung or Jungkook — who are Jimin’s boyfriends, by the way — is going to be bad for Hoseok is nothing short of ridiculous. They might be my friends, but they would never try to manipulate or force Hoseok to do something he doesn't want. They actually like him. And I don’t know why you’re ignoring that, acting like you’re the only person who gets to be close to Hoseok.” “I’m the only person who has been there for Hoseok, day in and day out, since you left him broken . Nearly beyond repair.” Seokjin narrows his eyes at Yoongi. “He didn’t choose Jimin, he didn’t choose Taehyung, he didn’t choose Jungkook. He choose me. And I’m doing the best I can—” “Well it’s not enough!” Yoongi says frantically. “You told me… you told me you would help him! That you would make him better. But I know he’s not. He’s… he’s sad and he’s not getting better.” Seokjin crosses his arms. “You really want to go there with me, Yoongi-yah?” “Yes I do!” Yoongi clenches his fists. “I know I’m not… I’m perfectly aware of the fact that Hoseok isn’t mine anymore. I know that he’s moved on with you.” He stares down at the floor. “I agreed to back off; to stay out of the way of your relationship with him. But that was under the condition that you would help Hoseok be happy again.” Yoongi looks at him, a bit desperately. “You think I don’t miss him? That I don’t want to talk to him every damn day? It’s… it’s torture staying away from him. Torture. But I did what you said; I blocked him, I keep my distance, and I fight the urge to reach out every single time it rises up within me, because I know I’m not allowed to anymore. That I’m not the one that he wants.” “So then what is the point of us having this conversation? You acknowledge that Hoseok isn’t yours to worry about anymore, so why are you here, insisting on inserting yourself back into his life?” “This isn’t about me trying to find a way back in!” Yoongi says a bit harshly. “I know I lost my chance to be with Hoseok. Trust me, every single damn day I wake up without him, I damn sure remember that.” “Then what, Yoongi-yah?” “I kept up my side of the bargain, Seokjin-ssi! I even came here to talk to you instead of your apartment, to make sure I wouldn’t accidentally run into him. I did what I promised to do. I love Hoseok, so I let him go so you could make him happy. But you aren’t doing it, and I want answers —” “You want answers Yoongi-yah? You want to know why Hoseok isn’t happy?” “Yes!” “Because of you. ” Yoongi blinks at him strangely. “How is that possible, I haven’t even seen him since Halloween—” “You think the damage you did to him fades so easily? That it’s simple to fix what you’ve broken?” Seokjin advances on him. “Do you even realize how deep the wounds you left on him are? The levels of which you hurt him?” The older man crosses his arms. “You left a mark on Hoseok; I’ll give you that. You had an impact not just on his heart, but on his mind. Because of you, because of what you did, you’ve managed to twist up his thoughts in new, humiliating ways I didn’t even realize were possible.” “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about—” “Oh, you’ll know. You’ll know because I’ll tell you, every last detail.” Seokjin bites out. “I’ll tell you how that night, Hoseok told me he’d be willing to let you fuck Kyungchul as much as you wanted, as long as you’d stay with him.” Yoongi’s sharp eyes glint dangerously. “Don’t.” “Or how about how he wished that he had fucked you sooner. Because then maybe you wouldn’t have gotten bored. How he should have been an easier conquest for you, because then maybe you wouldn’t have turned to another man.” “Stop.” Yoongi’s voice comes out quiet and broken, the implications of Seokjin’s words too painful to bear. “Or how about how Hoseok told me he could’ve endured sex with you, because at least you would’ve been gentler with him than Seunghoon was.” Yoongi chokes at that, feeling physically sick to his stomach, but Seokjin continues on anyway. “How Hoseok would’ve done anything to make you happy, let you use him, because he couldn’t get anything better. Didn’t deserve anything better, because his body didn’t work right, and at least you were willing to put up with him. How he should have been thankful that you paid any attention to him at all, that he should just let you do anything you wanted to him as long as it meant you stayed.” “ Stop !” Yoongi yells, shrinking back. “Just stop. I get it. I get it. ” “No you fucking don’t.” Seokjin bites out. “You come in here with your judgements and your insinuations, pretending like I’m the person responsible for Hoseok’s pain, when we both know damn well that honor goes to you, and you alone.” Seokjin laughs humorlessly. “You want to know why Hoseok isn’t happy? The answer is you. Because even though he’s trying to move on, trying to put all of the bullshit you put him through in the past, he can’t fucking escape you. You’re fucking everywhere in this city; the simplest god damn things remind him of you. He barely even leaves the house anymore, because he’s terrified of running into you and what that would mean.” “I would never take advantage of him! I never wanted to hurt him!” Yoongi swears desperately. “Can’t you see?” Seokjin looks at him with nothing but pity. “You already have. You stole away his life, his joy. All the things that made Hoseok, Hoseok. Now he’s empty. A shell of the boy he once was.” Seokjin frowns. “He wakes up. He goes to work. He goes to sleep. A never ending cycle of mediocrity, because he’s too nervous that if he branches out, he’ll run into you.” The taller man shakes his head. “And those friends of yours, the ones you’re so desperate to have near Hoseok, they do nothing but remind him of everything he’s lost. You’re suffocating him, Yoongi-yah. You didn’t just ruin your relationship with him or his friendships; you ruined this entire damn city for him.” The guilt crushes down on Yoongi, in the deepest parts of his soul. “I never… I didn’t…” “It doesn’t matter. ” Seokjin stresses. “It doesn’t matter what you did or did not intend to do, because it happened. This is our reality.” Seokjin sighs. “And not that I have to explain myself to you, but I’m trying my damnedest to help Hoseok recover, to help him see that there is an… an after , without you in it. The fact that you don’t realize how fucking selfish it is of you to want him to be nice to the people in your inner circle, to try and force him to carry on friendships that will do nothing but remind him of you and everything that has gone wrong…” He grimaces. “I don’t think much of you Yoongi-yah, but even I didn’t realize you could be that cruel.” Yoongi flinches, as if Seokjin’s words were a physical blow. He takes a step back, his arms curled around himself. “I’m— I’m sorry. Coming here was a mistake.” “Yes. Yes it was.” Seokjin acknowledges. “The sooner you accept that you have no right to even think about Hoseok anymore, the better off all of us will be.” He makes his way over to the door intently. “Stay out of it; remove yourself from Hoseok’s life, for real this time. No more checking up on him, no more asking your friends to do your dirty work. Do us all a favor, and just forget that Hoseok exists. If you had any good inside of you at all, then you would have the decency to completely remove yourself from this situation. I can’t help him move on if it’s impossible for him to escape you.” Seokjin opens the door, the discussion clearly over. “Now get out; and don’t make the mistake of coming back.” He watches as Yoongi slowly makes his way out, his shoulders hunched and his eyes teary. And he knows his words hurt the other boy, but at the moment he doesn’t care. Seokjin had warned him — all those months ago — when Yoongi first expressed an interest in his best friend. He had told him, plainly and unapologetically, that if Yoongi hurt Hoseok there would be consequences. It wasn’t Seokjin’s fault that Yoongi had forced his hand, had made him make his threats a reality. And he didn’t give a damn how much Yoongi was hurting or how sorry he was, because he was the one responsible for stealing Hoseok’s sunshine away. It had been weeks since he had seen a real smile on his friend’s face, and the only person at fault was Yoongi. And until Hoseok started to recover, started to heal from all the damage that his doomed relationship had done, Seokjin had no intentions of showing Yoongi even the slightest bit of mercy. He wasn’t going to lift a finger to soothe Yoongi’s pain, because he was too busy dealing with his own best friend’s trauma to care about how much Yoongi was hurting or struggling. As far as Seokjin was concerned, Yoongi had brought this reckoning down on himself, and he wasn’t going to apologize for teaching Yoongi a lesson.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ YG: Namjoon-ah? 
NJ: Hi hyung.
 YG: I… didn’t expect to hear from you. 
NJ: I know. I’m glad you picked up. I just… /sighs/ I have a lot to say, and I was wondering if you could just listen for a second?
 YG: … of course. Go ahead. 
NJ: I just wanted to start out by saying… I’m sorry. I’m sorry for abandoning you when your whole world was falling apart. I’m sorry for abandoning Sinners. You were… you were right about Kyungchul. He’s toxic. He’s trash. I should have listened to you. I should have believed you. I was just so angry… I was so angry that you didn’t tell me about you and him. I felt like you were keeping secrets from me, like you were bribing him to play favorites, and now I realize how wrong I was. Because I realize now that he’s a monster. He’s a master manipulator.
 YG: Joon-ah… did he hurt you? If he did, I swear to god, I will fly out there and strangle him. I will fucking-- 
NJ: No. Well, he manipulated me into leaving Seoul and leaving you, but other than that, no. I just… I started to realize some things once I was here, hyung.
 YG: Like what? 
NJ: Like this internship he has me in… he wants to poach me. Actually poach me. He keeps talking like I’m going to quit Sinners and join his staff. He keeps talking like I’ve already signed a contract with him, which I haven’t. I promise I haven’t. But… I think he’s been in the shop for a new artist for a while, and I kind of have a theory as to why he showed his face back in Seoul and was so set on fucking things up for you.
 YG: … go on. 
NJ: So I came here to study under Park Choa. And she’s been incredible. We’ve grown really close. And she told me that she’s super suspicious of Kyungchul… she thinks he purposefully ruined her relationship to guilt her into moving here and working for him.
 YG: [blinks] What? 
NJ: She was in a happy relationship… but Kyungchul came in and put all these doubts in her girlfriend’s head and caused all these problems between them. Buried Choa in work so they could barely see each other. Did all this insidious shit that eventually led to her girlfriend dumping her. Once that happened, she was so heartbroken, she decided to take him up on his deal. I think… well, Choa and I think that maybe he wanted to do that to you. Because there’s no way he wouldn’t have known about you and Hoseok. He follows you on Twitter. It’s not like you were silent about him. And even though you kept your Instagram mostly professional, he had to have known… he must have wanted you. He must have flown back so he could ruin your relationship and then manipulate you to go back. But it didn’t work, and you wanted nothing to do with him, so he got inside my head instead and decided to ruin your life just for the heck of it. Because he couldn’t have you.
 YG: … Holy shit, Joon. Holy shit. I think… I think you’re onto something. This… /sighs/. This wouldn’t be the first time he did something like this to me. 
NJ: What do you mean?
 YG: Remember how he wrote us that check right when we launched Sinners? The one that basically kept us afloat… helped us sign the lease on our space and buy some assets? 
NJ: Yeah, of course. That check was huge. But I thought it was just because he wanted to help us out because he believed in us. He’d already invested his time and energy into mentoring us…
 YG: [sighs] I wish it were that simple. We started sleeping together not long after he started teaching us at his shop. And it’s true that I told him not to tell you… but honestly… it’s because I was terrified you would judge me. Or you would think I was a slut. Or you would assume that I was doing it on purpose as a sort of power play to make him pay more attention me. And that wasn’t the case at all. He wanted me, and he was hot, and it was good. The sex was really good, and it served its purpose. I’ve never really liked sleeping around, but back then I didn’t think I was a romantic person, so sleeping with him exclusively just felt… it felt comfortable. But there was also a piece where I just felt… I felt like I owed him something. There were a lot of power dynamics at play in our sexual relationship. On one hand it was just sex, and on the other,  I felt like if I didn’t, it would… it would be like… like I was ungrateful, especially after how he had taken us under his wing, taught us everything we knew about tattooing. 
NJ: Oh hyung.
 YG: KC… he knew damn well what he was doing. He knew that I would feel inclined to be at his beck and call, and he took advantage of that fact. He’s a manipulator. He manipulated me into feeling like I couldn’t say no to him. That I didn’t deserve something better. I realize that now. He made me feel like I owed him something almost every time we fucked. With his words and his actions. It became a sort of sick back and forth where he’d invite me over, we’d fuck, and then he’d somehow always make me feel like shit about a million different things afterward. Which is why… which is why when we started the business, and he brought up the idea of giving us the money… he made it seem like if I didn’t keep fucking him, if I didn’t keep giving him what he wanted, he’d take it all away. I mean… he never said so; not so plainly. But the implication was there. 
NJ: I wish that I would have known. That you would have felt safe enough to talk to me about it.
 YG: [shakes his head] Joon-ah, none of this is your fault. I did what I did; I made my choices. Sinners was in such a vulnerable place… I didn’t want to risk everything we’d built, but I also needed us to have a place of our own. To get some distance from him because I was terrified of people finding out the real reason why he was so… so keen to invest in us. Because then they’d know that I… I whored myself out just to get ahead. That the rumors and the whispers about us were true. [voice cracks] I’m not proud of that. I’m ashamed. I’m ashamed of him, of what he did to me, of what I let him do… 
NJ: Oh hyung… it’s not your fault. We started Sinners when we were kids… you were a kid . He’s so much older. He took advantage of you. Of both of us. And I was an idiot to follow him out here instead of trusting you. You’re my real hyung. Not him.
 YG: Joon… everything is horrible. Everything. I don’t know what to do. 
NJ: What do you mean?
 YG: Hoseok isn’t doing well since the break-up… and my presence in Seoul is just making it worse. 
NJ: Have you not just spoken to him? He was really drunk that night… I’m sure he said some things he didn’t really mean...
 YG: It’s complicated, but I can’t. It would only make it worse. I would only make it worse. Plus, he’s with… you know... 
NJ: [grimaces] Right… he’s with Seokjin now.
 YG: [nods] It’s just… I feel like I’m going crazy. It’s so good to talk to you. I can’t talk to Tae about much because I don’t want to put him in the middle because of his relationship with Jimin. And I just… I loved him so much Joon-ah. I really, really loved him. And it never really stops hurting. And I’m just… I’m just trying to bury myself in my work and pretend like I’m not slowly falling apart but it’s so fucking hard. 
NJ: I understand. I should have been there for you sooner. I’m sorry I was such a dick, hyung. I’m really fucking sorry.
 YG: [smiles sadly] I’m sorry too. I’m just… trying to figure out how to coexist with him… trying to keep my distance and be respectful of what he’s trying to build with Seokjin. But my heart still tells me that he’s mine and I worry so damn much about him. I just don’t… I don’t know how I’m supposed to just continue on here, living as if he doesn’t exist, as if we didn’t happen. 
NJ: Hyung… I have… kind of a crazy idea.
 YG: What do you mean? 
NJ: Well… me being here hasn’t been all bad. Choa is amazing, and so is New York. It’s exciting here. The tattoo community is young and really passionate. The city is alive with it. I’m wondering… and I know this is crazy… I’m wondering what would happen if we thought about relocating Sinners to here? Maybe getting away… making a clean break is what we both need?
 YG: You mean… closing our shop in Seoul and moving to the States? 
NJ: Yes. Hear me out. Rent is more expensive here, but the amount of people getting tattoos is so much bigger. It’s a scarier market, for sure, but it’s also really exciting. I’m not saying we make the decision now… but Choa has a friend who owns another shop she’s probably going to move to soon. I’ll probably follow temporarily if I don’t go back to Seoul, just to get away from Kyungchul. You could come work there too, temporarily, while we looked at spaces and figured things out. I’m renting a monthly apartment here and it’s definitely big enough for two. I know this is crazy. But… you said you felt like you were going crazy in Seoul… and it just… yeah. It just clicked.
 YG: It is crazy. You are crazy. But… but I think… it might be exactly what I need. 
NJ: You think so?!
 YG: I think it’s something we can look into, but I definitely think leaving Seoul would be good for me right now. We can stay in the city for a few months. I’d like to see how the market is myself before making any permanent decisions. Our lease is up for renewal in February. That gives us enough time to change our minds… 
NJ: It does.
 YG: Aish… I think… we’re doing this. 
NJ: Yes! We’re doing this!
 YG: First order of business. I show up, I come to KC’s studio, and I break some shit. Are you gonna be by my side when I do it? 
NJ: Abso-fucking-lutely.
 YG: I’m gonna call our lawyers and iron some things out. I’ll talk to you soon, Joon-ah. 
NJ: Hyung?
 YG: Yes? 
NJ: I love you.
 YG: I love you too. It’s late over there, isn’t it? Get some rest. 
NJ: Only if you promise not to be too hard on yourself.
 YG: Joon-ah… 
NJ: I’m serious. You should be a bit easier on yourself, hyung. You’re coping with a loss and it’s not something you’re going to get over quickly. Especially with how deeply you cared about him. It’s not… it’s not weird to find yourself thinking about him, or wondering if he’s okay, if he still thinks about you too…
 YG: Are we talking about Hoseok, or are we talking about someone else? 
NJ: You know it is getting pretty late here…
 YG: [laughs] Okay, okay. I get it. And since you’ve been so understanding, I’ll let it go. 
NJ: Thanks. That’s just… not a can of worms I want to open right now.
 YG: I understand. I’ll keep in touch, alright? 
NJ: Okay. Promise me you’ll let yourself feel excited about this?
 YG: I’ll try. At the very least, I’ll get to see NYC. I’ve always wanted to go. 
NJ: And now’s your chance.
 YG: This is crazy. My English isn’t even that good. 
NJ: Yeah right. You were always chiming in and making comments when a foreigner would come into Sinners. You’ll be fine.
 YG: If you say so... 
NJ: I do. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, hyung.
 YG: See you later, Joon-ah.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ Yoongi arrives just two minutes before seven. He’s the last person to give his usher the ticket he purchased online before slipping into the back of the theater, finding a seat in the very back, in the most shadowy place where the stage lights don’t quite reach. He hasn’t been to a play like this since he was in high school, but the second he’s there, he understands why Hoseok loves it so much. There’s a feeling in the air — anticipation, excitement, nerves — and it’s tangible and exhilarating. Everyone in the audience is ready for a good show, and everyone behind the curtain is ready to put on a good show. Soon enough, the lights dim, and a hush falls over the crowd. “Hello!” A voice says from the over the loudspeakers. Yoongi’s chest clenches when he immediately recognizes who it is. “Welcome to Jungsang High’s production of Grease! We ask that all you cool cats keep your cell phones on silent. We also ask you kindly to refrain from any flash photography! Now… enjoy the show!” With that, the curtain rises, and the show begins. Yoongi lets himself enjoy it — it doesn’t let himself dwell on how good it was to hear Hoseok’s voice. It filled him with warm fuzzy light, and he just wants to hear it again. He longs to hear it again, but he knows it can’t. He knows he can’t. The kids do a great job. There’s a certain humor to it that wasn’t in the movie that Yoongi immediately recognizes as Hoseok’s personal touch. It’s charming and clever and everyone exudes talent and he knows how big of a relief it must be to Hoseok that it’s so much of a success. Grease will forever be associated with Hoseok in his heart; he can still perfectly picture Hoseok the night of their first date, looking so beautiful and carefree, daring to open up his heart, daring to let Yoongi in. That night had been so wonderful, watching Hoseok eat and smile at him through dinner, wiping away his tears during their difficult talk afterwards, and ultimately holding Hoseok close in his lap as the movie played in the background. Yoongi remembers how clear and sweet Hoseok’s voice was as he sang along to the music, his heart so warm and full. And then there had been their dance, so spontaneous and romantic, the both of them tumbling to the ground — Yoongi falling for Hoseok, both literally and metaphorically — getting lost in the sweetness of their first kiss. The memories are a blessing and a curse. So he lets himself laugh, he lets himself tear up during corny songs like “ Hopelessly Devoted” , and when it’s all over he’s one of the first to stand, clapping happily with a big smile on his face despite the tear rolling down his cheek because he knows… he knows this will be the last time he sees the love of his life. The kids do their bows, Hoseok standing right in the middle of them. Even from such a distance, Yoongi can see how beautiful he is in his perfectly fitted suit, his hair loose (and a bit messy from how much he’s been tugging at it from nerves, Yoongi is sure). His eyes are in those precious little half-crescents and his mouth is formed into a signature heart-shaped smile as he bows low and accepts the microphone from the girl playing Sandy. “Thank you all so much for coming!” he says before bowing again, laughing. “These incredible kids behind me have worked so hard over the last semester to put this together, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. Please stay for some refreshments afterward in the lobby!” He bows once more and there’s another round of loud applause and cheers. When Hoseok is standing straight again, Yoongi catches the way he blows a kiss into the audience. Leaning forward a bit, he can see that Seokjin was the recipient, who pretends to catch it dramatically. He feels something inside of him break, and he knows he needs to leave. He sees where Taehyung and Jungkook are with Jimin down in the front by Seokjin, and knows he needs to be stealthy in order to do what he needs to do before he leaves. Standing, he makes his way toward the exit where he can keep an eye on the crowd from the lower level filing out into the lobby. He gets lucky. Upon exiting, Jimin grabs Seokjin’s arm and hauls him off somewhere, leaving Taehyung and Jungkook alone. He knows this is his chance, so he quickly hurried over to them. Jungkook sees him first, and his wide bunny-eyes grow even wider. “Hyung?!” he exclaims, and Taehyung turns at that, locking eyes with Yoongi and gasping. “Hyung? What are doing here?” Taehyung says suspiciously even as he pulls Yoongi into a hug. “I… I never thought I’d see you here in a million years…” Yoongi chuckles. ‘Yeah… it was an impulse. I need a favor.” He holds up the bouquet of sunflowers he’s been carrying with him. “Can you get these to Hoseok?” Taehyung blinks once, twice, and shakes his head. “Hyung… you should… you should give them to him yourself.” Yoongi shakes his head. “No. That’s not how this is going to go. He can’t know I was here. And I need you to respect that, but I need you to do this for me. I need him to get these. It’s important.” Taehyung huffs and runs a hand through his hair, tugging. “I… ugh. Fine. Fine, I’ll do this for you. Doesn’t mean I agree with keeping yourself hidden like this, but fine.” “He deserves to feel special. He doesn’t deserve to feel any sort of negative emotions because I’m here. I just… wanted to see the fruits of his labor. I wanted to support him. But he can’t know. Please, Tae. Please .” “I already said I would!” Taehyung snatches the sunflowers. “Okay. Thank you.” He looks at Jungkook. “Now… I need to talk to Kookie quickly about something work-related. Could you go deliver those?” Taehyung huffs, clearly annoyed, but nods and gives Jungkook a peck on the lips before heading off in search of the man the sunflowers are meant for. “What is it, hyung?” Jungkook blinks, and Yoongi’s chest hurts. He looks so wide-eyed and innocent… he knows what he’s about to tell him is going to hurt. “Can we talk outside? Follow me.” Jungkook shrugs his hands into the pockets of his suit jacket and follows Yoongi out.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
Jungkook follows Yoongi outside of the theater, a feeling of uneasiness starting to creep up his spine. His friend looks nervous, which make

Jungkook

nervous.
 
“Hyung? Is something wrong?” He asks as Yoongi leads him over to one of the park benches outside on campus, urging him to take a seat.
 
“Nothing's…

wrong.

I just… I needed to talk to you about something important, and I needed to do in person so I could make you understand.”
 
Jungkook pulls at his tie, loosening it a bit. “Okay, now I’m officially worried.”
 
Yoongi tries to find a smile for him, reaching out to take his hand. “Jungkook-ah… I just… I want you to know how rewarding it has been, being your mentor. 
I got to see you grow, see your talent progress and change until you settled into a style that is uniquely your own. Having you at Sinners has made our shop better, and we could’ve never made it this far without you.”
 
The younger looks at him suspiciously. “Why… why does this feel like a goodbye?” Yoongi hesitates, and Jungkook feels his heart drop to his stomach in one fell swoop. “Hyung… no, no please don’t say what I think you’re about to say.”
 
“Jungkook-ah… you have to understand that it isn’t you. You’ve been

perfect.

”
 
“Are you firing me? Is it… is it because I’m dating Jimin? Because I’m friends with Hoseok?” He looks absolutely miserable and Yoongi frantically shakes his head.
 
“No.

Hell

no. Kook, I’m— I’m so, so happy that you and Tae have found a partner in Jimin. And I want you to be friends with Hoseok because you are an amazing person, and Hoseok would only benefit from having someone like you in his life.” He grimaces, knowing that the next words will hurt his friend.
 
“I’m not firing you. But… I am leaving.”
 
“Leaving?” Jungkook gapes at him. “First Namjoon hyung and now this? But… but

why

?” His eyes harden. “Hyung, I know you’ve been hurting since the break up. I know you love Hoseok hyung and it’s hard without him, but please,

please

don’t go back to that Kyungchul fucker. Don’t let him hurt you anymore.”
 
Yoongi grips his hands. “Hey,

hey.

Listen to me, and listen to me well. 
There isn’t

anything

that anyone could ever do to make me go back to that piece of shit. Even if I’m sad or whatever, I’m not… Kyungchul isn’t the answer. Truthfully, he never really has been. I know it wasn’t right, to be with him before, and I’m not going to make that mistake again now.”
 
“Then what’s going to happen?” Jungkook’s voice gets quiet, barely above a whisper. “Why are you leaving me?”
 
“Oh Kookie. It’s not… this has

nothing

to do with you. I just can’t be

here

anymore. And Joon-ah has been making some connections in NYC… I’m not— I’m not pretending that I have it all figured out, or that it’ll work out but... both of us are kind of thinking that maybe we’d be better off moving Sinners away from Seoul.”
 
Jungkook stares down at the ground wordlessly, and Yoongi hugs him close. “Kook, you are an incredible artist. Any shop in Seoul would be lucky to have you. And I don’t… I don’t want to just leave you high and dry. I’ll make calls for you and make sure you find a shop that will appreciate your talents.”
 
“But I loved working for you and Namjoon hyung… it’s just not going to be the same.”
 
“I know. And we loved working with you too. Trust me, we couldn’t have chosen a better mentee. I’ve gotten a lot out of our working relationship. But I just… I don’t want you to even entertain the idea of following along with me. You have two boyfriends who love you very much, who are firmly rooted here in Seoul. So you should be here with them too.”
 
“I don’t want you to go… I don’t want this to be permanent. Joon hyung was supposed to come back, and now you’re going to. This is just—” His voice gets heavy with his emotion, and Yoongi tries to console him.
 
“Kook.

Kook.

Please don’t get upset. I know it’s hard. I know it’s not what you want to hear. But I’m— I’m struggling. And I know that Hoseok is too. Me simply… being here causes him pain and I can’t… I can’t hurt him anymore. And I’m sorry, I’m so fucking sorry that me trying to help him inadvertently makes things difficult for you. But I’m

not

abandoning you. I’ll help you find a new shop. And you’ll have to fly out to New York sometime, come see our new set up and do a few tattoos. I may not be your boss anymore, but this is nowhere near the end of our friendship. I love you, Kook. Even if there’s an ocean between us, I’ll always consider myself to be your mentor, and your friend.”
 
Jungkook hugs him back tightly, a few tears escaping. “I understand why you feel like you have to go hyung. I just… I just wish you didn’t have to.”
 
“I know. I wish I didn’t have to either.” He reaches up, wiping Jungkook’s tears away. “But I’ll need you to be strong, Jungkook-ah. Not just for yourself, but for Tae. He’ll be sad when I go.”
 
“Sad?” Jungkook shakes his head, still feeling a bit overwhelmed. “He’ll be… he’ll be

devastated

.”
 
“I know.” Yoongi looks away guiltily. “And truthfully, even if this was kind of a last minute decision to leave the city, I have been avoiding talking to him about it.”
 
“But why?”
 
“Because it’s Tae. And he… he believes I can do no wrong. And he’ll just try and convince me to stay, to fight for Hoseok—”
 
“Why don’t you?” Jungkook asks a bit angry. “I don’t get it hyung. You made the effort to come here… why not just say hello? Why don’t you at least

try

?”
 
“I have tried, Kook. And no amount of wishful thinking is going to change what’s happened. Hoseok made his choice; it doesn’t matter what I feel because he’s already moved on.”
 
“I don’t think so.” Jungkook says stubbornly. “I think the reason he’s sad is because he’s just as stuck on you. There’s no way he got over you so easily.”
 
Yoongi closes his eyes, thinking about Hoseok kissing Seokjin, and a stab of pain twists in his gut.
“You’d… you’d be surprised.” He rubs his friend’s back. “But that doesn’t matter anymore. Because I’ll be gone and Hoseok can finally

breathe.

He’ll be able to truly start healing.”
 
Jungkook shrugs helplessly. “I just don’t understand

any

of this. I hate that you’ve decided the only option is to close yourself off from everyone. I hate that you believe that you’ve been nothing but bad for Hoseok, when that’s not true at all. You

love

him.”
 
“I do.” Yoongi licks his lips. “I… I love him enough to let him go. To let him have something…

someone

better.”
 
Jungkook groans, wanting to shake his hyung for being so silly while simultaneously wanting to hug him. “Then why did you come today? What was the point?”
 
“I wanted him to have the sunflowers. I know… I know those haven’t been ruined for him, because he doesn’t realize it’s always been me.”
 
“

Hyung

.” Jungkook’s voice comes out strangled with emotion, but Yoongi waves him off.
 
“And maybe… maybe I’m just fucking selfish.” Yoongi laughs bitterly. “I just… I wanted to see him, one last time.”
 
He stands up and pulls Jungkook with him. “And now I have. And he has my gift. And he has people like

you

to keep him happy. So I’ve done my part and it’s time for me to let go.”
 
“Love… love just doesn’t go away.” Jungkook says a bit desperately, but Yoongi acknowledges it openly.
 
“I know. I’m not stupid enough to think me running away will make my heart forget about Hoseok completely. But knowing that he’s happier… even if it’s without me.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Maybe in a masochistic kind of way, it’ll help.”
 
He looks down at his phone, grimacing at the time. “I gotta get going. I still have a lot of shit I need to do before my flight tomorrow—”
 
“What? You’re leaving so soon?” Jungkook asks surprised.
 
“There’s no use in putting off the inevitable. Delaying things isn’t going to change anything.” He pulls Jungkook back into a hug. “Don’t worry. I’ll stop by before my flight; say goodbye to Tae and apologize for being such a shitty person.”
 
“Don’t say that.

Don’t.”

“

Just promise me you’ll take care of Tae; that you’ll keep him close. I need that from you Kook.”
 
“Okay, okay. I’ll look after him.”
 
“Thank you.” He pats Jungkook’s head. “You’ll all be just fine without me. I know it.”
 
“That’s not true. We

need

you hyung. And we’ve already been missing you so much and now it’s only going to get worse.”
 
“You have Tae and Jimin-ah. You’ll be fine.” He steps back, looking into Jungkook’s eyes. “You look like a million bucks, kid. And you got two amazing boyfriends inside waiting for you. Stop wasting your time out here with me and go enjoy your night.”
 
“But hyung—”
 
“Go on.” Yoongi playfully nudges him towards the entrance. “I’m sure they already miss you.” Jungkook looks back at the building, before refocusing on Yoongi.
 
“Are you sure this is the right choice hyung? That I can’t convince you to stay?” Jungkook asks, his eyes still a little bit teary.
 
Yoongi smiles at him, wistful and sad. “There’s only one person who could, and we both know that isn’t going to happen.”
 
“I could try—”
 
“Don’t. Don’t even suggest it.” Yoongi says sternly. “If you want to be a friend to Hoseok, that means respecting his choice to be done with me. Please don’t ever make him feel guilty, or like me leaving is his fault. 
I know it would hurt him and I don’t want to be the cause of his pain anymore. Do you understand?”
 
“Okay.” Jungkook agrees, feeling absolutely defeated.
 
“Cheer up, Kook. You’ll be fine. It’ll all work out, I promise.” He pushes Jungkook towards the door once more. “Now go have fun. Congratulate Hoseok on the play and forget about me. I’ll come by to talk to Tae tomorrow, so don’t worry about it anymore.”
 
Yoongi senses the other isn’t going to take that first step to leave, so he does it for the both of them. “I’m going now. I’ll see you later, Jungkook-ah.”
 
“Bye hyung.” Yoongi goes to walk away when Jungkook reaches out to stop him with a hand on his arm.
 
“Kook? What’s—”
 
Jungkook immediately pulls him into another hug, squeezing him tightly. “I’ll miss you hyung. You were the best mentor I ever had. I loved working at Sinners and I loved working with you. Even though I hate this, I wish you luck. I want… I

need

you to be happy someday too. I just wish you could be happy

here.

”
 
Yoongi wants to make promises, that he’ll be happy, that leaving will give him a better life, that someday he’ll look back at this moment and know that he made the right decision in moving away from Seoul, in giving up Hoseok.
 
But it all feels hollow, and he’s not even sure if it’ll work out anyway, so he chooses silence over a lie.
 
“Goodbye hyung.” Jungkook squeezes him close one last time, before turning and running back inside, knowing that if he stays there for another moment that he’ll break into pieces.
 
He hates that his hyung is hurting, but more than anything, he hates that he can’t fix Yoongi’s problems.
 
If he could, he would take his hyung’s pain away, carry it as his own so he could see his friend smile again. But there’s nothing he can do to help; he can’t tell Hoseok about Yoongi leaving, he can’t do

anything

to make things right without betraying Yoongi’s trust.
 
Jungkook’s hands are tied; so in the end, he lets Yoongi go.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ Seokjin doesn’t hesitate in pulling Jimin away to pour everyone drinks. He wants to do a celebratory toast for Hoseok when he finally emerges from backstage. The play had been absolutely charming and wonderful; Hoseok’s hard work had shone through in every second and song, and Seokjin is so proud of him. “Wasn’t it amazing, hyung?” Jimin muses as he grabs some plastic champagne flutes, flashing the bartender his ID before grabbing a bottle. “I told you, the kids really nail every single song! It’s even better than watching the movie.” “I couldn’t agree more,” Seokjin laughs. “But maybe that’s because Hoseokie has made us watch the movie about a million times. So it was nice to see some new faces.” Jimin giggles. “Maybe true. But still. It was so much fun. I’m considering going again tomorrow night!” “I wish I could,” Seokjin sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Because I left work early tonight, I’m definitely going to be working late tomorrow.” “On a Saturday?!” Jimin pouts. “Hyung… this is getting out of hand.” Seokjin chuckles. “It is what it is.” “It’s slowly killing you!” Jimin looks struck, his brow furrowed and his arms crossed somehow even as he balances four glasses of champagne. It’s adorable enough that Seokjin reaches forward and ruffles his hair affectionately. “Thank you for looking out for me, Minnie. But really, don’t worry your pretty little head about me. I’ll be fine.” Jimin pouts, and opens his mouth to say something else, but something behind Seokjin catches his eye. He lifts an eyebrow and looks back to see Jungkook walking back inside, his eyes puffy and red, and his cheeks glistening with fresh tears. “Kookie?!” Jimin gasps, setting down the champagne and rushing over to him. “My Kookie, what’s wrong? What happened?” “It’s Yoongi hyung,” Jungkook says brokenly. “He’s here. He just told me he’s leaving Korea… Sinners is shutting down.” Seokjin blinks and stiffens. “He’s here ?” Jungkook nods. “I just saw him… he said he’s leaving. I — Jimin-ssi, why does everyone leave ?” Jungkook is clearly on the precipice of losing it again, so Jimin pulls him over and sits him in the nearest chair, holding him close and stroking his hair, soothing him. “Where’s Tae?” Jimin asks softly. “I don’t know… Yoongi hyung brought Hobi hyung flowers and asked Tae to give them to him… he begged Tae not to tell them who they were really from, though. They were sunflowers, just like he used to send him. And then he pulled me outside and told me he was leaving Seoul tomorrow .” Jimin holds him close and continues to stroke his hair, humming soothingly, pressing feather-light kisses to his cheeks and forehead. Jungkook begins to calm down, but he’s still shaking. “Where did you see Yoongi?” Seokjin asks, feeling his blood starting to boil. How dare he show his face here where he was risking Hoseok seeing him and spiraling? What was he thinking? Jungkook sniffles. “Outside. Parking lot.” Seokjin doesn’t wait for any other explanation; he turns and takes off, making his way through the crowd with a few whispered apologies as he bumps shoulders with those he passes. When he makes it outside, it’s just started to snow lightly, dusting everything in a very thin layer of white powder. He regrets not grabbing his coat before rushing out, but his heart is pounding too hard for him to truly care. He spots someone mounting a motorcycle under a lamp post and makes a b-line for him. “Yah!” He shouts, getting the younger’s attention. Yoongi pauses, flipping up the visor of his helmet so he can stare down Seokjin as he approaches. For a second there’s no words said between them — just a loaded, tense silence. Yoongi’s the first to break. He lets out a defeated huff of air, pulling off his helmet fully and tucking it under his arms. His cheeks and nose are tinged pink from the cold, but Seokjin also notes that his eyes are a bit swollen, meaning it’s not entirely because of the cold, but probably a few tears too. “Seokjin-ssi,” he says. “What do you want from me?” The way he says it strikes a deep chord in Seokjin. There isn’t resentment in it… just pain. Pain, and exhaustion. “I want… I want to know why the hell you’re here. Why you decided to go against my wishes and—” “ Your wishes?” Yoongi lifts an eyebrow. “Let’s get one thing straight. Nothing I’ve done has been for you . Everything I’ve done has been for Hoseok . I did what you asked. I stayed away. I came tonight because I needed closure. I just… I just wanted to see him one last time. But now… now he doesn’t have to worry about accidentally running into me anymore. He doesn’t have to feel suffocated by me. I’m doing him and everyone else a goddamn favor.” “If you truly don’t want Hoseok to see you, then why would you come here ?” Seokjin presses. “I was careful. I did everything in my power so he wouldn’t see me or know I was here.” “But the flowers—” “He has no idea the flowers are from me. He still thinks the sunflowers are some magical thing from a secret admirer… he doesn’t need to have that ruined for him too.” Yoongi runs a hand through his black hair, tugging at it a bit frustratedly. “But like I said, it’s over. I’m leaving tomorrow.” “Jungkook-ah said you were…” Seokjin sighs. “Just…” Yoongi looks Seokjin square in the eye. “Take care of him. That’s all I ask. I want him to move on, Seokjin-ssi. I want him to be happy. But you have to… you have to make him know how wonderful he is. You need to make sure he knows how special he is. He’s the best person I’ve ever met. He’s brighter than the sun. Please… please take care of him. Please .” It strikes Seokjin then, just how genuine Yoongi is. His eyes are like tunnels straight into his soul, and for the first time, Seokjin really looks . He looks, and he sees someone who loves his best friend. He sees someone who is hurt, and vulnerable, and has reached the very last recesses of his strength. “You’re really… you’re just going to uproot your entire life? Leave Seoul behind, just to make things easier for a boy who isn’t even with you anymore?” Yoongi looks at him, confused. “You say that like you don’t understand, so let me say it plainly for you. I would do anything for Hoseok. Anything. You think I want to go? That I’m excited to leave behind my friends… my business… the only thing I was ever fucking successful at?” He laughs bitterly. “This isn’t easy for me, Seokjin-ssi. It isn’t fucking easy for me to know that I’m leaving alone and the boy I’m in love with is going home with you. But I’m enduring it for him. Because I respect him and all of his choices, and his happiness has always been more important than mine.” He looks down. “I thought… I thought I was doing enough before. That blocking him and staying away would be enough to help him move on. But you let me know that I was mistaken… that I was still hurting Hoseok. And I don’t… I can’t do that anymore. So I’m going.” Yoongi looks at him, nothing but pain and heartache in his eyes. “Don’t you see? You’ve won Seokjin-ssi. You’ve managed to drive me out of Hoseok’s life for good. So just… just fucking enjoy your victory and leave me alone.” Seokjin just stares at him, struck. He expected to come out here and tear Yoongi a new one. He expected to catch Yoongi red-handed in trying to get Hoseok to see him; to try and find a way to talk to him. But instead, all he finds is a man that is so completely broken that it feels as if he’s barely holding himself together. And it’s all Seokjin’s fault. “Yoongi-yah,” Seokjin says with a tight chest, “I’m— I’m sor—” “Don’t,” Yoongi cuts him off. “Don’t. I don’t want to hear it. Just… be good to him. Take care of him. Love him like he deserves. And have a nice life.” Yoongi pulls his helmet back on and flicks down the front visor, turning the keys in the ignition before taking off with a roar, his tires leaving prints in the freshly fallen snow. Seokjin stares after him and feels guilt rise in his chest like hot air. He thought he was doing the right thing. He thought he was protecting Hoseok. But now… now he’s pretty sure he may have inadvertently ruined two lives in the process of trying to save one. 
Oh god.
 He turns and rushes back inside. The crowd seems suffocating now; people everywhere, laughing and talking and hugging. He just needs to find Hoseok. He needs to. Eventually he does, tucked in the middle of it all with the rest of their friends surrounding them. Hoseok blinks down at the bouquet of sunflowers in his hand curiously, an awed smile on his lips. “And you’re sure you can’t tell me who they’re from?” He arrives just in time to hear Hoseok ask Taehyung, who shakes his head. “Sorry, hyung. I… I can’t say who they’re from.” Hoseok spots Seokjin and smiles. “Seokjinnie hyung, look! That person left me sunflowers again… aren’t they beautiful?” Seokjin pulls Hoseok into his arms and hugs him tightly, feeling tears stinging his eyes. He knows there’s a good chance his best friend will hate him after tonight. “Hoseokie, we need to talk.” “What?” Hoseok laughs. “Okay, hyung, but I was just saying we should all go out and—” “I’m sorry Hobi hyung.” Taehyung speaks up then. “I think… we need to head home.” He looks at Jungkook, who is quiet, almost curled into Jimin’s side. “But I thought we could go to noraebang!” Hoseok pouts. “It could be fun, I know a couple places that even have Grease songs you can do for karaoke…” “Maybe another time.” Jimin says a bit sadly, rubbing at Jungkook’s back. Seokjin looks at the three of them, seeing the physical proof of how his actions were affecting other people, and he feels bile start to rise in his throat. “Hoseokie. We need to talk now. Right now.” “Just let me say goodbye first.” He goes down the line, hugging each of the three of them, his sunflowers still clutched tightly in his hand. “Thank you all for coming! I hope you had a good time…” “We had the best time.” Taehyung says honestly, mustering up a smile for his friend. “It means a lot that you invited us.” Hoseok nods. “Of course. I’m sorry I hesitated before. That was stupid of me.” “Hyung—” Jimin starts, but Hoseok waves him off. “It’s okay. You’re here now, and that’s all that matters.” He looks down at his flowers, his fingers lightly touching the petals. “Whoever picked these out for me has good taste! They’re so pretty and thoughtful…” Taehyung looks at Seokjin then, his eyes a bit wild. “I wonder who. ” He says pointedly, his glare leveled directly at the older man. “Must have been someone who really cares about Hobi hyung. Who only ever wanted him to be happy.” “ Tae. ” Jimin says a bit warningly, shaking his head. “Let’s just go. Let’s get Jungkook home.” Taehyung sighs, turning and walking away on the spot, unable to keep up the charade any longer for fear that he might just scream in frustration. “Is he okay?” Hoseok asks a bit worriedly, and Jimin nods. “He’s just… he’s just upset that he can’t fix things that are out of his control.” Jimin laces his fingers together with Jungkook, pulling him towards the door. “We’ll talk tomorrow, okay hyung?” Hoseok nods, watching them leave with a strange feeling in his stomach. “Hyung, what’s the matter with them?” Hoseok tilts his head. “Is everything okay?” “Just… please. Please, just let’s go talk, and you can ask questions afterward, okay?” “Okay…” Still confused, Hoseok nods, but lets his hyung haul him off to a more private hallway away from the main crowd. “I have to stay for a little bit longer, make sure all of the kids get home safely and that everything is in its right place for tomorrow’s show.” “I’ll wait Hoseok. However long it takes. I just… I need to talk to you. Tonight. I can’t… I can’t do this any longer.” “Do what?” Hoseok huffs. “What is going on? Why are you acting all weird? Minnie and his boyfriends were just fine earlier but now they had to go suddenly? Everyone was happy during the show… what happened?” Seokjin sighs. “Just… finish your work. Do what you need to do to prepare for tomorrow. I’ll be outside waiting for you in my car, okay?” “Okay hyung.” Hoseok says, clearly not happy with the lack of answers, but unable to do anything about it for the moment.  Seokjin watches him walk away with a growing lump in his throat; he doesn’t know what the hell he is going to say to Hoseok, but now he realizes that he can’t purposely keep Yoongi and his best friend apart. It wasn’t just Yoongi and Hoseok… his actions were hurting other people. Taehyung and Jungkook were clearly upset, and then there was Namjoon, who had fled across an ocean to get away from him… Seokjin sighs, feeling like the absolute worst person in the world. He thought he was protecting Hoseok, but in reality he was manipulating him. He was so desperate to keep him from getting hurt, that he had inadvertently taken away his best friend’s right to choose. And that was not fair in the slightest. Coming clean would ruin everything… Seokjin is fully aware of that, but he also knows that at the very least, Hoseok deserved the truth. It’s time to face the music, and to hope that when he comes out on the other side, he won’t have lost the closest friend he’s ever had, because of his own misguided actions.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
The snow has picked up by the time Seokjin is able to pull Hoseok out of the now mostly empty building. They sprint to Seokjin’s car, Hoseok giggling the whole time and complaining loudly about how the forecast lied to him, still clutching the sunflower bouquet tightly in his arms almost as if he’s afraid to be too far away from it.
 
They make it inside and Seokjin twists the key just enough to turn on the heat, but not enough to start the engine.
 
“Today has been

crazy.

” Hoseok sinks into the passenger seat, smiling with a hand on his heart. “I thought I was going to lose my mind with Sunae gone but… somehow I managed to pull it off.”
 
“You did great, Hoseok.”
 
“I know.” Hoseok chuckles. “But my kids did even better. I’m so proud of them…”
 
“You should be. They put on a hell of a show.”
 
“You know the strangest part?” Hoseok gets a bit quieter, watching the snow fall outside of the window.
“The show went on perfectly, sure there were a couple of bumps here and there, but that’s to be expected. Opening night jitters. And I had my dearest friends there, cheering me on. Supporting me and all of my hard work. It was… it is

amazing

and yet…”
 
He sighs. “And yet I couldn’t help but think about

him.

The moment we wrapped up the curtain call and I was backstage alone, I just— I wanted to speak to him. I used to talk to him so much about the play, and he was always so interested… you know he even offered to play piano to accompany the kids once.”
 
Hoseok chuckles a bit fondly at the memory. “I just… I was… I

am

happy about the play, but I couldn’t help but feel sad Yoongi didn’t get to see it.”
 
The lump starts to grow in Seokjin’s throat again. “Hoseok…”
 
“I know… I know what you’re going to say. And I know that it’s weird considering everything that’s happened.” He shrugs his shoulders. “But the feeling is there all the same. I wish he could have seen it… seen

me.

”
 
Seokjin wants to

scream.

This going to be so much worse than his heart was prepared for.
 
“Enough of my rambling; we can go home now.” The younger goes to put on his seatbelt, but Seokjin reaches across the console to stop him.
“Aren’t we driving?” Hoseok asks, blinking the snowflakes off of his eyelashes.
 
“I want to talk first,” Seokjin says, looking down, his hands fidgeting with anxiety.
 
“Okay… hyung? What is it?”
 
Hoseok frowns, concerned, and reaches over and takes his hand, smoothing his thumb over his knuckles. “You seem like you’re freaking out. Why are you freaking out?”
 
“There’s…” Seokjin pauses, needing to figure out a way to phrase everything exactly how it needs to be phrased. “There’s something I need to tell you. Well, some

things.

I… I know you’ll probably hate me…”
 
It dawns on Seokjin as soon as he says it. Hoseok will probably hate him for this. The knowledge feels like all of his insides are turning to glass and splintering.
 
Hoseok blinks. “What? I could never hate you, hyung. Don’t be ridiculous. Now tell me what’s the matter.”
 
Seokjin turns on the window wipers because he can’t stand not being able to see past the dusting of snow to focus on something,

anything

else than what is going on inside of the car. He’s panicking, and he can feel it in his throat like bile, but he can’t back out. He owes this to his best friend.
 
“I haven’t been honest with you,” Seokjin says quietly. “I haven’t, and I need to. I’ve been incredibly selfish, and I didn’t realize just how selfish until tonight.”
 
“Hyung… what are talking about?”
 
Seokjin looks at him with teary eyes. 
“I lied to you… and I believed I was doing it for the right reasons, but looking back, I think I just made things worse. Because you haven’t moved on. You’re still a broken mess and I’ve done

nothing

but make it even worse for you.”
 
Hoseok pales. “I don’t… I’m not quite sure I—”
 
“Yoongi… he tried to come and make amends the day after Halloween.” Seokjin blurts quickly. “You were already on the train to Gwangju when he showed up… I was positive that he had cheated on you and hurt you and that he was just going to lie and manipulate you into letting him get away with it. I was sure…”
 
Hoseok blinks, sitting back in his seat and staring forward, his brow furrowed.
 
“He… he tried to come and see me?”
 
“Yes.”
 
“What— what did he say?”
 
“He tried to convince me he’d done nothing wrong. He said on Halloween he couldn’t explain himself properly because of how drunk you were… that he could make you understand when you were sober and I got angry. I told him…”
 Seokjin pauses and groans, burying his face into his hands. “Oh god, Hoseok, I’m so sorry…” 
Hoseok’s voice is small and measured when he finally speaks.
 
“Just tell me… just

tell

me, hyung. I can take it. Whatever it is, I need you to tell me. Now.”
 
Seokjin feels his heart breaking at how scared and serious Hoseok sounds as the younger starts to piece together what’s happening.
 
“I told him… that we kissed. I told him that we were together romantically, and that he needed to stay the hell away from you to respect our relationship… and in order for you to heal.”
 
Hoseok’s mouth drops open, completely stunned, blinking hard before he crowds himself back against the door, almost as if trying to get as far away from Seokjin and his words.
 
“Hyung… you…

you…

”
 
“I’m the reason Yoongi stayed away. I made him stay away.” Seokjin sighs. “Hoseokie, I—”
 
“But he blocked me.” Hoseok blinks. “

You’re

the reason he cut me out of his life. You’re the reason I thought he pulled away completely.”
 
Seokjin looks down, but nods. “Yes. He told me that he blocked you because of what I said.”
 
Hoseok stays silent for a moment, staring out the window and shaking his head, before he speaks in a quiet, shaky voice.
 
“You know… you know what hurt the most, after the break-up? It wasn’t even the prospect that he might have cheated, though that was pretty fucking horrible. No — it was the fact that he told me he

loved me

that night, and then he completely ghosted. He didn’t even try and apologize or explain and I wanted him to… I wanted him to so badly. 
I wanted him to prove to me that he did love me. But when he disappeared, I thought his confession was fake. I thought he’d just said it in the heat of the moment as a last ditch effort to make me stay.”
 
Hoseok whips his head around to stare harshly into Seokjin's eyes.
“But now I find out he

did

try and come and see me? He did try and find me to explain? That maybe, just maybe, he

did

really love me? But you… you turned him away… without even consulting me? You made these decisions

for

me?!”
 
Seokjin wipes away a rogue tear. “Hoseokie, please, there’s a reason I—”
 
“There is nothing you can say to validate what you’ve done! Hyung, that night… he promised me that it was all a misunderstanding.”
 
“That he had an explanation! I was too drunk and too angry to hear it then, but later… when I was sober I could have listened with an open mind and an open heart. All of this pain could have been avoided! But you took that chance away from me!”
 
“I… I knew how much you cared for him, and I was so scared that the truth wouldn’t be good enough, that he could lie his way back into being with you and I didn’t want that—”
 
“It doesn’t matter what

you

want! You’re not the person who was in our relationship!” Hoseok is furious. “Hyung, I— I told you

countless

times that something didn’t feel right. That Yoongi doing that to me… that Yoongi secretly wanting someone else when he was my boyfriend didn’t make sense! 
I told you that I had my suspicions, but

every single time

you made me feel like I was being reckless or weak for thinking so! I was

confiding

in you… I was sharing with you that my heart and my instincts were telling me to seek Yoongi out and give him a chance, but you made me feel like that was wrong.”
 
“I know it wasn’t right, I know it wasn’t fair. But he was so confident that he could win you back, and I didn’t think he deserved it, so I told him to leave you alone—”
 “No, you told him to leave me alone because you knew, you knew that if we spoke, we would figure things out. And for reasons I still do not understand, you had decided for yourself that Yoongi wasn’t good enough for me!” Hoseok looks at him helpless. 
“Did you even bother to hear Yoongi out? Listen to his explanation before you made the decision to

manipulate

him into throwing me away?”
 
Seokjin whines a bit desperately; he’s never been on the receiving end of his friend’s anger, and it’s killing him that he deserves this. But he can’t take the easy way out; he has to tell Hoseok everything, even if it makes himself look worse in the process.
 
“No… he said... he said he had proof that he didn’t cheat, but I didn’t care to see it. He was adamant he was innocent and he… he said he didn’t owe me an explanation, that the only person he cared about believing him was you. So that’s when I… when I told him we kissed. Because I knew if he thought you had moved on with me, that he would let you go.”
 
“You know that kiss wasn’t like that. We stopped immediately and yet you twisted it around to make Yoongi think…” Hoseok can barely even speak. “Just tell me what he said! Tell me

everything!”

He shouts.
 
Seokjin flinches and looks down. “He said he loved you. He said you were the only person he ever loved. He said he never cheated on you… he

swore

it. He told me to take care of you… to remind you of how special you are. To make you happy.” His voice shakes with guilt.
 
It hits hard, Hoseok lurching forward and clutching at his hair, tears spilling down his cheeks.
 
“Oh god…

oh god..

hyung, how

could you?!”

Hoseok shouts brokenly. “You’ve been here the whole time… you’ve watched me suffer! 
You’ve watched me break and re-break every single fucking day, and all this time you kept this from me?! How dare you?!?”
 
Seokjin shrinks into himself, shaking his head. “I thought I was protecting you—”
 
“

No.

Don’t hide behind that. You didn’t want me with Yoongi, so you went out of your way to keep us apart.” Hoseok shakes his head. “

Why,

hyung? I told you that I loved him; that it was killing me to be away from him, to be so confused and you just… you just let me suffer.” His voice quakes with his anger.
 
Seokjin doesn’t want to admit it, but he continues to confess. “It… it wasn’t just the night after Halloween. Yoongi… he came to see me again.”
 
“What? When?”
 
Seokjin licks his dry lips. “He came to my work, so he wouldn’t risk running into you… it was right after you had dinner with Taehyung. I guess Taehyung had reported back to Yoongi that you weren’t doing so well, and he was furious. He wanted to know why I wasn’t making you better, why I wasn’t helping you… and I got so

angry

with him. Because he was right; you

weren’t

doing better. But instead of coming clean… I blamed him. I let him think me and you were still together romantically, and that… that

he

was at fault for your lack of progress.”
 
Seokjin looks away. “He didn’t understand it; he had done what I had asked him to. He had kept his distance, had resisted the urge to seek you out even though he wanted to. I could… I could sense that he was getting close to a breaking point, that he might go against my wishes and try to speak to you again. So I… so I made sure he didn’t.”
 
“How?” Hoseok asks, not even sure if he will be able to handle hearing the answer.
 
“I… I told him that his mistakes had messed you up. On Halloween, when we were in the hotel… you said some pretty desperate things. That you were willing to let Yoongi use you sexually, if it meant you could stay together. So I… I told him that your mind was still in that place.”
 
Hoseok places his head in his hands, not even able to comprehend it. “Hyung, I said those things because I was drunk out of my mind and desperate! I wouldn’t have let that happen. You know that! I was just hurt and reacting and… oh

god.

” He shakes his head. “Yoongi had helped me

so

much; helped me realize that what happened in my past wasn’t healthy… and you made him think that all of my progress had went away? That he was responsible?”
 Seokjin hates to admit it, but he nods. “I told Yoongi that him being near you was ruining your ability to heal. That you couldn’t escape him and it was holding you back. I… I knew he loved you. So I told him if he loved you, he should completely disappear; that he had to let you go so I could make you happy. But I never… I didn’t think it would go this far. That he would take my words so literally.”  
Hoseok levels a deadly stare at him. “What do you mean?”
 
Seokjin feels his skin crawl; he knows once he tells Hoseok this, that the other boy will truly snap. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… there’s something else.”
 
“

What else

could you possibly have to tell me?” Hoseok says brokenly.
 
“He came tonight… I didn’t know he was there, but apparently he came and sat in the back of the theater so you wouldn’t see him. He’s the one who brought you the sunflowers. And then he pulled Jungkook aside and told him he was moving to New York

tomorrow

.”
 
Hoseok’s eyes grow wide.
 
“Wait…

what?

He came… the sunflowers? He’s… he’s

leaving

?! No… no, no, no, no—”
 
Hoseok opens the car door and jumps outside. Seokjin follows suit.
 
“Hoseokie, wait—”
 
“No! Don’t fucking talk to me! Don’t fucking try and stop me. I’m done with you controlling me! I’m done with you making decisions about my life that I get no say in! I

love

Yoongi.”
 
“I love Yoongi, and there’s a chance he still loves me too. I have to stop him. He can’t leave me. Not again, not

now.”

“I’m sorry, Hoseokie. I’m so, so sorry—” Seokjin sobs, leaning against the car door.
 
“Don’t. Just don’t.” Hoseok backs up, shaking his head, hugging his sunflowers to his chest before turning and taking off, leaving behind footprints in the snow as he runs.
 
Seokjin feels a pain like nothing he’s ever felt before, dread flooding through him like a icy wave of water. Despite his confession, the burden he now carries, knowing he’s the reason Hoseok was so hurt for so long, is something he doesn’t think he’ll ever shake.
 
There’s still something he needs to tell Hoseok. Something that won’t exonerate him from his sins, but might make his actions make more sense.
 
But that can wait.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
Yoongi finishes folding all of his clothes into two suitcases, hauling the trash bag full of stuff he needs to drop off at the local troubled youth shelter the next day over toward the door. Almost everything is in boxes — the vast majority of it going into storage to stay until he and Namjoon officially pull the trigger and move everything over to the States so he doesn’t have to pay the exorbitant fees to ship it just yet.
 
It’s a quiet night, and the snow falling outside seems to put a hush over the whole city. It’s peaceful. Yoongi can't help but pause every time he passes the window and just watch it, letting it fill him with a sort of quiet comfort.
 
He can’t get fucking

“Hopelessly Devoted”

out of his head.
 
He wants to roll his eyes at himself, but as he stares out at the white covered city skyline, he can’t shake the words out of his mind.
 
He thinks about Hoseok grabbing his remote during their first date, serenading him in between fits of giggles, his laughter infectious and his smile so bright as he performed for Yoongi.
 
“

My head is saying fool forget him

My heart is saying don't let go

Hold on to the end, that's what I intend to do

Hopelessly devoted to you...”
 
He laughs at himself bitterly as he wipes away a tear, turning back to start packing up his collection of vintage hip hop records. It seems like it’ll be another one of those nights, when he finds himself crying over Hoseok and getting lost in his memories.
He knows he can’t get hung-up on cheesy love songs like that… if anything his life is much more reminiscent of the angsty break up ballads.
 
Pushing the thoughts away, he tries to focus on finishing up his packing. He hasn’t eaten in hours but he doesn’t feel hungry; his appetite practically nonexistent after being the bearer of bad news to Jungkook. It kills him that he’s letting the younger boy down, and he

knows

the conversation with Taehyung tomorrow will be exhausting.
 
His best friend will be furious with him — understandably so — and Yoongi knows that there’s a high probability that the conversation will end on a bad note. He knows Taehyung won’t accept his decision easily, but he’s also terrified that his friend’s anger will overshadow his explanation.
 
He doesn’t want to have to say goodbye on a low note, can’t handle the thought of disappointing another person he cares about so deeply, but he’s also very much aware that it’s inevitable.
 
Yoongi jumps when there’s a frantic knock at his door. Briefly he wonders if maybe Taehyung had a bad reaction when Jungkook told him the news and he’s come here to chew him out or throw a fit, intent on confronting Yoongi tonight instead of waiting until tomorrow.
 
He wouldn’t put it past Taehyung; he had seen the frustration in his friend’s eyes when he asked him to deliver the flowers to Hoseok, and he’s known that Taehyung has been tired of his martyr act for

weeks.

He steadies himself, preparing to go through the absolute ringer, before swinging the door open.
 
When he sees the person standing there, he reaches up to rub at his eyes, absolutely

convinced

he must be seeing things. Because there is no way that Hoseok is standing here right now, his hair and shoulders dusted in snow, his eyes wide and bright as he if just sprinted up the nine flights of stairs to reach Yoongi’s floor.
 
He’s winded, his chest heaving, but he looks right into Yoongi’s eyes. He looks

gorgeous

, still in his suit, sunflowers clutched tightly in one arm.
 
Yoongi opens his mouth and then immediately closes it, too stunned to remember how to form words. He wants to cry and scream because Hoseok is

here,

and Hoseok is

looking at him.

He’s wanted nothing more for so many weeks than for Hoseok to just

look

at him.
 
“H—Hoseok…” Yoongi whispers, barely audible. “W—what…”
 
“I know it’s been forever. I know I should have been here

weeks

ago but I’m finally here now and it’s… it’s just you and me, Yoongi. No one else but

us

,” Hoseok says, his voice shaking. “So I want an explanation, Yoongi. I

need

you to give me an explanation. I need you to explain… to tell me what really happened that night. I need to know what really happened between you and Kyungchul, so I can finally make sense of this feeling in my heart that tells me that this isn’t finished. I need… I need that closure and

you

are the only person who can give that to me. Only you.”
 
Yoongi cannot believe this is happening. All he ever wanted was a chance to explain, so he could make Hoseok understand. So he obliges, because he’d do anything for Hoseok. Absolutely anything.
 
He steps aside and lets him inside. Hoseok’s eyes scan around, over all of the packed boxes, and Yoongi sees his shoulders slump.
 
“So it’s true. You really are leaving.”
 
Yoongi sighs. “Did Jungkook-ah tell you?”
 
“Not exactly. But… please.” Hoseok sits on the arm of Yoongi’s couch, crossing his arms. “Please… just tell me. Tell me what you wanted to that day that Seokjin turned you away… the day after everything went wrong. I want… I want to hear it. I’m sober now and I need to give you the chance to properly explain. After everything we went through together… it’s the least I could do.”
 
Yoongi feels so small in this moment, but he musters up his courage anyway, quietly padding barefoot over to sit on the couch near him, but not

too

close.
 
“I’ll just come out and say it then,” Yoongi says, looking up and meeting the younger man’s eyes. “I never cheated on you, Hoseok. I would never…

dream

of cheating on you. You were

everything

to me.”
 
“But you said…” Hoseok swallows down the lump in his throat. “You said you… you slept with him. After we met.”
 
Even just saying those words out loud is painful, but he does it, because he needs to know.
 
“And I know that it was fast and we didn’t say the words out loud but… that night we met… we went on a date. I felt…

we

started catching feelings for each other, right from the start. You

told

me so; that you knew you wanted me, right from the beginning. I… I believed you when you said that, because it was true for me too. 
I know I got attached quick, I know it’s probably unconventional but… I don’t think it’s unreasonable for me to feel wronged… you told me you only had eyes for me, and then to find out you were with someone else… it hurt Yoongi. It

still

hurts.”
 
“No, you’re right.” Yoongi nods. “That night with the piercing was a date. You’re not wrong about that. And even if it was fast, we both started to feel something deeper than friendship for each other. Just because it happened quickly doesn’t make it any less real. I knew you were going to be special, that you were meant for me, even then.”
 
“Then why would you go to him?” Hoseok looks desperate. “

Why

?”
 
Yoongi sighs. “Hoseok... that wasn’t the first time we met.”
 
Hoseok blinks. “What are you talking about? We met at Sinners, that night I lost the bet and thought I was going to get a piercing. I’m sure of it.”
 
Yoongi shakes his head. “You’re right about the fact that we met at Sinners, but it ends there.”
 
The younger looks at him strangely. “What does that mean?”
 
“Hoseok… I met you the night Jimin came in for a tattoo. You were incredibly drunk… and you posted on social media the next day that you didn’t remember anything from that night. And I only know that because… because I was so enchanted by you that night that I had to look you up.”
 
Hoseok looks adorably confused. “We met? That night that Jimin and Tae and Jungkook-ah got in that big fight?”
 
Yoongi nods. “Yes.”
 
The younger boy looks stricken. “But that… that can’t be possible. How could I ever forget someone like you?” But even as he says the words, the pieces start to fall together; he always got the weirdest sense of deja vu sometime around the other.
 
“I wasn’t sure how I made it home alone… and when I saw the post I made the next morning, I had no idea who took that picture of me. And my captions… it was like I was with someone else. You’re saying… it was really you?”
 
Yoongi nods; it’s bittersweet. “Yeah. It was…

beyond

spontaneous.  I’m not the type of person to be overly friendly with new people, and I was exhausted after a long day at work. I was sure that I was going to head home alone, that it was going to be a night like any other.”
 
He pauses, smiling a bit wistfully. “Sometimes I’m not even sure how the stars managed to align that night to bring us together. And even if you were wasted, you were so sweet and genuine… the kind of person that drew me in instantly. I just…” He shrugs. “I was captivated by you.”
 
Hoseok pulls out his phone, scrolling through his Instagram to find the night in question. He looks at the picture, his mind still reeling. Yoongi pulls out his own phone, scrolling up through his pictures to find the same day. And there, in his phone, is the picture of Hoseok, saved on the same day as the post.
 
“You tried to take a selca but you kept dropping your phone. It was cute because you were pouting but you were getting so frustrated, so I offered to take it for you. 
I figured there wasn’t any harm in me AirDropping it to myself, since I was the photographer. I knew your username because I helped you make the Instagram post. And from there I just… kept checking on you. Staring at you and wishing things were different.”
 
“Yoongi…” Hoseok’s voice comes out strangled, but Yoongi soldiers on.
 
“I even tucked you into bed that night; you swore you wouldn’t forget me. But when I checked your Instagram, it was clear you didn’t remember… and I was so…

upset

. And I knew I didn’t have any right to be because it really was just a random trick of fate, running into someone as beautiful and kind as you. And the way I felt… those kind of feelings didn’t happen to someone like me.  I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
 
Yoongi looks down, hating this next part, but it’s the truth. “It’s true that me and Kyungchul did have an ongoing sexual relationship. I didn’t like him… I’ve never liked

anyone

in the way that I liked you, but it was… it was convenient? And I wasn’t the type to really go out of my way to pick up guys so… when he would come into town and he would call, I would go to him.”
 
He grimaces, not wanting to look Hoseok in the eye. “And there were… there were other reasons I felt inclined to take him up on his offer, but that’s not important right now. What you need to understand is that it wasn’t… I was never pining away for Kyungchul. You weren’t some replacement for him.

Never.

”
 
He dares to look back at Hoseok again. “I thought our night together was just a one-off thing. That you wouldn’t come back into my life. That I wouldn’t be so affected. 
But I was; more than I could have ever imagined. I went back to Kyungchul only one time, but I felt

horrible

about it.”
 
“Why?” Hoseok knows it’s an uncomfortable subject, but he needs to be clear about this. “I know now that you thought you’d never see me again… and you hadn’t made any promises or commitments to me. I wish…” He gets teary. “God, I wish I had realized that back then on Halloween, before I caused you all this pain when you were

innocent

—”
 
“Hoseok… please don’t. I don’t want you blaming yourself.”
 
“I just hate that I was so stupid. That I didn’t just listen and believe you. You had been nothing but devoted to me and I just threw it all away. Threw

us

away. I’m so, so sorry that I was a fucking

idiot.

”
 
Yoongi shakes his head. “No.

No.

Please ba—

Hoseok.

There’s no point in getting worked up over it now. All I wanted was for you to know the truth. And now you do.”
 
Hoseok doesn’t look convinced, but for the moment he lets it go. “So why were you upset about being with him? You were single… you had no obligations to me.”
 
“Because the whole time we were together all I could think about was

you.”

The younger boy looks at him, wide eyed. “

Yoongi

.”
 
“It’s true.” Yoongi laughs bitterly. “You didn’t even remember my name, and I was in bed with another person, wishing it was you. It was… it was pathetic and wrong and I just— after that night I didn’t want to see him anymore. It didn’t feel right.”
 
“I made that big of an impression on you?”
 
“

Hoseok.

” Yoongi looks at him, feeling so open and raw. “From the first fucking

second

I saw you; stumbling around Sinners, trying to find the bathroom, looking so lost but so fucking

beautiful

, you had me.

You had me.

So when you walked into my shop again, all teary eyed and scared over a piercing, I couldn’t— I

had

to speak to you again. I knew it was a long shot, that you probably wouldn’t even think twice about someone like me, but Hoseok… I had to try. And those texts you saw on my phone… I didn’t tell him

no

because he didn’t even matter to me anymore. You were all that mattered to me. I didn’t feel like I owed him an explanation for ghosting him because I was never his.” Yoongi stresses.
 
“And that stupid picture of him was unsolicited and I didn’t even think about it twice. 
I wasn’t saying sorry because I wished I could be with him. I was saying it because I knew that whatever the fuck we were doing together was going to end. I couldn’t hook up with him anymore even though the two of us weren’t officially together yet; it felt wrong because it wasn’t

you.

”
 
Hoseok sinks down onto the couch beside him so they’re eye-level, looking at him with wide, wet eyes.
 
“Why didn’t you tell me? That we’d met before?”
 
Yoongi chuckles. “I didn’t want you to think I was creepy… I don’t know. It didn’t seem right that I got to have a memory of us that you didn’t. There was something unfair about it. Our relationship was so new, I was worried that you wouldn’t trust me if I told you I was with you when you were that drunk. I don’t know. Maybe I should have.” “But I was so scared… I didn’t want anything to taint your first memory of me. So… I kept those memories close to my chest.” Yoongi looks down and smiles softly. “It’s funny, how even after that night, I knew I’d never feel the same way about anyone as I felt for you.”
 
“Yoongi…”
 
“And all of it… being a boyfriend and actually having deep romantic feelings for someone…” He shrugs his shoulders. “I had no experience, no context to base my behavior on. I know I made mistakes… but I tried my best. I really did try my best for you, to make you happy. Because I knew that my heart belonged to you.”
 
“And now?” Hoseok asks softly.
 
Yoongi looks up at him. “What?”
 
“Now? Do you still… feel the same way about me?”
 
Yoongi takes a deep breath. “I don’t want…” he sighs. “I know you and Seokjin-ssi… I don’t want to ruin anything else…”
 
Hoseok rolls his eyes. “Oh Yoongi… I’m so ashamed of him, but Seokjin… he

lied

to you. It’s true, we kissed. I was so drunk that night… so drunk and hurt and scared… I kissed him. And it was so stupid… but we stopped

immediately.

Nothing else like that ever happened again between us. Seokjin and I are

not

together and we never have been. I promise you that.”
 
Yoongi gives him a confused look. “Wait… what?”
 
Hoseok looks down. “Another little nugget of knowledge Seokjin dropped on me tonight… how he lied to you about us being together just to keep you away.”
 
Yoongi is speechless. He runs a hand through his hair and tugs desperately, absolutely reeling.
 
“You mean you’re not—” He stumbles over his words. “You and Seokjin — you’re not—”
 
“We’re not.” Hoseok confirms. “Yoongi, we’re

not

. So my question still stands… do you still feel the same way about me? Even after… even after all the fucking

horrible

things I said to you?” Hoseok starts to tear up desperately, his voice wavering. “Even after I accused you of such a horrible thing… after you’d been nothing but so kind and wonderful and careful with me?”
 
“Hoseok. Please… please don’t blame yourself for that night. I don’t.”
 
“Please answer the question.

Please

.”
 
“Yes,” Yoongi answers immediately. “Yes. Yes, I will

always

feel that way about you. Always.”
 
“Yoongi…” Hoseok whines desperately, grabbing at both of his hands — the first time they’ve touched since he arrived. “Yoongi, please…

please

forgive me. Please forgive me for how I acted that night… what I said. I don’t know that I can forgive myself but… but…”
 
“Hoseok.” Yoongi cups his face despite himself. “I have

nothing

to forgive. But I will give you forgiveness anyway if it’s what you need. I forgive you, Hoseok. But… but I ask you to forgive me too. I should have fought for you harder, but I was a coward. 
I let my stubbornness and my broken heart drive away the best thing that ever happened to me.

You

. I’m so, so sorry.”
 
“You

did

fight for me. It isn’t your fault that other people purposely got in your way. And truthfully…” Hoseok looks down. “I should have fought for you too. I should have sought out the truth from you right from the start. And it… it weighed on my heart. I couldn’t make sense of the Yoongi

I

knew, the boyfriend who had cherished me so much, betraying me in such a way. I… I could

feel

that something wasn’t quite right. But instead of trusting my instincts and trusting myself… I let other people dictate my actions. And I’m so sorry for that. For not having more faith in you when you had never given me a reason to doubt you.”
 
Yoongi shakes his head, his hand lingering at Hoseok’s cheek. “No… you had every reason to believe I had done something wrong. Kyungchul…” he sighs. “He came to the party that night with the intention of sabotaging my life. Namjoon and I figured this out later. He’s done nothing but guilt trip and control me for years. He was… angry that he couldn’t do that anymore. He was angry I had someone else in my life that I cared about so deeply that he couldn’t weasel his way back in. He did everything in his power to make you believe I had done something unforgivable. It was his intention.”
 
Hoseok still looks miserable. “It just… it makes me so

mad

that I fell for his games. I knew there was something off about him that night, he kept lingering around us and then when he tried to kiss you…”
 
Yoongi grimaces at the thought. “The only one who gets any of the blame in this is Kyungchul. You were drunk and you were upset and vulnerable and he took advantage of that, took advantage of

you

, to pull us apart. None of this is your fault. You were hurting and you acted on that.” Yoongi drops his hand from the younger's face and crosses his arms. “Please don’t beat yourself up over that.”
 
“I… I want to ask you something. And it’s…

wildly

inappropriate but the thought… I’ve agonized over this for weeks and—”
 
“Ask me anything. Please. I’ll answer you with the truth.”
 
“Was Kyungchul… was he your dom? Was what happened between us… me being your baby doll… was any of that real?”
 
“Or did you just… settle for being that way with me, because I couldn't give you the dynamic you really wanted?” Hoseok asks quietly, too nervous to look Yoongi in the eye.
 
“Oh Hoseok…” Yoongi says brokenly. “I…” He sighs. “

No.

Kyungchul wasn’t my dom. Kyungchul wasn’t my

anything

. Our sexual encounters mainly consisted of him being full of himself and me enduring it to get a release. There was no dynamic. There was

nothing

between us. But what

we

had… you and me… that was the first time I ever felt truly like I’d finally found what I’d always wanted. I never wanted to be a dom until I found you. And it’s not because I wanted to

dominate

you or something stupid… it’s because I wanted to cherish you. I wanted to take care of you. I’ve never wanted to do that for anyone before.”
 
“I’m sorry… that night… I was so panicked because he was just… he looked like he belonged with you and he was

nothing

like me and I just got so afraid… afraid that I was never who you really wanted and I

always

wanted you and I didn’t— I didn’t know how to deal with the jealousy and I lashed out. I know I accused you of terrible things… I know I hurt your feelings. There’s no excuse for what I’ve done. You were so good to me…

so

good and the moment that it mattered the most… I decided to trust a fucking stranger over you and I

hate

myself for that. I even… I went to Sinners, after I came back from Gwangju. I didn’t tell anyone… I just wanted to see you but

he

was there and I… I ran away and I assumed the worst all over again. You weren’t the coward;

I

was.”
 
“Not a coward,” Yoongi shakes his head. “You were confused because all the evidence you had pointed to the fact that I was guilty.”
 
“How were you supposed to know that Kyungchul had gone to Sinners that day to gloat and rub in my face that he’d convinced Namjoon to go to New York with him? I almost kicked his ass on sight… Jungkook-ah had to stop me.” Yoongi sighs and rubs the back of his head. “But what I’m trying to say is, it was a misunderstanding. It doesn’t make you a coward.”
 
“You had blocked me… and I know now that it wasn’t your fault but… when I saw him and then tried to call you only to find out I couldn’t… it felt like that was my answer. That you had made your choice… him over me. And I was… I was

devastated.

Because I had been missing you so much, going crazy every day without you and it just felt like you were able to move on so easily. Like those words you said...” He dares to look up at him. “Your confession… I couldn’t understand how you could claim to love me and then so easily forget about me.”
 
Yoongi tears up and shakes his head. “No… I could never forget about you. Hoseok… that confession… it was real. I

loathe

that I said it then, like that, but.. but it’s how I felt. How I

feel.

I know I felt it that day after the train tracks… but I’m pretty sure I felt it from the moment I met you, Hoseok.”
 
“I’m so sorry… I’m

so

sorry that you said something so important, and that I treated it like nothing.” He bites his lip. “Maybe I… maybe I don’t deserve someone like you. You should be with a boy who is always there for you, who doesn’t turn his back on you, someone so much better than me. And I guess… I guess now you will be. Because— because you’re leaving and I— I don’t get the chance to make it up to you… to make things right. Yoongi…

hyung,

I’ve ruined

everything

between us and I’m sorry

…

I’m sorry because I love you and I wanted… I wanted to try and make you happy. I wanted us to

work

but I lost my chance—”
 
Yoongi blinks at him dazedly, the impact of his words hitting him slowly; like the first rays of sunlight reaching through the sky in the early morning. It feels like the clouds clear and his heart slowly starts to mend itself.
 
“Hoseok,” he says softly, pleadingly. “Hoseok… did you just say… did you just say you loved me?”
 
Hoseok blinks, the realization that this is the first time he’s said those words out loud to Yoongi dawning on him. “I— Yes.

Yes.

I’ve known… I’ve known for a long time.”
 
“That’s why I couldn’t forget about you, why I was so desperately wishing for their to be some sort of explanation that could fix all of this. Because I loved you, and I didn’t want my future to be one without you in it.”
 
Yoongi looks into his eyes searchingly, feeling his heart pounding in every inch of his body. He tries so hard to keep it together. He

tries

, but he can’t. It all rushes to the surface at once. The tears spill down his cheeks as he breaks down, folding down into himself as they grow harder. He’s so overwhelmed with relief and emotion, his body doesn’t know how to handle it. “You haven’t lost me,” Yoongi gasps through tears. “I love you, Hoseok. Oh god, I love you

so much.”

“I know… I

know

there’s still things we need to talk about… stuff to figure out. But Yoongi.

Hyung.

Please…

please

don’t leave. 
Stay here. Stay here with me, so we can figure it out together. I love you.

I love you

. Please don’t go.

Please, hyung, please

.”
 
Yoongi nods fervently, his whole body shaking through sobs. “I won’t. I won’t go. I won’t leave you. If you’ll have me, I’ll never leave you again. Hoseok.

Hoseok.”

“

Can I ask you something?” Hoseok holds Yoongi’s face gently, shifting a bit closer on the couch.
 
Yoongi nods, looking into Hoseok’s eyes, tears still streaming down his cheeks. “Anything.

Anything

.”
 
“Could I— would you mind if I stayed the night? We don’t have to do anything. I’d be happy just to hold your hand. I just… after being apart for so long… I just want to keep you close hyung. Please?”
 
Yoongi places his hands over Hoseok’s. “I don’t think I could bear it if you left just now… I don’t want to let you go.”
 
“You really still love me? Even after all this time… after all that has happened… you still want me?”
 
“Jung Hoseok,” Yoongi says seriously. “I will never stop loving you. I will

never

stop wanting you. I’ve never been so sure of anything before in my entire life.”
 
“Before… I thought my only chance at happiness was gone. But then I met you, and you showed me what love could feel like. Hyung, you… you made me feel safe. You made me feel special. And I’m sorry that stupid things kept us apart but I… I don’t want to focus on that anymore. I just want to focus on

us

… on you and me. I’ve missed you so much. More than I ever thought it possible to miss someone. 
I used to dream about you… about our happier times. Some days I could barely make myself get out of bed, because I wanted to stay asleep, so I could be with you for just a little bit longer.”
 
Hoseok’s words pierce Yoongi’s chest like ice, and before he even realizes what’s happening, he’s doubling over, painful sobs tearing themselves out of his chest. His forehead meets Hoseok’s chest and he clutches at his shirt desperately, each inhale met with a painful sob. He wants to speak —

I missed you so much I thought I might die

— but he can’t catch his breath to form words.
 
“Hyung? Hyung, are you okay? Did I say something wrong?”
 
Yoongi shakes his head, squeezing his eyes shut. “No! No… I j—just… m—missed you s—so much, Hoseokie. I love you.

I love you

.”
 
The sobs just get worse, everything, every single bit of pain and agony he’d been bottling up over the past month come erupting out of him violently.
 
Hoseok looks at him, incredibly fond. “Oh hyung… can I hold you? Will you let me?”
 
Yoongi nods desperately and reaches for him. He knows in their relationship, generally, he is the one comforting Hoseok. But right now — he needs to feel the younger man, hear his heart beating, just to remind him that he’s

there

and this is

real.

“Hoseokie…” he whimpers.
 
“Come here.

Come here

.” Hoseok pulls the smaller boy into his arms, tugging him into his lap on the couch, hugging him tightly. Yoongi shakes in his embrace, crying harder than Hoseok has ever seen him cry, his sobs seemingly never ending.
 
But Hoseok knows that Yoongi needs this catharsis, that his hyung has spent the last month suffering on his own, and that he needs this moment to fully come undone at the seams.
 
“It’s okay, hyung.” He rubs his fingers through Yoongi’s still unfamiliar black hair, pressing soft kisses to his head. “You’re safe; you’re not alone anymore. It’s okay to fall apart because I am

here,

and I’ll always put you back together again. I love you.

I love you.

”
 
Yoongi seems to only cry harder at that, his head tucked into Hoseok’s neck and his fingers clutching onto the other’s shoulders.
 
After a good ten minutes of it, Yoongi finally starts to cry himself dry. He hiccups, calming and finally starting to catch his breath.
 
“I’m sorry,” he gasps miserably, his voice wrecked. “I’m so sorry… I never wanted you to have to… see me like this…”
 
“Don’t apologize. I want the good and the bad… your

everything

. As long as you’ll let me be here for you, to wipe your tears away, you can cry as much as you want.”
 
Yoongi nods but leans into him limply, his breakdown leaving him utterly exhausted. He wraps his arms around Hoseok’s neck and breathes him in deeply, finding comfort in his soft, familiar scent. Suddenly he feels himself being lifted. He wraps his legs around Hoseok’s hips as the younger boy gently carries him around the boxes and over to where his mattress sits on the floor after he packed away his bed frame. Hoseok lays him down and Yoongi immediately reaches for him. “Don’t leave,” he whispers. “Don’t leave me…”
 
“I won’t.” Hoseok smiles down at him, still a bit teary and overwhelmed himself, but digging deep to find the inner strength he needs, to be that rock that Yoongi requires at this moment. “You’re stuck with me, Min Yoongi. Always and forever.”
 
When Hoseok lays beside him, Yoongi immediately curls his fingers into his shirt. He rests his forehead against Hoseok’s, looking into his eyes. “Can I… can I ask you something?”
 
Hoseok’s hand reaches around his waist, his fingers tickling at the small of Yoongi’s back. “Of course hyung.”
 
“Can I call you baby again?” Yoongi asks vulnerably. “You can say no, just… I want to call you baby so badly…”
 
“Y—yeah?” Hoseok stutters, his eyes suddenly feeling wet. “You want to call me baby? You want me to be your baby again?”
 
Yoongi nods and takes a deep breath for courage before boldly leaning forward and nuzzling against Hoseok’s nose. “Yes.

Yes.

I want you to be my baby again.”
 
“Good.” Hoseok smiles, relief pouring through his veins. “I have been waiting… waiting for so damn long to hear you call me that. So long…

too long

.”
 
“Baby,” Yoongi says immediately, looking into Hoseok’s eyes with heavy lids, their lips dangerously close. “

Baby.

My baby. My pretty, beautiful, perfect baby doll… I love you so much, my baby.”
 
Hoseok can’t hold back after that, not when Yoongi’s breath is ghosting over his lips, whispering words he’s literally

dreamed

of hearing Yoongi say to him, his lips pouty and his eyes staring at Hoseok with such raw passion.
 
It makes Hoseok feel dizzy; with relief, with want, with

anticipation.

He craves his hyung, truthfully he never really stopped, and Yoongi is so close; so mind numbingly

close.

“Hoseokie…

baby

…” Yoongi whispers, reaching up to gently thumb at the place where Hoseok’s dimples appear. “

Seok Seok-ah…

please…

please

…” He won’t be the one to make the first move. He wants Hoseok to be the one to make all the decisions. But still, he

wants.

Hoseok knows what Yoongi’s thinking, has seen that look in his hyung’s eyes countless times before.
But for some reason this kiss in particular… it feels important. Like the beginning of something big… the start of something new.
 
He cherishes that first kiss he ever had with Yoongi, tipsy off sweet wine and giddy from dancing with his crush during their first date, but this one… this one feels all consuming. Like the stars have finally aligned, bringing them back together, making two halves of a whole one.
 
Hoseok knows Yoongi won’t move that last inch, because his hyung is always so careful with him, always letting him call the shots to decide when to take things to the next level. And even though it’s something as simple as a kiss, even though he knows the two of them have done so much more together, this moment feels like the biggest leap of faith of all.
 
“

I love you.

” He whispers it like a secret, like the confession is so precious that in this moment only Yoongi’s ears are allowed to hear it, and then he seals it with a kiss.
 
Yoongi lets out a soft whimper of relief the moment Hoseok’s lips are on his. He immediately cups the younger’s face, thumbing at his jaw, returning the kiss with

everything

he has. It’s deep and it’s passionate, and yet somehow, it’s tender and loving and careful, like they are relearning the feel of each other’s lips, getting to know one another all over again. Yoongi makes a soft noise when he feels Hoseok’s tongue brush against his lower lip, and moves even closer as he willingly opens his mouth to deepen the kiss even more. Both of them cling to each other, completely lost in the powerful moment.
 
Yoongi is the first to pull away, both of them panting and heavy-lidded.
He presses kisses all over Hoseok’s face before just hugging him close. “I love you too, Hoseokie. I love you more than I’ve

ever

loved anything or anyone. You’re everything to me.

Everything

.”
 
“I need to know… I need to know if I’m yours. If you’re really mine…”
 
Yoongi draws him in and kisses him again, running his fingers down Hoseok’s spine gently, enough to make him shiver. He pulls back, their lips still touching, and looks directly into his eyes. “I’m yours. And you’re mine. I will never want anyone but you. I’ve loved you for so long… I loved you before you even knew who I was, Hoseokie. If you want proof of that, I have it. The sunflowers… the sunflowers were me. They’ve always been me.”
 
Hoseok gets choked up. “Hyung… I have all the proof I need, right here in your eyes. I’ve never… I didn’t think a boy would ever want to look at me the way you do. That someone would really love me. But you did; you

do

. And I’m so, so happy that you chose me. That you saw through the drunken mess to the person underneath… that you chose me,

found

me, before I even knew I was lost.”
 
Yoongi looks into his eyes and smiles wetly. “That boy I met that night… he was drunk, yes, but… but he had stars in his eyes, and the cutest laugh, and the most beautiful smile. And despite the alcohol, I knew he had a kind and generous heart, and that he was funny and clever and charming.”
 
Yoongi reaches up to brush Hoseok’s bangs back off of his forehead, smiling fondly. “You were so adorable baby, that first time we met. 
We ran into each other in the hallway, and I was actually stunned into silence by how beautiful you were. And you took one look at me and called me a fairy prince,” he chuckles.
 
Hoseok covers his face with his hands. “I did not say that out loud. I did

not

.”
 
Yoongi smiles warmly, pulling Hoseok’s hands away from his face gently and pressing a kiss to the center of each of his palms. “You did. You were… the first person to ever look at me with

wonder

like that. You made me feel special.” Yoongi rolls onto his back and smiles up at the ceiling as he recalls the details of that night. “I found you in the back alley after I closed up. Everyone else left to go out, trusting you somehow to order your own car but you didn’t. So I offered you a ride home, but then you found out that I hadn’t eaten all day and

insisted

that we get street food. So we did.”
 
“You’re kidding. I forced a stranger to take me to dinner.

Please

tell me that at the least I paid…”
 
Yoongi rolls his eyes. “Of course not. I’d bring you the moon if you asked me. I would never have let you pay.” He chuckles. “You made a bet with me at one point. You were convinced I was the hyung, and you said if you were right… then I’d have to kiss you.”
 
“Oh my god. I swear if you tell me that I forgot our first kiss, as cute as this all is, I seriously might just lose it.” Hoseok whines, pouting adorably.
 
Yoongi laughs. “No. I wouldn’t have kissed you in such a state anyway. But you did win. So later, after we ate and I took you home — on my bike by the way — and tucked you into bed, I kissed your forehead. 
Because I will

never

break a promise to you, no matter how big or how small.”
 
“On the motorcycle?!” Hoseok’s eyes bug out. “Wait… that’s how you knew I would like the bike...” He smacks his own forehead in disbelief. “I was attracted to them for some reason… and all the mint things! Oh my god, I can’t believe I never realized it before. But now that you’re telling me… it’s faint but it’s there. I can’t believe you were in the back of my mind all this time. My subconscious was playing tricks on me!”
 
“I’m just… relieved you know now,” Yoongi smiles, pecking Hoseok’s nose softly. “Because that adorable, pouty drunk boy I met that night… I knew there was something special about him. Something different. I just didn’t realize at the time that he was the love of my life.”
 
“And my fairy prince was patiently waiting for me… before I even realized it.” He can’t help but laugh, cuddling closer. “You’re the love of my life too, hyung. You gave me a happy ending… you made my fairytale come to life. And I’m so, so happy now. Happier than I’ve ever been.”
 
Yoongi kisses him warmly, nuzzling against his nose. “That’s good. Because every time you’re sad, my instinct has been to send you sunflowers to make you smile. And if you’re anything less than happy now, then I might have to buy enough sunflowers to fill the whole apartment.” He winks.
 
“

The world needs your sunshine smile.”

Hoseok remembers the words from the bouquet of flowers fondly. “You really think my smile is so important?”
 
“Your smile is the most important thing in the universe,” Yoongi confirms confidently.
 
“So did I do anything else embarrassing on that day? I mean calling you a fairy prince, making you buy me dinner, become my photographer, take me home,

and

tuck me into bed is already pushing it, but apparently I had no filter and no shame on that night.”
 
“Nothing you did was embarrassing. I guess… the only other thing you did was mention to me that you required an emotional connection with people before letting them in. You kept,” Yoongi sighs a bit sadly. “You kept saying how shocked you were that I hadn’t taken advantage of you or forced you into anything. It made me so sad, baby. All I wanted was to never make you feel that way again.”
 
Hoseok blinks, completely shocked. “I told you I was demi?”
 
“Not exactly in those words but… I picked up on what you were implying.”
 
The younger boy sighs. “I don’t… I don’t just

tell

people that.” He looks at Yoongi, a bit in awe. “You must have… you had to have made me feel so

safe

Yoongi, for me to feel comfortable saying such things.”
 
Yoongi pecks his lips. “I always want you to feel safe. Always. I will do everything in my power to make sure you always feel safe,” Yoongi promises him, twining their fingers and looking over at him tenderly. “Hoseokie, I was there tonight… but I suppose you already know that. I just… I want you to know how proud I am of you. The play was incredible. I’m so, so proud.”
 “I’m so glad you got to see it. Even before I knew the truth… when I got off stage you were the first person I thought of. I wanted you to see what I had accomplished. You were always so sweet about the play, and attentive with your questions when we were together before.” 
“I’m just so proud you pulled it off, even on top of all the stress you’ve been under the last few weeks. You’re truly incredible, baby.”
 
“Thank you… it really means the world that you were able to be there. That you took the initiative to come.”
 
Yoongi rubs Hoseok’s back, pecking his lips once more. “You’ve had a long day. Let’s get some sleep, hmm?” He runs his fingers through Hoseok’s hair. “Tomorrow we can keep talking. We can figure everything out, together. But for now… I just want to enjoy sleeping in the same bed with you again.”
 
“I want that too. And I have to direct the  play

all

over again tomorrow.” Hoseok sighs.
 
“I am exhausted but I also don’t want to go to sleep. I’m too afraid that when I wake up that all of this will be some sort of vivid dream I came up with in my loneliness or mere desperation… I couldn’t stand it if you really had left Seoul… left me behind.”
 
“I’m not going to.” Yoongi takes both of Hoseok’s hands in his. “Sleep. When you wake up, I’m going to be

right here.

I’m never leaving you again.”
 
“You promise?” Hoseok peeks at him through his bangs, a mischievous smile on his face. “You’re not going to disappear, my prince?”
 
Yoongi laughs softly, pulling Hoseok close for a warm, deep kiss. “Never,” he whispers when he pulls back before leaning over to flick off the light switch. “It’s like you said. You’re stuck with me, Jung Hoseok. This is one fairy prince you’ll never get rid of.”
 
“I don’t ever want to.” Hoseok whispers, tilting up his chin for another kiss, which Yoongi gives him gladly.
 
It starts out chaste enough, but eventually Hoseok shimmies his way underneath Yoongi’s body, pulling the smaller man on top of him. Yoongi moans into the kiss, his fingers tracing down Hoseok’s jawline as the liplock deepens.
 
It’s intoxicating, being so close to Hoseok like this, tasting his sweetness and feeling the younger boy’s hands running across his skin. “

Hoseok.

”
 
Hoseok bites at his hyung’s lips teasingly, his eyes sparkling with mischief when he finally pulls back. “What?”
 
“We’re supposed to be going to sleep.” Yoongi halfheartedly complains, a smile playing across his lips.
 
“We will.

Eventually

.” Hoseok amends, nipping at Yoongi’s nose playfully.
 
Yoongi squeezes at Hoseok’s hips and chuckles gently. “Seok-ah, we have plenty of time to get up to no good later when we’re less tired. C’mon, let’s get some rest. You have a very big day ahead of you tomorrow, and you need your beauty sleep.”
 
Hoseok wraps his arms around Yoongi’s neck and pouts adorably.
 
“But

hyung

…”
 
Yoongi sighs, leaning his head against the younger’s chest. “You know I can’t resist you, Hoseokie. C’mon, m’tired…”
 
“Call me baby, at least?” Hoseok continues to pout, and Yoongi can’t help but kiss it off of his lips.
 
“Mm, okay baby,” Yoongi smiles and Hoseok practically purrs, grinning sleepily.
 
“Say it again.”
 
“

Baby.”

“Whose baby?”
 
“Mine,” Yoongi growls softly, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. “

My

baby.”
 
“Your baby,” Hoseok agrees, pulling Yoongi down beside him and cuddling into his side, pressing their bodies fully together, as close as possible.
 
“I love you, my baby.” Yoongi whispers, because he can.
 
“My fairy prince,” Hoseok whispers happily. “I love you too.”
... 
YG: Tae.
 
TH: Don’t make that face at me! You were seriously going to tell me you were leaving the country, the day you were planning on getting on a plane? Hyung, I have half a mind to come over there and kick your ass! I would’ve came over and done it last night if I wasn’t so busy trying to calm down Kookie. Hyung, what were you thinking?
 
YG: I wasn’t thinking. It was stupid.

I’m a dumbass. I admit this plainly.

TH: You
are
a dumbass. But only sometimes. And
I love you.
And you absolutely cannot go. You can’t move away! I won’t stand for it. I need you here, with me.

YG: It was a rash decision…
I won’t deny it. I’m sorry Tae. For not talking to you about it. But I knew if I did, you would’ve knocked some sense into me, and I’m not sure I was ready to hear it.

TH: Running away is
never
the answer. Well… unless it’s me running away from home in Daegu to you in Seoul. That’s different. That’s the exception to the rule.

YG: [smiles] You’re right, kid. But that place was never your home.

TH: You’re right. Home is where you are. Which is why you can’t leave.

YG: Tae… you know things are never simple.
 
TH: And I know that Hoseok was with you last night. Please, please tell me you finally told him the truth. That you quit this tired stupid, self sacrificing crusade you were on?
 
YG: Tae...

TH: Because I know you’re innocent and I’m getting freaking tired of being the only one fighting this battle for you! No more secret sunflower deliveries and cutting yourself off to the outside world. Just tell Hobi hyung everything!

YG: Tae…

TH: What?!

YG: I might have done something better…

TH: Hobi hyung? [blinks] I thought you went to Yoongi hyung’s apartment last night?

HS: I did… I kind of didn’t leave.

TH: What? Wait... does this mean...?

HS: [giggles] Yeah… last night me and Yoongi had a talk… one that was long overdue. You were right about your hyung; he never betrayed me. I know… I know that I was wrong about him, that I should have never doubted him. And I’m… I’m so lucky that he forgave me.
 
YG: Baby, I already told you that it’s okay. This is supposed to be a happy phone call; not a sad one. I only want to see you smiling.
 
HS: Okay hyung. I’ll try for you.

TH: [bouncing and clapping] Please tell me you’re back together.
Please
tell me you’re back together because it just didn’t make any sense for the two of you to be apart.

HS: [turns to Yoongi and takes his hand] Yeah… yeah I think it’s safe to say we are officially back together.

TH: Jimin is going to
freak
that he missed this. He stepped out to get coffee. This is the best news!

YG: I’m not just happy Tae… [beams] I’m…

ecstatic.

I could hardly believe it when Hoseok showed up at my door. I’m just… just so fucking happy that we found our way back to one another. And I’m definitely not going to let him go. I’m never leaving him

ever

again.

TH: If you’re never going to leave him… hyung, does this mean… are you going to stay in Seoul?

YG: Of course. [chuckles] There’s no way in

hell

that I’m going to put an ocean of distance between us. We spent too damn long apart for me to willingly choose to leave his side.

TH: Oh my god, I have to tell Kookie. Baby! Come here now! It’s important!

JK: Yoongi hyung? You look so happy— oh my god, you’re with Hobi hyung!
 
YG: Yeah. I know you were expecting me to come over to your place today, but I don’t think I can make it this time. A certain someone has me completely distracted.
 
HS: Hey, don’t blame it all on me! I had to practically drag you out of bed this morning.
 
YG: Your kisses did just the trick. [winks]

TH: I’m so happy you two are back together, I’m not even going to complain about how gross you are being.

JK: Wait, you’re back together? For real? Hyung, does it mean—
 
YG: Yeah. Kook, I’m really sorry for putting you in such a state last night. You didn’t deserve that. I’m not going to leave Seoul. I’m going to keep Sinners open… I might pass out from exhaustion in the process… but I’m going to do it.
 
JK: No hyung. We’re going to do it. [grins] I’m so excited I just want to scream! I didn’t want you to go hyung, and now you’re not only staying, but you got Hobi hyung back too! This is the best!
 
HS: You want be too mad at me for keeping hyung to myself? I’m kind of feeling greedy today. I want all his attention.
 
YG: You have it baby. You always have.

TH: [sighs dreamily] I could watch you two act cute all day.

YG: [laughs] Weren’t you just calling us gross a second ago?

TH: The novelty set in.

JK: I’m just so happy for you. I know this is what you’ve been waiting for.
 
YG: Yeah… I would’ve waited for him forever but now… now I’m just glad that I can call him mine again.
 
HS: Hyung. [blushes] You’re being too sweet.
 
YG: There’s no such thing as too sweet when it comes to you baby.

TH: Now
I’m
blushing.

JK: Hyungs, I know you want some alone time together, but can we all please hang out soon? Please? I wanna see you both.
 
HS: Absolutely! We already rainchecked on karaoke last night, so let’s make it happen soon! Of course I have the play tonight, but maybe on Sunday?

TH: That’s usually a slow day at Sinners, right? Could the two of you get away?

YG: As the boss, I’m making the executive decision that me and Kook will make it. No matter what.
 
JK: Yes! I’m happy this is happening but… why now? What made you change your mind?
 
HS: [hesitates] I…
 
YG: You know what, that can wait until later. For now let’s just focus on the good.

TH: [suspicious] Okay…

HS: It’s fine for them to ask questions hyung. They’re our friends… it’s only natural for them to be curious. But if you both don’t mind… I think I need to talk to Minnie about it first?

TH: Of course. I’ll tell him that you’re back together when he gets back, but I’ll let you explain fully. I know him and he’ll definitely have
a lot
of questions.

HS: I know he will. But let Minnie know that I’ll tell him everything.
 
JK: We will.
 
YG: We’ll talk to you soon, okay?

TH: Yes! Just know that me and Kookie love you both and are so happy for you!

YG: We know. And we’re thankful.
 
HS: We love you too! Bye!
 
JK: See you later!

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
Yoongi wakes up slowly, his eyes blinking open to find his bedroom (or what was left of it) bathed in sunlight. The previous night’s events come crashing back at him, and he sits up lightning quick, his heart stuttering in his chest.
 
His first instinct is to panic, because Hoseok isn’t in bed with him. For a moment irrationality takes over —

did he dream up Hoseok’s visit?

— but once he takes a deep breath and centers himself, he realizes he has nothing to fear.
 
There’s a discarded suit next to the mattress, the very same one that Hoseok had been wearing. He smiles to himself; they had both been so preoccupied with each other last night, that they hadn’t even bothered to change into proper sleep clothes.
And Hoseok always runs hot throughout the night; previously when they would have their sleepovers, he would always find bits and pieces of scattered clothing that Hoseok had yanked off during his slumber.
 
If the suit is still here that can only mean one thing.
 
He closes his eyes and listens, and sure enough there’s noises coming from outside of his bedroom, the telltale signs of pots and pans banging around letting him know that Hoseok must be in the kitchen.
 
Yoongi takes a quick moment to freshen up in the bathroom, but he keeps the sweatpants and t-shirt on, before he ventures out to find his boyfriend.
 
His

boyfriend.

The fact that he can call Hoseok that again makes him feel like he’s won the lottery, and he’s so, so smitten.
 
He finds his beautiful boy standing at the stove, clad in a My Chemical Romance tour t-shirt that he recognizes as his own, and a too short pair of soft flannel pants. When he glances to the side he sees that Hoseok must have opened up one of his packed up boxes of clothing to steal something to wear, but he’s not upset in the slightest.
 
“Seok-ah…” He mumbles, padding up behind him softly to wrap his arms around his waist. “You made me wake up alone…” He pouts, placing his chin in the crook of Hoseok’s neck.
 
“Hyung.” Hoseok smiles over his shoulder, nuzzles at Yoongi’s face. He sets his spatula down, twirling on the spot to wrap Yoongi up in his arms. “

Hyung.

You’re finally here.”
 
“Missed you, baby.” Yoongi confesses softly in between kisses, his fingers tickling at the nape of Hoseok’s neck.
 
“Missed you too.” The younger giggles into the liplock, practically bouncing on his heels.
 
“What time is it anyway?” Yoongi asks,
 
Hoseok tilts his head cutely. “Hmm… almost ten?”
 
“Why didn’t you wake me?” Yoongi pouts a bit more, pressing in closer. “I would’ve helped you with—” He casts his eyes over at blackened pancakes. “—whatever that is.”
 
“It’s

breakfast.

” Hoseok shakes his head. “I can’t help it if I’m not a chef like you.”
 
“I’m not a chef.” Yoongi disagrees cutely, looking shy.
 
“You might as

well

be.” Hoseok shrugs his shoulders. “I know it’s no good. But isn’t it the thought that counts?”
 
“Hoseok, if you want me to eat your burnt breakfast, just say the word.”
 
“

No, hyung.

” Hoseok shakes his head. “Breakfast is a lost cause. You don’t have to eat my food.”
 
Yoongi shrugs. “Okay. I can make something for us. But you could’ve woken me up, you know.”
 
“No way, hyung. You were sleeping so peacefully; it looked like you needed it.” Hoseok looks at him a bit knowingly. “Sleep has been hard to find lately, huh?
 
Yoongi licks his lips and nods. “Yeah… it was—”
 
“Difficult?” Hoseok finishes for him, his smile a little less sunny. “It wasn’t just you, hyung. I haven’t been sleeping well lately either. I wasn’t kidding about missing you…”
 
“

Hey.

” Yoongi uses his finger to pull Hoseok’s chin down, looking into those pretty brown eyes. “You don’t have to miss me anymore. If you don’t want to sleep alone, you never have to. We can have

all

the sleepovers you want, whenever you want.” He glances behind him at the mess of the apartment, boxes still strewn about. “Well— maybe after I unpack, though. Can’t have my baby sleeping on a mattress on the floor. He deserves the

best.

”
 
“That mattress on the floor treated me pretty well last night, I’ll have you know.” Hoseok confesses, the smile slowly spreading across his face once more. “Plus, I had

you.

That’s all I need.”
 
“Fuck, I am so happy you’re here. I’m

so

happy you’re here baby, I love you.

I love you.

”
 
Hoseok beams. “I love you too.” They kiss slowly against the countertop, holding each other close, just so excited to be with one another again.
 
But eventually their stomachs start rumbling, so Yoongi reluctantly pulls away. “Let me make us something, baby.”
 
“Nuh uh.” Hoseok drags him back to his side, his hands lingering on Yoongi’s waist. “I can order something and then we can eat in bed. Or on the mattress.

Whatever.

”
 
“Okay gorgeous.” Yoongi grins up at him. “It’s whatever you want.”
 
“I already have coffee made! Even

I

can’t mess up something as simple as that.”
 
“Your coffee is always the best.” Yoongi praises him, grabbing a mug from one of the opened kitchen boxes and rinsing it out, before handing it over to Hoseok. His boyfriend pours him a cup and offers him another kiss.
 
The coffee is warm and rich, just a hint of sweetness, just how he likes it. “You remembered?”
 
“I’ve seen you make it yourself enough times.” Hoseok winks. “You’re not the only one who can be observant… who likes to watch…” There’s a bit of heat in his words, and Yoongi has to hold the mug in both hands to keep himself from shaking.
 
He’ll never understand how one Jung Hoseok is capable of making him feel

so many

emotions so intensely, with something as simple as a word or a smile.
 
But Hoseok seems to be in a mood this morning, coming up unnecessarily close while Yoongi is drinking his coffee, just to open the drawer next to him to retrieve the take out menus.
 
“So it’s going to be like that, huh?”
 
“I have no idea what you mean, hyung.” Hoseok grins mischievously. “I just want to give you a little something?”
 
“Y—yeah?” Yoongi stutters, lost in the stars in his boyfriend’s eyes.
 
Hoseok leans in close, his mouth just an inch away from Yoongi’s. “You want it hyung? You want me to give it to you?”
 
“

Hoseok.

” Yoongi whines, powerless in the face of his boyfriend’s teasing.
 
“Yes or no?” Hoseok presses for clarification, still all up in Yoongi’s personal space.
 
“Y—yes.”
 
“Good.” Hoseok leans in, bringing their lips together for a slow and dirty kiss, and then something is being pressed into his hand.
 
Yoongi looks down at his phone in confusion, and then back up at Hoseok who looks painfully smug.
 
“Really, baby?”
 
“I just wanted to give you your phone.” Hoseok says faux innocently, but his pretty lips are pulled into a smirk.
 
“I can’t believe you’re teasing hyung like this.” Yoongi looks at him mock offended, his free hand on his heart.
 
“I was simply trying to be helpful. You should reach out to Namjoon-ah. Let him know that plans have changed. That you aren’t leaving Seoul… right?” Hoseok’s voice tilts off at the end, his insecurities peeking through.
 
“

Baby.

” Yoongi cups his cheek, looking him directly in his eyes. “I’ll talk to him. I let him know I’m not going anywhere. You’re… you’re mine. And I’m yours. That’s not going to change. Okay, boyfriend?”
 
Hoseok smiles, sunshine and pure unfiltered beauty lighting up the room. “Okay, boyfriend.”
 
He moves away to call for food, and Yoongi unlocks his phone.
After breakfast they cuddle, Hoseok pressing soft, needy kisses to his cheek, nuzzling against him, impossibly fond. He smiles, pulling him close and slotting their lips together into a slow, lazy kiss.
 
“

Hyung

,” Hoseok whines softly, his fingers grazing at Yoongi’s lower abdomen, just under his shirt. Yoongi shivers. It’s still early, and Hoseok doesn’t have to be at the theater until two... so they have time. There’s nothing stopping them this time from enjoying each other — not even exhaustion.
 
“Yes, baby?” Yoongi hums, nipping gently at his bottom lip.
 
“Did you really like the breakfast I ordered for us? It wasn’t too sweet?” he asks between kisses, which Yoongi deepens by curling his fingers into the younger’s hair and pulling him closer.
 
“Mm. It was perfect, baby. No such thing as too sweet when it comes to you. Hyung loved it a lot. Loved licking icing off your lips even more.”
 
Hoseok purrs softly into the kiss, letting Yoongi slide his tongue into his mouth to taste him fully.
 
“Hyung,” Hoseok whines again, this time sliding both of his hands fully up and under Yoongi’s shirt, brushing his fingertips against his abdomen.
 
“Yes, baby?”
 
“Can we… can we…?”
 
Hoseok doesn’t say what he wants verbally, but his fingertips are now playing with the elastic at the top of Yoongi’s sweatpants, so Yoongi has a pretty good idea of what he’s asking for.
 
“My baby wants to play?” Yoongi pulls back and asks with a husky, turned-on voice that makes Hoseok shiver. The younger bites his lip and nods, looking into Yoongi’s eyes with blown pupils.
 
Yoongi’s already mostly hard. He’s had a semi since he first drank in the sight of Hoseok wearing his clothes in the kitchen.

His

things on Hoseok’s beautiful body. But the kissing has only made that situation worse.
 
“Can I touch hyung?” Hoseok asks adorably, his lip pouted.
 
Yoongi kisses his pout, arching his back invitingly, grinding their crotches together lightly. “My baby can do whatever he likes to hyung.”
 
Hoseok responds by letting out a low gasp and kissing him bitingly. Yoongi lets his body go limp so Hoseok can guide him wherever he wants him. Soon enough, the friction isn’t enough. Hoseok reaches behind Yoongi and grips his ass, hauling the smaller man on top of him.
 
Yoongi wastes absolutely no time. He doesn’t know when Hoseok will be ready to take things that last stretch, but he’ll be damned if he isn’t gonna give him a preview of coming attractions.
 
He sits back, straddling Hoseok’s hips with his legs tucked in on either side of him, and bites his lip as he looks down at him. Hoseok watches him with dark eyes, biting at his lips wantonly.
 
“Mm, hyung…” Hoseok moans when Yoongi undulates his hips forward ever so slightly, bringing them down into Hoseok. “

Yoongi

…”
 
Yoongi lets out a shaky breath at that. “That’s right, baby. Say my name.”
 
He starts to move his hips more…

harder

. Hoseok reaches up and threads their fingers together to give him something to hold onto as he moves, sliding their clothed lengths together with the perfect amount of friction to leave them both moaning and breathless.
 
“Mm, Yoongi…”
 
“Is that good, baby? Do you like it?” Yoongi asks, continuing to move his hips in a forward circular motion, simulating the motion of riding a cock.
 
“Y—yes…” Hoseok moans, rolling his head back and arching his body, drunk off the stimulation after going so long without it. “Mm… feels so good, Yoongi…” He watches the older boy with heavy-lidded eyes. “It looks like… it looks like you’re riding me.”
 
Yoongi grins. “That’s the point, baby doll.” He moves his hips in a way that makes Hoseok mewl and squeeze Yoongi’s hands tightly. “Do you like the idea of that, sweetheart?”
 
Hoseok nods frantically, moaning loudly. “Yes.

Yes

.”
 
“We’ll save that for later,” Yoongi mumbles, leaning down to kiss Hoseok deeply while he continues to move.
 
Hoseok pants into his mouth as Yoongi quickens his pace. Yoongi looks down and sees that the front of Hoseok’s boxers and his sweats are both damp, the two of them leaking pretty obscenely from how hard and turned on they are.
 
“

Hyung

,” Hoseok whimpers, and Yoongi looks back into his eyes.
 
“What is it, baby? What do you need?”
 
Hoseok moves his arms back above his head, looking at Yoongi pleadingly. “Hyung… please…”
 
Yoongi almost can’t believe how sexy Hoseok is. He’s dizzy with it.
 
“Sweetheart…” he mumbles, sliding his hands up the length of both of Hoseok’s arms until he reaches his wrists, pinning his arms down above his head. “Baby doll… I love you so much…”
 
Now that Hoseok has what he wants, he doesn’t hold back with his noises, letting out a string of whines and moans and encouragements.
 
He starts moving his hips as well as they both inch closure to that precipice.
 
“Hyung!” Hoseok gasps urgently. “Hyung… I’m close… I’m

so

close… oh my god…

Yoongi

…”
 
“Yeah, baby,” Yoongi agrees, nodding dumbly. “Yeah,

yeah

, me too. Let’s come together, okay? You ready?”
 
“Yeah… yeah, hyung, I’m ready. Let’s come.

Please

, let’s come.”
 
Yoongi moves his hips as hard as he can until they both tumble over the edge together, seizing up and twitching, both of them gasping and cursing and moaning out each other’s names like a prayer.
 
Yoongi doesn’t even care about the sticky mess now between them, soiling their clothes. He doesn’t care about anything but the beautiful, flushed, panting boy beneath him.

He catches Hoseok’s lips with his own and kisses him sweetly as they both float in the afterglow.
 
“Love you,” he whispers against Hoseok’s lips. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever be able to stop saying it.”
 
“Love you too,” Hoseok grins into the kisses.
 
Eventually, with quite a bit of coaxing on Yoongi’s part, they both get up and strip themselves out of their soiled clothes, Yoongi supplying Hoseok with some more of his own out of his suitcase, still feeling strangely proud — and a whole lot aroused — to see his boyfriend dressed in his things.
 
Yoongi thinks that he might make a habit of it; dressing up Hoseok in his clothes, watching his boyfriend walk around his apartment, soft and domestic and just… effortlessly beautiful.

He’s pulled out of his musings by the sound of his phone when it buzzes, and Yoongi sighs when he sees the contact. He knows the boy on the other end isn’t going to be too happy with him, and he knows he deserves what’s sure to be a scolding.
 
“Who is it?” Hoseok asks.
 
“It’s Tae. This is gonna be an interesting conversation.”
 
“Do you think he’ll be surprised?” Hoseok says, wrapping his arms around Yoongi and resting his chin against his shoulder.
 
“Surprised?” Yoongi laughs. “He’ll be shocked. Hell, after all the suffering I put Tae through, he’ll probably do a dance of joy. Here, hide, let’s surprise him, shall we?”
 
Hoseok giggles and steps away from Yoongi before he presses answer.
 
Hoseok helps Yoongi unpack some of his boxes, insisting that he wants to help Yoongi’s home feel more like a home sooner rather than later. Yoongi also suspects it’s because Hoseok plans on all but moving in for the time being, with how things are with Seokjin.
 
“Sweetheart,” Yoongi says, catching Hoseok’s hand as he rushes past with a pile of books held in one arm. “Can we talk really quick?”
 
Hoseok blinks, going over and placing the books on the bookshelf.
 
“Of course. What’s up?”
 
“You didn’t really tell me what happened with Seokjin last night.”
 
“You just… mentioned that he dropped a lot of bombs on you, like the fact that he was lying about you two being together, and that he kept me away…”
 
Hoseok huffs. “And isn’t that enough? Do you really need any more?”
 
“Well, no,” Yoongi sighs. “But Seokjin has been your best friend for…

forever

. It can’t be easy for you right now. I know you’re probably feeling awful. Betrayed, confused…”
 
“Furious,” Hoseok finishes for him, turning around and crossing his arms. “Hyung, I’m

furious.

Betrayed, confused… those are…

understatements

. He knew how in love with you I was, he knew how broken I was, and he decided to do everything in his power to keep me away from  you.”
 
“I can’t… just… how fucking

selfish

do you have to be to do something like that to someone you claim to care about? He was supposed to be my

best

friend.”
 
“It was incredibly fucked up,” Yoongi nods. “I’m not arguing with that. It almost ruined my life as well as yours. But…” he sighs. “Part of the reason why what he did was so fucked up is because he refused to give me the chance to explain myself to you. If he would have just done that, right at the beginning, we wouldn’t have had to spend the last few weeks apart and miserable. We would be much further along into our relationship right now, but he stole that from us. But… I don’t think we should sink to that level. We should be better. I think he deserves the chance to explain himself.”
 
Hoseok furrows his brow. “What do you mean? What’s there even to explain? What he did… was selfish. It was too much.”
 
“I’m not disagreeing with you, Seok-ah. But don’t you think it’s strange? What reason would he have to keep us apart like that?”
 
Hoseok blinks, looking down. “Selfishness. Being over-protective. Not seeing me as an adult who can make my own decisions…”
 
“Yes, but something seems off, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t we at least give him the chance?” He wraps an arm around Hoseok’s waist.
 
“I’m not gonna force you, baby. But I’m also just sick of shitty communication and misunderstandings, and suffering when there’s an easier path if we just

talk

to one another. I’m now a firm believer that

everyone

deserves to be heard. Unless your name is Lee Kyungchul.” Yoongi rolls his eyes. “Then you can go fuck yourself, and I don’t give a shit what you have to say.”
 
Hoseok chuckles, leaning into Yoongi. “You’re too good, you know that?”
 
Yoongi smiles. “Nah. I just want my baby to be happy. And I know that it’s hard to be happy without his best friends by his side. You might be furious right now but… but I know you. And I know your heart. And once that anger faded… you would have been heartbroken to see your friendship fall apart. So I kind of think we should give Seokjin that chance… if you want.

Only

if you want.”
 
Hoseok sighs and looks up at the ceiling contemplatively.
 
“Fine. We’ll invite him over. He’ll get one chance. To tell us the truth. The

full

truth. And if he fails… if he fails… then I’m moving out of his apartment. I’ll find somewhere else to live. I don’t think I could stay there, if he didn’t support our relationship...”
 
Yoongi pecks his cheek. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
 
He knows without hesitation that if that happened, he’d ask Hoseok to move in with him in a heartbeat. But he doesn’t want to get too ahead of himself. Yoongi wants to move things naturally, which means living apart for a while, at least. He knows how much Hoseok loves living with Seokjin and Jimin. And he knows once his boyfriend has a bit of time to clear his head, he won’t want to make the decision about moving so lightly.
 
“Will you get him to come over?” Hoseok asks pleadingly. “I know it’s awkward but… I can’t really bear to talk to him right now. I feel like I’d just go off on him…”
 
“Of course. Hyung will take care of it.”
 
Hoseok smiles at him, a bit grateful and in awe. A part of him wouldn’t have held it against Yoongi if he wanted nothing to do with Seokjin.
 
But Yoongi had managed to surprise him, always looking out for him, even when it was difficult.
 
“Just… he has to come now. I need to leave in a couple hours, and the sooner we settle all of this, the better.”
 
“I’ll get him here.”
 
Hoseok huffs and goes back to busying himself with unpacking Yoongi’s clothes and placing them back in his drawers. Yoongi sits down and pulls out his phone.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ There’s around three solid minutes of silence after Seokjin arrives. Yoongi answers the door because Hoseok doesn’t want to — can’t bear to — and when the elder boy walks into the living room, still full of boxes but now slightly unpacked, Hoseok takes one look at him before staring back at the ground, crossing his arms tightly across his chest. “Can I get you some coffee?” Yoongi asks, clearing his throat, uncomfortable by the silence. Seokjin blinks up at Yoongi with his brow furrowed, almost as if he can’t believe the tattooed boy is even speaking to him. “Uh… no, I’m good.” “I didn’t make enough for him,” Hoseok says bitterly. Seokjin winces. Yoongi sighs. “Seokjin-ssi… I… we invited you over today to give you a chance to explain yourself to Hoseokie.” “ And to Yoongi,” Hoseok clarifies, finally looking up at his hyung with narrowed eyes. “Because we come as a pair now, and we both deserve answers because you decided to fuck with both of our lives, and risk both of our happiness. You owe both of us an explanation… and then we can decide if you deserve for us to give you an apology.” Seokjin doesn’t meet his eyes. “I’m not gonna sit here and pretend like any of my actions are justified, because they weren’t. I thought they were, but I realize now just how wrong I was.” “Well at least there’s that,” Hoseok scoffs. “Baby,” Yoongi says softly, sinking down onto the couch beside him and wrapping an arm around him. “You and I aren’t completely in the correct either. You and I made mistakes too. Even if Seokjin did… manipulate situations to his will, lack of action on both of our parts gave him those opportunities.” Hoseok shifts in that seat. “I… I know that. I know we both have things to be sorry for. But I’m still mad —” “You’re allowed to be.” Yoongi assures him, before cutting his eyes over to Seokjin. “Trust me, I’m mad too. But we invited him here to speak. So let’s let him speak.” Seokjin shakes his head. “I’m not… I’m not going to force you to listen to me, Hoseok. If you don’t want me here, I’m gone. I don’t… I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to ever again.” Hoseok leans closer to Yoongi, pressing a kiss to his shoulder while not taking his eyes off of Seokjin. “I want you to know… that Yoongi is the reason I’m giving you a chance. I wasn’t going to let you explain yourself, but he stressed to me the importance of giving people a chance, and letting them have a chance to tell their side of the story. He’s a saint, because as you know, he wasn’t afforded that luxury before…” “I know… I know that was my fault. It wasn’t my relationship. I didn’t… I didn’t have the right to interfere. It should have been your choice Hoseok. I know it all .” “You’re damn right,” Hoseok nods, before sighing. “But… but I do want to understand why . Because right now, none of this makes sense! You’ve always looked out for me, always wanted me to be happy… so why?” “I’d almost think you were in love with me with how you behaved, except I know you’re not, so I just don’t know what to fucking believe.” Seokjin frowns. “No… no it was never about that. I wasn’t in love with you. I do love you though; you're the best friend I’ve ever had. You and Jimin both. I know it sounds stupid… hollow but… the truth is simple. It wasn’t because I wanted you to be single. It wasn’t because I hated Yoongi. And honestly…” He looks over to Yoongi. “It wasn’t… it wasn’t anything about you specifically. I think… I think I would have done the same things, acted the same way to anyone who I thought was hurting Hoseok.” “Overprotective friends don’t meddle like that, Seokjin-ssi,” Yoongi says with a frown. “Overprotective friends don’t lie and manipulate the people they claim to love.” Hoseok nods. “It’s not like you. I know you. You’ve always been protective of me… since… since Seunghoon. And that’s understandable. I’m not an idiot; I know I’m fragile. I know how broken that asshole left me. That some of the ways I viewed myself and relationships weren’t healthy but… but you knew how much Yoongi meant to me. You knew how heartbroken I was without him, and you… you let me continue on believing I was better off without him!” “I’ll take my blame. I know that the part I played in all of this is something that… that isn’t worthy of forgiveness. I knew fully well last night when I told you what I had done, that it would probably mean losing you as a friend. And as much as that thought kills me, I— I had to come clean. Because in my quest to make life easier for you, I realized that the only thing I had done was make you — and all the people around us — suffer. And I didn’t… I couldn’t do that anymore.” “Then why?” Hoseok blurts out, his eyes filling with tears. “Why did you do it? All I needed was to talk to Yoongi… for him to explain to me what really happened that night. Then I would have known that he never cheated on me, and I could have been happy.” He sniffles. “But I guess I’ll take my side of the blame. I could have gone to Yoongi without consulting you—” “ No. ” Seokjin cuts him off. “Don’t… downplay what I did. You tried, Hoseok; you tried. You had doubts that you wanted to act on, but instead of supporting you, I only listened to my own opinions.” He looks at Yoongi then. “And I lied to you; made you think that Hoseok had moved on, that his heart was with me when that couldn’t have been further from the truth. So the blame rests on me. ” “I just don’t get it, hyung,” Hoseok says defeatedly. “I don’t understand why you did it. I guess… it just doesn’t make sense to me. It feels like I’m missing something, because it’s out of character for you to hurt me like this.” “Hoseok, I didn’t do this to hurt you. Please… I know it’s hard to believe, but I was doing all of this to save you. I didn’t… I couldn’t let it be like it was before — and I was convinced Yoongi was at fault and I know that is my mistake because I didn’t allow him to explain even when he wanted to — so I just, I just…” Seokjin paces, his hands clenching at his sides. “I went too far! I know that! But I— I couldn’t let it be like last time! I couldn’t live through that again! I couldn’t stand by and do nothing, I couldn’t be powerless again, and I knew… I just… I wanted to prevent you from being with another man who only wanted to use you, so I twisted the truth. It was fucked up and it was wrong but I did it anyway.” Yoongi blinks in confusion. “What do you mean… ‘again’? I know you’re talking about what that fuck Seunghoon did to Hoseokie, but the way you’re talking about it makes it sound like you had a more… active role in that then I was previously led to believe.” He looks at Hoseok, who frowns and blinks down at the ground. “I don’t… I don’t understand either…” Seokjin laughs humorlessly, throwing his hands up in defeat. “I guess it doesn’t matter right? You’re already going to hate me anyway, so I might has well tell it all. Put the nail in the coffin of our friendship.” Hoseok has no idea what Seokjin is talking about, but the edge in his hyung’s voice almost frightens him. He twines fingers with Yoongi. “What are you talking about?” “I never… I never told you this before, because you were too fragile and I knew your mind would twist it around somehow and you’d believe it was your fault when it was anything but.” “I’m not following,” Hoseok says in a small voice. “Is this… about Seunghoon? Hyung… you had nothing to do with him…” Seokjin looks devastated. “That’s… that’s not true. He only got involved with you because of me. To hurt me.” Hoseok shakes his head, the entire thing sounding ludacris to him. “What? No… that makes no sense. I met… Seunghoon during that summer theater production. I don’t… I don’t …” He’s at a loss for words, his mind reeling. Yoongi holds his hand tighter, trying to steady him and keep him grounded. “It’s true that the play gave you two a reason to see each other, but Seunghoon sought you out for something more because of me. Because of our past together.” “This is insane,” Hoseok says, tearing up. “He never mentioned you before I introduced you to him.” Seokjin sighs. “Do you want the long version or the short one?” “What I want is the truth !” Hoseok’s voice rises. “What I want is to stop being left in the dark! I’m tired of only having half of the story and making decisions based on lies!” His friend flinches back. “The truth isn’t pretty, Hoseok. I know it makes me a coward but I… I hid it from you because it was ugly, and I knew it would cause you pain.” “I’m already in pain! Right now!” “Baby.” Yoongi pulls him closer. “It’s alright. Whatever he has to say about Seunghoon, whatever happened back then… it doesn’t matter because you have me now. And I won’t ever let that man come back into your life and hurt you. So breathe .” Hoseok huffs. “Just tell me, hyung. Just tell me the truth. ” “The truth?” Seokjin stares down at his feet. “The truth is that there was a time when I… when I loved Seunghoon. When he was my everything.” Hoseok flinches back visibly, staring at Seokjin like he can hardly believe the words coming out of his friend’s mouth. “I’m sorry… what ? No. That’s ridiculous. You knew I was with him and you never said anything about dating him before. And he knew you were my friend and he never said anything about your past. It’s not possible!” “It was before we were roommates. I met him… started my... relationship with him while I was at university and you were still in Gwangju, with your parents. I mentioned him to you but not by name… everything me and Seunghoon were doing together had to be a secret, because of my family.” Seokjin’s eyes go dim. “You have to understand… the three of us meeting… you, me, and Jimin... it was purely chance. My father only sent me to that camp as a… as a charity ploy, a way to get good press for the family and the business. KPE’s heir, kind hearted enough to volunteer his precious time to help those less fortunate.” Seokjin sighs. “And honestly? I didn’t want to go, but I didn’t have a choice. I was convinced every damn second would be torture but then…” “Then you met us.” Hoseok says softly, and Seokjin nods. “Everyone always says they’ll keep in touch after things like that. And I knew you two didn’t recognize the importance of my name when we were placed in the same cabin. And even after I told you… you didn’t care. You never cared about that part of me. And camp ended… we went to three separate places and yet somehow… we grew closer. We kept in contact. We became best friends, despite the distance. You were the only people in my life… the only ones who knew the true me.” He finds himself tearing up. “You were both younger; I went off to college first. And in the back of my mind, even when the three of us used to joke about living together someday when we were all grown up… in my heart I was determined to make it a reality. So much of my life was about doing shit that I didn’t want to do, but you two? That was for me. So I was patient… I waited for you two to catch up to me, and in the process I met Seunghoon.” He sighs. “I was a sophomore at the time. He was charming and handsome and I… I liked him. We got involved very quickly.” Seokjin grimaces. “In a way… it wouldn’t be wrong to say he was my first love. I thought there was a future in which we could be together. I even… I told my father about us.” Hoseok gasps. “Hyung…” “That was… that conversation…” Seokjin crosses his arms. “It was one hell of a reality check. I mean, before that my father knew about my… tastes. My little indiscretions as he liked to call them. And I was always discreet about it. But I was in love and I wanted people to know. I wanted to go public. I promised to Seunghoon that I would. That we would get to be together for real. ” Seokjin pauses. “That… that was the day I realized that I wasn’t a child to my father. That I was property. That our relationship was nothing more than a business transaction. And he had invested in me; in my education and my upbringing. And that meant I owed him things. Including a marriage to a woman… heirs to the throne someday. And when I tried to push back, tell him that I could never be happy living like that, he just… he laughed at me. And told me to stop being a child.” A few tears escape from his eyes. “He didn’t leave any room for misinterpretation. If I entered into a public relationship with a man, I would lose my inheritance. He gave me a choice. And so I made one.” Seokjin looks at Hoseok. “I didn’t tell you or Jimin because I was ashamed. Because as much as I complain about my father and his business… I could’ve gotten out. I could’ve chosen love but I didn’t. I chose the money.” His voice shakes. “I know what kind of person that makes me. I know . Seunghoon was heartbroken, and so was I. He couldn’t accept my choice, and I didn’t blame him for that. Because it was my fault.” “How does Hoseok play into this?” Yoongi asks, needing to understand. “It was just… shitty timing. Hoseok graduated right around when me and Seunghoon ended our relationship. Originally Hoseok was planning to stay in Gwangju over the summer until he started university in Seoul during the fall, but I begged him to come early; to move in with me. I was upset about the break up and I missed my best friend. The summer production was just another incentive. I knew how much Hoseok loved theater… I didn’t even think about the fact that the two of them would cross paths. He was also a drama major.” Seokjin curses at himself. “I was fucking stupid. When Seunghoon found out that I had moved in with another man… he freaked. He didn’t believe that me and Hoseok were just friends. He thought I was lying about the reasons we couldn’t be together… thought I had played him.” “So he wanted revenge.” Yoongi says slowly, and Seokjin nods. “Yes. I didn’t even know they were talking at first. Hoseok was always…” He looks to his friend. “He was innocent. And he was shy about things like that. I knew there was a boy for a while… he’d be on his phone and he’d get blushy when I tried to ask questions. But I didn’t know who.” Hoseok blinks through tears, completely stunned at this information, but so many question marks he’s always had start making more sense. “Seunghoon… was always so hesitant to meet my friends. He never wanted to come to my place, he only wanted me to go to his. And…” Hoseok wipes away a rogue tear. “When he took my virginity, he… he asked me if I was going to tell my friends. He… he wanted me to tell you. I guess it was part of his sick game. I guess he wanted you to know, to hurt you… it makes sense now.” As Hoseok grows more emotional, Yoongi pulls him even closer, rubbing his back. “When I found out it was Seunghoon, I— I panicked. Because he had never stopped trying to contact me, trying to work things out. I knew… I knew his feelings for Hoseok weren’t genuine and I was furious. I went to confront him, tell him to stay away but he didn’t. And when I tried to push it, he threatened to tell Hoseok about the kind of person I really was. How I would cut anyone out of my life, no matter how important, if my father demanded it. And I… I hated that he was right. That he would be telling the truth. And I didn’t… I didn’t want Hoseok to see me like that. He was the one of the only people who ever believed I was good, that my father’s company and their actions didn’t make me evil. I didn’t want to lose that.” “So you let him continue to be with Hoseok? Knowing his intentions weren’t good?” Yoongi asks, needing to hear the other man say it. “I know it makes me selfish.” Seokjin admits. “And I tried… I tried to tell Hoseok to stop talking to him. That Seunghoon wasn’t good for him, but he didn’t—” “I didn’t listen. I wouldn’t listen,” Hoseok says plainly, looking down, sniffling. “Hyung had good reasons for me leaving him but... I thought I was in love with Seunghoon. I even… I thought he was jealous of me having a guy like Seunghoon.” He looks up at Yoongi, frowning. “Seokjin knew that Seunghoon and I were having sex, but I never told him or Jimin about what was really going on. I was purposely vague about the details because I… I was confused about it and I didn’t want to hear I told you so. I never told them about how Seunghoon made me feel… about how he would degrade me and call me a slut and force me to do things I didn’t want to do.  I was so… excited that I finally had a boyfriend… someone who thought I was special, who thought I was attractive, who I thought loved me… that I was so angry when Seokjin tried to advise me against him that I didn’t listen to him. I pushed my friends away because all I wanted was Seunghoon to love me. All I wanted was to be loved… to be special to someone.” Hoseok is on the verge of a meltdown just at the memories. He runs a shaky hand through his hair, trying to keep his voice steady. “Seokjin didn’t know that Seunghoon was emotionally and, I guess physically abusive until after he broke my heart and I came crying back to him and Jimin.” “There is no guessing, Hoseok. He was abusing you. I knew that once you came clean to me and Jimin. But the fact that you didn’t…” He shakes his head. “I was scared for you. Scared that it would happen again.  Because you are so good , Hoseok. You see the best in people and I was terrified that another guy would come along and try to hurt you again.” Seokjin winces. “I know… I know I could have done more back then. That I could have taken responsibility for my actions, said to hell with Seunghoon and came clean. But I didn’t; I did nothing and look what happened to you. Look what he did. He used you Hoseok, and by the time I found out the true extent of it… it was already too late to save you.” He shrinks in on himself. “Of course I found him after, threatened him within an inch of his life, told him I would ruin him if he ever came within two feet of you ever again and damn the consequences. But by then… it was too little too late. And I’ve always been left with… wondering why I didn’t do more.  I could have asked more questions, I could have seen the signs but… once Hoseok pulled away, I let him. And I will always regret that, Hoseok. I’ll never be able to say sorry enough for that. I should’ve noticed… I should’ve protected you from him. And I didn’t.” “So that’s why you did what you did with me,” Yoongi says, nodding. “It makes sense. It was still wrong , but I see your reasoning. You didn’t want Hoseok to be broken again while you sat back and did nothing, and just let him crash and burn. You wanted to try and stop it from happening.” Hoseok’s features are softer now, his eyes less harsh, but he still shakes his head. “But hyung… Yoongi is good . It only takes a few seconds of being around him to know that he is nothing like Seunghoon.  He actually loves me. And… and I’m not a kid anymore. I know I’m fragile sometimes. I know that. But I’m twenty-five and for the first time in my life I’ve fallen in actual love.” He sighs softly. “I know you just wanted to protect me from the pain. I know that now. I just… I wish you would have talked to me about it. That you had given me a choice.” “You have no idea how much I wish I would have done that too. I know I was in the wrong because I didn’t know Yoongi was innocent, but I could tell how much you loved him and after some of the things you said… the way you talked about yourself owing Yoongi things…  I just I panicked. It felt like Seunghoon was happening all over again and this time… this time I was determined to make it right. But instead… instead I made it all wrong. I know it put a strain on Jimin with his boyfriends. I knew the two of you were suffering. And Namjoon?” Seokjin laughs brokenly. “Fucking Namjoon fled across an ocean , just to get away from me. Maybe I am no good; maybe I don’t deserve to have people like you in my life. Maybe I am as toxic as my father, I don’t know. But I just… I want you to know how much you meant to me Hoseok. How much I cared about our friendship. I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but I do.” He looks away. “I’ll… I’ll get out of the apartment for a while. You don’t have to see me. And you can tell Jimin whatever you like. You don’t have to give him my shitty excuses, and I won’t try to convince him that I’m worthy of forgiveness. All of you deserve to be happy… and I know after what I’ve done, that happiness doesn’t include me.” Hoseok tears up, shaking his head and standing up. “Oh hyung… Hyung, I—” He sighs before pulling Seokjin into a tight hug. “I forgive you. I forgive you, hyung. Please don’t go… please don’t leave. You’re not a bad person. You’re not some monster. You’re nothing like your father. You messed up, but your heart was always in the right place. I see that now.” He’s crying, shaking with tears as he clings to his hyung. “Just promise me you won’t go. Promise me, Seokjinnie hyung. Please.” “I don’t deserve it, I don’t —” “Seokjin-ssi.” Yoongi stands, stepping closer. “I learned a long time ago… family can be the most toxic thing in the world. Blood doesn’t… it shouldn’t define you. What matters is the family you choose. If you don’t want to be the kind of man your father is, then don’t. Surround yourself with people that care about you, and stop punishing yourself for the things you can’t control. Just be... better .” Yoongi shrugs his shoulders. “Maybe you’re right, Seokjin-ssi. Maybe you don’t deserve me or Hoseok’s forgiveness. But we’re giving it; we’re not turning our backs on you. Your actions were misguided, and you made mistakes, but I sure as hell made mistakes too. We all go through ups and downs… we’ve all been through shitty, fucked up things, but we’re here now. And even if we all have scars and pain and baggage… we made it through. And I know for damn sure that I couldn’t have made it to the other side without my friends. So whatever hell Hoseok experienced before because of that fucking trash excuse of a human being… Hoseok came out in one piece because he’s the strongest person I know. But a lot of that… a lot of his strength came from Jimin and you . I acknowledge that, and I would never want him to lose that. Okay?” “You don’t have to be nice to me because of Hoseok. You don’t owe me anything—” “Maybe not.” Yoongi acknowledges it. “But what do I gain from hating you, Seokjin-ssi? From trying to punish you? For making Hoseok feel like he has to choose?” He squeezes his boyfriend’s hand. “I love you, and I will never do that to you. You deserve everything, so I’m going to give that to you.” He looks at Hoseok intensely, feeling that urge to love and protect thrumming in the deepest part of his soul. “And honestly, Seokjin-ssi? I think that I too, would have done some drastic things in the name of love, when it comes to a boy like Hoseok.” Seokjin nods. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry that I made you pay for Seunghoon’s mistakes, as well as my own. From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.” Hoseok just hugs him again, nodding. “I know, hyung. I know, and it’s okay. I forgive you. We forgive you.” He pulls back and looks up at his hyung, smiling tearfully. “We had a really bad month. But you’ve been the hyung I’ve depended on more than anyone for years. Yes, I’m upset about what happened but… but I don’t want to lose you.” “I won’t ever do it again. Hoseok… Hobi. ” His voice cracks as he cries. “I swear I won’t. I know my word means nothing after how I lied… I know I broke your trust but I care about you so much. And I hate that I’m the reason you’ve felt so much pain. I’ll find a way to make it up to you… to both of you. I’ll be better. If you give me that chance, I promise I will.” “I know… I know how hard things have been for you lately. I know that work and your father have been slowly killing you, even if you won’t say anything about it. And I know… I can sense that you’re heartbroken as well.” He looks over at Yoongi, who nods. “Seokjin-ssi…” Yoongi sighs. “I told Namjoon what you told me. About you and Hoseok. I told him that you kissed, that you were together when I believed you to be.” “He… I think it broke him, a bit. He knows now that it was a lie, but… I could sense his pain when I initially told him.” Seokjin nods bitterly. “It’s only fair, right? I stole time away from you two… kept you from rekindling your relationship. I think losing my own in the process is kind of poetic justice, don’t you think?” “Hyung.” Hoseok shakes his head. “Don’t do that. Don’t let fear hold you back anymore. I think… I think if you started following your heart and being honest with yourself, then happiness would be a lot easier to find.” Seokjin smiles at his friend. “This is what I mean. Wasn’t it like ten minutes ago that you hated me and now you’re giving me advice on my fucked up love life?” “Hey. I never said I hated you.” Hoseok laughs. “And even if I was very pissed, I knew we would work it out. We’re family.” Seokjin’s teary eyes get a bit brighter at that. “The only one that matters.” He looks over to Yoongi. “And thanks… for giving me the heads up about Namjoon. I know you didn’t have to do that. I was admittedly surprised, not just by the move but by his radio silence… It does make things a bit easier to understand.” He looks at the two of them, then glances down at his watch. “But enough about me and my fucking drama.” “Hyung…” “I’m serious.” Seokjin shrugs. “Trust me, it’ll still be there later. But for now, you probably have to get ready, right?” “Yeah. But don’t think you’re escaping this conversation so easily. We will fully discuss the feelings you have for Namjoon that you have refused to acknowledge out loud at another time and well as the nonnegotiable, very important boundaries we will put in place concerning my relationship and you for all of our sakes.” Hoseok points at him, and Seokjin accepts it humbly. “I know. But for today, focus on the play. And each other. And the fact that despite my fucked up meddling, you found your way back to one another. Actually—” He pulls out his phone, his finger flying across the screen. “I think it’s only right that I do something for the two of you, considering how forgiving you’ve been to me. I know I don’t deserve it, and I know in the grand scheme of things this doesn’t erase even a fraction of the pain I caused, but I want to give you something special anyway.” “What does that mean?” Yoongi asks looking to Hoseok for guidance, but he just shrugs. The person on the other end of the phone picks up. “Hi, this is Kim Seokjin. I wanted to enquire about your availability tonight.” “ Hyung .” Hoseok warns, but Seokjin waves him off. “Yes, the penthouse suite. And dinner for two delivered promptly at 10 pm. And a—” He pulls the phone away from his mouth and looks at Yoongi. “Do you like red?” When he doesn’t immediately answer he turns to Hoseok. "Does he like reds?” “Is he actually serious?” Yoongi asks, and Hoseok can only chuckle. “He’s very much serious. We like the sweet ones. What was the one from our first date, hyung?” “Roscato.” Yoongi supplies, still looking between the two in somewhat of a shock. “Got it.” Seokjin brings the phone back up. “And a couple of bottles of your finest sweet red… something sweet like Roscato. But you know me, let’s up the price tag a bit. Yes, from Italy. On ice, please. Port would be good too. That one can be room temp. Yes. Put the reservation under Min Yoongi. Yes, my usual card. Thank you Mijoo, you’ve been lovely.” He laughs heartily. “No I appreciate your hospitality. I’ll let him know the room keys will be waiting in the lobby for him. Thank you darling, bye bye.” He hangs up and turns to the two of them. “So it’s settled. Just show them your ID and they’ll escort you to the top level.” “Are you insane ?” Yoongi laughs, and Seokjin shrugs. “Kind of? You’ll learn, when I’m uncomfortable or in the wrong, I just throw money at things and usually it works. But you two deserve a hell of a night after all the bullshit I put you through. So consider this my tangible apology and my over the top way of showing you both my appreciation.” “You didn’t have to do any of that.” Hoseok says, but hugs him close. “But I’m thankful anyway.” “I should get going and so should you.” Seokjin steps back towards the door and Yoongi laughs. “You didn’t even tell us what hotel.” Seokjin smacks his head. “Ah, right. The Westin Chosun.” “ The Westin Chosun ?” Yoongi repeats dumbly, and Seokjin tilts his head. “What, are you not a fan? Should I switch the reservation?” He pulls out his phone, at the ready. “Fuck no.” Yoongi says sharply, and Hoseok rolls his eyes. “I am not above taking a handout to the fucking Westin Chosun. I think this new friendship of ours is off to a great start, Seokjin-ssi.” “Duly noted.” Seokjin nods, and pulls out his keys. “And drop the formalities. We’re family now, right?” Yoongi cocks an eyebrow. “Sure, hyung. ” “Hey.” Hoseok grabs Seokjin’s arm before he reaches the door. “I’m happy. I feel happier than I have in a really, really long time.” “I know, Hobi.” Seokjin pinches at the fullness of his cheek. “That’s all I ever wanted for you.” “Actually… would you mind giving Seok-ah a ride to the theater?” Yoongi asks, and Seokjin looks a bit surprised. “Of course. If that’s what Hobi wants…” “That would be great, hyung!” Hoseok skips back over to Yoongi’s side, wrapping his arms around his waist. “So you’ll come to the play tonight? And then after… ” He trails off teasingly, a sparkle in his eye. Yoongi blinks and feels a bit of color rising in his cheeks, a certain implication behind Hoseok’s tone and eyes.  After . “How about I head to your place and pack you an overnight bag and drop our stuff off at the hotel beforehand, then I’ll meet you at the theater? That way, we can head straight to the hotel after the play?” “Yes! And you can come by early… it would be nice to have you backstage with me… and you can make good on that piano offer...” Yoongi grins at him. “Are you sure I won’t be too distracting baby?” “You most definitely will be.” Hoseok giggles. “But I want you there anyway.” “Then consider it done. I’ll always give you everything you want, Seok-ah.” He leans up and pecks his nose before looking back to Seokjin. “Thanks again for the hotel. But more importantly… thanks for the explanation. Life is shitty but sometimes… it works out.” He smiles at Hoseok. “I’m instituting a healthy communication policy amongst all of us from now on. This is the way we sort out problems.” “Agreed,” Hoseok nods. “ Talking to each other. Being honest. And actually listening to the other person’s thoughts.” “Yes. Absolutely. Proper communication… a novel concept that I one hundred percent support.” Seokjin says with a laugh. “Then drive safe. Seok-ah, text me, okay? I’ll miss you, pretty boy.” Hoseok grins, dimpling. “I’d tell you you’re being ridiculous because we’re only going to be apart for a couple of hours… but I know I’ll miss you too.” He cups Yoongi’s face and pulls him in for a brief kiss. Seokjin sighs. “I have no right to complain about this, do I?” “Absolutely none,” Hoseok confirms, nuzzling Yoongi’s nose and pecking his lips once more. Yoongi chuckles, eyes incredibly soft and fond. “I love you.” “I love you, my fairy prince.” Hoseok echoes. Yoongi smiles to himself as they leave, hearing Seokjin’s voice out in the hallway — Fairy prince? Is that like a role play thing? — feeling like things are starting to take a swift turn for the better in their lives in more aspects than just one.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
Hoseok feels warm and fuzzy during their bath. It feels like something out of one of the romantic dramas he loves so much, with Yoongi cuddled into him, feeding him strawberries and champagne between slow, unhurried kisses.
 
Hoseok smiles into a strawberry-flavored kiss, pecking Yoongi’s lips before pulling back to nuzzle his nose.
 
“Are you happy, my Hoseokie?” Yoongi asks, his voice like gravel and warm honey and

sex

and it makes a shiver run down Hoseok’s spine.
 
But despite the warm feelings growing in his stomach, something nags at the edges of his mind. It must show on his face, because Yoongi tilts his head, his eyes running over Hoseok intensely as if he’s assessing him.
 
“Baby?” Yoongi frowns, adjusting carefully so he doesn’t splash any water out of the tub, pulling his hand out of the soapy water to cup Hoseok’s face, running his thumb against his jaw. “What’s the matter? Talk to hyung.”
 
“Tonight is absolutely

perfect.

” Hoseok looks at him, his eyes full of nothing but love.
“And I want it to stay that way, I just— we made a promise to each other. To always be honest and communicate and I

want

to. I’m just wondering if I should tell you

now

or later…”
 
“Now,” Yoongi says with a nod, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Let’s talk about it now.”
 
“Are you sure it won’t ruin the night? I just… I want us to be happy. After everything…”
 
“Seok-ah,” Yoongi says gently. “Whatever we end up doing together tonight… I don’t want your mind to be clouded with something that’s bothering you. It’s always better to get things out in the open between us so we can talk through them and find solutions together. I never want you to feel like you need to hide things from me to make me happy.”
 
“Even if it’s about… about Kyungchul?”
 
Yoongi nods, his eye contact not wavering, even at the mention of such a cursed name. “Yes. Even if it’s about

him

. Especially if it’s about him. I don’t want

him

in our bed, Hoseokie. So let’s clear the air now.”
 
“I was just thinking… we were both so caught up in the fact that we both love each other… that it was all a misunderstanding. It occurred to me that… that I didn’t explain to you what was going on inside of my head… inside of my

heart.

I never told you the reasons why I reacted the way I did before. And I know it doesn’t make my actions

right.

I did…

too

many things wrong on Halloween. But I want… Yoongi, I know you love me, but I also want you to

understand

me. I don’t want you to just… love me blindly. Does that make sense?”
 
“Yes,” Yoongi says. “It makes perfect sense. And I want to understand, baby. I want to. But I need your help to understand.”
 
Hoseok nods, taking a deep breath and trying to gather his courage. It’s hard for

him

to even make sense of his thoughts sometimes, but this is important to him. Too important to not get it right.
 
“That night… I already told you I was considering going all the way with you. I was so excited for you to arrive. So when I got downstairs and you were with him… I immediately felt like something was wrong. I told myself not to be irrational. You

are

allowed to talk to other boys. Even half naked, extremely attractive ones.”
 
Yoongi rolls his eyes but nods. “What a fucking ridiculous outfit. Fucking asshole…” He clears his throat. “Sorry. Tangent. Go on.”
 
“No, it’s fine. It’s just… before you had even got to my apartment. I noticed him. We

all

noticed him. Me and my roommates. I even… god, this is fucking embarrassing but… I changed my outfit because of him. I saw him and I thought

oh no, I need to step up my game.

I have to be

better

so Yoongi doesn’t focus on someone like him.” Hoseok laughs a little humorlessly. “So when you

were

talking to him, and then I went into the kitchen and his friend so casually revealed to me that KC always came into town to be with you…” Hoseok shivers. “It just felt like… like a

nightmare.

I’ll never forget the way he said it… like it was just

normal.

Like the two of you… having sex…” He swallows down the lump in his throat. “Like it was natural. To be expected. Something

inevitable.

I… I

panicked.

”
 
“It’s understandable,” Yoongi sighs. “I wish I could have been the one to explain to you what Kyungchul and my relationship had been like instead of some asshole without two brain cells to rub together. But I acknowledge that when it’s simplified like that, it’s upsetting. I know that.”
 
“He’s… he’s nothing like me, Yoongi. I didn’t even have to talk to him and I could just

tell.

He was so confident and… and

sure

of himself. And in his body. In a way I don’t think I ever

could

be. And I know I asked you before and you told me no but… when I saw you two together my mind started spinning with the worst scenarios. Him being your dom… you being

his

baby. I couldn’t… I couldn’t stomach it. It felt like I had been replaced… like I lost a game I didn’t even realize that I was playing.”
 
“I was

never

his baby,” Yoongi says assuredly. “I

promise

you that. He… he didn’t care about me enough to have a dynamic with me. I was a sex toy to him, Hoseok. Nothing more. I never was.”
 
Hoseok looks down. “Please don’t say that. You’re so much more… I don’t like it…”
 
“Hoseokie, I know. It’s okay, baby. I

know

. I’m being honest. That’s all I was to him. But it never mattered. It

doesn’t

matter.”
 
Hoseok knows it

does,

and makes a mental note to discuss the semantics of the way Kyungchul treated Yoongi later, but for now he presses on. “When I saw the stuff in your phone… I don’t think there’s anything you could have said to me in that moment to make me see reason. And it wasn’t because of

you

, it was because of

me.

Because from the moment I saw him, I… I

decided

that he was better for you. More attractive…

obviously

sexier… there was no doubt in my mind that he had never given you

rules

or put boundaries on your sexual relationship. And I… I hated that my own lack of confidence… my own inability to move on from the past, had resulted in you seeking out the comfort of someone else.”
 
Hoseok sighs. “Obviously I know this isn’t true now but… back then, I thought it to be. I was… I was devastated and angry with

you,

but more than anything… more than anything I was furious with

myself.

”
 
“Seok-ah…”
 
“Seokjin wasn’t lying. He wasn’t exaggerating.” Hoseok says a little broken. “In that initial aftermath, I did… I had some pretty dark thoughts. 
Hating myself for standing up for myself when it came to how our sexual relationship progressed… for putting my own comfort first. For not just grinning and bearing it, like I had done before. I did wish I had let you fuck me before, even if I wasn’t truly ready for it, because I thought that might have made you choose me over Kyungchul.”
 
Yoongi furrows his brow and frowns deeply. “Seok-ah… I’m

so sorry

you felt that way… I wish I had done more to assuage those thoughts and fears in you. But please know…

please

know… what we have, you and me, it’s perfect. It’s

perfect

. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted… ever

needed

in a romantic and sexual relationship. It’s healthy. It’s

mature

. I love it. Just… I need you to know that. I need you to know that you’ve never lacked anything in

any way

for me. You made me realize just how

good

it can be… what it feels like to love someone

and

want someone with all of my body and heart and mind and soul. All of it.”
 
Hoseok leans in, kissing Yoongi once, his eyes closing as he savors it. “Thank you. Yoongi.

Thank you

. You’ve always been so sweet and so perfect to me… and in a way, I think that’s

why

I so quickly believed the worst about that situation. 
Because in a way… what was happening to me was

too

good.

Too

perfect. How could a man love someone like

me

, so deeply and unconditionally? I couldn’t understand it. But it felt so.. so

wonderful

, to be yours. It made me feel so

good.

So that’s why… that’s why I said those things. Being willing to let you… let you

use

me if I got to still experience those good feelings. I know it wasn’t right; wasn’t anywhere

near

being healthy but… but I did say it. And I did consider it.”
 
Yoongi strokes his hand through Hoseok’s wet hair, pushing it back off of his forehead so he can look deeply into his beautiful eyes. “I would never,

never

, put you in a predicament where you would have to decide something like that. I promise you, Seok-ah. And you know that I will never break a promise to you. Never.”
 
“Of course I didn’t act on any of those dark thoughts. And I had… I had some pretty tough realizations about myself in that next day when the alcohol had faded and reality set in. I knew the things I was thinking about weren’t right and I didn’t… I didn’t want to go back to the way it was before… when I was with

him

. I wanted to be better, I wanted to believe that I deserved better, but my heart… my heart kept telling me that you were the one. 
That’s why I went to Sinners that day when I came home. Because I still wanted you, wanted to believe that there was something between us worth salvaging… wanted to believe that the boy I had fallen in love with was still the same Yoongi who made me breakfast and cuddled me and sent me cute selcas and a thousand other things that were special and thoughtful. I needed to believe that I hadn’t fucked up, that I hadn’t fallen for

another

boy who only wanted to use me and hurt me. Because if I did… if you really had betrayed me like that… it would mean that I had learned

nothing.

That I wasn’t capable of growing, or ever getting better.”
 
Yoongi nods. “I understand. I do. I just hope you will let me prove to you every single day that I would do

anything

to love and protect you. I would never hurt you.”
 
“It always felt that way… which is why it was so confusing to me. Because on one hand I had the… the ‘evidence’ that you were unfaithful because of what my drunken brain had seen but… but it didn’t equate to the Yoongi I had been with. But I had been so, so wrong about boys before.”
 
“I wasn’t even sure if I could trust myself or my instincts… I wasn’t sure if it was just my desperation or whatever, trying to make sense of a situation that I longed to be different. Sure Seokjin had something to do with it but… my own reservations played a part in why I stayed away. And I’m sorry for that.”
 
Yoongi shakes his head. “You don’t have to be sorry for anything. That fucker, Seunghoon, he hurt you, baby. He broke your spirit. He distorted your view of yourself and others. And I

loathe

him for that. But… but I promise you, that I want to spend every single day proving to you that there is

no one

I’ve ever found as gorgeous, handsome, or beautiful as you. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”
 
“I know they’re just stupid excuses but… I wanted… I

needed

you to understand that a lot of this

was

because of me. That I never hated you. That even when it hurt, I… I

loved

you. I just made the mistake of letting Kyungchul get into my head, and I could never apologize enough for that. You need to hear me say this; the way you treated me when we were together… you were an

amazing

boyfriend. You were sweet and attentive and so… just so fucking

respectful.

I know I’m complicated. I know I take…

work

and effort. I know it’s difficult to be with me Yoongi, and I’m sorry for that. I’m doing my best to be better… healthier. So please… just be a little more patient with me. I know one minute I’m kissing you and the next I’m crying and it’s… it’s fucking confusing but this is

me.

This is who I am. Please love me anyway. Please.”
 
“I do,” Yoongi looks into his eyes honestly, baring his soul for him. “I love you. Not

anyway

. I love you,

period

. I love every part of you. I love you when you’re smiling. I love you when you cry. I love you when you’re teasing me. I love you when you’re kissing me. There’s something you need to understand, Hoseokie. And I’ve never really told you this. But before you, I didn’t believe in love.”
 
He looks down, a tear sliding down his cheek. “I know Taehyung-ah told you about my parents. About how my mother abandoned us, and how my father blamed me for no discernable reason other than that I looked like her. I just thought love was a sham. A gimmick. I was

certain

I would never fall in love. I was positive. It was never in the cards for me. Never. But then… but then I found

you.”

He looks back up at Hoseok, his eyes full of tears but a soft, awed smile on his face. “I found you. Drunk, yes. Calling me a prince and demanding we go on an adventure, just me and you. There was starlight in your eyes and sunshine in your smile. I couldn’t even believe a boy like you was real. But it was you.

It was you

. And I never looked back. After that very first night, I never looked back, Hoseok.”
 
“

I love you

.” Hoseok pulls him closer in the water, pulling Yoongi into his lap. “I know I’ve been hurt before. I know that sometimes my insecurities will get the best of me. I know I’m not a perfect person but… but maybe I’m perfect for

you.

”
 
Yoongi laughs tearfully. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life. I just… I want to be perfect for you too, Hoseokie. I want to be the one you come to when you’re upset or frightened because you know I’ll know exactly how to make you feel better and dry your tears. I want to be that for you,

forever

.”
 
“I know that we can’t predict the future… there’s no way for us to know what happens next. But Yoongi… my love for you will never fade. That I can promise you. 
I want to take risks with you… I want to be vulnerable with you. Because I know that you’ll keep me safe and you’ll keep me happy. And I’ll do the same for you. I’ll do everything in my power to make you the happiest boy on earth. Because you’re the best boyfriend

ever

and I love you. I love you so much hyung.”
 
“I love you too.” Yoongi wraps his arms around him tightly. “I love you so much, my Hoseokie. My

baby

.”
 
Hoseok beams, nuzzling at Yoongi’s neck, hugging him so tightly as relief floods through him. He knew Yoongi had forgiven him, considering he wanted to get back together, but it made him glad that Yoongi acknowledged that he

did

have flaws, but he chose to love Hoseok anyway.
 
“Now, I want to ask

you

something, hyung.” He kisses up the curve of his neck and back to his face, so he can look at him once more.
 
Yoongi opens his eyes after they’d fluttered closed as Hoseok paid special attention to his neck, blinking. “Of course, sweetheart. Ask me anything.”
 
“I wanna know why you stayed away. And before you say Seokjin, I want you to

really

think about it before you answer. Because I know you cut yourself off not just from me, but from your friends, way too easily. You knew you were innocent, but you chose to sacrifice yourself, to the extent where you even considered leaving the

country

.” Hoseok brushes his thumbs across Yoongi’s cheek. “Why hyung? Why were so… so

accepting

of being left? Of being judged? Why didn’t you fight for yourself?”
 
Yoongi looks down. “I just…” He stops himself, closing his eyes and formulating his answer before replying. “I’ve never… seen myself as a good person. Not once, not since I was really little. Tae tried to tell me all the time I was, because I took him in, but I didn’t listen. It didn’t make sense to me… why would everyone leave me if I was really good? So when… when everything happened, and I went to explain myself to you and Seokjin told me how broken I’d left you… I just believed it. I believed I was no good. I believed that you’d be better off without me. And Tae and Kook… I thought they would too, because having me around would just complicate things with Jimin. I didn’t want to be the reason they were miserable too. I told Taehyung that if it came to it, he needed to choose you. To choose Jimin. 
But when you got dinner with Taehyung, he told me how miserable you were, and I was confused. I was confused because I thought you and Seokjin were together, and I expected him to make you better.

Happier.

So I confronted him, but he told me it was me again, and it made sense. Because why wouldn’t it make sense that even my presence in your near vicinity be toxic and horrible for you? So when Namjoon offered for me to literally flee the country… I knew I had to take it. Because I wanted you to be free of me.”
 
“Hyung,” Hoseok starts gently, staring into his dark eyes. “You are

not

toxic. You are a wonderful person, and you deserve to be happy. I know we’ve talked about my issues and my past

a lot

,” He chuckles. “But I’m not the only one who has been hurt before. So have

you.

Just because it was in a different way than I was, doesn’t make it any less valid. Those people in your past? Your parents who were supposed to love and cherish you? Forget about them. Don’t let their words bother you, ever again. Not even for a second. Because you are worthy of being loved, and you don’t deserve to be left behind or thrown away. Just like how you want to help heal me, I want to help heal

you.

So no more being a martyr; no more self sacrificing. Let me help you realize that you deserve good things too. 
Lean on me hyung… if you’re having a tough time or you need reassurance, I’m

here.

I’m here for you Yoongi. And that’s not going to change.”
 
Yoongi looks into his eyes vulnerably and nods before leaning in to press a sweet kiss to his lips. “I know.

I know

. Thank you, baby. Thank you for being here. Thank you for loving me.”
 
“I don’t want either of our pasts to hold us back anymore. I want us to go after our dreams… dare to try to achieve the things that before we met seemed impossible. Because I believe in you

that

much Yoongi… I believe you could do anything, could have anything, that you ever wanted.”
 
Yoongi blinks through tears, the smile on his lips so emotional. “Hoseokie… I already

do

.” He touches the younger boy’s face softly. “But I agree. Let’s chase our dreams. Together.”
 
“You know… Seokjin hyung said something to me earlier that I can’t stop thinking about…”
 
“Hmm?” Yoongi strokes Hoseok’s cheek. “Tell me, baby.”
 
“I told him… I told him that I wanted to go all the way with you… that I wanted to give myself to you. And he said.. he said that you would show me the way that sex is

supposed

to feel. That it’s the first time I deserve. The only one that matters…”
 
Yoongi lets out a shaky breath, leaning forward so he can graze his lips against Hoseok’s pulse point. “Seok-ah,” he whispers lowly. “If you wanted, I would treat you so well. I promise. I… I would give you all the pleasure you’d ever deserved. I would teach you how your body should be treated. If… if you wanted.”
 
“I do want that Yoongi but… but I realized that Seokjin wasn’t quite right. That he had missed out on one important fact.”
 
“Tell me…” Yoongi whispers.
 
“It’s not just my first time hyung… it’s

ours.

We might have had sex with other people, but the past… the past doesn’t fucking matter because from now on… it’s only me and

you.

And we…

we

are going to get the chance, for the first time ever, to make love. 
We get to make love, in the way that we both deserve. To experience the way it’s supposed to feel

together

. We get to be each other’s first, Yoongi.”
 
Yoongi tries so hard to keep it together, but he feels nothing but pure, unfiltered love and emotion in that moment. He slides his hand around Hoseok’s head, curling his fingers in his damp hair and bringing their lips together in a deep, passionate kiss. He tries to convey every ounce of emotion through it — tries to make sure that Hoseok

feels

every bit of his love. His devotion.
 
“I love you. I

love you

. Please…

please

… I want to make love to you.

With

you. Seok-ah…

Seok-ah

, do you… do you want to? Please tell me… tell me if you don’t. I’ll understand. Just… just be honest with me. Please.”
 
“I don’t

want

to, hyung.” Hoseok kisses him, slow and deep. “I

need

to. I need to be with you… to be

one

. Hyung, take care of me. Take care of me.”
 
Yoongi nods, tears sliding freely down his cheeks now. He kisses Hoseok for a while longer, slow and careful but

deep

, before he gently climbs off of him and out of the tub, holding out a hand for the younger boy.
“Come with me, Seok-ah. Hyung will take care of you. I promise.”
 
They towel each other off, and it takes much longer than necessary because they keep stopping to kiss, but eventually they manage to get decently dry.
 
Then Yoongi is pulling Hoseok towards the bed, their fingers loosely intertwined, their eyes never quite straying from the other. They each know they are building to this big

moment

, but instead of feeling scared or nervous, they just feel happy; happy to have found one another again, happy to be loved and cherished by someone who feels the exact same way.
 
Yoongi gently guides Hoseok to lie down on the bed and he crawls after him, stopping while he’s on his knees to drink in the sight of his beloved sprawled out against the soft comforter, bathed in moonlight, nude and beautiful and

perfect

, looking at him with beckoning eyes. It steals his breath from his lungs.
 
“Seok-ah,” Yoongi whispers, reaching forward to gently trail his fingers down the younger’s torso. “You’re… the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
 
“You make me

feel

beautiful.” Hoseok confesses, smiling up at him shyly. “Always look at me the way you are looking at me right now… promise me.”
 
“I promise you, baby. Because you will

always

be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” When Hoseok reaches for him, Yoongi goes, letting him wrap him up in his arms and pull him into a deep kiss that’s different than the other kisses they’ve shared this evening. There’s a fire behind it now, and Yoongi doesn’t know whether or not it’ll burn him alive. But he doesn’t care. He

wants

it to.
 
“What are you going to do with me, hyung? Are you going to have your way with me?”
 
Yoongi nips at his lips. “I think… if you’ll let me… I’d like to show you something. How something feels. How something

should

feel…”
 
Hoseok’s hips buck forward subconsciously, his mouth falling open as his mind spins with all of the

possibilities

of what Yoongi’s words could mean. But he trusts his hyung, trusts him to make him feel good, so he nods. “Y—yeah.

Yes.

Hyung, I’m yours.

I’m yours.

”
 
Yoongi smiles and presses one more soft kiss to his lips before he begins to move downward, kissing and nuzzling every inch of Hoseok’s sunkissed skin that he passes.
 
“Sweetheart… do you remember our system? Green means…?”
 
“Go. That I like it. That it feels

good

.” He looks up at Yoongi vulnerably. “But right now… I just want it to be me and you. Hoseok and Yoongi. Do you understand? Later… later I’ll be your baby doll, but right now… for the first time, I just want to be your Hoseokie. Is that okay?”
 
Yoongi can’t help but smile adoringly, pressing his face into Hoseok’s abdomen and pressing a soft kiss there, nodding. “Yes, sweetheart. I’m sorry, I should have explained. Our system can be used for more than when we play. I want to use it now… to make sure that everything I’m going to do to you is what you want. Is

comfortable

for you. I’m not

Suga

right now, sweetheart. I’m Yoongi. Just Yoongi.”
 
“That’s good, I

love

Yoongi.” Hoseok giggle, running his hand through the dark black strands. “

My

Yoongi.”
 
“Your Yoongi,” Yoongi agrees softly, nuzzling against his bellybutton. “Okay, Hoseokie. So green means good. Yellow means something might not feel… one-hundred percent good. Or if something makes you uncomfortable. And red…”
 
“You’ll stop. You’ll check in on me… make sure I’m safe. You

always

do, I love you…”
 
“I love you too.” Yoongi rests his chin against his navel and gives him a reassuring smile. “I’m going to go slow and gentle, but if you want something

harder

, or

faster

than what I’m doing, tell me. The goal is to make you feel good, baby. You need to tell me what you want, okay? Exactly what you want. Promise me.”
 
“I’ll tell you, hyung. I’ll always be honest with you… in and out of bed. I just want to be close… I want to feel good, hyung, please. I want to feel good, you always make me feel the best, I

want

it.”
 
Yoongi nods. “Yes, baby. Hyung will give you exactly what you want.”
 
He takes Hoseok’s hand and nips gently at his fingers before placing it gently on his head, encouraging him to curl his fingers into his hair and use it to direct him. First he presses several kisses to the shaft of Hoseok’s already fully hard cock, nuzzling against it gently and smiling at the string of moans that fall from his boyfriend’s lips. But this isn’t his final destination. He goes even lower, nosing along the junction of Hoseok’s thigh before gently spreading his legs. He looks up at Hoseok’s face searchingly.
 
“Color?”
 
“Green, Yoongi, green.” His fingers tighten in the black hair. “You said you wouldn’t tease me…”
 
“You’re right, baby. You’re right. I’m sorry. Hyung won’t tease.” Yoongi presses several soft kisses to Hoseok’s inner thighs before sliding his arms under Hoseok’s thighs and adjusting his hips upward so they’re at a better angle. He lets out a shaky breath as he finally sees what he wants. “You’re so beautiful…” He gently brushes a finger against Hoseok’s center, tiny and pink and perfect, carefully watching his reactions and making sure he’s okay. “You’re

perfect

. I

love you

. You’re an… you’re an

angel

.”
 
“

Hyung

.” Hoseok whines at that, his eyes widening. “An angel?”
 
“Yes,” Yoongi breathes. “And I’m… I’m about to worship you. Just like you deserve.”
 
Yoongi wastes no more time, then, leaning in to press a soft kiss against the fluttering, puckered bud of muscle before delving in fully with his lips and his tongue, lavishing it. He keeps himself perfectly aware of all of Hoseok’s reactions, and when he feels the fingers in his hair tighten and pull him forward, he knows he has permission to keep going.
 
“

Oh!

” Hoseok gasps at the feeling of Yoongi’s tongue at his most intimate place, slippery and wet and

hot.

His other arm comes up to rest against his forehead and his legs instinctively pull in closer, wrapping around Yoongi’s body like a vice, his ankles crossed behind his boyfriend’s back.
 
Yoongi moans at the taste of him, at the feel of him, at

everything

. He’s overwhelmed by it all, and he’s never been more turned on in his entire life.
His tongue does something particularly good when he dips the tip of it into the first ring of muscle, and Hoseok lets out a soft wail and his legs tightening even more around him.
 
“Seok-ah,” Yoongi says, his voice low and gruff, pulling back a bit and looking up at him with blown pupils, his lips glistening wet and his black hair smeared across his forehead. He smiles mischievously. “Don’t suffocate me, angel.”
 
“Sorry!” Hoseok’s voice gets a little high pitched and strained, and he lets his legs fall apart. “It just feels

really

good. Can you— can you keep…” He blushes red, his cheeks bright with color, and his voice gets softer somehow, like he’s embarrassed to even say it out loud. “Can you do it more, hyung? With your tongue?”
 
“Mm,” Yoongi hums. “With

pleasure

.” He moves back in, gripping Hoseok’s thighs with his hands and spreading him apart even further before lavishing his hole with his tongue, licking in broad strokes before using the tip of it to probe back into the center, gently exploring the part of Hoseok he’s honestly wanted to taste for so damn long.
And Hoseok is falling apart underneath him, and it’s

perfect

. He massages the younger’s thighs with his fingers as he works his mouth on him.
 
“Hyung…

yes,

oh my god.” Hoseok gapes, leaning up on one elbow so he can stare at the filthy and mind-numbingly

sexy

sight that is his boyfriend in between his legs.
 
The sounds Yoongi is making are beyond indecent, and Hoseok feels himself growing more vocal, his moans spilling out with no restraint as he watches his hyung work.
 
He’s never felt

anything

like this; it’s intimate and

hot

, seeing Yoongi pleasure him in such a way, and he feels his cock literally

dripping

.
 
Yoongi eventually pulls back when his jaw gets a bit tired, pressing several sloppy, slack kisses to Hoseok’s thigh, nipping slightly at the soft flesh.
 
“Hang on one second, sweetheart,” Yoongi says, moving away from him.
 
When Hoseok whines, he goes back into his arms and presses soft kiss to his lips, nuzzling against him, letting him taste himself. “One second, I promise. It’ll be worth it.”
 
He crawls away and goes for his overnight bag, rummaging around until he finds exactly what he’s looking for. He returns to the bed with the bottle of lube and immediately crawls back in between his boyfriend’s legs, spreading them once more.
 
“Remember when you told me… you didn’t think you could experience an internal orgasm, baby? Remember that?”
 
“Y—yeah.” Hoseok groans, his voice heavy with the implication. “You said… you said I could. That you’d find it for me, oh my

god,

are you going to— with your fingers?

Hyung.

”
 
“Trust me,” Yoongi chuckles. “If I could reach it with my tongue, I’d keep going. But I can’t. Is this okay, baby? Hyung wants to give you this. Hyung wants to show you what this feels like. Is it okay?”
 
“Yeah.

Fuck.

Your hands… do you remember what I told you about them? Do you?”
 
“These?” Yoongi pulls one up and wiggles his fingers teasingly, chuckling. “I remember you told me you liked them…”
 
“I don’t like them, I

love

them. So

hot,

hyung. One of the first things I noticed about you, oh my god. Oh my god, I thought about your hands on me all the time. What are you gonna do to me? Hyung, are you going to do it with your fingers? I can’t think. I can’t—

kiss me.

”
 
Yoongi obliges immediately, moving up to kiss him, stroking his fingers through Hoseok’s hair, which is curling slightly as it dries, making him even more adorable than he was before.
 
“I’m gonna make you see stars, Hoseokie,” Yoongi whispers against his lips. “They’re always in your eyes, but I’m gonna make you

see

them. Do you trust me?”
 
“Yes.” Hoseok whispers.
 
Yoongi kisses him deeply once more, for good measure, before he sits back on his knees between his legs.
 
He makes eye contact with Hoseok as he pours a generous amount of lube into the palm of his hands before warming it up and smearing it over his middle and pointer fingers. He isn’t necessarily trying to stretch Hoseok open, so they’re all he’s going to need unless he asks for more.
 
Yoongi spreads Hoseok’s legs wide again, leaning up to press several soft kisses to his belly as he gently presses his fingers back to his center and circles them around Hoseok’s rim.
 
“It might feel a bit weird at first, baby. But… just relax, okay?”
 
Hoseok feels Yoongi’s finger start to dip in and his body goes completely tense. “

Hyung

.” He reaches down with one of his hands, grabbing at Yoongi’s wrist to make him pause.
 
Yoongi blinks but stops immediately, pulling his hand back and hurrying up his body, cupping his face with his hand that isn’t wet and sticky.
 
“Baby? What’s the matter, are you okay? What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” He looks into his eyes searchingly, his own full of fear.
 
“No,

no.

You’re perfect hyung. It’s just… I need to see it’s

you.

I need—” He sighs. “I want it, but can you— can you stay up here? With me? Can I look at you? I need to remember it’s you.”
 
Yoongi softens, leaning forward to kiss him gently and nuzzle his nose.
 
“Yes, baby.

Yes

. Of course.”
 
“I don’t want to hurt hyung. I’m just a little scared. I’m trying not to think about before. I know it’s different, I know

you’re

different. I just want you close. I just want you close.”
 
“I’m here,” Yoongi reassures him, looking into his eyes unwaveringly. “It’s like you said earlier. It’s just you and me now. Fuck what happened before. It’s you and me, and damn the rest. I’ve

got you

.”
 
Hoseok nods, pressing a desperate kiss to Yoongi’s lips. He shifts them to their sides, their foreheads touching as he wraps one of his legs over Yoongi’s waist. “Could you do it like this? Is it possible?”
 
Yoongi tests the angle, reaching down to gently graze his fingers against Hoseok’s bottom before nodding.
 
“Yes.

Yes

, this works. I just need you to stay close to me. I’m shorter than you, baby. I’m right here, but I need to be able to reach, okay? You might have to bend down a bit to kiss me. Is that okay?”
 
“Hyung, in my eyes, you’re

ten

feet tall.” He grins, their shared laughter enough to break the small moment of tension. “It’s okay. I just need it like this in the beginning. Once you make it feel good, then you can move me, okay? But I just need to be able to look in your eyes when you stretch me. It’s… it’s important to me, because I was always… from behind—”
 
Yoongi feels his heart break a little, but he pushes past it. “I get it. It’s okay, angel. I’m right here,” he whispers against Hoseok’s lips, looking deeply into his eyes. “I could look at you

forever

, my Hoseokie. My beautiful boy.”
He gives Hoseok sweet kisses as he reaches back down again, pressing his finger gently against his center. “I’m right here,” he whispers again as it slips inside to the first knuckle.
 
“

Oh!

” Hoseok gasps, his hands clutched onto Yoongi’s shoulders. He doesn’t know why he was expecting to feel

pain,

maybe his past associating it with this act, but in this moment he feels nothing like that. It’s a

different

feeling, but it isn’t bad. He shifts his leg up higher on Yoongi’s waist, making the angle a bit easier for him.
 
“Oh,

hyung.

” He watches as Yoongi’s sharp eyes track his own, softening as they wait for his signal. “Green. It’s—

yeah,

green.” He smiles to himself a little giddy and just…

relieved.

Relieved that it

is

so different with Yoongi. “I love you,

I love you.

Green,

more.

”
 
Yoongi doesn’t need to be asked twice. He kisses Hoseok deeply. “I love you too,” he whispers, gently working his finger out and then back in again, going deeper each time. Hoseok is tight and hot around him and he feels

heavenly

, and Yoongi is practically buzzing with arousal and excitement that he’s going to be the first one to show Hoseok this kind of pleasure. He can’t

wait

to see his baby feel that way.
 
Hoseok kisses him, lazily and without much effort, just wanting to taste him and keep him close. The knowledge that Yoongi’s finger is

inside

of him is making his brain fuzzy. He’s fantasized about them, fantasized about exactly

this,

and it’s driving him crazy to know that Yoongi wasn’t lying, that his body

is

capable of this kind of pleasure.
 
Yoongi’s hands are much bigger than his, but one finger isn’t anywhere near enough for what he wants to feel. What he wants Yoongi to show him. “

Hyung

.” He whines, his head tucking into Yoongi’s neck, pressing kisses against his pulse point. “

Yoongi

.”
 
“Baby,” Yoongi whispers softly, turning his face into Hoseok’s hair. “What do you need, baby? Do you need more? Are you ready for hyung to give you more?”
 
“Mhmm.” Hoseok hums, one of his hands sneaking around Yoongi’s waist, to press up his back. “Hyung, show me.

Show me

.”
 
“Yes, baby,” Yoongi obliges, gently pressing his pointer finger inside of him to join his middle finger.
Hoseok is looser at this point and takes it in easily. “Hoseokie, look at me.”
 
Hoseok pulls back from Yoongi’s neck with one final little bite, staring down at his boyfriend hotly. “Yes?”
 
Yoongi smiles softly. “I just want to see your face when you feel it. I want to know how good I’m making you feel.” Yoongi licks his lips and smiles a bit mischievously before he crooks his fingers down. He wouldn’t say he’s an

expert

at finding a prostate, but he’s pretty damn close. So he isn’t surprised when he finds it on the first go.
 
“

Yoongi!

” Hoseok shouts, his fingers clamping down

hard

on Yoongi’s shoulders, nails biting into skin. “Oh

fuck.

” He feels dizzy, his head too heavy to hold upright, so he leans against Yoongi’s forehead once more, staring at him passionately. “H—hyung. Again.

Again.

”
 
“Yeah, yeah,” Yoongi pecks his lips, nipping gently. “That’s it, baby. Good boy. Hold onto me, okay?”
He gently pulls his fingers back before pushing them back in and curling them again, repeating this motion over and over again, fucking Hoseok carefully but hitting that spot inside of him

every single time

without fail. He grins, unable to stop himself.
 
Hoseok is a mess by this point, his pretty brown eyes wet and wide, staring at Yoongi as if he’s his only tether to this universe. It’s not just good… it’s something else entirely, something he didn’t know he was even capable of feeling a type of pleasure that is raw and

electric,

sending tingles up and down his spine.
 
He remembers watching Yoongi’s face when he did this act to his boyfriend before, wondering if it really felt that good, but now he knows, he

knows

and he is fully aware that

this,

Yoongi’s fingers — his long, sexy fingers — inside of his body is going to become a

thing

.
 
Hoseok never craved something like this, never thought he would, but staring into Yoongi’s eyes, feeling his boyfriend

inside

of him… he knows he’s going to want this

constantly.

“A— ask me. Ask me if I like it.”
 
Yoongi laughs softly, pressing soft kisses to Hoseok’s face in contrast with the deep massaging motion of his fingers down below. “Does my baby like it?”
 
“I like it.

I like it.

” He whispers it like a secret. “Can it— can it feel better?”
 
Yoongi smiles. “Yes, baby. Hyung can add another finger if you want. Or hyung can touch your cock. Do you want to come, baby?”
 
“If I— If I tell you something, promise you won’t make fun?”
 
Yoongi quirks his brow. “I would never make fun of you. I promise.”
 
Hoseok gulps — because despite their conversation, Yoongi’s fingers have

never

stop rubbing him in exactly the right way — and he tries to catch his breath enough to speak.
 
“I had— I had a dream about you. I

always

dream about you. But this one— it was… it was

dirty

.”
 
Yoongi’s eyes grow dark with lust. “Tell me.”
 
“I was… I was at Sinners. In your studio… in your chair. Naked.”
 
Yoongi can’t help but lick his lips at the illicit thought. “Go on…”
 
“I don’t… I don’t remember why I was there. But you were with me. And your— your

hands.

You used both of your hands on me. You had me on my back and I was staring up at you, and you were so— so fucking

beautiful.

And you had your fingers inside of me, and your other hand wrapped around my cock. Playing with me, in two ways at once. It was so wet and hot and

overwhelming.

I came so hard in my dream that when I woke up, I was all messy. Because of

you.

”
 
Yoongi lets out a shaky breath, the sheer thought of Hoseok fantasizing about him in such a way almost enough to drive him insane. “I think… I think I can make that become a reality for you, sweetheart.” Carefully, he removes his fingers from Hoseok before rolling him onto his back and positioning himself between his legs once more, spreading them. “Like this, baby? Was it like this?”
 
“

Yes

. Oh hyung, are you really— are you really going to do this? Do you like it too? I want— I

need

us both to like it.”
 
Yoongi chuckles lowly. “Oh, trust me.

I like it.

But you need to promise me something, Hoseokie. Hyung is going to make you come just as hard as you did in your dream, but I want you to make a mess again.”
 
Hoseok groans, his hips twitching. “You want— you want me to come all over myself? I can, I

can,

if you’re touching me.”
 
“I do,” Yoongi groans. “I do, because I love how pretty you look when you come. Fuck, Hoseokie. You don’t even

know

what you do to me…” He lets out a shaky moan and presses a kiss to his collarbone before he reaches down and slides his fingers back inside of him, meeting no resistance this time. He reaches up and licks a long stripe onto the palm of his other hand, looking into Hoseok’s eyes as he does so, before he grips his cock and begins stroking him.
 
“But

hyung

.” Hoseok pouts adorably, sliding his legs over Yoongi’s bent ones.
He places one of his hands near his mouth, one of his fingers sliding between his lips, his perfect teeth biting down on it. Yoongi almost can’t believe it, how Hoseok just does the most sexy things completely effortlessly, making even the most simple of actions something intense. “

Hyung.

”
 
Hoseok somehow manages to find this balance of cute and seductive that Yoongi is

positive

will make him lose his mind someday.
 
“What is it, baby? Tell hyung,” Yoongi says, continuing to fuck Hoseok with his fingers because the younger is still clenching needily around him, giving him no indication to stop.
 
Hoseok stares at him with bedroom eyes, heavy lidded and sensual. “Want

more

.” He whines, rolling his hips. “Three.”
 
He shivers at how sexy Hoseok is when he’s demanding like this. Moving quickly, he snatches the bottle of lube back from where he discarded it before and pours more of it down where his fingers are breaching Hoseok’s entrance, making sure his ring finger is plenty slick before carefully sliding it in as well.
 
“There you go, baby. Is that good? Tell me.”
 
Hoseok’s eyes go wider at the stretch, but the playful smile is still on his face. He bites down on his finger, chuckling. “Mhmm.” He watches as Yoongi’s fingers disappear in and out of him, entranced. “Say it again.” He demands, looking back up into Yoongi’s beautiful eyes. “You know what.”
 
“

Baby

,” Yoongi moans. “My cute, perfect

angel.

I love you

so much

. Look at you… look at you opening up for me. Fuck.

Fuck

.” He crooks all three fingers down, massaging Hoseok’s prostate.
 
Hoseok keens, long and low, his legs shaking. “

Hyung.

Oh,

oh.

Keep going. I like it, I like when hyung touches me. I’m your baby, your angel. I’m

yours.

Talk sweet to me, hyung. Tell me how your Hoseokie feels.”
 
“My baby… you feel so good. So soft and warm. I could fuck you like this for hours. For

days

. Mm.. god, you’re so perfect.” Yoongi loses himself in the rambling. He loves Hoseok’s praise kink. He

adores

giving his baby exactly the praise he needs.

“I love you so much. So, so much. Fuck. I love fucking your tight little hole with my fingers. Hyung loves you so much.” He reaches down and takes his cock back into his hand, stroking him in time with the motion of his fingers. “How’s that, baby?”
 
“Oh my

god.

” Hoseok reaches up, his hands pulling at his hair. “

Oh my god.

Hyung is too good to me,

too good.

You like fucking me with your hands? And your tongue?” Hoseok huffs, his breathing coming short due to the dual stimulation. “Hyung wants me to fuck him, right? That’s what he likes?”
 
“Hyung would be happy doing

anything

with his baby,” Yoongi mutters. “But

yes

. Hyung would like that very much. Do you want to come, Seok-ah? Are you close?”
 
“I’m close, I’m close. I’m sorry I’m not fast, I’m just… just savoring it. Savoring hyung. Should I try to hurry? Is that what hyung wants? I’ll try.”
 
“

No

. Take your time, baby. Did you miss the part where I said I’d fuck you for

hours

if you wanted? Come when you’re ready. I’ll get you there. I promise.”
 
“It feels

so good.

So fucking good.” Hoseok laughs, nearly delirious with his pleasure. “Didn’t know it could be like this. I love everything about hyung. His pretty face and his pretty eyes… his sexy fingers and his sexy cock. Should I be quiet? Is your baby being too loud? Talking too much? I’m sorry.”
 
“No, baby. Be loud. I want to hear it. I want to hear everything you have to say. I love it. I love

you

.”
 
“Good.

Good.

I love hyung. I love hyung’s

everything.

” He smiles, rolling his hips down harder, trying to follow Yoongi’s rhythm. “Hyung, you like fucking me like this? I’m a good boy? Your angel? What about your cock? Am I special? Would you like fucking me with your cock? Am I different than the other boys? You don’t have to. I’m rambling. I’m

freaking out,

you make me feel so fucking good, oh my god. Yoongi, Yoongi,

Yoongi.

”
 
“You can have my cock, baby. You can have whatever part of me you want. Fuck the other boys.

You’re

the

only

boy. I would give you

anything

you ever wanted.”
 
“But hyung doesn’t like it that way… don’t wanna ask too much… I’m grateful… I’m grateful for your hands and your tongue and your mouth. Hyung is the best, the

best.

Green, green, always green for hyung.”
 
Yoongi chuckles softly. “Who says I don’t like it that way? I’d like it any way with you. Would you like that, Seok-ah? For me to fuck you like that? I want to do

everything

with you. I want to feel you

everywhere

.”
 
“Mmm.” Hoseok hums, sweat dripping down his temples, his body starting to get dangerously close to that edge. “Love— love when hyung plays with me. Didn’t— didn’t like it before but hyung… might be different with hyung.

Better.

Wanna try… someday. If my hyung wants me. Only if he wants me.”
 
“I want you,

I want you

. I want to be inside of you. I want you to be inside of me. Fuck, Seok-ah. How are you

real

?” Yoongi laughs desperately. “That’s right, baby. You’re getting there. I can feel you getting there. Focus on how good it feels. Focus on how hot it is that I’m inside of you right now, fucking you just right. Chase after it, baby.”
 
“Yes, yes, yes.” Hoseok chants, his eyes moving wildly over Yoongi’s beautifully naked body. His cock is leaking something fierce, making the slide of Yoongi’s calloused palm even smoother. It’s noisy, the intimate, distinct sounds of skin moving against skin and

sex.

He feels like pure sex, with Yoongi playing with his body like this. He

loves

it.
 
“Look at me. Hyung,

look at me

.” He waits until Yoongi meets his eyes, and then he just starts talking nonsense. “I’m going to fuck you. I’m going to come, I’m going to come so hard for you. And then… and then I’ll get it up again. I’ll get so hard for you, and I’ll fuck you

forever.

I’ll fuck you, hyung. I want to. I’ve imagined it so many times, fucking you, you’re so sexy and beautiful. You’re my hyung,

mine.

Do you want my cock? Do you want your angel’s cock? Do you?”
 
“Mm, this?” Yoongi asks, giving Hoseok’s erection a firm squeeze. “Yes.

Yes

, Seok-ah. I  want it. Fuck, fuck, fuck,

fuck

…” The thought of it has him

reeling

and practically watering at the mouth.
 
Hoseok gasps, his whole body starting to tingle. “I changed my mind. Is that okay? Don’t stop, don’t you

dare.

Can I change my mind?”
 
Yoongi blinks. “Of course. Of course, sweetheart. Change your mind about what? About fucking me?”
 
Hoseok laughs, almost hysterical with his pleasure and his love. He shakes his head fervently. “No, no, no. I’m going to fuck hyung. I’m going to fuck you

tonight,

do you understand?”
 
Yoongi speeds up both of his hands, spurred on by the knowledge of what’s to come. “I understand.

I understand

.”
 
“Take your hand off my cock. I wanna— I wanna come because of your fingers alone. I wanna come just like that. Is it possible? I wanna feel it. Focus on hyung’s fingers. Is it possible, hyung

answer.

”
 
“Oh sweetheart,” Yoongi chuckles, removing his hand from Hoseok’s hardness. “Trust me.

Trust me

. It’s possible. But you need to focus. You need to focus on

exactly

how it feels. Let it build, and chase it. Don’t let it get away. Chase it, and it’ll happen."
 
“I will, I will. I’m doing it. I’m doing it right now. I’m looking at you, hyung.

Fuck,

you have a nice cock. I’m sorry, you’re

distracting.

I love everything about you. Can I close my eyes? You’re too beautiful and distracting.”
 
Yoongi chuckles breathlessly. “Yes. Close your eyes, angel.

Focus

.”
 
Hoseok nods, resting his head against the the pillow, his arms loose and pliant up above his head as he closes his eyes.
 
It’s easier then to focus, the drag of Yoongi’s fingers deliciously good, and the sounds, god the

sounds

the two of them are making are absolutely sinful.
 
The orgasm has been building within him, slow and steady and he knows, somehow he

knows

he’s about to have what will probably be the most intense orgasm he’s ever had to date.
 
He’s eager and he’s happy, because he knows he’ll make his hyung so proud, coming untouched. He can’t believe being with Yoongi feels like this, so sexy and

fun,

just the two of them being close and

happy

together

.

Hoseok never knew sex could be filled with laughter and teasing words and mind-numbing pleasure, but Yoongi is teaching him… he’s showing him

everything

and Hoseok loves it.
 
He feels his body tensing up, the release coming closer and closer to the surface. “Hyung, I love you.

I love you!

”
 
“That’s it, baby,” Yoongi groans, speeding up his hand even more. “I love you. C’mon, that’s it. Good boy. You’re doing so good. Come for hyung. I want to see you come for me.”
 
“Yes…

yes!

” Hoseok body locks up for the briefest moment, and then he

explodes,

fireworks in his brain leaving sparks all over his skin.
 
He feels himself coming and coming and

coming,

and he doesn’t even understand how it’s possible, how an orgasm can last this long, be so drawn out, but he doesn’t question it, just relaxes into the bliss, letting his body be taken along for the ride as Yoongi expertly makes him fall apart.
 
“There you go, sweetheart... there you go.” He rubs Hoseok’s abdomen as he watches the younger topple over the edge.
 
It’s such a beautiful sight, seeing Hoseok so lost in the throes of pleasure like this.
 
“Good boy. I’ve got you. God, you’re so fucking beautiful. I’ve got you, baby.”
 
Hoseok didn’t even realize it, but when he blinks his eyes open he feels tears escape down his cheeks, and he’s

buzzing

, his body feeling beyond overwhelmed but undeniably good. He’s flying, and it’s all because of Yoongi.
 
“

Hyung…

”
 
Yoongi fucks him through the aftershocks, and only when Hoseok eventually comes down does he gently,

gently

remove his fingers.
 
Immediately he takes Hoseok into his arms, pressing soft kisses all over his face and holding him close, stroking his hair.
 
“Hyung is here, baby. God, I’m so proud of you. You were so good. So patient and determined and

beautiful

. I hope it was good. I hope it was everything you wanted.”
 
The younger boy blinks up at him in a daze, too overwhelmed for words, his eyes flickering across Yoongi’s face, begging him to understand as a few stray tears slip down his cheeks. Below, his cock is growing soft, and Yoongi realizes that he’s finally found the secret to satisfying Hoseok with only one round.
 
Yoongi wipes away his tears, reading his eyes. “I know, baby. I know. Hyung has got you.”
 
He’s exhausted himself, but he gathers Hoseok up into his arms and tugs them further up so they’re propped against the pillows.
He snatches some tissues off of the bedside table and makes quick work of cleaning Hoseok up before discarding them and pulling the covers up over them, holding him close.
 
Hoseok gives him a worried look, his thigh brushing against Yoongi’s very much still hard cock. Yoongi smiles, always touched when Hoseok worries after him, but at the moment it isn’t necessary. What’s important is giving his baby a chance to catch his breath.
 
Yoongi shakes his head, pressing the softest kisses to Hoseok’s face. “Rest. We have all night.”
 
And Hoseok listens, pulling Yoongi’s smaller body into his own, snuggling him as close as possible.
 
He focuses on Yoongi’s breathing, the sound of his beating heart, and it puts him at ease. There’s no need to worry about a damn thing, because Yoongi is right; they have all night.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
Yoongi’s never really enjoyed dramas, but he’s honestly having the time of his life watching this one. Not that the drama itself is interesting; it’s that Hoseok is possibly the cutest person to watch a drama ever.
 
He pouts and whines and scolds the characters in adorable satoori and Yoongi finds himself burying his face in his boyfriend’s shoulder and giggling, feeling giddy and lighthearted.
 
“Are you kidding me?!” Hoseok groans. “They’re going to break up because of her

father

? That’s so stupid! They’re in

love

.”
 
Yoongi chuckles. “If only they had you as a friend, baby. You would sort them out.”
 
“I would! I’d tell them that any parent that wants to control your life like that isn’t worth your time… and it certainly isn’t worth throwing away a love like that.”
 
“They’ll end up together, sweetheart.”
 
Hoseok frowns. “How do you know?”
 
Yoongi smiles, leaning up and pecking his lips. “Because they always end up together.” He nuzzles against Hoseok’s nose and pecks his lips.
 
After Hoseok had come down from his mind-blowing orgasm a bit earlier, Yoongi had turned on the television and poured them a bit more wine, going to fetch the rest of the chocolate covered strawberries he’d put in the fridge.
 
“Hyung,” Hoseok says, leaning over to press his lips to his cheek.
 
“Hm?” Yoongi hums.
 
“I’m sorry I was so talkative… before… when we…” Hoseok trails off, looking up into Yoongi’s eyes shyly.
 
“Sorry?” Yoongi blinks. “Why would you be sorry for that? I loved it.”
 
“In the heat of the moment I wasn’t thinking… I just said whatever popped into my head. But looking back on it now… I’m sure you were surprised, weren’t you hyung?”
 
Yoongi chuckles. “Not really. There’s a lot of wonderful thoughts that run through that cute head of yours, baby. And trust me, I

know

, when you’re getting that kind of stimulation, it’s hard to bite your tongue.”
 
“So hyung….” He traces his finger down Yoongi’s chest. “Hyung loves it? Like

really

loves it?” He leans down, his cheeks a dusky pink, and his voice gets softer. “It turns hyung on?”
 
“Hyung loves it,” Yoongi whispers, looking into his eyes and flushing a bit himself at the look in Hoseok’s eyes. “It… it turns hyung on a

lot

…”
 
“It was… it was so

good

earlier. I knew I’d like it, because I’m with

you

and everything with you is just—” He shrugs, his big brown eyes looking at Yoongi helplessly. “Hyung is just

good.

I love him.”
 
“I love you too,” Yoongi leans in and pecks his lips gently, before reaching over to grab the remote to the television, switching it off. He tosses the remote away. “And it was good. It was

so

good. Watching you fall apart like that… you were

perfect,

baby. Perfect.”
 
“It felt safe… it felt

different

with you. I know I said some things… I don’t want to be too demanding. Any way I get to have hyung is just fine with me. I’m always thankful.”
 
Yoongi chuckles, grazing his fingers against his cheek. “Baby, listen to me. You might have been babbling and a bit out of it at the time, but I wasn’t. I want to have you in

every

way… every way you could possibly want me. God… it’s so

wonderful

to be with someone who wants to explore things with me, not just someone who…” He trails off, sighing. “Never mind.”
 
“No, hyung—

Yoongi

… tell me.” Hoseok brushes the back of his fingers across Yoongi’s cheek. “I told you before… you can lean on me. I’m

here

for you.”
 
Yoongi sighs softly. “I just… the people I slept with before…” He frowns and looks down. “I’m scared if I tell you about it, you’ll feel insecure. Because in the past, I sought out a very specific type of sexual partner. I looked for people specifically who didn’t give a shit about me, because I just… thought I deserved it, I guess.”
 
Hoseok frowns, pressing in close to leave the softest kisses on Yoongi’s face. “Oh hyung… you didn’t deserve that. You’re so beautiful and kind… the sweetest boyfriend

ever

. I’ll try… I’ll

do

my best. To make it good for you. You’ll have to teach me…”
 
“Oh sweetheart,” Yoongi cups his cheek. “No… you’re perfect. It’s going to be perfect. I have no doubt in my mind that when we do that, it’s going to be the most mind blowing sex of my life. When I went to those guys in the past, it was… self-destructive. I realize that now. Kyungchul never have a

fuck

about my pleasure in bed. He acted like his cock was a

privilege

I was lucky to have. Just…” Yoongi looks down. “The fact that you even…

want

to

explore

things with me… it just… it means a lot. It’s so special. And I love you. Thank you, Hoseokie.”
 
“We’ll figure it out together.” Hoseok grins, wrapping his arms around the other’s neck. “I’m just sorry I was so worn out earlier. I wasn’t expecting that orgasm to… put me out of commission.”
 
Yoongi chuckles. “I was pretty proud that it did.”
 
“I like making you proud… proud of me.” Hoseok nuzzles his nose, playful and lighthearted. “And I still want to make good on my promise…”
 
“If you’re not up for it, it’s completely okay,” Yoongi runs his fingers through his hair. “Hyung will be happy doing anything with his baby.”
 
“

Yoongi.

” Hoseok laughs, taking Yoongi’s hand from his shoulder and moving it down between his legs. “What do you think? Am I up for it?”
 
Yoongi’s breath hitches, his eyes growing dark as Hoseok guides his hand down his hard length. He can’t help but chuckle. “Baby, why didn’t you tell me you were hard again?”
 
“I wanted it to be a surprise. Do you like my surprise, hyung?”
 
Yoongi loves this. He loves this playfulness. It’s so wonderful and so

different

and he is just so happy to

be

happy. “I

love

your surprise,” Yoongi smirks, grazing his fingers up and down his hardness. “Mm… I love it a lot.”
 
“Hmm… hyung wants my cock, doesn’t he?”
 
“I’ve dreamt about your cock,” Yoongi admits with a breathless laugh. “What it’ll feel like… what it’ll

be

like with you. Yes. Hyung wants it. But only if his baby

really

wants to give it to him.”
 
“I really do want to give it to you, hyung.” Hoseok smiles, kissing at Yoongi’s lips again. “But you

do

have to help me, hyung. I’ve never done this before and it makes me so happy, making you feel good.”
 
He reaches down between Yoongi’s legs, his fingers brushing across his center. “No plug this time?”
 
Yoongi’s breath catches and he arches his back on instinct, hooking one of his legs over Hoseok’s hip. “No, baby. No plug. But… but I can get myself ready, if you want. I know how to be quick…”
 
Hoseok laughs, shaking his head no. “Nice try, hyung.” He licks his lips. “But you teased me earlier…”
 
“I didn’t tease!” Yoongi argues, and Hoseok shrugs his shoulders.
 
“Alright, teased isn’t the right word but… you

played

with me, turned me into a moaning, rambling mess, with just your fingers. It’s only fair if I do the same, right? You said you wanted our relationship to be

equal…

” He pushes just the very tip of his index finger in, delighting in the way it makes his boyfriend gasp. “Is that what you meant, hyung?”
 
Yoongi bites at his lip. Ever since he had Hoseok’s fingers in him that one time before everything went wrong, it’s been the subject of almost all of his wet dreams. “Not exactly what I meant but… but it

absolutely

counts.”
 
“How do you like it?” Yoongi opens his mouth to answer, but Hoseok silences him quickly with a kiss. “I wanna know for

real.

Not when you’re in a rush or in a hurry… I wanna know how you like it when you have

time.

When you want to spoil yourself and feel good. Tell me.”
 
“Tell you… tell you about… how I pleasure myself…?” Yoongi blinks, flushing under the younger boy’s gaze.

“Yeah.” Hoseok looks at him intensely. “With your fingers… not with toys, although I very much want to hear about those

later.

” Yoongi makes a choking noise, and Hoseok just grins wider. “Or do you

only

use the toys? What kind of trouble do you get up to when I’m not around, hyung?”
 
Yoongi runs a hand over his face, embarrassed but happy. No one’s ever cared to ask him about this before. “I don’t only use toys… though I do… have a, uh,

collection

of sorts.” He clears his throat. “Vibrations are good. I’ll show you

that

later. But… when it’s just my hand… I guess…” He bites his lip. “I like to use a lot of lube. Probably too much lube. But the slide… the slide is

good.

And… and I like to be on my back, so I can… kind of see… because…” He flushes deeper. “I liked to imagine it was someone else’s hand. Namely, yours. But then, by the time I get three, sometimes

four

fingers inside of me… I close my eyes and pretend it’s a cock.”
 
“Mmm.” Hoseok hums, pushing Yoongi to his back gently. “Is that your favorite thing to have inside of you? A nice, hard cock?”
 
Yoongi licks his lips and nods. “Yes.

Yes.

I

love

it…”
 
“What about

mine

?” Hoseok moves up on his knees, kneeling in front of Yoongi, his right hand gripping his length, showing it off for Yoongi. Somehow he knows it’s not about the size of it, it’s the knowledge that it’s his that makes Yoongi so excited. “I want to give

this

to you. Want to stretch you open and then push inside, so slow. Never want to hurt you.” He chuckles. “I’ll probably stretch you too much, because I never want to hurt my Yoongi.”
 
Yoongi’s mouth waters and he feels a bit dizzy, looking into Hoseok’s beautiful, wild eyes before letting his eyes travel down his lithe body, landing on the piece of it he wants the most. He sits and leans down, pressing a kiss to Hoseok’s abdomen before moving down even further to nuzzle against the length of him, taking it into his own hands. “Want it so bad,” he whispers, looking up at Hoseok hotly. “Want this gorgeous cock inside of me, Hoseokie. You won’t hurt me. Don’t worry about that; you won’t. But it’ll be so good for you too, sweetheart. Do you know that? This part isn’t just about me. This is… this is

sex.

This is about

both

of us.” He gives Hoseok’s cock a gentle squeeze for emphasis.
 
“What do you want, hyung?” Hoseok asks, reaching down to brush his fingers through Yoongi’s soft hair. “You want me to stretch you open, or do you want to suck my cock?”
 
Yoongi swallows thickly, feeling a shiver run up his spine. “Why not both?”
 
Hoseok blinks, tilting his head at him in a way that’s alarmingly cute, considering the subject matter and the position they’re both currently in. “B—both?”
 
“I’ve never actually done this, but…” Yoongi chuckles and tugs on Hoseok’s hand, causing him to fall back down onto the bed with a huff. “We can do both, baby.”
 
The younger stares after him, still not quite getting it. “So which one do you want first?”
 
Yoongi chuckles fondly. He reaches over and grabs the lube, placing it in Hoseok’s hand before leaning down to press a long, slow kiss to his lips. “I want

both.

I told you.” He presses one last peck to Hoseok’s lips before turning around and climbing on top of him, hoping Hoseok gets the memo of exactly what he’s going for.

“Oh.

Oh.

” Hoseok’s hands fly up before his brain even registers it, his hands caressing his boyfriend’s tiny but shapely ass. He grabs the lube and pops it open to pour out a generous amount, remembering what Yoongi said about liking it a bit wetter.
 
“I trust you to stretch me, Hoseokie,” Yoongi says, pressing a kiss to Hoseok’s lower abdomen before taking his boyfriend’s cock back into his hand. “I trust you…” He licks his lips before holding Hoseok upright and taking him into his mouth, closing his eyes immediately and savoring how it feels to have the hot, hard flesh against his tongue.
 
Hoseok starts with just one finger, tracing the rim of Yoongi’s entrance almost as if he’s in a trance, seeing how Yoongi’s body shivers and moves from this close of a vantage point. Yoongi makes a little whiny noise from above him, and Hoseok knows he’s getting impatient. He presses forward in one smooth motion, watching in surprise as Yoongi’s body immediately opens up to accommodate him.
 
He goes slow, not to tease but just to err on the side of caution. Yoongi’s mouth on him feels heavenly, but it’s obvious that his boyfriend isn’t using any of his usual tricks on him, just keeping the pressure steady as he bobs up and down.
 
Yoongi can’t help but moan loudly as he feels Hoseok start to get to work, using one careful finger to stretch him just enough. Soon, maybe because he’s eager or maybe because he just wants

more

of Hoseok, it becomes not enough. “Mm,” he pulls off of Hoseok with a soft

pop,

continuing to stroke him. “Baby… more. Another. I can take it.

Please…”

“Okay…” Hoseok slowly adds in his middle finger, feeling the tightness around his fingers suck him in. Yoongi moans, his grip around Hoseok’s cock tightening when he feels the stretch.
 
“That’s it, baby…” He praises, pressing soft kitten-like kisses along his shaft. Yoongi takes the initiative to rock his hips back harder, trying to increase the pressure. “A little harder, Seok-ah… I won’t break.”
 
“You’re sure?” Hoseok experimentally puts a little more power behind it on the next stroke in, feeling giddy at the way Yoongi’s thighs shake. “

Yeah.

” His other hand moves up, gripping the curve of Yoongi’s ass, pulling him apart. “Looks so good, hyung.”
 
“Mm… what does, Hoseokie?”
 
“You.

This.

” He crooks his fingers down, remembering the advice Yoongi had given him before. He feels it, that special area, and his chest blooms with pride when he hears the strangled sound that comes out of Yoongi’s throat, the elder’s moan sounding garbled from his position around his cock. “Did I find it hyung?”
 
Yoongi shivers all over, humming to let him know that yes, he

has

found it. He closes his eyes as focuses on continuing to blow his boyfriend just right, even though the pleasure is almost overwhelming. “Third,” he gasps when he pulls off for air. “Add a third, baby. I’m almost there… almost ready. Need… fuck, I need you inside of me so bad…”
 
His boyfriend’s body is loose and pliant, so there’s little to no resistance when he adds in the third digit.
He goes a little faster now, his own longing to be inside of Yoongi starting to color his actions.
 
“You’re beautiful… hyung, you’re beautiful. Your mouth is so good. Am I stretching  you well? Hyung…”
 
Yoongi bobs his head a few times before once taking Hoseok all the way down, his lips grazing against his groin before he pulls back and gasps for air. “Sweetheart… it’s

so good

… it’s so fucking good. I think — I think I’m ready, baby.”
 
“I don’t know about that.” Hoseok kisses at his thighs his fingers moving with more pressure, finding his prostate and not letting up. “I think hyung needs to come… are you going to come for your angel? Like this? With

me

inside you on both ends… it’s making you feel overwhelmed, isn’t it hyung? You can’t decide if you want more of my cock or more of my fingers…”
 
Yoongi wants his cock, he

needs

his cock, but he knows it’s probably a good idea if he comes once before. That way, he’ll last longer once he finally gets what he wants. And what he

really

wants is Hoseok to fuck him for a

long

time.
 
“You want me to come?” Yoongi pants, pressing his face into Hoseok’s thigh as he continues to stroke him. “I’m… f—fuck… I’m close…

right there

… yeah… that’s—” he whimpers softly. “S—so good…”
 
“I want you to, Yoongi… I want you to come… come all over me. Wanna feel you tense up around my fingers. Imagine it’s my cock. Imagine how good it’s going to feel when I’m finally inside you, closer to you than I’ve ever been. Please hyung, please come. Want you to feel like I do… come on…”
 
Yoongi doesn’t need to be told twice. He focuses on the way Hoseok’s massaging his prostate relentlessly, and lets it shove him headfirst over the edge. He cries out, his whole body going tense as his cock twitches and spills strings of come onto Hoseok’s chest. He lets out a soft sob of pleasure, his face buried in Hoseok’s skin, before his legs give out.
 
Hoseok holds him upright by the waist, shimmying from underneath him to press Yoongi to his back.
 
Yoongi pants and lets out a series of soft, sated noises as he rides out the aftershocks.
He moans and turns his head to the side, pressing his face into the pillow, reaching down on instinct to slide his fingers into himself, seeing just how stretched and open and

wet

he is now.
 
He glances to the side with heavy-lidded eyes to find Hoseok watching him hotly, his eyes locked into where Yoongi has his own fingers hooked into himself now.
 
“Did I do well, hyung?”
 
Yoongi reaches up with his other hand and runs two fingers down his chest, collecting some of his release that remains there before bringing them into his mouth, never breaking eye contact.
 
“It was perfect,” Yoongi says breathlessly, pulling him down to kiss him so he can taste him too.
 
Their kisses grow more intense, Hoseok eventually flipping their positions so Yoongi is the one spread out on his back. The older boy’s legs spread open, bracketing Hoseok’s waist in.
 
“You still want me?” Yoongi whispers, his fingers playing with Hoseok’s hair.
 
“Yes.

Yes.

You look beautiful, hyung. I want you.”
 
“Okay.” Yoongi crosses his ankles, pushing down on Hoseok’s back with his heels.
 
“What do I—”
 
“

Relax,

baby.” Yoongi smiles into the kiss. “Just trust yourself… your instincts. Go with the flow and do what feels good.”
 
“I don’t wanna mess up—”
 
“You’ll

never

mess up.” Yoongi reassures him, hands squeezing at Hoseok’s shoulders. “I love you and I want this. Let’s just feel it out together, yeah?”
 
“Yeah… okay.” Hoseok kisses him deeply once more, one of his hands moving down to push at his thigh, bringing it down towards the mattress to make Yoongi’s legs split further apart. “I know you like it hard, hyung… you told me. But… but right now I wanna go slow.”
 
Yoongi almost can’t even

believe

how effortlessly sexy Hoseok is without even realizing it. It’s truly a thing to marvel at. “Slow is

perfect

. Sex isn’t just one tempo, baby. It can be all kinds of different things in the same session. It can be slow and soft, then hard and fast, then slow and soft again. It’s all about what

we

need and what our bodies ask us for.”
 
He reaches to the side and grabs the discarded lube, pouring some into his palm and closing his hand to warm it up before reaching down and stroking gently at Hoseok’s cock. “It’s truly almost like we become one for a bit, baby. Your pleasure will be my pleasure; your needs will be my needs to. Trust yourself. I trust you.”
 
“I’m so thankful... so fucking thankful that we found our way back to each other… that you’re mine again.” Hoseok kisses him, his hips slanting forward into the slick grip of Yoongi’s hand. “I was so lost without you… so, so lost. But you found me.

You found

me.”
 
Yoongi shakes his head. “No,

you

found me. When you showed up at my apartment… all windswept and beautiful in that fancy suit… god, I thought I was going to pass out on the spot. I couldn’t believe it.”
 
“I’m sorry it took me so long. But I’m just— I’m so fucking happy that we’re here

now.

I know I hurt you; I’ll make it up to you. I’ll make you happy, I promise.”
 
“Enough talk about what

was,”

Yoongi says softly, cupping his face and looking deeply into his eyes. “You

do

make me happy. You make me the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life.” He shifts then, bringing his ankles a bit further up Hoseok’s back, arching slightly. “I

love

you. I love you so much.”
 
“I love you too. I want to

make

love to you.” Hoseok licks his lips, staring down in the endless depths of Yoongi’s dark eyes. “Will you let me?”
 
Yoongi lets out a shaky breath and nods, slowly dragging his lip through his teeth in anticipation. “Make love to me, angel. Make me yours. Please. I want you. I

need

you.”
 
Hoseok spurs into action then, pulling Yoongi’s hand away from his cock so he can position himself. And though there are questions ringing in his head, he quiets it; he knows he might fumble a bit… this

is

the first time he’s ever been the one on top but he knows that even if he does make a few mistakes, it’ll be okay. Yoongi isn’t going to judge him… Yoongi doesn’t expect him to be perfect. And a lot of sex is relying on instincts and just feeling the moment, so he tries his best to only focus on the beautiful boy beneath him, and the love that is shining in his eyes.
 
Yoongi takes a deep breath and reaches up to stroke his fingers through Hoseok’s hair comfortingly with one hand, grazing his fingers down his spine with his other. “That’s right, baby. I’ve got you.” His breath hitches when he feels the blunt head of Hoseok’s cock press against his center. Just the

thought

of it is enough to make the room spin, but he keeps himself grounded because he knows Hoseok needs him in this moment. “You’re doing so well. Hyung is so proud of you.”
 
Hoseok bends down, pressing their foreheads together, his eyes locked on Yoongi’s. He inches forward ever so slightly, just the tip of his cock slipping inside of Yoongi. There’s a choked off moan from below him but he doesn’t stop, his hands seeking out Yoongi’s, lacing their fingers together as he presses them into the mattress.
 
He doesn’t

dare

to close his eyes, drinking in the way that Yoongi’s start to widen, his pupils dilating as Hoseok pushes forward, inch by inch. The slide is graceful, Yoongi’s body overly prepped and ready, and the generous amount of lube just making things easier.

“Hoseok.

” Yoongi gasps, his fingers tightening on the younger’s, feeling like he’s standing on the precipice of something big and

new,

even though he’s done this hundreds of times before.
 
But he’s never done this with

Hoseok,

and that makes all the difference in the world.
 
“Oh… Yoongi,

Yoongi

.” Hoseok can’t help but smile, the overwhelming heat of Yoongi’s body around his cock something he wasn’t prepared for. And Yoongi’s body keeps pulling him in, almost greedily, encouraging him to keep going, to bury himself in all the way to the hilt.
 
Finally,

finally

, Hoseok is all the way inside of him, their hips pressed into one another, and Yoongi lets his head fall back. “

Fuck yes,”

he can’t help but groan with a breathless laugh. “Oh my fucking god… it’s

perfect

.”
He finds Hoseok’s lips and kisses him deeply, nuzzling against him. “How is it, baby? How are you? Talk to me…” He chuckles. “Don’t go silent on me now…”
 
“You’re so…

tight.

”
 
Yoongi giggles at that, knowing it’s a common thing to say, but for Hoseok this is his first time experiencing the sensation, so he gets it. “Yeah? Am I tight for you, baby? You like that, don’t you?”
 
“I do…

hyung,

you’re so hot… like it

feels

hot, can I— can I start?” Up to this moment he’s kept his cock buried in, his hips close to Yoongi’s body. Yoongi is appreciative of the fact that Hoseok is giving him time to adjust, but he also wants to be fucked by the only boy who has ever mattered to him, and being so close but not really getting it fully is going to drive him

crazy

.
 
“

Fuck…

yes, baby. Yes. You can start. I can take it.”
 
“You

can.

” Hoseok says, somewhat in awe as he pulls his hips back and thrusts back in for the first time. “Your body… you

like

this.”
 
Yoongi laughs happily at that observation. “Yes, angel. I very much like this. Like

you.

” He licks his lips and looks up into Hoseok’s wide eyes. “Fuck me, baby. Make

love

to me. I’m ready. You stretched me out so nicely. I’m so wet and ready for you. C’mon…”
 
He gently digs the balls of his feet into Hoseok’s lower back and guides him a bit as the younger begins moving his hips, pushing in and out of Yoongi with the most delicious slide.
 
With his partners from the past, he was always a silent lover. He never liked showing them his pleasure like that; he always felt embarrassed. But right now… he doesn’t

care.

He wants Hoseok to know how good he’s making him feel. He doesn’t feel any embarrassment at all as he starts to moan and whine wantonly, obsessed with the feeling of Hoseok filling him

so well

.
 
Hoseok seems to like how loud he’s being, his hands clutching the older’s while he starts to pick up the tempo of his thrusts. It’s definitely still slow, but now each time he pushes in he adds a bit more force to it, the sounds of their skin sliding together just as prominent in the room as their moans.
 
“Pretty.” Hoseok muses, kissing Yoongi’s mouth, Yoongi’s face, Yoongi’s neck… simply anywhere he can reach while staying so close. “You sound so

pretty

when I fuck you...”
 
Yoongi works with him, his body rolling up to meet Hoseok’s thrusts, their hips moving in tandem as they seek out their pleasure.
 
Eventually, it’s

perfect,

but it could be

more

. It could be

better

. He can tell by the look on Hoseok’s face that he’s holding back a bit, and he wants to

show

Hoseok that topping doesn’t always mean doing all the work; being the one that has to take care of the other.
 
“Do you trust me, Seok Seok?” Yoongi whispers against his forehead, and Hoseok immediately nods.
 
“Yes, hyung.

Yes.

I trust you.”
 
“Good,” Yoongi responds and pushes Hoseok back, feeling empty as the younger slides out of him before he gets him onto his back before immediately crawling on top of him, straddling his hips.
 
“Oh.

Oh.

Yoongi… oh my

god.

” Hoseok stares wide eyed as Yoongi positions himself, one of his hands reaching behind him to steady Hoseok’s cock before he slowly starts to sink down. “

Yoongi

!” Hoseok shouts when he’s completely buried in Yoongi’s body once more, the elder boy looking startlingly beautiful and in his element like this.
 
Yoongi’s hands reach forward, clutching onto Hoseok’s chest for balance as he starts to move his hips. “Feels different.

Good

.” He explains with a smile, staring down at Hoseok adoringly. “Different angle. And your cock,

god

Seok-ah, your cock.”
 
“

Hyung.

” Hoseok whines, reaching out to run his hands up Yoongi’s slim thighs, feeling the muscles work as he grinds on top of him. “You’re gorgeous. You’re so gorgeous when you’re riding my cock.”
 
“Yeah?” Yoongi chuckles, biting his lip as he looks at his boyfriend. “You remember that time in the kitchen? After our first date? When I pretended to ride you?”
 
Hoseok beams, nodding happily. “That was

so

good; never gonna forget.” He confesses, his hands moving up Yoongi’s body now, coming up to play with his nipples, the silver piercings glinting in the moonlight. “This is

so

much better. You’re so hard for me… you feel so fucking good, oh my

god

.”
 
Yoongi grins. “I am so hard for you, baby. I didn’t even notice I was hard, that’s how fucking turned on I am right now.” He moans as Hoseok pinches his nipples, tossing his head back.
 
He leans back again, Hoseok’s fingers trailing down his rib cage, and plants his hands back on Hoseok’s thighs as he spreads his legs even wider and starts to bounce on him, giving Hoseok the full show of his cock disappearing into Yoongi’s willing body.
 
And Hoseok does watch, enjoying the show fully for what it is, loving how his hyung gets so much pleasure from his cock. But he grows restless, and the urge to take over rises within him.
 
“Hold on, hyung.” Yoongi barely even has time to mutter out a reply when Hoseok starts moving, his hands strongly holding Yoongi’s hips as he picks him up, his cock never fully sliding out as he rearranges himself so that he’s kneeling.
 
“

Oh.

” Yoongi knows what he’s going for, and he promptly wraps his legs around Hoseok’s waist, getting settled in his lap. “Shit… Seok-ah… you’re a

menace

.”
 
“Is it bad?” Hoseok asks rhetorically, because the fucked out look in Yoongi’s eyes tells him everything he needs to know.
 
“

Fuck no

.” Yoongi responds anyway, wrapping his arms around Hoseok’s shoulders as well. “S’good.

Close.

”
 
“Yeah.” Hoseok agrees, his arms holding Yoongi’s lower back as he starts to thrust up into him. “Wanna be close when we come. Wanna feel you

everywhere.

”
 
And it’s true, like this almost every inch of their bodies are pressed together, and the stimulation is almost too much, but in a good way.
 
Hoseok can

feel

every part of Yoongi’s body reacting to him; his hyung’s cock slides against the hard muscles of his stomach, gaining some blessed friction that way each time he drops down on his cock. Even their nipples brush together, the little piercings sending shocks through even Hoseok’s body.
 
But the best part of all is that their faces are close, so he’s free to claim his hyung’s sweet lips as much as he wants.
 
Yoongi gasps when Hoseok tugs him closer, his cock going in at

just

the right angle. He feels himself let out a small spurt of precome, his eyes growing wide.
 
“Baby…”
 
“Did I find it, hyung?” Hoseok asks, driving his cock back in at that same angle. “Hmm? Tell me.”
 
“Seok-ah…

fuck

, baby… yes…

right there

, just like

that,

oh my

god…

”
 
Yoongi curls his fingers into Hoseok’s hair and holds on for the ride, his body now buzzing with every imaginable kind of pleasure.
 
Their breaths become more labored and their movements grow more frantic as both of them approach their climax.
 
“Are you close?” Yoongi asks, wanting so badly for them to come together; to experience what it feels like to topple over the edge simultaneously, wrapped up in each other in every possible way.
 
“Yeah…

yeah,

I love you, hyung, I wanna feel you… wanna feel you come on my cock. Wanna make you fall apart, you’re so beautiful. I’m your angel, I’m

yours.

Tell me.”
 
“You’re mine…

my

baby… and I’m yours. I’m all yours. Wanna feel you come inside of me. Wanna wake up tomorrow with it still inside of me. Wanna be

dripping

with it… Fuck.

Fuck.”

“Kiss me, Yoongi,

kiss me.

” Hoseok demands, his hands moving up to cup Yoongi’s face, keeping their mouths close together.
 There’s not much talking then, just their frantic movements and the loud sounds of their coupling filling the room. Hoseok feels Yoongi’s hands tightening on his shoulders, and he knows what’s about to happen. He pulls back from the kiss and whimpers out a single, quiet please, his eyes staring into Yoongi’s as he starts to tumble off the edge. Yoongi moans Hoseok’s name long and low, his nails scratching down his back as his entire body goes completely tense, and then he’s coming. 
Yoongi clenches down around Hoseok’s cock in the most

dizzying

way, and the younger boy lets go, crying out Yoongi’s name and coming deeply inside of him in warm, drawn out pulses. Yoongi gasps, his own release painting lines across Hoseok’s abdomen, and then there’s just the sounds of their labored breathing, both of them delirious with bliss.
 
When Hoseok pulls back to look at his hyung, he finds that there’s tears in his eyes.
 
“Hyung…

Yoongi…

are you okay?”
 
Yoongi nods quickly, pulling Hoseok in for a soft kiss. “I’m more than okay. I’m perfect. I’m just… overwhelmed by how much I love you. How

happy

I am. I almost lost you, but now I have you, now I have

this…

and I’m

so happy.

”
 
Hoseok feels himself tearing up as well. Gently, he lays back, bringing Yoongi down with him, his softening cock still inside of him. It’s

amazing

, how fucking Yoongi is enough to sate him with one go. It never occurred to him that the key to his body was just that he needed

enough

pleasure and connection. That there was never anything

wrong

with him.
 
Eventually Yoongi yawns cutely, and Hoseok can’t help but coo softly and nuzzle against his hair.
 
“Time for sleep?”
 
“This is perfect,” Yoongi mutters. “Wanna fall asleep with your cock still inside of me.”
 
Hoseok chuckles softly. “If you’re sleepy, think that’s happening whether you like it or not. I don’t want to move. You’re so

warm.”

“Mm… not sleepy, really.

Blissful.

”
 
The younger boy grins, his fingers softly caressing Yoongi’s cheek, wiping the few stray tears away. “We’re going to be

insufferable

, you know.”
 
“What do you mean?” Yoongi asks, and Hoseok laughs.
 
“Because we’re going to be so sickeningly in love, and we’re never going to shut up about it. Cheesy social media posts… constantly all over each other in public… driving all of our friends

nuts

with how crazy we are about one another…”
 
Yoongi laughs softly. “Perfect. That’s exactly what I want. I’m going to show you off to the whole world, baby. Let them know that you’re

mine

.” He hums, pressing a kiss to Hoseok’s chest. “And all of our friends can deal with it. Especially our younger friends. They’re sickening enough as it is — time to give them a taste of their own medicine.”
 
“Knowing them… they’ll probably be our biggest supporters. I think they’ve suffered a lot over the past month… they like for their hyungs to be happy.”
 
“I know.” Yoongi kisses him gently. “And we will.”
 
Hoseok cuddles him closer. “And Seokjin hyung…” He sighs, unsure of how to make his boyfriend understand. “I know… I know you don’t have the best impression of him. And I don’t blame you for that

at all.

I think… I think a lot of people would have turned their backs on him, after what he did but… but I need you to understand that he

has always

supported me. For

years.

What he did wasn’t right… I’d never pretend otherwise, but… but I do understand. Because before I would have done some unhealthy things. Before… if it wasn’t for Seokjin, I would have gone back to Seunghoon, and I wouldn’t have believed he was treating me wrong. Do you understand?”
 
“Of course. And I don’t hold it against him, sweetheart. Remember that I was the one who invited him over this morning. I wanted to resolve things. I know how much you love him, and I didn’t want you to keep suffering.”
 
“I just don’t want you to…

deal

with him being around, for my sake. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, because I love you. But I do love him too… just in a different way.”
 
“Listen to me, baby. I forgave him when you did. Because I know he wronged me too, but I trust and love you enough that I trust your instincts. I don’t want you to have to feel weird because your boyfriend and your best friend have tension. I want to actually get to know Seokjin hyung. I want to be close to him, because if someone is close to you, then I know they’re good. I want to be close to them too.”
 
“That makes me so…

incredibly

happy. Because he is a good person and I know… now that he’s let you in, he’s going to take care of you too. He’s the oldest and it’s like… how he copes with the stress of not being able to control his own life, but that’s a different situation altogether.” Hoseok smiles. “It’s just… he knows that you really love me now and trust me… that’s all he’s ever wanted for me. There used to be times when I would just cry and

cry… why can’t I be like everyone else? Why can’t I just hook up and not care?

Because that’s what my friends did, and it made them happy, so why couldn’t I do it too? I was so torn up about it… but Jinnie hyung would always tell me, there’s a

person

out there for you. A person who will love you for

you.

And I used to think it was just him trying to make me feel better but… but he was

right.

Because that person is

you

. You’re my person, Yoongi.”
 
Yoongi smiles gently. “I am. And you’re mine. Hoseok and Yoongi. You and me.” He presses another kiss to the center of Hoseok’s chest. “I love you. I’m

in

love with you. And you know that for those I care about the most, I’d do anything for them. I’d like to be like that with Seokjin hyung, because anyone who cares about my Hoseokie that much must be a really wonderful person.”
 
“I”m just so excited for the future… to be with you, Yoongi. Because I know… I know if we could get through all of

that…

then there’s nothing that could ever tear us apart. This is… this is

it

, and instead of feeling scared or nervous, I just feel so relieved. I’m so happy that I’m yours, Yoongi. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in this fancy hotel suite with the most gorgeous boy in the entire world. And I don’t care that it’s late and I’m tired, I just want to drink more wine and eat strawberries and watch romance movies on the pay per view and just be so fucking happy with you. Can I do that?”
 
Yoongi grins happily, a full gummy smile. “Yes. Yes, you can.”
 
He carefully moves away, Hoseok’s now-soft cock slipping out of him easily, before grabbing the strawberries off the bedside table and finding the remote, settling back down. They’re still a bit messy and covered in sweat, but neither of them care in the slightest. Hoseok grabs the wine bottle and their glasses from the bathtub while Yoongi does that, hurrying back over to the bed. He pours a generous serving for each of them, the sweet red liquid nearly spilling out of the glass in his haste, making the two of them giggle.
 
“Careful, baby.” Yoongi steadies his hand, so incredibly fond as he watches Hoseok just

exist.

“I know, I know. I’m just excited.” Hoseok beams, handing Yoongi his glass. “I’d like to propose a toast.”
 
Yoongi lifts his glass, swirling the dark red liquid around. “Please do.”
 
Hoseok holds up his glass. “I think… I think that me and you… you and me… we’ve been through so much together. We’ve felt a kind of love so deep and intense… that it’s stronger than some people who have been together for

years.

And we’ve had our problems and I know we’ll encounter more in the future but… but when it gets hard, I always want us to remember

this.

The way we felt tonight. How deeply we love one another. I think if we can do that… if we can always remember just how special and

life changing

tonight was… then we’ll be okay.”
 
Yoongi smiles, holding up his glass as well. “To us.” He says simply, because it’s all there really needs to be said.
 
“To us,” Hoseok responds, clinking their glasses together, his eyes never leaving Yoongi’s; a gentle, excited smile on his heart-shaped lips.
 
Yoongi knows that this relationship, the

commitment

he has with Hoseok is never going to go away. Tonight might have been the first time they experienced each other’s bodies fully, but they gave their hearts away a long, long time ago.
 
He’s not naive enough to think it will always be easy, but Hoseok is right; as long as they remember

this,

the depth of their love for each other, then they’ll make it through just fine.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
“How’s everything back home?” Choa perches up in Namjoon’s chair, her legs swinging happily as she hands him his fancy frappuccino.
 
“Good.” Namjoon takes it with a quick thanks, sipping his sugary concoction with glee. “Yoongi was just asking me a question about Seokjin.”
 
“

The

Seokjin?” Choa giggles, biting at her straw. “The one whose Instagram you definitely do not stalk every day?”
 
Namjoon gives her a

look.

“I do not stalk his page. What’s with everyone saying that?”
 
She rolls her eyes. “I adore you, but you are extremely predictable Namjoonie.”
 
“Why does noona tease me so?” Namjoon complains and she just smirks, tucking her short blonde hair behind her ear.
 
“Because it’s

fun.

And I bring you enough coffee to make up for it, so deal.” Choa says smartly. “I’m not blaming you though. Boys aren’t my thing, but even

I

must acknowledge that he is devastating pretty.”
 
Namjoon considers denying it, but decides to just accept his fate. “He is quite devastating.” He twirls his phone in his hand, and inevitably gives in, opening up the app to scroll to Seokjin’s page. “It’s his birthday, you know. Or at least it is in Korea.”
 
“Hmm.” She hums. “Why don’t you send him a friendly happy birthday message?”
 
He gives her

another

look, and she laughs. “I don’t know why you’re still pretending to be so angry.”
 
“I

am

angry.”
 
“Really? Because most people stare at their enemies all day long and fawn over their eyelashes.”
 
“I did no such thing!”
 
She shrugs. “You’re right, his eyelashes are unremarkable.”
 
“No, they’re actually really pretty and long.” Namjoon realizes just a second too late that he’s fallen into her trap. “You’re the worst.”
 
“I’m the

best.

Now tell me why you’re holding this grudge.”
 
“His father ruined my family!”

“Exactly. His

father.

A man who you’ve told me wasn’t even nice to his own son. So why are you holding Seokjin accountable for something that happened when he was a kid?”
 
“I— He should have

told

me.”
 
She rests her chin on her fist. “Yes, he should of been honest if he had suspicions. But it’s not enough to completely cancel him. Especially if you have real feelings.”
 
“

He

doesn’t have real feelings!” Namjoon argues, but it feels a bit hollow. “We were— it was supposed to be no strings. Just because I violated the terms of our agreement doesn’t mean he did.”
 
“But what about those things you told me? The things you two did together and the way he treated you? It didn’t sound like a series of booty calls if you ask me.”
 
Namjoon sighs. “He hasn’t even tried to contact me since that time I texted him after Halloween. He’s over it.”
 
“Have you asked him that?” Choa challenges, and Namjoon groans.
 
“

No.

But I don’t need to. I’m here and he’s there and it’s… it’s done.”
 
“Right… because the two of us totally aren’t going to end up back in Korea someday.”
 
Namjoon takes a long sip of his drink, avoiding the statement, but Choa presses on.
 
“Come on… there’s no way we are going to stay here and keep working for KC. Don’t get me wrong, New York is fun but… it isn’t home.”
 
Namjoon considers her. “Are you planning on going back to Incheon or Seoul?”
 
She checks her watch, and stands up. “I don’t know Namjoonie. I’m keeping my options

open.

Maybe you should do the same.”
 
“

Noona

.”
 
“I’m just saying; there’s no better ice breaker than a

happy birthday

.”
 
“

Goodbye

noona.”
 
“You’re just upset that I’m right!” She sing songs as she retreats from his work space, leaving Namjoon with nothing but his thoughts.
 
His thumb hovers over his screen, looking at Seokjin’s profile, considering reaching out. A happy birthday

would

be an easy conversation starter… maybe it would make Seokjin happy to know he remembered.
 
But his thoughts are disrupted when a client comes knocking at his door; he sets down his phone and puts on his game face, getting back in the headspace to do his work properly.
 
It wasn’t the right moment. But maybe…

maybe

it would be soon.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

This is a collection of written scenes from the social media au, Stigma, on twitter.The chapters will make much more sense if you read the social posts there, but a few of the scenes can stand alone.♡ read the social media au here ♡ 
Yoongi will give Jimin and Hoseok this — they never go halves on throwing a party.
 
While Seokjin is at work, they both work tirelessly to get decorations, snacks, drinks and all kinds of merriment. Yoongi even runs a few errands, picking up the bottle of wine Namjoon had advised him to purchase as well as some various things his boyfriend had instructed him to get.
 
Seokjin is surprised and happy when he walks in to them all jumping out from various hiding locations, and he giggles and hugs his dongsaengs tightly, but Yoongi can still see the telltale signs of exhaustion and wariness around his edges.
 It’s a bit later into the night, after everyone’s had their fair share of pizza and a more than a bit of wine, and Yoongi looks up from where he’s been cuddling his boyfriend on the couch while the younger talks animatedly with Jungkook about some American superhero movie, and notices that the man of the hour is nowhere to be found.  
Yoongi sits and presses a kiss to Hoseok’s cheek. “I’ll be back in a few, sweetheart.”
 
“Hmm?” Hoseok looks at him, eyes going soft, and smiles. “Okay, hyung.”
 
Yoongi can’t help but pull him in for a gentle kiss. The last week has been utterly magical even if the both of them have been very busy with their work. They’ve settled into a habit of Hoseok meeting Yoongi at Sinners in the evening before closing time and coming back to his apartment with him. They usually order dinner, watch a movie, and then fall into bed together.
 
It’s a routine Yoongi can

definitely

get behind.
 
He pulls himself away from Hoseok and looks around, trying to figure out where the eldest amongst them could have disappeared off to. He notices that the door to the balcony is slightly ajar, and slips away from the living room, sliding it open.
 
He finds Seokjin sitting out under the stars, cross-legged on the ground, his tie undone and his sleeves rolled up around his forearms. He has a half-empty glass of wine sitting beside him, as well as the bottle, which definitely had quite a bit left in it when Yoongi last saw it.
 
Seokjin’s cheeks are a bit flushed, and his eyes are a bit glossed over as he stares out at the lights of the city.
 
He doesn’t look up when Yoongi slides the door closed and sits down beside him, grabbing the bottle of wine and taking a swig right from the bottle. He simply lets a shoulder bounce in a smileless laugh.
 
“Why don’t you hate me?” Seokjin says, squinting his eyes. “It doesn’t make any sense, Yoongi-yah. You should

loathe

me.”
 
“Maybe,” Yoongi shrugs. “But I don’t.”
 
“Sometimes

I

loathe me.” Seokjin mutters, staring into his wine glass. “A lot of the time…”
 
“Why?” Yoongi asks, no judgement, just curiosity.
 
“I just… I try very hard to be a certain kind of person… to be unbothered but…”
 
“But you’re a person who has feelings?” Yoongi tries, to which Seokjin chuckles.
 
“...Yeah. Yeah, I have feelings. Wish I didn’t sometimes… it would be easier. But I do.” He looks at Yoongi. “I admire you, you know.”
 
“Because I don’t have feelings?” Yoongi asks dryly.
 
“No.

No.

It’s the opposite.” Seokjin corrects his assumption. “You’ve always struck me as the type of person who goes after what he wants. I remember your face… that day at the carnival, when you bid on Hoseokie.

Determined.

” He chuckles. “Did you know, then? That you would fall for him?”
 
Yoongi smiles a bit, pulling his knees up to his chest and looking out at the skyline. “I’d already fallen for him. But that was the day that I realized I had to

act

on it, if I wanted him to be mine.”
 
“Hmm.” Seokjin hums, holding out his glass, which Yoongi refills. “This wine is German. You know, I—”
 
“You lived in Germany when you were a teen,” Yoongi answers automatically. “Yeah, I know.”
 
Seokjin looks at him, lips parted in surprise. “But how?”
 
“How do you think? I asked Namjoon what kind of wine you’d like. He told me to get you this one. He explained to me why. In a way… you could consider it a gift from both of us.”
 
“Really?” Seokjin smiles to himself. “I… I can’t believe he remembered that.”
 
“Why wouldn’t he?”
 
The older boy looks at him, amused. “You want the real answer or the nice one?”
 
Yoongi takes another swig from the bottle. “I want whichever one you’re itching to get off your chest, which I’m guessing is the former.”
 
“It’s nothing like

that.

” Seokjin grins. “It’s just… I told him that, the first time I stayed at his place. After we…” He trails off meaningfully. “

You know.

I just… I was rambling. I mentioned it without even thinking. It was before we were…

anything.

Not that we ever

were

anything. You know.” He shrugs. “I’m just… surprised he remembered. That he was really listening. Namjoon was… he was really something.”
 
Yoongi chuckles. “Let me tell you something about Namjoon. As long as I’ve known him, he’s always lost

everything.

His keys, his phone… for fuck’s sake, he even loses his car every single time he parks it. I tease him about it constantly. He forgets where he puts

everything.

He’d lose his head if it wasn’t attached to his shoulders. But things that matter, things that

really matter

to him… he’s like an elephant. He

remembers.

Everything.” He glances over at Seokjin. “This is a man who forgets his own birthday half the time, but he didn’t forget

yours

. That means something, whether you both want to admit it or not.”
 
The smile fades from Seokjin’s face, and he stares down at the ground. “I know I said it before but… I’m sorry. I know I’m the reason why your best friend left. I didn’t want Namjoon to go but… I was too big of a prideful asshole to own up to my own mistakes. He gave me the opportunity to apologize… he reached out after Halloween and I… I went out of my way to shut him out.”
 
“We’ve already established that you weren’t in the best mindset back then,” Yoongi says tactfully, looking over at him.
 
“Namjoon had a way about calling me on my bullshit.” Seokjin takes a long sip. “He knew he was different… he knew he was special to me. All he wanted… all he wanted was for me to admit it. To simply…

acknowledge

him. But I couldn’t even give him that.” He nods his head slowly. “I don’t blame him for going. After the things I said… he had no reason to stay. I just hate that in his haste to get away from

me,

he had to leave you.”
 
Yoongi shakes his head. “I know you’re hyper-focused on how

you

destroyed everything, but… you weren’t the reason he left. Maybe you were a part of it, but… Namjoon left me behind because

I

fucked up. Because I was fucking our no-good mentor for years and lied to him about it, and he felt so betrayed. I didn’t tell him because I was

ashamed

, but that didn’t matter to him at the time. He was being deceived by a master manipulator. Don’t blame yourself for that. There’s no point in blaming yourself when it’s not your fault.”
 
Seokjin looks at him silently for a few moments, his eyes narrowing. “You ready to wanna kick my ass again?”
 
Yoongi blinks before taking another long swig from the bottle. “Try me.”
 
“I had…

people

look into Kyungchul. I wanted… I needed to know what he had that Hoseok didn’t.” He leans back onto his hands. “Of course, this was back when I thought you were secretly in love with him or something. But what I found didn’t make me happy. It… honestly, it pissed me off, thinking that you chose someone like that over Hoseokie.”
 
“...What did you find out?” Yoongi asks carefully. “Tell me.”
 
“He comes from a decent enough family… rich enough for him to rebel with the choice of his profession, but always with the safety net of his parents’ finances. I… I know about his contribution to Sinners…” Seokjin looks at Yoongi then, considering him. “I’m not judging you but… is that why you were with him? Because trust me; a lot of people with money like to take advantage of people who don’t have it. You wouldn’t be the first person to make that kind of decision.”
 
“I was never

with

him,” Yoongi sneers. “But… but yeah. I was young and green and vulnerable and scared… he was my mentor. I trusted him.”
 
“And he made it seem like if I didn’t get his investment, it was all going to blow up in my face.

And

if I didn’t let him stick his dick inside of me, then he wouldn’t give me the loan. He never said it out loud but… it was heavily implied. So I fucking… I whored myself out to get my business off the ground.” Yoongi lets out a bitter laugh. “Do

not

repeat this to Hoseok. Hearing me talk about myself like this… it would upset him. A lot. So keep this between us.”
 
“You’re not a

whore,

Yoongi. You have no idea…” Seokjin rolls his eyes in disgust. “The upper class, they like to

pretend

they’re so much better than everybody else. Like they’re superior, just because they were lucky enough to be born with the right last name. If you only knew how many deals between the elites happen in the back rooms of parlors and clubs…” He shakes his head.
 
“The truth is we’re no better… in fact we’re all the same. But people like Kyungchul… it makes them

feel

better, to know they have that kind of power over someone. To

prey

on them, to make them feel like their success isn’t their own. That isn’t your fault. And honestly? Kyungchul, despite how shitty of a person he is, was probably right. 
You’re younger than me and you’ve had Sinners for a couple of years now but… if you and Namjoon would have tried to get the loan to start Sinners on your own? You wouldn’t have been able to find a bank to take a big enough risk to support you. It’s… it’s

shitty

, but it’s how the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor. Everyone always says if you work hard enough, anything is possible. But for people like you and Namjoon… the deck

was

stacked against you. Don’t feel any guilt about what you did. You have a business you should be

proud

of. Don’t let a piece of shit like Kyungchul take that away from you… not even for a second. And for the record, you

should

tell Hoseok. Because he’d never judge you, and he’d probably do a hell of a lot better job than I am right now of convincing you that you were never the one at fault.”
 
Yoongi looks over at him and smiles a bit. “Thanks. I appreciate it. But… I can’t help but feel that you’re giving me this pep talk because you have something else on your mind.” He swirls the wine around in the bottle contemplatively.
 
“I guess I’m just…

curious.

What’s it like? To actually enjoy your job? To go to work and like what you’re doing?”
 
“It doesn’t feel like a job,” Yoongi answers automatically. “It feels like I wake up and get to

create

. And that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I was just a kid who liked to draw. And I’m still that kid… but I found way to draw real things,

permanent

things, on people’s skin. I love it. I

live

for it. And so does Joon. We found it together, and we both knew instantly that it was exactly what we were meant to do.”
 
“I think that’s beautiful.” Seokjin smiles at him. “What’s your dream for Sinners? If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do?”
 
Yoongi takes a deep breath of city air. “We made something really special at Sinners. Did you know that Joon and I… we don’t set a price up front? We believe that everyone should be able to get tattoos, regardless of their paycheck. We discuss payment after the tattoo is already finished. We’ve done a lot of work for free. But it’s worth it. And it’s what makes us popular. I think… if money weren’t an issue, I’d want to expand that. Open up a bigger location… hire on more artists that share our vision and love for the art. I think… I think it could be really special.”
 
“That’s awesome. That’s really, really cool.” Seokjin sighs, taking another long swig of wine. “If I tell you something,

promise

you won’t kick my ass?”
 
“Just don’t talk about the time you kissed my Hoseokie, and we’re square,” Yoongi says jokingly.
 
Seokjin laughs, holding up his hand. “Don’t worry; there won’t be any repeats of

that.

If anything, it only made him realize how much he wanted

you.

But… when I was looking into Kyungchul, I also looked into Sinners financials. And yes, when you’re me, you have access to that kind of information without you ever being the wiser.”
 
Yoongi’s eyebrows rise. “...okay?”
 
“You have a very profitable business, Yoongi. You should be proud of it. And all of this… it’s not like I’ve ever

talked

to Kyungchul, I can’t pretend to know what goes on inside of his head. But I am a businessman, and I know numbers.”
 
“What are you saying?”
 
“I think… I think there was a…

financial

motive behind Kyungchul suddenly reappearing in your life, and intervening in the way he did.”
 
Yoongi sighs. “It wouldn’t shock me. Namjoon… he said he suspected that Kyungchul showed up to ruin me on purpose… it only makes sense he’d want to destroy Sinners in the process.”
 
“But he

didn’t

want to destroy Sinners.” Seokjin turns a bit towards him. “He’s an investor in your business, which means he makes money when

you

make money. But your brand… you and Namjoon, because of your reputation and your work,

Sinners

now has value. You two… your

one

shop is making more money than

both

of his. Truthfully, if I had to guess, I think he got a little cocky. He was successful in Korea and probably thought he could easily do the same thing in New York. But it costs money to run a shop, which I’m sure you know. He over-extended himself, and he’s losing money. My guess is that he was hoping to poach one of you, get you to go back to one of

his

locations to boost profits, while the other stayed at Sinners and continued to rake in money. And whoever was working out of his shop… I assume Namjoon has to lease that space, right? And Kyungchul takes a cut from every tattoo he does?”
 
“Makes sense,” Yoongi grimaces. “But he miscalculated. Namjoon is

smart

. He sniffed his schemes out in just a couple of weeks.”
 
Seokjin looks proud at that fact. “Good for him. I’m glad you both realized that Kyungchul wasn’t a good person. But fuck that guy; he shouldn’t be able to make a

cent

off of your hard work. Not anymore.”
 
“I don’t know how to escape him,” Yoongi shudders. “He gets a cut. He’s

always

gotten a cut. And I fucking… I fucking

hate

that, especially because I have Hoseok back and I never even want to

talk

to that asshole again. No matter what the fuck I do, I can’t escape that asshole. ”
 
“Then let’s change that.”
 
“I don’t follow.”
 
Seokjin laughs. “What do you mean? It’s simple. We buy him out and make sure he can’t get his grubby little hands on your profits again. And then for good measure, you drive

him

out of business.”
 
Yoongi blinks. “My plan was just to go to his shop and break things. I… like yours better, but there’s no way in hell we can afford to buy him out. He owns ten percent.”
 
“That might have been true

before

, but now I’m your hyung, right?”
 
Yoongi furrows his brow. “

Yeah,

but—”
 
“Yoongi-yah.” Seokjin cuts him off. “I’ve done…

a lot

of thinking over this past week. About my life… about the things important to me. And I just… I can’t keep going on the way I have been. I need… I need to figure out my own path. Decide what’s right, not for my father or his legacy, but for

me.

” He shakes his head. “Hoseokie told you I missed lunch today, right? You want to know the real reason why?”
 
“Work, he said…”
 
“That’s the simple version.” Seokjin feels upset, even thinking about it. “The truth is I almost had a legitimate panic attack in my office, because my father threatened to make me cut Hoseok and Jimin out of my life, because I

dared

to ask for a few hours off to go to lunch with them on my fucking birthday.”
 
Yoongi shakes his head. “When my old man dared question why I was taking care of Taehyung-ah… I told him to go fuck himself and I got us the hell out of there. That’s… fucked up, hyung. I’m sorry.”
 
“It’s okay. But… the pure

terror

that went through me… the fact that I was begging him,

begging

him to just let me have my best friends.” He starts to tear up. “It hasn’t even been a day but I know I can’t… I

won’t

be able to function with that kind of fear hanging over my head. I know some people might find our closeness to be strange, but they keep me sane. And if he made me give them up…” He shivers. “I… I couldn’t. I

can’t.

But I am also

terrified

of standing up to him. Of actually telling him

no.

I never have before…”
 
“It is scary,” Yoongi concedes softly. “But… once it’s over and done with… it was worth every single moment of terror. I can promise you that. I know all about how toxic fathers can be. How soul-sucking and controlling and heartless. I know what it does to a person. It’s hard, and it’s

scary

, but it’s worth it. I can promise you that.”
 
“I know what some people must think of me. That I must have it so easy, because I’m wealthy. 
But I work…

so hard.

So fucking hard, every damn day, and it just… it

weighs

on me, to put so much of myself into something, and to never get

anything

in return. And I’m not getting any younger… in fact, I’m literally getting older.

Today

especially.” He jokes a bit, making the other smile. “But I know I can’t keep doing this forever. I can’t… I can’t even

imagine

what it would be like, to go into work and to be

happy

to be there. To actually be proud of the things I do… it feels like a dream.”
 
Yoongi takes a deep breath. “Then… I think you should do something for yourself. I think you should walk right up to your old man, say

fuck you

, and walk right out of there and never look back. And… maybe, if you

did

end up buying out Kyungchul and becoming an investor… maybe… maybe we could work something out. Maybe we could talk about you becoming a

partner

.” He shrugs. “Just a thought. An

offer

.”
 
Seokjin smiles. “You know… that’s basically what I do now. I move money around, invest on behalf of business and corporations. But what if… what if  I invested on behalf of

people

? What if I found things that I believed in… small businesses like Sinners, that I

know

could be so successful, if only they had the right backing?” “There’s…

tons

of businesses like that, especially in Seoul. They just… they never get the chance, because of the maldistribution of power. And Namjoon’s parents… my father bought out their restaurant even though it was doing fine, just so he could build another fucking high rise. I don’t know… my father would

never

approve of it but… maybe if I had something of my own, I wouldn’t

need

his approval.”
 
“It sounds like you already have a very solid plan… that this isn’t your first time considering this. Do you need something to push you over the edge? Something to make you take that plunge? What are you waiting for?”
 
Seokjin shrugs. “I don’t know… I guess I’m just… afraid? Maybe it makes me spoiled, but I am used to being able to have whatever I want. And don’t get me wrong, if I struck out on my own, I’d still be wealthy but it wouldn’t be like it was before. What if… what if my friends didn’t need me as much? I’ve always been able to get them whatever they want… I know they say they don’t like me because of the money but—”
 
“You do so much for them, and they’re so grateful… but you don’t

need

to.” Yoongi points out. 
“I know how much Taehyung-ah makes. And I know how much Kookie makes… because I pay him.” Yoongi snorts. “And Jimin makes good money as a model. His Instagram account is huge now, and he gets bookings with designer brands left and right. He’s fine. And Hoseokie…” Yoongi smiles. “Well he makes a teacher’s salary. He does okay. But if he… if he ever wanted to take a leap of faith, to follow a dream, you know I wouldn’t let his feet touch the ground. I will

always

make sure he’s happy, and safe, and comfortable. Always.”
 
Seokjin nods, smiling. “You know… if you’re serious about me replacing Kyungchul… I have connections. We could find a bigger space… scout artists. Tattoo tourism

is

a thing. We could make it to where people

come

to Korea, just to visit your shop. You guys are

that

good. It’s all about marketing, and trademarking your brand.”
 
“I’m all about this idea,” Yoongi nudges his shoulder.
 
“There’s only one problem…” Seokjin bites his lip. “Namjoon. He… he probably

hates

me. He’s still in New York. And if he was asking you to go

there,

that means he probablyu wanted to stay away…”
 
Yoongi snorts. “Hyung… really?” He lifts an eyebrow. “I know it’s a touchy subject for you… but I’ve seen you two together. I know the signs. And I also know that Namjoon has never felt about anyone else he’s ever met the way he feels about you.”
 
“You think… you really think he’d talk to me? If I reached out?”
 
“I

know

he’d talk to you. Frankly, it’s a miracle he’s managed to hold out so long.” Yoongi chuckles.
 
Seokjin takes a deep breath. “Then there’s only one thing for me to do.”
 
“What’s that?”
 
“What do you think? I gotta get on a plane.”
 
Yoongi chokes on his wine. “Wait, wh—”
 
“Well.

Multiple

things. Tell my father to go fuck himself, get on a flight to New York, tell Kyungchul to go fuck himself and buy out his portion just so we can be

done

with that motherfucker, and then convince Namjoon to come home.”
He looks at Yoongi with a smile. “I can add the whole ‘break things’ back into the plan if you deem it necessary, but something tells me that calling out Kyungchul on his shitty business model in his place of business will be satisfying enough.”
 
Yoongi can't help but smirk. “Very satisfying. But hyung…” he looks over at him. “Where’s the part in this plan where you tell Namjoon-ah how you feel about him? Call me crazy but… if you tell your father to fuck off, doesn’t that mean the whole marriage to a woman and heirs to the throne thing is off? That’s why you tried to keep him at an arm’s length, wasn’t it?”
 
“Not that it did me any good.” Seokjin laughs. “He fucking weaseled his way in. I’ll have you know that before he showed up, I was very methodical and in control of my distinct lack of a love life.”
 
“That’s how it always is,” Yoongi shrugs. “You think you have everything under control, but then that one person shows up and turns

everything

inside-out. And take it from me… there’s no going back.”
 
Seokjin licks his lips. “My father will

shit

himself. You know Namjoon picked me up from an industry party once… fucking tattoos and all.” He laughs. “I very dramatically exited the party with him; it

reeked

of teenage rebellion but when I tell you it was one of the

best

days I had in recent months…” He smiles fondly at the memory. “If being involved with Namjoon pisses my father off… then it’s kind of a win-win, right? I — a whole twenty-seven year old man — am allowed to indulge in such whims, right?”
 
“I wouldn’t call it a whim,” Yoongi chuckles, climbing back to his feet. “But I think you’ll realize that soon enough, hyung.”
 
“Knock, knock!” Hoseok’s cheery voice drifts through the air, his smiling face peeking through the slightly opened balcony door. “You two aren’t getting up to no good out here, are you?”
 
Yoongi smiles. “I only get up to trouble with

you,

baby.”
 
“We’ve just been talking, Hoseokie. It’s been… really good.” Seokjin agrees.
 
“Well as much as I hate to interrupt, it’s time for cake!” Hoseok beams, and Seokjin shakes his head.
 
“Hobi, I love you, and I’m grateful for the surprise party,  but you cannot

pay

me to stomach the money cake.”
 
“Yah, let me live! It wasn’t

that

bad. And we got you a new one anyway.” Jimin complains, pushing open the door as the rest of the boys file outside onto the balcony. Hoseok is holding the strawberry cake and Jimin is attempting to light it, but the wind keeps blowing out the candles.
 
Taehyung takes charge when Jimin starts to get worked up, a smile on his face. “I’ll do it for you, baby. Kookie, use your hands to block the wind. We

will

make this work.”
 
“I don’t need the candles to be lit. And where did you even get a second birthday cake?” Seokjin laughs, sipping on his wine as he watches the spectacle unfold. “As much as I am grateful for a superior cake, if one of you actually got behind the wheel, I’m kicking your ass for drinking and driving.”
 
“Taxis

exist

, Jinnie hyung.” Hoseok chuckles, looking over at Yoongi. “

Hyung.

” His voice seems to take on a different inflection when he addresses Yoongi, so all the boys know exactly who he is talking to. “Come here; missed you.”
 
“We were gone for like… twenty minutes!” Jungkook complains with an eye roll, which Yoongi ignores as he goes over to Hoseok, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend’s waist and nuzzling into his neck.
 
“Missed you too, angel.”
 
“You’re freezing!” Hoseok gasps when Yoongi’s skin touches him. “

Hyung

, you could catch a cold.”
 
“I’m warm now,” Yoongi snuggles into his side, happy.
 
“Seokjin hyung,

I

picked the cake not Jimin-ssi, so I promise it’ll be good this time.” Jungkook says cheekily, and Jimin pouts adorably.
 
“Let’s just all be thankful that Paris Baguette is open late and the night could be saved.” Taehyung says diplomatically.
“Thanks for distracting him long enough for us to sneak away and come back, Yoongi hyung.” Taehyung grins and the older boy just nods, making Hoseok shriek in glee when he rubs his cold nose against his neck.
 
Eventually they get the candles lit, and they all sing a quick happy birthday as they shiver in the night breeze.
 
“C’mon, hyung! Hurry up and make a wish!” Jimin says.
 
Seokjin looks at his friends, people he loves, people he

trusts,

and wishes for good luck on his trip to New York. He wishes for a future of happiness.
 
He wishes that a tall boy with deep dimples and a cute smile will be willing to hear him out… maybe even listen long enough to try to understand Seokjin’s heart… to maybe even forgive him.
 
It’s a

big

wish… and tomorrow will be the day that he embarks at a big dream. After tomorrow…

everything

will change but maybe, just maybe, it’ll be for the better.
 
Seokjin closes his eyes and blows.