As promised, V is gone by the time you wake up. You feel relieved, yet oddly disappointed at the same time. Perhaps, somehow, you already miss his warmth next to you.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"[Y/N]ie! Seokjin-hyung is cooking breakfast for us!" is Taehyung's greeting to you the moment you step out of your room. A savory aroma reaches your nose, and you pad over to the source.

"You're making jjajangmyeon?" you ask Seokjin as you look over his shoulder at what he's making.

"Taehyungie told me it's his favorite," Seokjin says while expertly tossing the noodles. "When else can he have real, non-instant jjajangmyeon made with love and skill?" Seokjin throws you a playful look, and you adopt an offended expression.

"Hey! I can also---" you start to say, then decide to admit defeat, "Okay, you're right. I can only make instant jjajangmyeon... instant most things, if we're being honest here."

"It smells so good, hyung!" Taehyung chirps from just behind you. It seems he's decided to join you and Seokjin in the already cramped kitchen. You inch your way out to make space and happen to catch a glimpse of the wall clock.

"Wait, Seokjin-ah! Aren't you going to be late for your interview?" you ask Seokjin.

"Why, are you in a hurry to send me away?" he pouts, "Don't you miss my cooking at all?"

"I just don't want to affect your chances of getting that job and moving here!"

"Don't worry," he says, chuckling, "I have enough time. Now..." Seokjin takes the pan off of the stove. "Let's eat!"

Taehyung delightedly eyes the steaming noodles as Seokjin takes the pan to the dining table.

"Hyung!" he squeals, "Can you stay forever?"

Seokjin looks at you and winks. For a brief moment, you envy Taehyung's candidness. If only you also had the courage to say it out loud...

'Seokjin-ah, I also wish you would stay.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

While Seokjin is at his interview, you and Taehyung decide to drop by the rice cake shop to visit Taehyung's friend Jimin.

"Jiminie!" Taehyung cries as you enter the shop.

"Taehyungie! You're back!"

At the cash register is a blonde boy who looks to be about Taehyung's age. The very first thing that strikes you is just how pretty he is, with his delicate features and those puffy lips that seem to be in a permanent pout.

'This is Taetae's Jiminie??? He's prettier than most girls I know!'

"I thought you already forgot about me," he teases Taehyung good-naturedly.

"Forget my soulmate? Never!" Taehyung declares vehemently. Then, he gestures towards you. "Jiminie, this is [Y/N]ie, the person who adopted me."

"I heard a lot about you from Hobi-hyung," Jimin tells you, "It's nice to finally meet you!"

"Ah, Taetae has also told me a lot about you," you respond, returning his wide smile, "I'm happy we finally met!"

"I hope he only said good things!" Jimin says, eyes disappearing into two crescent shapes.

"Well, actually..." you decide to joke back, and Jimin's eyes widen comically.

"Yah, Taehyung-ah!" Jimin fake-scolds Taehyung, "What have you been saying about me?"

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," you quickly say upon seeing Taehyung's flustered expression, "Taetae only sings you praises."

Jimin's giggles shake his entire body.

"Really? Good!" He turns to Taehyung. "I taught you well."

The tinkling of bells rings through the cafe, and Jimin looks towards the entrance. A tall guy wearing a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes has entered.

"Oh," Jimin exclaims, "A customer."

"Ah, sorry!" you tell Jimin, moving aside so you're not blocking the register, "We're disturbing you during your shift after all. Listen, Jimin-ssi---"

"Please," Jimin interrupts, "just call me Jimin. Or Jiminie, like Taehyungie does."

"Ah, right. Jimin..." you continue, speaking in a hurry, although the customer seems to be taking their time looking at the display of pastries, "We're showing my friend around the city later. Would you like to join us after your shift?"

"I would love to!" Jimin says, delighted, "It'll be great to hang out with Taehyungie again."

"Wah!" Taehyung exclaims, "We're going to have so much fun!"

"Taehyung will text you the specifics later, okay?" you tell Jimin, "See you!"

Jimin waves goodbye as you and Taehyung leave the store.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Since the orphanage is near the rice cake shop, you decide to drop by to invite Hobi too.

"Hyung!" Taehyung greets Hobi, who's manning the reception today as well, "It's been a while!"

"Hello, Hobi!" you say as you draw up beside Taehyung.

"Wow, what a pleasant surprise," Hobi says, giving you both the full wattage of his heart-shaped smile, "What brings you to the orphanage this fine Saturday?"

"We visited Jiminie at the rice cake shop," Taehyung explains, "Since the orphanage is only a block away, we decided to come see you too!"

"Oh," Hobi clutches at his chest, "I'm so touched, Taehyungie!" You and Taehyung both giggle at Hobi's theatrics.

"We'll be having a bit of a night about town later since my friend is visiting," you tell Hobi, "We were wondering if you'd like to join us after your shift?"

"Of course!" Hobi immediately responds, "I can't even remember the last time I had a night out with friends. I'll definitely be there."

"Great!" you exclaim, "See you, then!"

"Yay!" Taehyung claps his hands to his cheeks. "There's so many of us now! See you later, hyung!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Finally, you and Taehyung pick Seokjin up from his interview and meet Jungkook for lunch.

"Hyung, meet Jungkookie, my friend from childhood," Taehyung introduces the two, "Jungkookie, meet Seokjin-hyung, [Y/N]ie's childhood friend."

Jungkook's doe eyes sparkle as he looks at Seokjin.

"I just got my Taehyungie-hyung back," he breathes, "and now I get another hyung??? I have two now???"

"Yah, I don't recall giving you permission to call me hyung," Seokjin tells Jungkook, who pretends not to hear as his eyes continue to sparkle up at Seokjin.

"Seokjin-ah, you're gonna have to get used to it," you say, giggling, "We're all family here."

"Fine!" Seokjin crosses his arms, pretending to be annoyed. He leans towards you, saying in a quieter voice, "But you have to help me take care of these kids."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lunch proves to be lively. Seokjin and Jungkook bicker like brothers all throughout, with Taehyung mediating and you just watching with amusement as chaos unfolds.

You all head to the movie theater afterwards, where Jimin joins you in time for the film screening of 'Be There Soon'.

"Jiminie!" Taehyung gasps as he jogs towards his friend, "You made it!"

"I rushed over here as soon as my shift ended!" Jimin says, giving Taehyung a hug.

"Hyung, Kookie, this is my best friend Jimin," Taehyung tells the other two, and Jimin gives them a deep bow. Taehyung gestures towards Seokjin. "Jiminie, this prince-like guy is Seokjin-hyung. He's [Y/N]ie's childhood friend." Seokjin bows at Jimin. "And this cute bunny is Jungkook, a friend from my past." Jungkook flashes Jimin a grin before bowing as well.

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you," Jimin says, smiling widely.

"It's nice to meet you, Jiminie!" Jungkook says. Jimin narrows his eyes at Jungkook.

"I'm pretty sure I'm your hyung," Jimin tells him. Jungkook leans down slightly to meet Jimin's eyes.

"I'm pretty sure you're not," Jungkook responds.

"How old are you?" Jimin asks, eyes narrowing even further.

"I'm turning 24 this year," Jungkook answers.

"Hah!" Jimin cries triumphantly, "I knew it! I'm older than you! I'll be 26 this year!"

"You're the same age as Taehyungie-hyung?" Jungkook looks genuinely surprised. "But... you're so short!"

Jimin turns to Taehyung with a pout.

"Taehyungie, your friend is disrespecting me!"

"Hyung," Jungkook pouts harder, "are you going to choose this small person over me?"

"Who are you calling small?" Jimin snaps at Jungkook. Taehyung looks panicked.

"Jimine... Jungkookie... Please don't make me choose..."

You're wondering when to jump in and tell everyone that the movie will be starting in 10 minutes, when Seokjin suddenly speaks up from beside you.

"[Y/N]-ah, tell me the truth. Are you trying to create an F4 situation here?"

You look up at him in befuddlement.

"F4?"

"You know, in that anime," he explains, "Boys Over Flowers? 'F4' is short for 'Flower 4', which is what they call the four extremely pretty boys surrounding the main character."

You look around at the four boys you're hanging out with. Seokjin does have a point. You somehow found yourself surrounded by probably the four most beautiful boys in all of Neo-Seoul ---no, scratch that, in all of Neo-Korea itself.

"This all sort of just..." you grapple for the right word, "...happened?" you finish lamely. "I think this is just the perfect example of that saying, 'Birds of the same feather---'"

"Make a good feather duster!" Seokjin finishes for you, laughing that squeaky laugh that only someone as handsome as him can pull off.

You shake your head and turn your attention back to the bickering duo.

"Maybe if this hyung drinks banana milk, he'll grow taller too," Jungkook was just saying. Jimin pretends to cry.

"Why are tall people so mean?" he sobs.

Just as you're about to finally tell them that you all need to get moving if you don't want to be late to the movie, Seokjin approaches the two.

"Alright, break it up!" he tells them, clapping his hands thrice, "Time to go into the cinema."

Jimin, miraculously recovered from Jungkook's teasing, turns to Taehyung excitedly.

"Taehyungie, isn't this the first time we're watching a movie together?"

Taehyung nods, clapping his hands to his cheeks.

"Watching a movie in an actual cinema..." he squeals, "I'm so excited!"

"Hyung, hyung!" Jungkook tugs at the sleeve of Seokjin's coat, "Do we have enough time to get popcorn and banana milk?"

You can do nothing but chuckle at the chaotic energy these four boys create when all together.

 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I want to sit next to Taehyungie-hyung!" Jungkook's whisper carries inside the cinema as you all walk in, laden with popcorn buckets and drinks.

"I'm sitting beside Taehyungie too," Jimin loud-whispers back.

"Ah, but I'm sitting next to [Y/N]ie so I can't sit with you both," Taehyung responds, distressed.

"I'm good anywhere as long as my seatmate doesn't make too much noise," Seokjin mumbles.

"Hyung," Jungkook whines at Taehyung, "you need to choose!"

"Guys, keep it down," you whisper at them frantically, "We might get kicked out if this keeps on."

"Just decide, already!" Seokjin urges, eyes already glued to the screen, "The trailers are starting. They're the best part."

"Okay, in the interest of fairness," you decide for everyone, "TaeTae and I will sit together, while Jimin and Jungkook both sit with Seokjin."

"Okay, kids! Let's take our seats," Seokjin says, pulling at Jimin and Jungkook, "people are glaring at us."

"Who are you calling a kid, old man?" Jungkook retorts, shaking his hand free.

"Don't call Seokjin-hyung old, Jungkookie," Taehyung admonishes the maknae, "he's in a blooming age!"

"SSSSHHH!!!" one of the movie-goers hisses at all of you, so you sheepishly pull Taehyung to your seats as well.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You're shivering a bit, are you cold?" Taehyung whispers into your ear, and you shiver again, but not from the cold this time.

"Uhm, just a bit," you whisper back, "I picked up my thinner cardigan by mistake..."

"Don't worry," Taehyung says, lifting the arm rest between your seats so that it lays flat between the back rests, no longer a barrier between the two of you, "I'll lend you my warmth." He slips an arm around your shoulders and pulls you against his side. "Better?"

You nod and lean your weight against him, sinking into his warmth.

"You're so warm, Taetae... I don't feel cold anymore, not even a bit."

"Good," he says, his breath tickling your ear, "I'm... really happy right now."

You blush, and lay your head on his shoulder, so he doesn't see how red your face has become.

"Me too, Taehyungie... Me too."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dinner is just as boisterous as else everything you did that day, especially with the arrival of Hobi, whose workday has finally ended too.

"Seokjin-ah, Jungkookie, this is Hobi," you make the introductions as Hobi bows, "He works at the orphanage. He's the reason I was able to adopt Taetae."

"Ah, no, no..." Hobi scratches the back of his head, "I didn't really do much. It was fate."

"It's nice to meet you!" Jungkook says, bowing, "I'm Jungkook, Taehyung-hyung's best friend."

"Hey!" Jimin immediately protests, "I'm Taehyungie's best friend!"

"My name is Kim Seokjin," Seokjin says, also bowing, "I'm the only adult in this group so far, I hope you'll be one too. Nice to meet you."

Hobi's eyes widen as he takes a good look at Seokjin.

"Whoa," he exclaims, looking extremely impressed, "Why are you dressed like a lead actor in a K-drama?"

Seokjin looks down at his outfit, trying to see what made Hobi make that statement.

"I just came from a job interview."

Hobi remains wide-eyed.

"A job interview for the lead role in a K-drama?"

Seokjin pinches the bridge of his nose.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Karaoke is a revelation. As it turns out, every single one of the boys has an amazing voice. Even Seokjin, who never sang at parties and gatherings back in your hometown, surprises you with a singing voice that rings clear and pure like silver bells.

~ I'm the one I should love... in this world. ~ Seokjin belts.

Hobi's song choice is a lot more upbeat and fits his vibe so well.

~ Wishing on a sky, wishing on a star... ~

Taehyung croons a beautiful love song in his deep, calming baritone.

~ I still wonder, wonder, beautiful story... ~

Jimin, meanwhile, opts for a sultry number, surprising you with a more seductive, less innocent-looking side to him.

~ I can be your Genie, how 'bout Aladdin? ~

Jungkook's voice is like honey, as he goes for a song that is full of feel-good vibes and utilizes his impressively wide range.

~ You are the cause of my euphoria! ~

'Did I stumble into the beginnings of a boy band???' you wonder, dumbfounded, 'Five beautiful boys, all with incredible singing talent??? Wow...'

"Ah, Jiminie, this is too high for me," you hear Taehyung telling Jimin in their corner.

"Your song choices are too low for me, though," Jimin argues back.

"Hyung, let's duet!" Jungkookie is asking Seokjin, looking over the elder's shoulder at the songbook Seokjin is perusing.

"Does anyone want to try singing trot?" Hobi asks no one in particular, as he dances to a beat in the middle of the room.

"[Y/N]-ah," Seokjin turns to you, offering his mic, "should I input your go-to karaoke song?"

"Somehow, after hearing all your voices," you say, pushing the mic back towards him, "I don't feel like singing anymore."

Seokjin guffaws.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

You all cap the night off with a stroll along the city's famous bridge of lights. You and Seokjin hang back a bit as the others joke and mess around with each other.

"Looks like you've built yourself quite a family here," Seokjin says, looking with amusement at the four boys ahead of you. Amusement, and... something else. "You don't need me here, anymore. You'll do well even without me."

You stop in your tracks, making Seokjin stop as well.

"Don't say that!" you cry.

Seokjin looks taken aback at the vehemence of your response.

"[Y/N]-ah..."

"Have you forgotten?" you snap at him, "We were supposed to move to the city together. But you---"

"My situation is more complicated," he grumbles, "You know that. Even now, my father is still hoping I'll stay and take over the family business."

"Even so!" you retort, "Do you know how scary it was being out here alone? Those first few days, I cried so much..."

Seokjin's face twists in a rare display of anger.

"Why are you telling me all this just now?" he demands, "Why didn't you call me then, if you needed me as much as you say you did?"

"I---" you huff, looking away, feeling too vulnerable, too exposed. "I don't know, okay? I was... I was trying to be strong and independent, and... I was stupid, and confused. I thought..." You sigh. "Never mind. It doesn't matter now."

"Doesn't matter?" Seokjin scoffs. "You... really don't get it, do you?"

Your gaze snaps back to Seokjin at the tone of his voice. Gone is the anger. He just sounds... resigned. And so, incredibly sad.

"G-get what?" you stutter.

"[Y/N], I'm only your moon." Seokjin's full lips twist into a wry, self-deprecating smile. "That's all I am. And always will be."

"What... do you mean?"

Your heart constricts at the pain you see in Seokjin's eyes. Seokjin, who always hides his sadness behind smiles, his pain behind laughter, his troubles behind jokes. Seokjin, who's always been so hard to read. Seokjin, who has always been your rock, always seems so strong and capable, someone you can always depend on.

Could it be that you've depended on him too much all this time?

'Seokjin-ah... Is that why you feel like you can never show me the weaker side of you?'

You take a step towards Seokjin and lean your forehead on his shoulder. He gives a jolt of surprise, but doesn't push you away, doesn't pull back.

"You'll come back, right?" you mumble into his coat, "You'll go back to your home town tomorrow, but... you'll come back to Neo-Seoul?" You pause, then whisper, "Back to me?"

You feel rather than hear him sigh.

"Yes. I promise."

"Wow! Daebak!" Hobi cries out nearby, surprising you and Seokjin into breaking apart. "Jungkookie managed to remove the bottle cap with just his kick!"

"I wanna try it too!" Taehyung exclaims, jogging over to where you and Seokjin stand. "[Y/N]ie, Seokjin-hyung! Come see, I'll do it too!"

"I'll try it after Taehyungie!" Jimin pipes in.

"Do you think it's possible for me to do it too?" Hobi asks, looking both nervous and excited.

All the time, Jungkook keeps bragging, "I'm the reigning champion! Muwahahahaha!"

"I won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes," Seokjin joins in, teasing the maknae.

"Seokjin-hyung is going to attempt it too?" Jungkook 'whispers' to the others, "Won't he end up breaking his back?"

"Yah! I heard that!" Seokjin shouts at him.

"Dashi run, run, run!" Jungkook cries, sprinting away from Seokjin, who chases after him.

"Get back here, you rascal!"

"[Y/N]ie," Taehyung turns to you, a sparkle in his eyes, "come try it too!"

"Can I really do that?" you ask, giggling.

"Don't worry, I'll catch you if you fall over," Taehyung assures you.

Smiling, you nod at him and join in on the shenanigans.

You look around you, at these beautiful boys who are now all part of your life, and you feel a twinge in your heart that feels bittersweet.

'Isn't this right here... the most beautiful moment in life?'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A/N: Okay but, does anyone else feel bad for Seokjin and wants [Y/N] to love him back??? But also, you've got an unexpected date coming up! Who will it be with?

< Next Chapter: Just One Day >