#practical guide to monsters i love u forever and ever and ever

[pcktknife]

crying screaming throwing up. dear mutual knew a book I read in my childhood I could never remember the name of and had searched for for years with no luck

[sh1tbird-shantytown]

TW: self harm

~~~ sorry, it’s been in my brain and man,, you said angst

Okay but what if post S3 Billy starts self harming bc he just needs to check that his blood isn’t black anymore?? It starts off small and easily hidden but gets worse until Steve notices one day and bundles that boy u p

thank you so much for the ask! and i am so sorry it’s taken so long.

•••

the idea hadn’t been an immediate solution. he’d felt it forever after. like he was an outsider to his own body constantly. he’d gotten used to the monster controlling him. the thing that had made him even worse than before.

he’d admit it off the bat. he’d been a horrible person. but seeing your own familiar hands destroy and steal and torture in such devilish ways. it was too much. he was never an angel, not a bit like what steve calls him now. but he was never that evil.

everything during was blurry and hazy as he rested in bed and shuffled around during recovery. now he used a walking stick to walk again, but he was mostly better after almost a year and a half. enough time for him and steve to get so close they’d somehow fallen in…in love.

it was such a concept to accept. that he’d fallen in love. practically settled down. so different from his old normal.

they slept in the same bed. ate at the same table every morning. brushed their teeth together every night. kissed each other’s cheeks and shoulders all tender. took baths and shared steamy showers. for multiple benefits besides the relaxant sex. billy’s back started to ache after a while and steve always dried him off afterwords.

but behind everything new. there was one thing he remembered clearest of all. as though the thing had intentionally made billy see himself during. his reflection. the black veins. the gash on his cheek that showed black blood scarring. evil actually seeping out of billy. as though the thing were telling him.

we’re not that different, billy. you and i.

so one day. billy just…thought about it. saw the scar on his cheek. took a little blade out of steve’s fancy set up. just nicked the scar. enough so that a few beads of blood escaped.

red.

and that was enough.

for a short while.

soon he’d begun testing little lines on his shoulder. a discreet place where no one would notice and billy could do his weekly (sometimes daily) check-ups.

he’d never realized in the time being, but steve quickly took notice to billy’s halt in behavior. how he’d stopped asking for showers and baths. his box of razors had been moved more than acceptable within just a few days.

billy was never shirtless. never removed his shirt for steve to rub in lotion like they did, normally twice a week.

he wasn’t stupid. he knew what was up.

now, it may not have been the best way of going about it. he realized that as he walked in the bathroom only a few seconds after the water had turned off. billy standing naked and shaking from his sore back. everything fine except for the fresh scabs in rows like tallies down the shoulders.

billy looked startled. and then he got angry.

old habits die hard.

“what the fuck are you doing, steve? barging in like that!” he wrapped the towel around himself. ignored his bottom half and covered the top half.

steve wasn’t one to be swayed though, not when it came to billy. not when it was billy.

“angel,” he stepped closer once and stopped. didn’t let billy get defensive before he kept the open space between them and changed the density of the atmosphere. “let me help you,” he held a hand out. an offering. something simple. something easy to deny or accept.

billy hesitated before he took it. let steve guide him over and sit him on the ottoman before lifting the towel carefully. didn’t let it drag over the healing skin. he dressed billy warmly and gathered him in the big blanket they shared in bed. told him that he was free. reminded him that he’d notice immediately if it were to ever happen again. people would notice this time if anything happened. he wasn’t alone. they and love. he had love. and nothing would destroy that.

steve let billy use his chest as a pillow as he also rubbed billy’s tummy. the way they both knew soothed billy the fastest. his flat hand rubbing gentle circles as they both dozed sleepily.

“you’re you now, billy. the real you. not the california you. not the high school you. not the possessed you. you’re the now you. my angel you. and if i have to remind you of that for the rest of my life,” they made eye contact when billy turned his head, “i will.” the promise ignited something. something billy didn’t recognize right away. it was still so foreign.

identity.

[jinpanman]

Vampire’s Wine

pairing: vampire boyfriend!jungkook x fem human!reader

word count: 1.4k

genre: 18+, fluff, slightly nsfw, established relationship

warnings: this whole thing is a disgusting bloody mess and not in the way you think. menstruation talk - from the use of hygiene materials to the smell of period blood, jk loves period blood - oop., casual conversation about sex and genitals

summary: You decide to brave the mystery that is menstrual cups. Jungkook is intrigued to say the least.

a/n: i needed a break from all my long af fics. u can blame my brain. u can also blame Jess @shelive-shelove​​ for telling me to write this. and for helping me pick a member to write about - but then again, she always picks jk. also @joonie-mono​ kept judging me so now that it exists she has to read it. :-)

The simple matte black box sits on the bathroom counter and it’s incredibly intimidating despite it just sitting there. You pick it up and open the case to reveal an equally black menstrual cup sitting on top of a black pouch. A slip of paper falls out when you open it and you pick it up.

Greetings Y/N! We’re so glad you’ve decided to become the owner of a BLAKD cup. We understand some people don’t want color stained cups so we went ahead and…

You toss the card to the side and pick up the cup and turn it around in both awe and trepidation. There’s a knock on the open door but you don’t bother to look up.

“What’s that you go there?”

“JK honey, tell me. How am I supposed to stick this up my nether region?”

Jungkook snorts and plucks the cup from your hand.

“Well, my dick is bigger than this and you do such a good job taking it all in so I know my baby can handle this small thing.” He pats your cheek lovingly

You squeak and swat his arm away in disbelief. “Jungkook! I swear! You—that’s different! I’m not horny when I’m trying to stick this-this monster inside of me.”

He laughs and quickly covers the little distance between you, pulling you flush against him.

“First of all, that’s an insult to my dick because this,” he waves the cup in front of you and you roll your eyes at him “is no monster. Secondly, maybe we should get you horny first so it won’t be an issue.” He wiggles his eyebrows and licks his bottom lip in anticipation.

You scoff and push him away, taking the cup back from him.

“I need to figure out how to stick this up my very unaroused vagina, so please go and do your vampy things and leave me alone for a few minutes.”

He merely shrugs but of course your boyfriend who must know everything about everything asks, “But babe, what’s wrong with what you usually use?”

Ah, now that’s a good question. You’ve used pads and tampons for so long and frankly you are so utterly fed up with the mess that is Aunt Flo. 

“Jungkook, you won’t even understand even if I told you.”

“Try me.”

You raise a brow but proceed anyway. “Well they stink, for one.”

“False. I love the way you sme—okay, sorry. Go on.”

“Pads are so annoying especially when you’re sweaty and they stick to your butt and somehow you always end up bleeding everywhere except on the pad! And then tampons! Just the general scare that it’ll be stuck there for too long or it’ll poison you or that you’re actually not bleeding as much as you thought you were and you’re dry af and it gets so uncomfortable to take out!” you voice dies out, nearly out of breath because you failed to pause after each sentence. Jungkook watches you with amusement painted throughout his face and relaxed posture resting against the counter.

Your chest is heaving but you continue after taking a few short breaths, “Period panties are okay but I’d like some extra insurance y’know? Also everything is so fucking expensive! Tell me why we’re being paid to tend to something we absolutely cannot control? I fucking bet you if men had periods, they’d free bleed every month and expect everyone to be okay with it. But because we’re women we have to hide it because it makes—”

Jungkook breaks you off mid-tangent kisses you and grins. “Had to stop you before you start ranting for a whole 10 minutes and then forget why you were talking in the first place.”

You return the kiss and give him an appreciative smile. Most people aren’t into the “kiss someone to get them to shut up” but in your case, you appreciated the kisses because one, Jungkook gives the best kisses and two, you really would go off forever if he didn’t shut you up.

“Thanks, baby. Now please leave,” you say before shoving him out the bathroom and locking the door behind him.

After what felt like (and probably was) two hours you are finally out of the bathroom, feeling so utterly defeated and exhausted. You had gotten it in, but at what cost? Both your hands still reek of blood despite scrubbing thoroughly for several minutes with soap. Your thighs are aching from squatting for so long as well. You plop down on the couch beside your boyfriend who’s occupied playing some rando shooting game on the PlayStation. He inhales deeply and shoots you a quick glance. You give him a questioning look but he doesn’t say anything.

After his match, he leans in close to your stomach and takes another big whiff. You’ve long passed being surprised at how much Jungkook likes smelling you. You’d think he was a werewolf or something. Not that you’d tell him that because you were not in the mood to be dicked down just to “prove a point.”

“Hm? You don’t smell like you normally do?”

“Huh, I’m honestly shocked considering how much I bled all over my hands and thighs.”

“Careful, Y/N. You might make me horny,” he muses as he enters another match.

“You’re gross.”

“So, what does the blood just… sit there?”

“Mm, yeah. The cup keeps it all inside and when I take it out the blood will be there.”

“Tell me when you’re gonna take it out, okay?”

Without breaking eye contact with the television screen, he tilts his head to plop a quick kiss on your forehead. You pull a blanket over you and watch on as your endearing thousand year old boyfriend destroys the hundredth controller because he’s still very much a baby vampy and sometimes he forgets his own strength.

“Ohhh my goood this is so fucking weird,” you mutter in disgust.

Here you are, at the end of a full day of doing absolutely nothing, squatting in the tub once again. This time, instead of sticking a foreign object up your vagina, you’re trying to pull it out. You finally have a grip on the stem and your thighs are screaming at you but you fight through the burn because no way in hell are you gonna risk dropping your cup in the toilet bowl. The several guides you found on the internet said it helped to use your muscles to push it out.

“Okay, here goes nothing.”

You push and you eventually feel the suction giving way. A few drops of liquid spill out over your hand and you grimace at how warm it is. You finally pull it out from inside you and you lift it up to inspect the contents of the cup. God it was startling how warm the cup is. It was both disgusting and fascinating to see how much blood you can bleed within half a day. And the best thing—it doesn’t smell! You’re done being weirdly fascinated with your blood now. You’ve definitely been with Jungkook for too long. You hold the cup away from you and tilt it to pour down the—

“NNOOOO!!!! STOP Y/N!!!!”

Your boyfriend stumbles into the bathroom and you watch him with absolute befuddlement as he inches closer to you with crazed eyes.

“Baby,” he reaches out to you, “what were you just going to do?”

“Um, pour out my period blood?”

“Baby!!” he practically whines and kneels beside the tub.

“...Yes? Jungkook?” You’re at a complete loss for why he came bursting here in such a hurry.

“I thought I asked you to tell me when you were gonna take it out.”

“I’m sorry hun. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. I’m just taking it out?”

“Babe.”

“Mhm?”

“I’m a vampire.”

“Mhm.”

“And I’m your boyfriend.”

“Okay.”

“Are you really going to make me say it?”

“Jungkook, I don’t even know what you’re talking about so if you could just tell me, that’d be great.”

He groans into his hands and peeks at you through his fingers.

“I wanna drink it.”

Oh, for god’s sake. You restrain yourself from rolling your eyes at him. You weren’t ignorant to his obsession with blood, especially during that time of the month. He was a vampire, after all. This was a whole new experience though with nearly an ounce of your blood right in your hand. Before you can second guess yourself, you hand the cup to your very pouty boyfriend who takes it with a now huge smile gracing his face. 

He brings the cup directly under his nose and takes a quick whiff. You wrinkle your nose in distaste. And then he lets out a deep, guttural moan. He flicks his tongue in the pool of blood then promptly empties the blood into his mouth. A normal person would not shiver at the sight of their boyfriend drinking their blood, but you’ve long resigned the fact that you were not normal. Your eyes fixate on the trail of blood that missed his mouth and now fall down the side of his mouth to his chin. You swallow in sync with Jungkook who hands you back the empty cup.

His voice is hoarse when he speaks. “Please never stop using this cup. It is the greatest creation of the modern times… Next to the internet. Also don’t ever drain your blood anymore. Give it to me. Save the ocean.”

“You absolute dork,” you laugh and continue your downward gaze of his body. That’s when you see it.

“Oh my god. Jungkook. Did you… baby are you horny?”

[kpopduckjill]

BTS Guide for Adults, a Reason to Their Key to Success

[Source] http://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=047&aid=0002170908

[Translator’s Note: I saw this article floating on twitter and thought it’d be super important to translate for i-armies. Sometimes it feels like BTS doesn’t get enough love in Korean media and also that their music is only for teens but this highlights that they are making headways into gaining popularity in Korean media and within older generations!]

[Split open and listen to K-pop] BTS who has earned worldwide fame has grown with splendid performance and SNS as the groundwork

[Oh My News Writer: Kim Sang-hwa, Editor: Oh Su-Mi]

'Split open and listen to K-pop' is a corner where we serve a variety of stories about popular music in Korea. We deliver reviews for popular works, industry trends, and other various content. <Editor's Note>

▲ This past year BTS gone past Korea and solidified their place as a group that has fanatically excited the world.

ⓒ  BigHit Entertainment

The hottest name this year in domestic pop is BTS. Even in their infancy during their debut (June 2013 debut) they were known for their unusual name more than their music. Although they slowly gained fame, compared to preexisting groups it seemed that they were lacking to shape up to definitively become a top trend.

However, with releasing their hit songs 'I Need U', 'Run', etc in 2015 as a starting point, they started a march towards fame without hesitation that can only be described with the expression 'to sprint without brakes'. And now they've risen to become a group that is acknowledged on the world stage.

And yet with all that the older generation, especially for the middle-aged and elderly generation who find keeping up with the daily changes and flow of music overwhelming, their awareness of BTS is, as ever, unfamiliar. The content below will explain why BTS has gotten popular and gained fame, and serve as a short guide for the middle-aged and elderly generation who have yet to realize the reason for their fame. For passionate fans, the content will be insufficient b far. It's also difficult to capture everything about them in one article so we ask for your understanding ahead of time.

BTS's Fame that is Adults Are Unacquainted With

▲ As ever, the popularity and even name of BTS is unfamiliar to the older generations.

ⓒ BigHit Entertainment

The landscape of music in 2017 is completely different than that of 10-20 years ago, with the 1st generation of idols with groups such as H.O.T., Sechkies, S.E.S., and Finkl, and the 2nd generation with DBSK, SS501, etc. Even with selling hundreds of thousands of albums their aren't many in the older generation who know the names of these groups. Generating all their profit from fandoms, the 21st century music market focuses their activities mainly on targeting passionate consumers. The need to appeal to older generations has rather faded.

Starting with the main consumers of the idol market, teens (people aged 10-19), the difference in temperature of popularity amongst younger generations and older generations can only feel vast. At least for mothers whose children like BTS the situation is a bit better. BTS has gathered their fandom via communicating through Youtube, VLive, and other SNS platforms. They also don't appear on variety shows that can help make BTS feel more familiar to older generations due to their busy overseas schedules. This is one of the reasons why the older generation might be unacquainted with BTS.

Bang Shi-Hyuk's first idea was not an idol group but a hiphop group

▲ Compared to today, in their debut days BTS made strong music incorporating gangster rap amongst other genres.

ⓒ BigHit Entertainment

Nobody could have predicted that BTS would rise to the position they are at now five years ago when they debuted in 2013. Bang Shi-hyuk CEO (BigHit Entertainment, songwriter), who produced BTS also was one of these people.

As a popular songwriter of JYP, Bang Shi-hyuk entered the music industry through winning 'Yu Jae-Ha's Music Contest'. Compared to a considerable number of songwriters who have pushed for lyricism such as Cho Kyu-Chan, Go Chan-Yong, and Yu Hee-Yul, Bang Shi-Hyuk solidified his position in trendy pop and dnace music. This was a bit of an peculiar path. Alhtough he did create many songs like Baek Ji-Young's representative track 'Like Being Hit by a Bullet'.

Bang Shi-Hyuk's original idea was not to create an idol group, but a hip hop group with many members like N.W.A. or Wu-Tang Clan. We can suppose that he was able to come up with an unconventional concept because he's lived a music life that was different from others.

Although he made contact with rapper Beenzino and the winner of Show Me the Money 4 produced by Mnet, rapper Basick, he wasn't able to bring his idea to fruition. The team frame was created with Rap Monster (currently active under the moniker RM) at the center and while preparing for debut, the team's direction and members changed.

'Strong' music when they debuted...  the success of <The Most Beautiful Moment in Life> series (HYYH) that showed flexibility

▲ Popular songwriter Bang Shi-hyuk. He is the origin of BTS.

ⓒ BigHit Entertainment

If you examine their 2013 debut single, <2 Cool 4 Skool>'s title track 'No More Dream' to the 2014 mini 2nd album <Skool Luv Affair>'s 'Boy in Luv' that is used in various audition programs as a competition song, the tracks are quite different than BTS's music today.

Simply put, this is because with so-called 'strong' hip-hop music, they set forth a front, with H.O.T.'s 'Downfall of the Warrior' or Seo Taiji and the Boys's 'Come Back Home' coming to mind. Even today, hip-hop is a main genre in BTS's music. But if you consider that today BTS evenly accomodates EDM and trendy pop sounds, their sound has changed significantly since their beginning. This (their sound in the beginning) played a part in setting them apart from teams that appeared at a similar time and also helped grow their fandom. However, it seemed that this 'strong concept' was also a impediment to building their popularity. During this process, the success of the <The Most Beautiful Moment in Life> series that started in 2015 was their turning point.

BTS’s I Need U Dance Practice: https://youtu.be/hvUZb9NT7EY

These works sung of the youth of an anxious era and highlighted BTS's features. With a flexible melody that was hard to find in their earlier work, the HYYH series was the ignition that secured their fandom.

Part 1's title track 'I Need U' created a large sensation that led to not only boy groups but many girl groups to cover the track, and Part 2's 'Run' with its components of rock music attempted many musical variations. Their perfectly in sync choreography and extravagant performance that is now their trademark was also a large component of their popularity as well.

In 2015, 2 years after their debut, BTS achieved first place at a music program and sold 520,000 copies of <The Most Beautiful Moment in Life> part 1 and part 2 placing their names among the ranks of popular idol groups.

Past the domestic stage to the world stage

With the settlement of the <The Most Beautiful Moment in Life> series with <The Most Beautiful Moment in Life  Young Forever> and their second full album <Wings> BTS combined their success to win a daesang at the year end music awards. Up until this point, there isn't much difference from other popular idol groups.

However, as if they were thoroughly well-known, BTS has raised a great sensation in the overseas markets and have launched them to be 'world stars'. Of course as in the past and as it is today, overseas tours and other activities earning foreign profit falls under the category of normal activity but BTS has acquired fans from a larger range and has achieved a differentiated success.

BTS’s FIRE Dance Practice: https://youtu.be/sWuYspuN6U8

Videos of BTS's brilliant performances have propagated through the work via Youtube and other SNS platforms. BTS's videos lack nothing in capturing the hearts of the public in the American pop market which hasn't seen another boy group emerge after One Direction.

In 2017 with their special album <You Never Walk Alone> and <LOVE YOURSELF 承 'Her'> which sold as many as 1,400,000 copies domestically, and having won an award at the Billboard Music Awards, having performed at the American Music Awards, having appeared on three popular talk shows on public American TV networks, and with plans to appear on a New Year's special show (Dick Clark's Rocking Eve) BTS is paving their own path that no one has walked on before.

Their success factor... what they have yet to show us infinite

▲ On the 5th, Billboard reported that BTS's 'Mic Drop' (Steve Aoki remix) will rank 28th on the Billboard Hot100 and have the highest rank as a k-pop group in history.

ⓒ BigHit Entertainment

[I] will shortly organize the last five years of BTS's path. To be honest, with all this it may still not be enough for the older generations to understand why BTS is so popular and is the top trend. Then, it might be helpful to hear from Bang Shi-Hyuk CEO, who created BTS, on why they have succeeded.

On the 30th of last month, MAMA held their 2017 Professional Awards in a hotel in Hong Kong. On that day, Bang Shi-Hyuk gave the keynote speech on 'BTS's success and their coexistence with the Western Music Market', and I have condensed the speech into three points.

"Coexistence between mainstream culture and alternative culture"

"Coexistence between traditional media and new media"

"Coexistence of a fandom that transcends ethnicities and countries"

It is true that Psy's 'Gangnam Style' in 2012 raised a larger sensation. Through this song the potential to raise k-pop, that was the exclusive property of k-pop enthusiasts, to the mainstream showed promise, but unfortunately did not sustain strength. This is because it was not built on the foundation of a loyal fandom.

BTS, on the other hand, has shown potential over the past two years that built on a strong fandom, they could rise to mainstream culture. This statement is made with the optimistic meaning that BTS will not simply stay put at where they are today.

BTS’s DNA Dance Practice: https://youtu.be/GEIU_7v40Dw

As of late, it has been a while since it is absolutely important to communicate and promote on SNS platforms and the internet. BTS, too, is active in using such platforms and has succeeded in raising a reaction that is greater than with other groups. This has caused others who don't know about BTS to also have interest. Also, as this is a shift from promotion that happened primarily through mass media to promotion that focuses on the artist individually, this is a subject that is worth paying attention to. Through this method, the formation of a diverse fandom is something that BTS can be proud of and is also the groundwork their popularity.

Unlike preceding (sunbae) groups that have gained popularity in mainly China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and other Asian regions, BTS's fandom is encompassed of fans from all over the world, including the U.S., Europe, and South America. Through the medium of music, they have shown us the coexistence of a fandom that transcends ethnicities and countries. Just in time, BTS's single 'Mic Drop' (Steve Aoki Remix) has placed 28th on the Billboard Hot100 Single chart as the highest placing k-pop group in history.

For these seven young men who have yet to show us more, the results they have produced up to now will not be the peak of BTS, but a starting point for yet another type of success.

Copyright (c) Oh My News (citizen reporter), distribution and redistribution without notice is not allowed

Extra text | This post has also appeared on Kim Sang-hwa's personal blog (http://blog.naver.com/jazzkid) Oh My News allows duplicate distribution since the author wrote it by his or herself.

[Comments]

true****

They have started to dig into the 30-40s middle-aged to elderly segment at an alarming pace. The distribution of different age groups on the comments on BTS articles is proof. There are many auntie and uncle fans like myself who are sorry we recognized them so late

myma****

Congrats to Bangtan and Bang Shi-hyuk~ When I see things like this it highlights that not only are the artists important, but the planning ability of a supportive company is also important. To compare with another group, in Gukkasten's case with the best vocal ability of Ha Hyun-Woo and with music that would sit well overseas, without the planning of their company it seems they just fade away. I'm personally a bit sad...

gjgo****

I hope that they continue with the same belief and faith as in the beginning. Bang CEO, Bangtan, and Armies let's be together forever!!!!!!

[djpocky]

BTS Appreciation Post pt. 1

In honor of Love Yourself: Her doing so well and breaking records left and right, I decided to dedicate a few posts to BTS and talk about why the music they create is so amazing and literally why every song they’ve ever made means so much to this fandom. If you’re a new ARMY and have just discovered BTS, here’s an introduction to every song the boys have made and why they’re so important :)

When it comes to their music, what I love most about BTS is that they never forget their roots. When they debuted with their first single album 2 Cool 4 Skool, they included a hidden track called Road/Path. In this song, the boys (mainly rap line) talk about how much has changed since they were first recruited into Big Hit up until they finally debuted, and wonder what life would’ve been like if they never chose to pursue their dreams. Here are a few lines from the song:

“I, who didn’t want to make an even bigger idiot out of myself came to this place and 3 years have since passed” (Rap Monster)

“I thought I was alone but I’ve learned that we are seven. No longer barefoot; wearing shoes called Bangtan. We go on forward another step, newer than the last; towards the fourth spring we’ll greet in Seoul.” (Suga)

“It’s the year 2010, my steps head to Seoul. I, who started out just loving dance is soon to stand on stage. Until then I combat the many pains and scars and prepare myself.” (J-Hope)

“Would I have changed? If I had chosen a different path, if I had stopped and looked back.” (Vocal Line).

Their popularity began to rise as they started releasing more albums. After their first album, they released O!RUL8,2?, Skool Luv Affair, and Dark & Wild; as well as a few Japanese albums (No More Dream, Boy In Luv, Wake Up, Danger). Although a lot of their songs talk about how great they are and how they will never let the haters get to them, they hadn’t made another song like Road/Path; meaning they never made another song that talked about their roots; where they came from before they became idols. That is, until they came out with The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt. 1 and introduced us to Move. They made this song talking about the memories they had made over the past 3 years after debuting in their old dorm; now saying goodbye as they leave and move into their new dorm. They acknowledge the fact that, although they’ve made many memories, it was time to move on and do bigger and better things in terms of their music career, and so does moving into a new place. Here are a few lines from the song:

“This place smells like us. Let’s not forget this scent, wherever we are. We cried a lot and laughed a lot, but it was so beautiful. Nonhyungdong, 3rd floor, thank you.” (Rap Monster)

“There’s more stuff than the beginning. I have more than when I started too. Now let’s take our pride and go toward a bigger world with a bigger dream. A new start, a new beginning.” (J-Hope)

“Ever since I was born I counted the days for my first move // So I’m gonna move again. I’m gonna have a dream, a level higher than being an idol. When will I stop having to move again? I hope it comes quickly.” (Suga)

“While taking the last box out of the empty room, I looked back for a moment. Times we cried and laughed. Goodbye now.” (Vocal Line)

This song meant a lot to BTS, especially after all the hardships they went through to get to that point. There were times where they thought they wouldn’t make it; times where they thought it might not be worth it. But in the end, they finally made history for themselves. Because soon after they released this album, they finally made #1 on the music charts. Their first ever win was on May 5th, 2015 on M!Countdown’s The Show with I Need U. If you haven’t seen their acceptance speech (or if you just wanna re-watch it and cry all over again lol) click here.

In a way, the popularity had changed BTS, but at the same time, it didn’t. As the years flew by, the fandom had been growing more and more. They’ve won more awards and are being recognized worldwide. Album sales have been going through the roof and concerts were left sold out. For the past 4 years since their debut, BTS has (positively) changed. But what hasn’t changed is the fact that, no matter how popular they get, they’re still humble. Because every album after The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt. 1 has at least 1 song talking about/referencing their roots. They never forget where they came from and always think back about how much they’ve grown over the years.

1 Verse (1 Verse)- “I gently walk on the road that my fans have made for me. You’ll feel double the effort that I have made with my brothers, rising in the world and gaining fame, I’m on.” (J-Hope)

Nevermind (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt. 2)- “If there’s anything that’s different it’s my height. And also being a bit more mature for my age. From the underground workplace in NamSanDong, my beat has been laid out until Apgujeong.” (Suga)  

Ma City (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt. 2)- “Ayo, I’m the most successful guy ever born in Daegu. You’ll hear this kind of thing, now listen well. I’m the pride of Daegu, a new generation, a new wind. Daegu’s past, present and future.” (Suga)

EPILOGUE: Young Forever (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever)- “I’m happy with who I’ve become. That I can make someone scream with joy.” (Rap Monster)

I Know (BTS Festa 2016)- “I know the red carpet that spreads out ahead of me; it’s red because of the tears of blood of the people who love me. I know your gaze that remained on me that day is something shared between you and me that can never be replaced.” (Rap Monster)

The Last (Agust D)- “The things I’ve imaged about turns into reality. My childhood dreams are in front of my eyes. The night when I performed in front of 2 audience. Now Tokyo Dome is right in front of my nose.” (Suga/Agust D)

Begin (WINGS)- “The fifteen year old me who didn’t have anything. The world was so big, I was so small. Now I can’t even imagine it. Now I can’t even imagine myself, who used to have no scent, who used to be empty. (Jungkook)

First Love (WINGS)- “I remember that moment; way taller than my height. The brown piano that guided me. I looked up to you. I yearned for you.” (Suga)

MAMA (WINGS)- “Time travel to 2006. Crazed for dancing, pinched my mom’s purse when my dad opposed but I practiced everyday. She supported me and the pieces of my dream.” (J-Hope)

Two! Three! (Hoping For More Good Days) (WINGS)- “Because of all your self-reproach, I was able to prove myself something I wasn’t able to do when in high school.” (Suga)

A Supplementary Story: You Never Walk Alone (WINGS: You Never Walk Alone)- “Even if this is the path I chose; even if everyone says I made my own destiny; even if this whole life is just a price to pay for the sin. Walk with me.” (Rap Monster)

Sea (Hidden Track) (Love Yourself: Her)- “Some people said our company was small so we wouldn’t be famous. I know, I know. I know it too. Even back when the seven of us struggled to sleep in one room, the trust before sleep that tomorrow would be different.” (Suga)

The whole reason why I’m even making this post is because of their new hidden track Sea in the new album. BTS has been around for four years, has won 72 awards (this includes huge music awards in Korea like MAMA, international music awards like Billboard, and music programs like Inkigayo), has had 6 concert tours in 29 different cities around the world (except Europe otl), has broken 20+ records, and has literally become an (if not the most) iconic K-Pop group of this generation.

And yet, they still take steps back to remember their past.

The fact that they still talk about how they were brought up and mention how appreciative they are about their lives shows just how humble these boys are. Never in a million years did they ever think they would make it this far, and the best thing about it is that they still feel the need to do better. Seeing this new hidden track in Love Yourself: Her reminded me of when they first debuted with 2 Cool for Skool. Because a hidden track means it isn’t just for anybody to listen to: its for their fans. A hidden track is a message that BTS wants to tell their fans. They’re saying that no matter how popular they’re getting, they’ll never forget the hardships they went through, and that our constant support is what helped them get up to the top. For those of us who have been in the fandom for a while, we’ve seen all seven of them grow up to be the people that they are today. We’ve seen them accomplish so many things, but they’re still thinking that they need to do more or do better for us. After completing one dream after another, they keep making more dreams. BTS won’t stop dreaming as long we support them.

So not only do these songs hold importance and value to them, they also mean something to us. Not only do these songs tell us how much we mean to them, they also give us hope. Because no matter how hard life may seem at the moment, trust in BTS: you’re gonna make it through.

Part 2 (Coming soon)

[dubujeongguk]

three minutes

pairing: hoseok x reader

genre: fluff

length: 5k words, oneshot

summary: in which your friend hoseok is great in every way possible and only ever single for short periods of time, unfortunately for you.

Hoseok is a lot of things. He’s hilarious, beautiful, kind, compassionate, hard working and talented, if you could say so yourself. But if his name and any form of compliment slipped out of anyone’s mouth in the same sentence, he’d be nothing but humble; cheeks pinking and words of denial muttered under his breath. Although, everyone knew that deep down, he knows that it's all true. Something you’d say Hoseok didn’t know he was, though?

Your crush.

He’s hilarious, beautiful, kind, compassionate, hard working, talented and quite possibly the love of your life. And god help you, if he did know.-

It’s a bright and early Friday morning that sounds like robins singing from the trees and breakfast sizzling on the frying pan. You wake up to the sound of your alarm that is your favourite song at the moment and you grumble, literally rolling out of bed, your hair disheveled. You quickly tap on the phone’s screen before setting it down to carry out your morning routine.

As if on cue, your phone vibrates numerous times. Jin, you roll your eyes as you leave it to vibrate for what seems like forever.

Your best friend was talented. He could sing, act and could pass as a good dancer if you looked from afar. His fourth talent? “Double” texting (that was more like twenty-texting in his case).

Jin: hey Jin: are u awake Jin: ??????? Jin: why aren’t u replying to my texts Jin: ???????????//////// is this Jin: what 6? 7? Years of friendship means? Jin: not replying to tests Jin: texts* Jin: lmao tests Jin: ????????? I need to talk about something important Jin: ok fuck u I’ll ask someone else to come with me to Namjoon’s party Jin: binch

By the time you checked your phone, you were in front of your locker, putting your binders away and being glared at your by supposed mature, senior student best friend.

“All I’m asking is that you send your messages in sentences and that you don’t break up every word and send them as an individual text,” you said plainly, causing Jin glare at you even harder. “Anyways, why is Namjoon throwing a party?”

“Taehyung and Jimin somehow convinced him that people throw really late parties for Easter,” Jin replies, walking you to your class.

“A party for the lord that involves alcohol and possibly inappropriate dancing?” you ask, incredulously.

“…Yes.”

“…Nearly two months after Easter?”

“Okay listen, Namjoon is whipped for those kids,” Jin sighs in exasperation.

You shake your head and laugh at the idea. Surely there’s no way Namjoon could back out of this now that word has spread. There hasn’t been one party that Namjoon has thrown that wasn’t influenced by Taehyung, Jimin or Jungkook. The other thing that his parties had in common was that they didn’t involve you. Ever.

You were never a party animal and you pretty sure that you’d never become one. You didn’t drink, let alone grind at your school’s semi formal. Despite being invited to every single party, not once have you ever actually gone to one. “No thanks,” you reply curtly, pressing your lips together. “You know I don’t party, so I don’t know why this time’s any different,” you sigh, hanging outside your classroom’s door

“Morning,” you hear a voice behind you say, causing you to blush. That bright and welcoming voice could only belong to one person.

“Morning Hobi,” Jin greets back as you curse under your breath, turning around to face the man that God spent extra time in creating.

“Good morning,” you smile at your classmate, cheeks still tinted.

It wasn’t like you were so infatuated with him that you couldn’t hold a proper conversation. It was never like that; not once in the three years that you’ve liked him. It was difficult not holding a proper conversation with someone like him. Not to mention the fact that he was one of your closest friends.

But no matter who it was, Hoseok always made sure they were comfortable around him. He was like a grocery store’s automatic doors, as strange as it sounds; open and inviting.

“Ah sorry, I’d love to chat but I need to talk to the teacher,” Hoseok laughs, ruffling his brown hair. “Can I squeeze through?”

The two of you nod and allow him to pass, standing beside the door now.

“This difference is that Hoseok is going,” Jin whispers, smirking slightly, “as a single young man.”

The bell rings and Jin is suddenly running off into the distance, shouting something along the lines of see you at lunch. Sighing, you take your seat by the window that is conveniently right beside Hoseok.

A single Hoseok was rare and for good reason, seeing how beautiful he was, inside and out. The mere thought of having a chance with him made you red all over again. You slammed your face down on your desk and whined.

“You okay?” Hoseok asks, poking at your cheek and smiling.

You whined louder.

Today was going to be a long day.

It’s Tuesday evening and you have two multi-unit tests scheduled for Thursday. You’re beyond stressed and a part of you wants to give up, both on life and cramming. That is, until a certain someone comes to disturb you.

“Studying hard or hardly studying?” you hear Hoseok’s voice along with the sound of a chair scraping against the floor.

“Studying hard until you came,” you giggle, flipping to the next page of your book. “What are you doing in the library?”

“To see you,” Hoseok winks, nudging your side. You scoff and turn away, biting the inside of your cheek to keep from smiling like an idiot. “Just kidding, I have a test tomorrow and my family was being way too loud.”

“And sitting with me will increase your productivity?” you raise a brow.

“Maybe,” Hoseok grins, showing off his pearly whites.

It doesn’t even take an hour until you’ve closed your books and abandoned all hope of learning. You somehow end up sharing a pair of earphones with Hoseok as you stream a horror movie on your laptop (the same one that you intended to use to create a study guide for an upcoming test).

You aren’t sure whose idea it was to do this, but you don’t think you care anymore if it meant spending time with your crush. Especially when you two were gripping each other’s hands so tightly, fearing that monsters would jump out of the screen.

By the end of the movie, you’re clinging onto each other in an involuntarily hug, cheeks practically pressed against each other’s. The end credits roll and it occurs to you just how intimate the two of you are. You clumsily peel yourself from the boy and mumble something about going home, pulling the earphone out.

Hoseok clears his throat and quickly collects himself, as if he wasn’t internally screaming thirty minutes ago. “Want me to walk you home?” he offers, beginning to stuff his things in his bag. “I mean, it’s getting dark out and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

In your three or so years of friendship, this was the first time he ever offered to walk you home by himself. There were many instances when Jin walked you home, and even Taehyung and Jimin from time to time, but Hoseok was a first.

It’s the same old kind and caring Hoseok, you tell yourself. Always helping others. Nothing worth getting emotional about. He would do the same for anyone else.

“If it’s no trouble, I guess,” you grin, slipping on your backpack.

The two of you walk out of the library with his arm resting on top of your head and his pace slowing to match yours; just as he always has.

He’d do the same for anyone else, but that didn’t mean you felt any less self conscious.

“He’s never walked any girl home that he wasn’t interested in,” Jimin answers your question the following day, taking a bite of his sweet bun.

“Are you sure?” you ask again, grabbing the bun from his hands. “Isn’t he like? Mr. Nicest Guy on Earth who treats everyone like royalty?”

Jimin lets out a whine and snatches his lunch back. “I’m pretty sure. I only ever recall him walking home his girlfriends.”

You blink at Jimin in utter confusion, causing Taehyung and Seokjin to laugh in response. The gears in your brain were whirring in attempt to process what your friend just said. You weren’t a girl of interest to Hoseok. Sure, he had some interest in you, due to your status as close friends, but definitely not in that way. You were overcomplicating things and you knew it.

“Why do you want to know who Hoseok walks home anyways?” Jungkook muses, scratching his head dramatically. The tone of his voice seemed to be laced with more sarcasm than curiosity.

Seokjin shoots you a knowing smile while Taehyung and Jimin snicker beside him. You simply pout your lips in response and cross your arms.

“Yeah, why do you want to know who Hoseok walks home?” Taehyung teases, poking your side.

“Who wants to know what about Hoseok?” the man himself inquires, placing a carton of strawberry milk in front of you. You hide your face with your hair as he pulls up a seat beside you, Namjoon and Yoongi following behind.

You turn away from him and grumble. “Nobody wants to know anything about you!” you hiss, fed up with everybody (including yourself). Picking up your bag, you stomp away in embarrassment in attempt to find a place to think.

There’s a hint of confusion and hurt written on Hoseok’s face when you leave the cafeteria without accepting his tiny act of kindness. “I thought you guys said she likes strawberry milk,” he grimaces.

Namjoon can’t help but to crack up at your outburst and Hoseok’s defeated posture.

“Could they be any more obvious?” Yoongi complains to no one in particular, propping a hand underneath his chin.

“You know what I hate? Math,” Jungkook complains loudly, as you all walk to your regular snack shop. “And English and science and social studies and…”

“So you hate school?” Yoongi interjects, browsing through his phone, tripping over a twig.

“No. I like P.E,” Jungkook retorts with a furrow of the brows, paying no mind to Yoongi’s condition.

Your friends talk over each other as they always do and it feels like you’re in the middle of busy down town. You walked slower than they did and for some freakish reason, you were the only girl in their circle of friends. Occasionally, they’d have conversations that you had no idea on how to contribute to. It’d be a lie if you didn’t feel excluded sometimes, but it couldn’t be helped.

This time you didn’t think minded as much, your thoughts elsewhere; that somewhere being the concept of having a chance with Hoseok. Jin’s suggestion at lunch resonated in your head. Just pull him aside at the party and confess,” he had said. “It’s almost the end of school and I’m not going to be here next year. It’ll just be you and Hoseok.” It all sounded ridiculous to you still.

“You seem kind of down today,” Hoseok comments, adjusting his steps to walk beside you, tilting his head to catch your eyes. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” you smile. “Just thinking.”

“Want me to think with you?” he offers, throwing an arm around you and drawing you closer. Something he often did to remind you he was there if you needed him. “You seem stressed. What’s on your mind?”

You.

“I was just thinking about my assignments due after the weekend,” you lie through your teeth.

“I see,” he pouts a little. “I wish I could help you, but I’m swamped too,” he laughs. A sound that you’ve become very attached to.

“But speaking of weekends, are you going to Namjoon’s next Saturday?” Hoseok asks, catching your eyes.

“Maybe.”

You weren’t the only one who found Hoseok captivating. In fact, everyone did. This was common knowledge around the school. But when you heard your friend talk about him after class one day, you suddenly felt uncomfortable.

“He’s really cute,” your friend said to you. “I’d date him, no hesitation.”

“Well, I mean he’s been single for a couple of months. You definitely could,” another classmate added. “I was thinking about hooking up with him, to be honest.”

“Do you think he does hook ups though?”

“We’ll see about that,” the girls laughed.

A feeling of anxiety washed over you the more your peers spoke about him. It didn’t take long for you to excuse yourself from the conversation due to what you called a forgotten guidance counsellor appointment.

Hearing others talk about Hoseok made you feel unnecessarily jealous. He wasn’t your boyfriend. What right did you have to be angry at those girls?

None.

It still hurt though.

“I don’t think I want to go anymore,” you tell Jin over video call, burying your face in your favourite plush toy. It’s Friday night and the more you thought about the party and confessing to Hoseok, the less you wanted to go. There were only two ways things could go; either Hoseok accepts you or rejects you. But the very idea of him rejecting you made you dizzy.

Jin reprimands you in more ways than one, but you’re not sure if you can handle the heart ache if Hoseok doesn’t reciprocate.

“Listen, I know it’s overwhelming, but you have to do this eventually,” Jin softens, seeing you in distress over video call. “So what if he rejects you? At least you’ll know to stop wasting time and affection over him.”

“I hate you,” you mumbled into teddy bear, slouching in your chair.

You often hated Jin when he was right.

“Can you just throw on some jeans or something so we can go?” Jin groans loudly, laying in your bed as you rummage through your closet.

“Listen punk, this is my first high school party and I intend on looking good at it,” you hiss, taking out the tenth shirt of the night.

“You know we still have to pick up our three children right?” he reminds you, as he rolls off the mattress to help you look for an outfit. “Taehyung has texted me three times already asking where we are and I’ve told him three times that we have yet to leave your house.”

You let out a cry and drop to the floor. Parties weren’t your thing; they stressed you out and you knew that better than anyone. But how was it that you were stressed about a party before you even got there?

“Okay here,” Jin says, shoving a pair of cute shorts you forgot you had and a crop top into your lap. “Nothing says summer like showing some skin,” he deadpans, as he shoves you into your washroom. “If you come out and you don’t look as nice as I thought you would, just throw on my jacket and let’s go. Got it? Good.”

The moment you arrive at Namjoon’s castle of a house, the place is already half trashed with a good quarter of party goers wasted. Music is blaring in all directions and you aren’t sure how none of the neighbours have made a complaint yet. Or maybe it was because they were attending the party too. Who even knew at this point?

Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook practically jump out of the car and run off to god knows where once the car is parked, leaving you with your best friend. The scent of alcohol and perfume is heavy in the air and you’re pretty sure you want to go home, but you came here with a purpose and you refused to leave without fulfilling it.

“Come on, let’s go find your man,” Jin jokes, taking your hand and dragging you into Namjoon’s home. Your best friend holds onto your hand tight so you don’t get lost in the mess of people, as you whip your head around looking for him.

Unfortunately, Seokjin’s tight isn’t tight enough and suddenly you’re surrounded by mostly unfamiliar faces and some you rarely interact with, never mind the only one you wanted to see tonight.

“Hey,” someone greets you, pulling you in from the crowd for a quick side hug. You look up in shock, letting out a breath when you realize it’s just Namjoon. “You look good. How’s your first party going? I only throw the best.”

“It’s… going,” you reply, scrunching up your face. What Namjoon considered the best parties probably meant the worst experience for you. “I lost Jin and now I’m just kind of… here.”

Namjoon ruffles your hair and chuckles. “Go socialize,” he lightly chides. A voice calls for him from across the room and your conversation is cut short, much to your dismay. “Hold on,” he shouts back. “I have to deal with something right now but if you need anything, text me. At least try to have fun, okay?” Then he was off, ditching you in the corner of the living room.

To say that you didn’t try to have fun would be a lie, because you really did. But despite how hard you tried to mingle with drunkards and dance to the extremely loud EDM blasting from the speakers, you just couldn’t. You felt uncomfortable, lonely and far too sweaty for your liking. You were out of your element and soon enough, out of Namjoon’s home.

You rub your hands against your arms when the summer air hits and frown. You wonder just what on earth you would do now, especially considering the unlikelihood of finding your crush in a house of what felt like a thousand people. Perhaps you would confess another day—or maybe never, you think bitterly.

Sending Jin a quick text letting him know where you are and to not worry, you proceed to go wherever your legs would take you. Just as long as it wasn’t here.

“Hey,” someone calls out to you, not even a second after you reach the sidewalk. When you turn around, you find a slightly out of breath Hoseok in front of you, dazzling smile and all.

“Hey,” you blush, slightly embarrassed that you’ve been caught leaving the party before its climax and partially due to how gorgeous your crush looked.

“I’ve been looking for you all night,” he confesses, shoving his hands in the pockets of the black bomber jacket you liked so much.

“Why?” you laugh in response, timidly running your fingers through your hair.

“I figured you would want company at your first party. But I guess you don’t need me anymore,” he answers, noticing that you were trying to leave. “Are you alright?” Hoseok softens, concern apparent on his face.

“Yeah, just a little overwhelmed,” you bite your lip, fiddling with the hem of your sleeve. “What about you though? You haven’t been looking for me all this time, right? What are you doing out here?”

“I guess I got overwhelmed too,” he admits, voice quieter than before. You aren’t sure how someone as extroverted as Hoseok could possibly get overwhelmed by a party, mostly since he’d been to them tonnes of times before. It doesn’t make sense but you don’t question it; not when the enthusiasm in his voice returns.

“Let’s leave,” Hoseok beams, catching you off guard.

“What?”

“You heard me,” he chuckles.

“Are you sure? Won’t your friends miss you? And like, basically every person in Joon’s house right now?

Hoseok bites back a smile and shakes his head. “Nope. And besides, there’ll be other parties. I’m not too sure about parties involving you though.”

“Where would we even go?” you mumble.

“Why don’t we find out?”

“Stop! You’re so ugly,” you screech, rolling around the grass from laughing so hard.

Hoseok doesn’t though. He continues to dash towards the huge oak tree the two of you have been laying under for the past hour, trying to run up it.

“You won’t do it, Hobi,” you shout, sitting up. “There’s absolutely no way that you can get up to that branch without using your hands.”

When Hoseok slips down for the third time, you can’t help but to crack up again. “Okay fine, maybe I can’t do it right now, but just watch! One day, I’ll climb this tree and you’ll rue the day you doubted me,” he argues, sitting back down beside you, leaning against the tree.

“Alright, jungle-man Hoseok,” you snicker. “I’ll be waiting until then.”

Night has fallen and the stars have begun to make their appearance on the stage that is the sky, joining the moon in its performance. The summer air is crisp and smells like a medley of flowers. It’s a little chillier than it was before so you pull your legs in and wrap your arms around them, trying to conserve whatever warmth you had before.

“Are you cold?” Hoseok questions, not even waiting for an answer to drape his jacket over your shoulders.

“I was,” you laugh. “Thanks.”

“No,” Hoseok stares at you and smiles. “Thank you.”

A part of you swears he was looking at your lips, even just for a second, but you rid your head of the thought. “For what?” you prompt.

“Tonight,” he grins, shifting his gaze to what lies above. “Whatever tonight was, I guess.”

You lean back and let out a contented sigh. “I feel the same way.”

“No, but like seriously. Thank you,” he continues, eyes still focussed on the sky. “Truthfully, I’ve been feeling really lousy lately with all this stress building up and I think today it just got too much. Too many people, too many conversations, too many fears, too many emotions, too many things to keep up with… I think I burned myself out from trying to stay so positive all the time,” he whispers, closing his eyes.

Hoseok’s smile finally falters for the first time tonight and what feels like the first time in forever. There was not even a trace of a smirk on his lips. Hoseok smiled a lot and that made you smile too. Everything he did subconsciously made you smile. Hence, with his face was void of any emotion at this moment, only having dark circles and shut eyes on display, it dawned on you.

Perhaps you were too blinded by your own happiness that you didn’t notice that his grins were just a forced tug of the lips. He feels lonely sometimes too; he faces hardships just like anybody else. He isn’t obligated to feel certain emotions for the sake of others.

Hoseok is a lot of things, but a robot is not one.

“Then don’t,” you blurt out. Your hands clench into fists from frustration; frustration that Hoseok refused to express. “Don’t burn yourself out. If you’re unhappy, say it. Do something about it. You don’t owe anything to anybody.”

“I’m sorry, I think I got too heated,” you grimace, relaxing your body. “I just… want you to be happy.” you trail off.

“Thank you,” Hoseok whispers, as he gives a small smile. A real one, you think.

It’s probably midnight by now but you don’t think you care. You thank Seokjin in your head and watch clouds float by, wondering if you would ever be blessed with another night like this. Everything felt perfect.

Hoseok hums your name and you immediately turn to face him, awkwardly tucking a piece of hair behind your ear.

Every time he said your name it felt like your heart would jump out of your chest. It was a foolish wish, but whenever you heard it come out of his mouth, you wanted him and only him to say it.

“Your friend confessed to me the other day,” Hoseok says all of a sudden, your face going pale. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot but it’s like, what have I got to lose right? What do you think?”

A silence falls between the two of you, save for the sound of your heart shattering resounding in your head. The park is calm as the moon shines down on the earth, all of the stars in the world shimmering from the distance. When you look at Hoseok, it looks as if a halo forms at the crown of his head as he’s basked in moonlight, eyes fixated on the glistening sky above.

Everything is beautiful and you hate it. It’s as if the heavens were reminding you of things you never forgot. No matter how close you are to perfection; you’ll never have it.

Hoseok would never be yours.

“They say that if you look someone in the eyes for three minutes, you’ll fall in love,” you mutter under your breath, drawing Hoseok’s attention away from the stars.

“Yeah?”

“So why is it that every time I look at you, it feels like my heart is breaking?”

The night is far too stunning for you to hurry back to Namjoon’s house; too wonderful for you to call your best friend in a shaky voice.

Tonight is too magnificent for you to have your heart broken, after finally believing you had a chance.

Life was too cruel sometimes.

It’s been a month since you last spoke to Hoseok. After the weekend of Namjoon’s party, you went ghost. You sat at the front of the class and left immediately when the bell rang. You avoided the cafeteria for the most part, opting to eat wherever Hoseok didn’t. You took the long way home and stayed in on weekends. Every time you made eye contact, or came within five feet of Hoseok, you ran.

The first week was the hardest. Wherever you went, he would go too. You didn’t want to hear what you already knew. It was bad enough hearing about his interest in your classmate. You didn’t need any more clarification. You didn’t need to be rejected twice.

By the second week, you took extra care in avoiding him. You walked exceptionally slow in hallways to check the surrounding area and practically sprinted, leaving the school building.

The third week went by quickly. The loneliness began to settle in, but you did whatever you could to keep your mind off of it. Loneliness was better than heartache. You hated the way you were acting, but it felt like the only thing you could do was cut off all contact with Hoseok.

Your only saving grace from total isolation was Seokjin.

“It’s been like three weeks, you can’t keep running away from him forever,” Jin said to you one night, standing over your bed.

“As long as I still have legs, no chance,” you protest, as you hide under your covers. “I’m not having this conversation.”

“Everyone’s been wondering where you’ve been,” he continues, rolling you out of your blanket cocoon.

“Let them.”

Seokjin huffs at your stubbornness. Despite anything he had to say, you would remain static. There was less than a month until summer vacation and that was all the time you needed to get over Hoseok. Your only issue was waiting for the time to arrive. Summer vacation meant two months to do whatever you could to get over Hoseok.

That’s what summer vacation was supposed to be, at least, until one fateful night, days before school ended.

“Where’s Jin?” you ask with a practically shaky voice, legs pulled close to your body as you sat on the grass. You felt a sense of déjà vu that you desperately wanted to shake off.

“Not here,” Hoseok answers apprehensively, looking at the ground.

“Oh I see,” you mutter, immediately standing up. You weren’t stupid; you knew what was happening. You thought it’d be easier seeing him after all that time, but it wasn’t. If anything, it hurt more. It made you wonder if all your efforts were futile. Your heart was wavering again.

Hoseok scrambles to hold you back, willing you to look at him. “No wait,” he pleads, retracting his hand from your arm. “Give me five minutes. No, I lied, ten. I just need ten minutes of your time. Please.”

Your brain was screaming at you to walk away, or to better yet, run, but none of that mattered if your feet were planted to the ground. “Okay,” you whisper. Hoseok gives you a tiny, appreciative smile; something that still makes your heart flutter, you notice.

“I’m sorry I thought I was being obvious about how I felt about you for the longest time,” he apologizes, clutching the back of his neck. “I guess not, huh? Here’s me being as clear as I can be then.”

Taken aback is an understatement of how you feel. Your voice is stuck in your throat, every word ready to spill out just on the tip of your tongue. You couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

“I like you. I’ve always liked you. And at this moment, I really, really like you and I hope you still mean the words you said that night at the party.”

“You mean when I told you it felt like my heart was breaking just looking at you?”

“No,” Hoseok shakes his head, taking your hands into his. “When you told me if you look someone in the eyes for three minutes, you’ll fall in love.”

It feels like your heart is about to explode, when he locks his eyes on yours and starts counting from one. There’s a certain glint in his eye that speaks volumes, but you can’t seem to understand with the sound of your heartbeat drowning everything out.

By sixty seconds, you’re sure your cheeks are on fire and that your hands have become clammy, but Hoseok never breaks his gaze or releases your hands. If anything, you swear his grip tightens. You want to look away but you’re frozen in place and lost in his everything.

By a hundred and twenty, Hoseok steps closer, intertwining your fingers with his. His voice is low and smooth and music to your ears. As if that wasn’t enough, you’re drowning in the scent of his cologne and his very existence itself.

“179… 180,” Hoseok whispers, resting his forehead against yours. “Do you love me again?”

It doesn’t take you another three minutes to kiss him.

“I don’t think I stopped.”