#i hate to defend this place but it gets mm a tad annoying

[oars]

also the education system differs from state to state and maybe even district . btw

[alastorswifey]

the second star to the right

kalim al-asim

female reader

semi angst

peter pan au

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　-: ✧ :-゜・．

“Never say goodbye because goodbye                                                         means going away and going away                                                                 means forgetting.”

“heave-ho!” the loud thump sound made its way to your ears as you jolted awake, scared for what you might witness. was it a burglar? a kidnapper? it made you paranoid how your inner questions were left unanswered as you slowly grabbed a hard-covered book from your night desk to attack the intruder. at the corner of your room, you caught a glimpse of a boy snooping around, as if he was looking for something.

you stayed in bed, waiting for him to do something. if he really was a kidnapper, you would hit him with the book. there wasn’t much to steal here- it was practically a library, so you didn’t mind if he stole anything, really. you started to calm down until his figure crept up to the foot of your bed. oh, this ruffian is really asking for it. you thought to yourself, mentally smirking and applauding his bravery. as soon as you saw his face being illuminated due to your night lamp, you halted.

“ah! you were here!” the boy exclaimed, scurrying away from your bed. you raised a brow, confused. what in god’s name was he looking for that he didn’t deduce that there might be a person in the room? “may i help you?” despite the strange boy dressed in odd clothing literally breaking an entry in your humble abode, you spoke in a polite manner out of habit. the white haired boy looked up, his garnet red eyes pierced through you, causing you to get lost in the shining orbs.

shaking your head, you furrowed your eyebrows and casted a glare towards him, “i asked, may i help you?” you repeated, this time in a more threatening tone. the boy gulped at your sudden change of attitude and stood up straight, clearing his throat, “you don’t know me?” you mentally rolled your eyes. “this is preposterous. i wouldn’t associate myself with someone that would enter people’s bedrooms without permission! you’re basically trespassing!” you scolded the young boy, in spite of the fact that he might be about your age if he were a tad taller.

“mm, i see. you’re one of the few who haven’t heard of me,” the boy deduced proudly. you inwardly sigh, awaiting his excuse of why he was in your bedroom in the first place and how he even got to the top floor without the use of a rope or a ladder. you were, in fact, at least curious to hear how. “my name’s kalim! kalim al-asim. and you?” you frowned and crossed your arms, “y/n. y/n l/n.” you deadpanned. kalim flinched at your uninterested yet stern tone and nervously whistled comically. “aha,” he started, “you see, i’m looking for my shadow! its been escaping my clutches recently and i have trouble finding it.” kalim sighed, scratching the back of his neck at the thought that he could’ve had the wrong house- again.

you were bewildered, to say the least. what a ludicrous story. “i don’t believe you.” you say, pinching the bridge of your nose due to annoyance. kalim bit his lower lip, full of pride. “but i am telling the truth! maybe it’s because you’re a grown up that you don’t get it.” okay, now you were offended. did you look old for your age? must be the eye bags, you thought to yourself but brushed off the offensive statement coming from this boy’s mouth and glared daggers at him. “fine, fine. perhaps you had gotten the wrong address? there are thousands of locations where your ‘shadow’ could be lingering around in london.” you suggested, sarcasm dripping from your voice when you said the word “shadow.” 

kalim stared at you for a solid minute before turning his attention to the bookshelf near your door. you raised an eyebrow at the area he was focused on and flinched when he jumped towards your bookshelf, knocking all the pieces of literature down as well as its container. you bit your lip upon the shelf making a loud sound, possibly waking everyone up. “kalim!” you hissed silently as he strangled a black figure. your eyes widened. my word, he was telling the truth... your mouth opened from shock, eyes not believing what they were seeing.

“i told you, miss! my shadow must be here!” kalim stated proudly as he proceeded to continue strangling the strange, black form. you got out of bed and walked up to kalim, staring at the shadow in awe. how peculiar it was, the shadow being separated from its beholder. “how are you gonna put it back on?” you asked kalim, your eyes not removing its glance from the shadow. kalim thought for a moment, “soap?” you broke your gaze and stared at kalim strangely. did anybody teach this boy some logic?

sighing, you motioned kalim to sit on your bed while you look for your sewing kit. you hate to admit it, but your sewing skills weren’t as praised as your sister. they said that she had talent while you had the looks but you weren’t sure how to feel about that. brushing off the negative thoughts, you grabbed kalim’s shadow by the foot and started to sew it beneath kalim’s shoes, which were surprisingly barely dirty. did this guy use new pairs of shoes?

after sewing the shadow back on, you huffed and stood up, admiring your work. kalim grinned from ear to ear and jumped up, which caused him to float a bit in your room. you could not believe this. how is this even possible?! kalim is flying. flying in your very room with no strings attached- literally.

“thank you, miss!” kalim laughed, still flying around your room in joy. you sigh before crawling back to your bed and underneath the warm covers. kalim noticed how you weren’t as happy and flew above you. “what’s wrong, miss?” kalim asked, his eyes gleamed with concern. it has been years since you saw eyes that contained genuine concern for you. “nothing. shouldn’t you be going along your merry way?” you asked, voice muffled to kalim due to the covers. kalim hummed before shaking you and pointing to your knocked over bookshelf. “what about it? are you going to clean it up?” kalim gasped and shook his head, “cleaning is for grown ups! i was going to ask about the books you read!”

you were confused. no one was ever interested in you nor what you read. it felt... refreshing to say the least. you glanced tiredly at the scattered books on your wooden floor and sighed. “do you want me to lend you some? i don’t really mind if we don’t meet again and you never return it.” you let out a sigh as you escape the warmth of your bed and walked to the books, picking up some stories that kalim might find interesting, despite his knowledge that, you believed, didn’t exist. no offense.

“hm, i suppose this book might be to your liking? oh, and this too,” before you knew it, you were carrying a stack of possibly five books and handed it over to kalim. they were all fairytales that you read when you were a child and you only ever read the said books whenever you had nothing else to do. they were short lived entertainment. kalim’s eyes practically sparkled when he saw the covers of the books. they were pretty appealing to the eyes of children- not that kalim was one but he sure acted like a child.

“thank you so much, miss! i’ll read this to the lost boys and return it!” kalim giggled before grabbing them from your arms and flying upwards. “you do know that you can just call me y/n, right? we’re practically the same age.” you stated, trying to get through to kalim. miss was too formal and you weren’t used to it at all. kalim raised an eyebrow, “hm, yes we may be the same age but you act like an adult. you’re too mature, which is why i think its more appropriate if i call you miss!” preposterous. absolutely preposterous. were you that serious? you always were told that you were more mature than your sister.

“that speaks for you as well, though!” you spoke, defensive. you didn’t even know why you were arguing with kalim at this point. it was all child’s play. kalim watched with sparkling orbs as you tried to defend your statement. “how so?” kalim urged, trying to get you to break out of your shell. you flinched. was this boy even thinking straight? “you said we’re the same age, yet you act like a mere six-year-old!” you silently yelled, taking note of your family still asleep. “are you still mature for your age miss? you just uselessly argued with me over an immature topic.” you bit the inside of your cheek before sighing. although, that statement was the most mature thing that came out of kalim’s mouth since the moment he met you. “you should leave.” kalim laughed before nodding, “good night, miss! please continue to believe in me!” and with that being said, kalim hopped outside of your window and flew to god know’s where.

this must be a dream.

-

the next night, kalim came back (much to your surprise). you hate to admit it but you kind of missed him- despite the fact that he was annoying you last night. he kept his word and returned the next night to bring back the books you lended him. “miss, the lost boys love it!” kalim exclaimed, sitting comfortably on the edge of your bed. you were pretty confused as to who these lost boys were. “okay, tell me: who exactly are the lost boys?” you wanted answers. were they literally lost and kalim takes care of them? kalim blinked a few times before chuckling, “they’re boys who weren’t claimed by their parents,” kalim sighed, running a hand through his hair, “i took them to neverland so they could have a place to stay- i’m practically their parent!” kalim added, as though he was proud.

meanwhile, you were still confused. weren’t children who parents didn��t want sent to the orphanage? how did kalim come across them? surely he wasn’t targeting them from the moment they were born, right? letting out another tired sigh, you stared at kalim, “so, you take care of them?” kalim nodded excitedly, eager to talk more about the lost boys. “yes. but, hmm, they still need a mom,” kalim thought out loud. now you were cautious. was he referring to you? “oh, i got it! you can be the mom!” kalim announced, getting closer to you. you flinched, “what? why?” you asked as kalim giggled, “because you’re mature and you’re a girl, right?” the white haired boy tilted his head to the side. you sighed, “i’m not going to be a mother! we’re both seventeen-years-old! i’m too young!” 

“in neverland, you can be whoever you want! you can be older there!” okay, was this guy actually a twenty-year-old in disguise? he’s using that tactic kidnappers use. “no. i’m not going anywhere.” it’s not like you can if you wanted to. you’re bound in this house by your parents. kalim whined like a child, “aw, fine,” he huffed, “how about giving me some more stories?” kalim looked at you with anticipation. you narrowed your gaze and darted your eyes towards the bookshelf that was neatly arranged, unlike the messy state it was in the previous night.

“wait, before that- i want to talk to you about the book i read.” okay, now you were interested. you wanted to see how this kid thought of the fairytales. since all that neverland talk was probably real, he most likely hasn’t had any children’s books. yes, you asked your parents about him and they told you stories. “hm, what about it?” you queried, not looking up from the novel you were reading. it’s not that you didn’t want to come off as rude, it’s just that you hated eye contact when participating in a conversation. 

“well, in this one scene, the prince pressed his lips on the princess’ and she came back to life!” kalim explained, making exaggerated hand motions that you didn’t even want to see clearly. oh. oh dear lord. is he gonna ask you what’s a- “so i was thinking to myself, that word is called a ‘kiss’, right? can you show me?” you flinched and closed your book out of shock. this boy cannot be real, can he? how was he raised? “uh, i don’t think it’s appropriate for me to tell you...” you trailed off, voice getting quiet and face flushed from embarrassment. “eh? why not?” kalim whined, tugging on the sleeve of your night gown. “b-because only people who love each other get to k-kiss.” oh for pete’s sake, you scolded yourself. keep it together, y/n. you sound like a high school student being taught how babies were made. 

“huh? but i love you, miss!” okay, now you were sure he wasn’t being serious. “no, you don’t. you’re just saying that.” you sighed, gently slapping both of your cheeks to calm them down. “i do! i’ll prove it to you if i liked that kiss!” the way he was throwing the word kiss around made you even more embarrassed. you were considering kissing him on the cheek but that idea was thrown out of the window the more he mentioned the said word. 

“fine, i’ll give you a kiss!” you hissed, turning your head away from him. “close your eyes first...” you mumbled, grabbing something from your drawer. kalim’s eyelids had been shut, a small smile playing on his soft looking lips as he waited for the “kiss.” you bit your lower lip and gently poked the pin cushion to his cheeks, face a bright red. “was that it?” kalim piqued up, sounding a little disappointed. he then opened his eyes and saw the pin cushion pressing his cheeks.

“what! miss, that wasn’t a kiss!” he complained. you laughed before withdrawing back your extended arm, “i told you- only people who love each other can kiss!” you explained, face still tinted with a blush. “hm, fine, but i’ll definitely make you love me!” 

oh thank god, he finally understands. you let out a sigh of relief, taking his statement light heartedly. “i still want that kiss, miss...” kalim pouted, fiddling with his fingers. you sighed and ran a hand through your hair, pecking him quickly on the lips. wait- you were supposed to kiss him on the cheek only! kalim flinched at the contact and let out a hot breath which fanned your face as you pulled away. “... can you do that again?” kalim whispered, staring at your e/c orbs. his face illuminated by the warm light of the lamp. he was actually pretty tolerable in this state. “n-no, i’’m going to bed-”

kalim hastily grabbed you by the shoulders and kissed you again, but the kiss lasted longer than the last one. you squeezed your eyes shut, not knowing when he would stop as you were desperate for air. your face felt hot as kalim pulled away, a smile on his lips. “good night, miss. continue to believe in me.” 

-

almost every night, kalim would come by your house. on this particular night, however, you needed him. you needed someone to talk to- someone who would listen. kalim immediately noticed how you weren’t your usual self who would playfully punch him or would flare up when he flirted with you. “what’s wrong, miss?” you two were on the roof top this time- you wanted to get away from all the problems for even just a short while and find comfort in the stars.

“nothing.” you said abruptly. you couldn’t tell him, no matter how much you wanted to. kalim noticed your tone. it wasn’t harsh. he decided to let the topic go and give you some more time. oh how considerate he was when it came to you. thats what you love about him. yes, i did say love. you harbored feelings for the magical teenager that trespassed in your bedroom the first time you met him. he had a charm that you longed for and that was how interested he was in what you had to say. he was a friend. a really good friend you never want to let go of nor lose.

“oh, are you thinking about the stars? well, let me tell you about neverland.” ah neverland, another one of kalim’s stories that you’ve been interested in ever since he mentioned it. he only ever told you about what’s inside neverland and the people inhabiting that world. kalim scooted next to you and extended his arm to a very noticeably bigger star. “see that star over there? look at the second one to the right.” kalim stated as you followed to where his finger was pointing towards. 

“that one? what about it?” you asked, hugging your blankets closer to you. “that’s where neverland is! it’s pretty near, i can take you there if you want to.” kalim suggested. you wanted to go to neverland with him. maybe if you do, you’ll be able to escape these problems of yours. maybe you don’t have responsibility there. maybe you’ll even have an actual caring family. the thought made you tear up but you quickly wiped the droplets that escaped your eyes.

“i-i can’t go. sorry,” you always refuse his offer and he always smiled and nodded, understanding your decision. but this time he frowned. he didn’t ask why you didn’t want to go and you loved him for that but the look he was giving you right now asked the said question. the pleading look in his eyes, how they were glossy, how they looked like they were about to spill tears at any given moment. 

“h-hah... you can tell me, you know? i don’t like seeing you sad.” perhaps it was time you do open up to him. you know a lot about him but he barely knows anything about you other than your age, name, address and your love for books. maybe if you tell him then perhaps things would change. you inhaled the fresh air of london and turned to face kalim (who you noted was inches apart from you). this sudden closeness reminded you of when you two first kissed- you were still pretty embarrassed about that. 

“i’m getting married,” you whispered, though kalim heard it crystal clear. “why...? don’t you... love me?” his voice cracked as he went closer to you. yes, you do love him. you love him more than anyone on this miserable planet. you loved him to death. you would do anything to get to be with him as cheesy as it sounds. “i do,” you began, a cloud formed due to you talking, “but it wasn’t my decision.” 

your parents were marrying you off to some guy you don’t even know. you’ve never met him. you don’t even know his name! tears rolled down your cheeks as you awaited kalim’s response. the white haired male was stunned and shocked. he didn’t know how to respond. what should he say anyway? god, he should’ve asked the mermaids for help about this sort of thing. “why are you marrying him if you don’t even love him?! that shouldn’t be allowed!” kalim clenched his fists and shook violently both from frustration and sorrow. he can’t lose you. not yet. not ever. 

this is why i hate grown ups... kalim thought to himself.

“i don’t want to, kalim. i swear i don’t love him but i have no choice...” kalim gulped and bit his lower lip to prevent himself from crying although it proved to be useless as he felt hot tears stream down his face. you lifted his chin up so you could get one last good look of him. the last day. this is the last day you’ll be seeing each other...

“y/n...” kalim’s voice cracked once again. the way he said your name in such a tone made you cry. you hated this. why must the world be cruel? why did you take his presence and existence for granted? it was the first time kalim ever called you by your name. kalim grabbed your hand and intertwined it with his. “y/n, i don’t have much time,” he whispered, grabbing both of your hands tightly, afraid he will lose you. “w-what do you mean?” you asked, frantic. what nonsense is he spouting now?

“kalim, this isn’t a funny joke. don’t say those kinds of th-”

“it isn’t a joke!” kalim growled but immediately looked up and softened his expression. “i’m-i’m going to disappear, y/n.” you flinched at this claim. how? is this why he always said to believe in him every time he leaves for neverland? you always believed in him? did you not try hard enough? “why? i always believed in you...” you said in a soft tone, not taking your eyes off of his red orbs.

“you did great but... apparently not everyone does. i’m just someone who was made because people created stories about me. i’m not actually a person, y/n. that’s why my life depends on people’s belief in me.” he explained, his figure slowly dissipating into nothing. more tears streamed down your face. “n-no...” you whispered.

“but hey, listen to me,” kalim started, a smile still playing on his lips as if to reassure you and to stop you from crying. you were attentive. you’re never going to forget how this boy had become your one and only friend. “remember the second star to the right. remember it with all your heart. if you do, something good will be brought upon you, i promise.” you bit your lips, closing your eyes shut. you couldn’t take this anymore.

“good night, miss. continue to believe in me.” kalim whispered, the feeling of his lips connecting to yours once more. it was a bittersweet kiss you longed for. you didn’t want it to end and before you knew it, the feeling of warmth disappeared from your lips and felt as if a part of something was taken from you. 

he’s gone. the only person who made me feel alive and wanted... is gone.

-

“heave-ho!” you flinched at the voice. what on earth? were you hallucinating? “kalim, was that you?” you asked the white haired male as you nudged him. kalim looked up at you, “hm? oh, yeah it was me! i heard it from a dream, didn’t really think it would surprise you.” he stated as you continued to snuggle in his arms. warm. you thought to yourself.

“why did you dream of that old phrase/ i haven’t heard it since i was a child,” you chuckled and closed your eyes, feeling drowsy. the moon illuminated the outlines of your face that kalim took his sweet time to admire. he missed you. th moment he saw you enter night raven college. he felt a familiar feeling in his chest. 

“good night, miss. continue to believe in me.” 

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　-: ✧ :-゜・．

a/n: sobbing dhmu. im crying bc of my own fic FUCK

[justasparkwritings]

Merry & Bright {24}: Happy Anniversary

Previous: I Promise 

Pairing: Min Yoongi & BFF Jung Hoseok

Genre: Angst, Fluff

Rating: PG13

Warnings: Swearing!

Summary: Yoongi and Hoseok celebrate a particularly special friendiversary. 

           December 24th, Christmas Eve, is an anniversary that Min Yoongi holds dear to his heart. In a decade, he’s never missed it, never missed acknowledging it, or sending a small present to the person with whom he shares the holiday. Every year, without fail, despite schedules and obligations, family and performances, Yoongi found the time to take his best friend to dinner.  

           This year, shoulder tethered to his body, Yoongi was staring at Ho-Seok through his computer screen.

           “This is the first Christmas eve we haven’t spent together,” Ho-Seok says.

           “I know, it makes me almost, sad?” Yoongi offers.

           “You’ve been missing a lot, could be sadness from other things,” Ho-Seok tries to comfort him, though he knows his words are futile.

           “Yeah, a combination of all the sadness and then spending Christmas, here, and New Years, here,” Yoongi sips his water.

           “You came by after our Grammy nomination,” Ho-Seok sips his drink, Yoongi clocks the bubbles, it’s most likely Sprite.

           “But with the utmost care, and then I wasn’t allowed out for another two weeks,” Yoongi grumbles.

           “You had a mini quarantine?” Ho-Seok smiles.

           “This whole experience is quarantine. The only person I see besides my family is the physical therapist,” Yoongi tells him.

           “But you still made time for me,” Ho-Seok laughs.

           “Of course I did,” Yoongi answers him, smile pulling over his gums. “Have I ever forgotten?”

           “No, you haven’t, not in what, nearly ten years?” Ho-Seok asks.

           “Yeah, something like that.” Yoongi nods.

           “Do you remember when we first met?” Ho-Seok inquires.

           “You ask that every year,” Yoongi rolls his eyes, a light smile on his lips.

           “And?” Ho-Seok presses.

           “And every year I tell you the same thing,” Yoongi responds, taking a sip of his water.

           “You were dazzled by my personality,” Hobi laughs.

           “Mm, something like that,” Yoongi’s embarrassed, just like every year. No matter how many times Ho-Seok poses the question, no matter how many years he asks, Yoongi is always flushed when recounting their first meeting. “We were babies.”

           “I was so naïve,” Ho-Seok chuckles.

           “You still are,” Yoongi counters.

           “You aren’t much better, you are a little softer,” Ho-Seok laughs.

           “Leave my cheeks out of this!” Yoongi laughs, his shoulders shuffling as he reacts to his friend.

           “Your cheeks are looking pretty cute,” Ho-Seok admits.

           “They’re puffy, I ate too much before surgery,” Yoongi shakes his head, a tad embarrassed.

           “You’re growing, right?” Hobi offers.

           “I’m almost two years older than you, I’m nearly thirty. I am not still growing,” Yoongi corrects him.

           “If Jiminie can grow a few centimeters, so can you,” Ho-Seok’s inspired, why can’t Yoongi stretch and gain a little height? Jimin did it.

           “Not sitting on my ass for three months, anyway, I’m on a diet,” Yoongi reminds him.

           “You mentioned it in your VLive,” Ho-Seok nods, “You still on it?”          

           “Well apparently I need to be if my cheeks are still puffy,” His smirk is apparent as he watches Hobi react.

           “You’re cute as is,” The maknae says.

           “When will I stop being cute?” The hyung wonders aloud.

           “You’d rather I call you sexy?” Ho-Seok looks surprised, eying Yoongi through the screen.  

           “I guess not,” Yoongi says, he’s rarely uncomfortable around the members, but something about discussing his appearance with Ho-Seok was starting to push him in that direction.

           “It’s okay to be sexy,” Ho-Seok says in response to Yoongi’s scrunched nose, “I think we’re all sexy at times.”

           “What are you doing for Christmas?” Yoongi asks, nose still scrunched.

           “Da Won’s coming home, we’ll have dinner I’m sure,” Ho-Seok shrugs. “Then back to for the Big Hit performance,”

           “I wish I could be there,” Yoongi sighs.

           “We all wish you could be there,” Hobi tells him.

           “I hate missing performances,” Yoongi tries not to let his frustration get the best of him.

           “They’re not that great,” Ho-Seok tries to soften the obvious pain in Yoongi’s voice.

           “Don’t lie,” Yoongi is becoming annoyed.

           “There’s no ARMY, you’re not there, we’ve performed Dynamite a thousand times,”

           “But the dance break! Incheon, Seoul World Cup, you have been performing in dream places,” Yoongi lists their recent stages, jealous he’s missed out on such milestones.

           “It’s not the same, the energy is different, the drive isn’t there,” Ho-Seok tells him.

           “You got a new dance break,” Yoongi smiles.

           “Yes, that was fun, but it’s still not the same,” Ho-Seok’s eyes are firm and soft, encouraging Yoongi to take his word. “You’ve missed interviews too.”

           “I feel bad for Namjoonie, having to answer everything,”

           “We miss your snide comments,” Ho-Seok laughs, “You know BTS? Billboard singer?”

           Yoongi loses it, laughing too hard to quickly, moving his shoulders too sharply, his sling aggressively holding it in place. He grunts softly, straightening up, watching Hobi stare, unsure what to do. He continues staring until Yoongi pulls him back to their conversation.

           “I will never understand why you came back,” Ho-Seok says, voice low. Yoongi’s surprised by his question, not that he hasn’t asked before, but it’s been years.

           “I’m sure I’ve told you before,” Yoongi replies.

           “I’m sure you have,” Ho-Seok nods, “Tell me again,”

           “I called you, to check in,” He retells.

           “After I had texted you,” Hobi fills in.

           “Yes, I could tell what mood you were in,” Yoongi nods his head, “Still can.”

           “At that point, we hadn’t spent much time together,” Hobi offers as an answer.

           “No, barely knew each other, but I could just, tell. So, I called,” Yoongi shakes his head, bangs readjusting and laying back in the same place.

           “Was it my voice?” Ho-Seok wonders.

           “It was just a feeling, a gut feeling that you weren’t okay,” Yoongi tells him.

           “I was, fine,” Hobi fibs.

           “Don’t lie to me Hobi-ah,” Yoongi shakes his head again. “I called you, and you said you were alone at the dorms, which weren’t much at that point.”

           “I was just sitting there, alone,” Ho-Seok remembers how sad he felt, how alone, how isolated and overwhelmed he was at the dorms.

           “Did they, they didn’t want,” Yoongi stares at him, unable to get the words out, unwilling to put the words in Ho-Seok’s mouth.  

           “We were in a fight, they didn’t invite me home,” Ho-Seok finishes for him. The shame is gone, it’s not just a statement, a statement about a moment in time that lived in both of their minds, and one they come back to less and less often.

           “I’m sorry,” Yoongi whispers, eyes low.

           “You don’t have to be, it’s passed,” Hobi’s voice is soft, reverent, inviting.

           “On my way to the dorms, I figured you’d be hungry, I was hungry, so I got chicken,” Yoongi picks the story back up.

           “I will be seventy-five thinking about that chicken,” Hobi laughs.

           “It was a good idea!” Yoongi defends himself, more gusto than he’s exerted the whole conversation.

           “It was thoughtful, but that’s where it ends,” Ho-Seok is still smiling and laughing at the memory.

           “To answer your question,” Yoongi sets his drink down, having finished it. “I came back because you were going to be my brother, and I knew, somewhere inside me, that if I was alone at the dorms, when everything was so overwhelming and scary, that you would’ve done the same for me.”

           “When you came back, I knew you were going to be important to me,” Hobi tells him, like he does every year.

           “I hope I’ve lived up to it,” Yoongi responds, the look in his eyes telling Ho-Seok that he felt the same thing.

           “In spades,” Ho-Seok says. “I love you, Yoongi-ah.”

           “I love you too, Hobi,” Yoongi smiles gently at his maknae.

           “Happy anniversary,” Ho-Seok tells him.

           “Happy anniversary.”

Next: A Newborn King