Archive of Our Own

This time he was going to do it.

He promised himself he would.

After so many years of having the opportunity and holding back for fear of the outcome, because he truly had so much to lose, this year he wouldn’t let it slip through his fingers.

He was tired of the idea haunting him at night, of thinking about it with every song he heard on the radio and feeling his heart grow heavy, of wondering what would happen and suffering in silence.

Every day he felt his heart calling for him, that there was an emptiness in his stomach that he couldn’t fill with anything, that his skin wouldn’t warm up until he could hold him in his arms.

Maybe it was all romantic nonsense, maybe it was all in his head. It had occurred to him that he was exaggerating or that it wasn’t as big of a deal as he was making it seem. But he genuinely couldn’t live with it anymore. The feeling was so strong that his chest would explode if he kept it to himself for one more minute.

Hoseok had decided then that the risk was worth it because he had something bigger to gain.

So here’s the thing: He had been in love with his best friend for what had felt like an eternity, even though it had really been for at least ten years. It was still a long time, though, but most of it was wasted on wrong relationships and realizing too late about what Yoongi really meant to him. 

He didn’t regret anything, because he was able to spend those years by his side and having him in his life was a blessing in itself, whether they were together romantically or not. But he decided that something had to be done about it, and the perfect opportunity had presented itself.

Every summer for the past twelve years, Yoongi and Hoseok took a week off to vacation together. They would leave behind their jobs, their problems or anything that was bothering them, and escape to a place they had never visited before. 

It was just them, nothing else mattered.

They had been through heartbreak, the deaths of loved ones, job losses, and minor injuries. And no matter what happened, they made that trip every year. It was a tradition none of them would dare break no matter how fucked up things were. This trip was their safe haven, their sanctuary, where they could be themselves without any weight on their shoulders to drag them down.

They had been each other’s favorite person since they were children. Hoseok sometimes felt that it was just him and Yoongi in the world and everything else was sand. 

All of his most precious memories belonged to him, with Yoongi as the star of them all.

The day they first met, back when they were 8 and 9 years old. Hoseok’s family had moved next door to Yoongi’s house, and he was playing basketball outside the garage of his house. He was wearing an all-black outfit even then, with his short brown hair and small frame, watching the moving truck with curiosity. Hoseok then got out of his parents’ car and their eyes met. Yoongi just raised his hand as a greeting and kept playing, leaving him standing in his place. They didn’t exchange words that day, not until three weeks later when they both discovered they liked the same music. But that first encounter was etched in his mind, as if he had taken a picture with an instant camera and the flash continued blinking in his eye, showing him that 9-year-old boy with the gentle eyes.

Then, years later, when Hoseok rushed to his best friend’s house with the news that he’d had his first kiss. It had been with a girl who attended the same tennis class as him, two years older and very good at the sport. She was taller, had dyed reddish hair, and a mole under her left eye that he liked to look at when she wasn’t looking. She was so pretty, with soft lips, glossy from the strawberry-flavored lip gloss she’d applied. And even though everything had been perfect and just as he’d thought it should be, it had all felt so wrong. 

That tingling feeling, the desire he should have felt, vanished the moment their lips touched. His breath didn’t catch and fireworks didn’t erupt in his stomach. It had been like kissing a plastic doll.

“There’s nothing wrong with you, Seok.” His friend said to him as he comforted him, putting a hand on his shoulder and forcing him to look him in the eyes. “Sometimes a kiss can be disappointing if you don’t like the person.”

“But I do like her.”

Yoongi frowned, lowering his hand to his lap. “Do you?”

“I- I think so.”

He sighed, settling into his bed with a calming smile. “Well, when you kiss someone there has to be chemistry, and you didn’t have it with her. That’s okay. Another person will come that will take your breath away.”

“Have you ever had a kiss like that?”

He shook his head. “Not yet.” 

Hoseok bit his lip, considering his options. An idea had formed in his head, and although he wasn’t sure it was a good one, at the time it made sense. 

“Do you want to?” He asked in a low, timid voice.

“What do you mean?”

“We could try if you wanted. I know it’s not like that between us, but there’s no one in the world I trust more and I thought... it might be nice to experience it with you.”

A silence followed. Hoseok’s heart pounded, anxious about the other’s response. If he rejected his proposal, he would die of embarrassment and wouldn’t be able to face his hyung for at least a month. But he was his best friend, and it would be impossible to stay away from him for that long. No matter the outcome, he knew they could move on from this. For better or for worse.

“Okay, then.” Yoongi finally answered, his voice soft as velvet as it usually was. He got closer to Hoseok, sitting on his knees in front of him, cupping his cheeks in his hands and caressing them gently. “Hyung will lead you, Seok. Close your eyes.”

He closed them then, trusting Yoongi completely. He felt him move closer to his face, a sigh escaping from the other’s lips before he joined them in a tender kiss. 

Hoseok immediately noticed the difference. This time, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, his skin prickled with goosebumps, and his heart pounded in his ears.

So this is how it was supposed to feel, he thought to himself.

That intense explosion of emotions, even though the kiss was the complete opposite. It was delicate and calm, barely a movement, a light touch that made his stomach flutter with butterflies. He could have cried from the overwhelming affection he felt in that moment.

“Better?” Yoongi asked with a bashful voice as soon as they separated. 

Hoseok didn’t have the guts to open his eyes, instead he took the moment to savor the feeling his lips left behind. “Yeah… I understand now.”

To this day, Hoseok considered this his first kiss.

Three years after that, Hoseok was graduating from high school and they had planned a trip to celebrate. The first trip they would take together. 

It was something they had planned months in advance, discussing every detail carefully since they wanted it to be perfect. A lot of it had to do with the fact that Hoseok was going to a different university than Yoongi, one in a different state. It would be the first time in years that they would be separated, and that was hard to accept. Not even when Yoongi graduated had they been apart, since he was still living at his parents’ house. It was the advantage of attending a local university.

And although Hoseok wanted to follow in his footsteps and be there with him, the program he had chosen was outside the city. That made him nervous; a good kind of nervous because he was excited to have new experiences and explore new horizons, but also a bad kind because he didn’t want to be separated from his family, which included Yoongi. 

Honestly, the main reason was Yoongi.

He didn’t know what he would do without him in a new and intimidating city. He felt like he’d never be able to make new friends again, since he was kind of rusty in that area. After all, after meeting Yoongi, he didn’t need any other friends. But now he had to start over, and he wouldn’t have his favorite person by his side.

He really tried not to think about it. 

Especially not on their trip, where what he wanted most was to enjoy Yoongi and the time they had together. They would be spending a week at the beach, staying in a small house they had rented by the sea. Beyond that, they didn’t have many other plans. They just wanted to spend time on the sand, looking at the infinite water, and secretly drinking beer.

On one of those days when they were watching the sun set, lying on their towels and enjoying the cool breeze that ruffled their hair, Yoongi was the first to mention the topic.

“How do you feel?” 

“Pretty good.” Hoseok said, smiling. “I could get used to this.”

“I’m glad, but that’s not what I meant.” Hoseok turned to look at him. “You start college in a month, you have to move in two weeks. How do you feel about that?”

He groaned. “Hyung… Do we have to talk about it now?”

“Yes, I think so. If not now, then when?”

Hoseok exhaled in defeat, letting his head fall back. “We were having such a good time.”

“And we’ll still have a great time.” He settled down on his side to watch him. “Come on Hoseok-ah, talk to your hyung. Tell me what’s going on.”

“I’m scared, okay? I don’t know what to expect or how to prepare myself. I don’t feel ready to leave this behind... to leave you.”

“You’re not leaving me, Seok. You’ll just be gone for a while, but you can come back anytime you want. That’s what cars, trains, and planes are for. And I can come visit you too. You can show me your campus and your apartment... your new friends.”

Hoseok made a mocking sound. “What friends?”

“You’re the nicest person I know. You attract people like magnets. Meeting new people won’t be hard for you.”

“Doesn’t mean I want to.”

“You’re saying that now because you’re still in denial. You’ll see that after a few days, once you’ve gotten used to it, that community will be your new normal. You just have to push through for a bit.”

“I don’t want to leave you, hyung.”

“Ah, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’ll miss you like crazy and I’ll feel lonely for the first few months, but I’ll be okay.” 

Hoseok sat up in his place, looking at the other with pitiful urgency. “We’ve never done this before. Since we met, we’ve never been apart. What if we’re so busy that we lose touch without even realizing it? And little by little, we fade from each other’s lives.”

“Well, let me tell you: that’s never going to happen. I’ll text you so much you’ll be sick of it, you’ll seriously want to block me. And I’ll call you every time I have free time, and you’ll have to see my face before going to sleep to be sure you won’t forget me. I’ll send you pictures of everything I do and every place I visit, and you’ll see, it’ll be like you’re right there with me.” He straightened up so he was in front of him, making sure the other could see his face. “Hoseok-ah, you’re my best friend and I love you. Geography won’t change that.”

Hoseok pouted, his eyes filling with tears. “Please promise me that you won’t forget me.” 

“I promise, Seokie. I won’t ever, ever, forget about you.”

He nodded, like he was trying to accept it. “Thank you... I love you.”

Yoongi smiled and pulled him towards him, holding him in his arms while the other sobbed silently. 

The sun set before them, but they completely missed it, too engrossed in the promise they had made. It didn’t matter anyway, since it wouldn’t be the last sunset they’d see together. Not even close.

They continued traveling together every summer. During their college years, since they were on a tight budget, they went camping or simply visited each other, planning some fun activities to compensate. Once Hoseok graduated and they both had money to spend, they went to slightly more distant places, stayed in somewhat more expensive hotels, and took the occasional flight.

It was four years ago on one of those trips when it happened, the event that Hoseok would consider “The Enlightenment Day.” The moment that changed the course of his life.

They were at the wedding of one of Hoseok’s college friends, who had decided to get married abroad. Since the event was in the summer and Hoseok had a plus one on his invitation, they decided that this occasion would be their vacation for the year. 

The bride and groom had rented a Spanish villa where all their friends and family would be staying for the entire week, going all out for the festivities. It was well known that the groom came from a wealthy family: his father owned a local company that had expanded internationally. So, everything they were spending on this wedding was nothing to them, it wouldn’t make a dent in their wallets. For Hoseok, it was an extravagance that made him wince at the thought, preferring not to dwell on it and simply enjoy the comforts. It wasn’t every day he went to a millionaire’s wedding.

But anyway, the point was that they were at a wedding and the night was spectacular. 

The party was huge, with hundreds of guests dancing on the dance floor to the music the DJ was playing. The drinks seemed endless, with waiters going back and forth with trays full of shots or glasses of different kinds of alcohol. Hoseok had lost count of how many tequilas, gin & tonics, mojitos, and sangrias he’d had. Yoongi, on the other hand, had stuck with whiskey all night, making him a little less drunk than the younger man.

Hoseok’s back was wet with sweat, his white shirt clinging to his body, his jacket lying somewhere nearby. It was very hot even at night and the heat radiating from the other people wasn’t helping much, but every now and then he could feel a breeze brought by the night, making the world more bearable. 

Yoongi danced in front of him, the first three buttons of his black shirt undone, revealing his sweaty, pink chest. His long black hair fell across his face, but he didn’t seem to mind; he just kept dancing with a wide smile that seemed impossible to erase. He looked beautiful like that, so relaxed and uninhibited, moving his body awkwardly and with a desire to never stop.

That was his favorite version of Yoongi, the one who enjoyed the happiness he deserved.

He could swear that at that moment there was a halo shining above his head, confirming that he was a divine being who had come down to Earth just to keep him company. He felt blessed, and a great surge of emotion grew in his stomach. 

God, I really love you. He thought to himself. 

Yoongi started laughing, showing his gums and making his eyes turn into crescent moons. 

“I love you too.” He said smiling, his cheeks flushing with color. 

He would have been embarrassed of blurting it out if he hadn’t been preoccupied with the overwhelming feeling that left him paralyzed in his place. 

Hoseok truly loved him. 

And not in the way he had always loved him, as a friend and confidant and partner in crime. It was different, but it wasn’t new. It had always been there, dormant, begging to be brought to light. 

Hoseok was in love with Yoongi. 

It was an undeniable fact, and it wasn’t like he wanted to deny it; he couldn’t even if he tried. It was a universal truth, as universal as the promise that the sun will rise the next morning and that the sky is blue. 

Hoseok was in love with his best friend. That was it.

The years that followed were complete torture for him. He completely stopped dating, since there was no one in the world who would pick his interest. Not when the bar was set so high, not when his heart already belonged to someone else. 

Seeing Yoongi go out with people was the worst, and he could count on one hand the number of times the man went on a date. Hoseok felt like a terrible friend, celebrating every time his hyung told him that things had gone wrong or that he wasn’t seeing whatever-person anymore. There was nothing he could do. The heart wants what it wants, and his wanted Yoongi all to himself. 

So after years of silently longing for him, he decided to take the risk and confess his feelings. 

The timing was perfect. They were both single, Hoseok had recently turned 30 and was ready to settle down, their mutual friends always told him it was as if they were already dating anyway, and they were heading towards their annual tradition where only the two of them mattered.

This time he was going to do it.

He was ready.

“Everything okay, Seok?”

Yoongi’s voice brought him back to reality, where he was sitting in the passenger seat of his friend’s car, heading to their destination. Outside the window, all he could see were the green pine trees as they passed them by and the raindrops gently tapping the glass. It was a cloudy, pleasant day, the radio was playing While We Were Young, which made him lose himself in thought in the first place.

“You got really quiet all of a sudden.” 

“I was just thinking, sorry.” Hoseok turned around to look at him, leaning his head back against the back of the seat. “Can we change the song?”

“But you love Adele.”

“I know, but right now it’s kinda bumming me out.”

He smirked. “Okay grumpy, put whatever you want.”

How could his heart not belong to him when he was so kind? Yoongi always let him do whatever he wanted, let him be whoever he needed to be. He always gave, gave, gave, and expected nothing in return. 

Now, Hoseok wasn’t stupid. He could notice the soft spot his hyung had for him. He didn’t need others to point it out to him, he only had to pay attention to his selfless actions and affectionate words. 

Hoseok knew their relationship was special, different from all the others they had. It was impossible to replicate the bond that united them because, to begin with, he couldn’t even explain it. They knew each other as if they lived in the same skin, they had their own physical language where they said everything without having to use words. He knew it was rare, unique, and the fact that he had been able to find his person in this life, and that that person had been Yoongi, was something he couldn’t take for granted. He had to hold on to him until his last breath and implore that their souls would continue intertwining in the next life. 

In the meantime though, he was going to do everything possible to deserve him in this one. 

Hoseok changed the song, choosing something more upbeat. He kept his focus on the road and tried to act as if everything was normal, trying to get rid of the nerves that were bubbling up in his stomach. He opened up the window, letting the cold air rustle his hair and the raindrops splash him in the face, grounding him in place. 

Everything is fine. Everything is normal. You got this.

Soon enough they got to their destination. They had chosen to stay in a cabin in the woods this summer, Yoongi saying that he missed seeing the stars that the buildings and pollution prevented them from seeing anymore. 

Each person was supposed to present an idea of ​​where they would like to go, as they did every summer, making a detailed PowerPoint presentation (including things such as costs, locations, tourist attractions, local food, etc.) to try to convince the other when they sat down to talk about it.

This year, however, once Yoongi expressed his wish, Hoseok didn’t even try to dissuade him. If Yoongi wanted to go to the woods, that was where they were going to go. 

This was mainly because he wanted to show the other that he could be a great partner, so that he could see him in a way that wasn’t just as a friend, and that he would always put him first. It was also because it was very important to him to make him happy, and if he ruined everything by confessing his love, he wanted them to have one last great trip in case it never happened again. In case Hoseok wrecked their friendship forever.

Yoongi seemed surprised when Hoseok didn’t present his own idea, telling him things as if he wanted him to reflect before making a decision. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to present an argument against it? We can discuss it further, there’s no rush to decide right now.”

“I really think you should choose a place for yourself. Didn’t you say you wanted to go to a historic city and do some sightseeing?”

He even started sabotaging himself, saying negative things about his own idea.

“It’s going to be rainy.” Yoongi said as if that would dissuade him.

“It’s okay, I can handle a little bit of rain.”

He shook his head. “Cloudy weather doesn’t suit you, Seok-ah. You’re like a little flower, you need the sun to survive.”

Hoseok laughed. “What am I supposed to say to that?”

“You’re supposed to fight me on this.”

“But I don’t want to fight you.”

“Well, too bad. You have to.”

“Not on this. I can fight you on something else if it makes you feel better.”

He tilted his head with amusement. “Oh yeah? Like what?”

“Like… on tonight’s dinner.”

“We already decided on pizza. You chose it, actually. It was your idea.”  

“I don’t want that anymore. Now I want fried chicken.”

“Ah, you’re impossible.” He threw a handful of popcorn in his face, giving him the fondest smile he had ever seen on his face. 

Something inside him must have been pleased with Hoseok’s decision because he didn’t brought it up again, and at the end of the night, when Yoongi was saying goodbye to go home, he gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and, with his adorable rosy cheeks, said: 

“Thank you.”

And that reaction only reaffirmed that he had done the right thing.

Hoseok knew that his hyung liked feeling cared for, that someone was there to pamper him and treat him well. That someone would always be Hoseok.

And besides, the forest wasn’t so bad. The weather was lovely, although it was true that it made him a little bit gloomy when it was cloudy. Dealing with the insects, especially the mosquitoes, was a real problem, since there were so many and no way to get rid of them all. The distances were a problem, as everything was more than an hour away. They made sure to stock up on supplies before they reached the cabin, so they wouldn’t have to go back into town. 

But honestly speaking, it was very peaceful and quiet, the views were genuinely beautiful, and the air was fresh. Hoseok realized he loved breathing the moment he stepped outside the car.

They had rented one of the nicest cabins available on Airbnb. It had two stories, with a bedroom on each floor, a small kitchen with all the essentials, a cozy and inviting living room, and a large terrace on the main level with a jacuzzi overlooking the pine trees surrounding the property.

The listing also described it as being secluded and surrounded by tall trees, so unfortunately, they didn’t have good cell phone service. The tall trees also created a darker, more changeable atmosphere. There could be magical moments when sunlight shone perfectly through the trees to illuminate the house, but those moments were rare. A small waterfall could be found on the property if they went out to explore.

It was an intimate, relaxed space with vintage decor and a touch of bohemian style, surrounded by wildlife. It was perfect for just the two of them.

“Well, this is nice.” Yoongi said as he entered the house, leaving his suitcase on the floor. 

“You seem surprised, considering you were the one who booked this place.” Hoseok followed him, looking around. 

“Looking at the photos is one thing, but seeing that it’s really as they describe it is another. I’m glad we weren’t scammed.”

“I know hyung, I’m just teasing you.” He stood behind him, taking hold of his shoulders to gently massage him. “You did a great job.”

“Thank you Hoseok-ah.” He squeezed his left hand with his own. “Does that mean I can choose the room first?”

Hoseok laughed. “Fine by me.”

It was possible they hadn’t been scammed, but there was a small problem they hadn’t been told about: the downstairs bedroom wasn’t available, or in other words, it didn’t exist. There was space for it, but it didn’t have the bed or the amenities shown in the photos. Instead, there were a lot of cardboard boxes, cleaning supplies, and other things covered with blankets. It was surprising, to say the least.

“What… the fuck?” Yoongi asked, suddenly angry, entering the room as if he wanted to check if what he was seeing was real. “This wasn’t on the website when I booked it, I swear.”

“I know, this is not your fault.” 

“This is bad.” He shook his head. 

“Let’s just call the owner… See what she has to say.”

He sighed. “Okay.”

She didn’t really offer a solution, she just apologized. Apparently, she hadn’t put the warning on the website, but she had set it so that the cabin would only appear when two people wanted to rent it since they could share the same room. And although that wasn’t enough to calm their annoyance, the woman offered them a free night if they wanted. After that, they couldn’t complain anymore because there was nothing they could do about it now.

When they hung up, they sat next to each other on the living room sofa. Yoongi no longer looked angry, but he seemed dissatisfied.

“I can take the couch.” Hoseok offered in a soft voice, wanting to erase his friend’s frown.

“No, you won’t.” He shook his head. “I’ll take it. After all, this is on me.”

“It isn’t. Hyung, you know it isn’t. It’s just a… mistake, one you didn’t even make. I can take the couch, it’s really not a problem for me.”

“Yeah, well it’s a problem for me. I won’t let you sleep here.”

“Then I won’t let you either.”

Yoongi smiled with tired enjoyment. “You’re stubborn.”

“Not more than you, though.”

He placed his hand on Hoseok’s thigh, making his body feel suddenly hot. “Okay, then. Let’s both take the bedroom.”

“Uh, are you sure?” The heat rose to his cheeks, undoubtedly turning his face completely red.

“Yeah, why not? It’ll be fun, just like the old days.”

Hoseok raised his eyebrows. “The old, old days. When we were kids and had sleepovers, we had to share a bed… sometimes even the same pillow.”

“Good times.” Yoongi smiled, no remaining trace of his disappointment left. “What do you say? Want to share a bed with hyung again?”

Yes, a thousand times yes!

He wanted to jump on the sofa and shout at the top of his lungs, get down on his knees and thank whoever was in charge up there for this heavenly opportunity, and while he was at it, meet the owner of the house and give her a big, big hug. 

This had not been a mistake, this was an opportunity, and he would take it as one. 

“Sure, I guess I can deal with your snoring for a few days.”

They went up to the room to leave their suitcases, and what they found was truly beautiful. Simple, yes, and rustic, but still beautiful. Romantic, even.

There was a single queen-size bed, spacious enough for two people but not with much room to be apart. The bedspread was cream-colored and made of a very soft fabric, adorned with cushions and a blanket to cover it if it got cold. On each side was a nightstand with a small lamp, an alarm clock on one side and an aroma diffuser on the other. The floor was wooden with a rug, fuzzy under their socks. There was an indoor hanging chair for one person, a ceiling fan, a closet with space to store clothes, extra pillows and blankets, a television facing the bed, and a door that led to the full bathroom.

“Oh my God, look at that view.” Yoongi said from the bathroom, catching the attention of Hoseok who was putting his things away in the closet. 

He went towards him and stood stunned in the doorway, staring at the enormous windows that had no curtains and overlooked the forest. Sure, the view was impressive, but perhaps not in a good way.

“Are we supposed to shower in here?” He asked, scandalized.

“Yeah, I think so. I’m pretty sure the bathroom downstairs doesn’t have a shower.”

“So why doesn’t it have curtains?”

“We’re on the second floor and surrounded by trees, nobody’s going to see you.”

“What if someone goes for a run and passes by here just as I’m getting out of the shower?”

Yoongi giggled, the expression on his face screaming danger. “Oh, don’t get shy, Seokie. No one’s going to see your cute little butt, but if they do, I’m sure they’ll enjoy the view.”

“That’s nice of you, but I’m not looking forward to people seeing me naked. At least not random weirdos.” 

“Oh?” That seemed to pick his interest. “And who would you be interested in doing so?”

If Yoongi was going to act so cheeky all week, Hoseok didn’t know how he was going to survive. They had been there less than an hour and he kept blushing like a teenager in the throes of puberty.

How embarrassing.

“Well, I’m not saying that I want you to do it… but if you did, I wouldn’t mind.”

“Noted. I’ll make sure to go out and wave you hello when you’re in there.”

“I’m sure you will.”

After finishing unpacking, they went down to the kitchen to make themselves a quick meal. It was still raining outside, a little heavier now, but nothing frightening. It was just a gentle patter that brought a bit of coolness and the smell of wet earth. They opened the sliding doors that led to the patio and ate their instant noodles standing there, watching the sky weep as the forest darkened.

It was fun doing nothing with Yoongi. Just being in his presence, seeing his peaceful face enjoying something mundane, was rewarding in itself. 

Everything he wanted, the only thing he had ever wanted, was right in front of him.

He was the love of his life, even if they never got together. Yoongi was the one for him, the person he would love for the rest of his days. There was no other way he could describe him. 

He loved him secretly, and he loved him openly, like only fools did. 

What a fool he was indeed. 

Yoongi exhaled with satisfaction, his arms crossed in front of him as he leaned against the door frame. “Do you want to watch a movie? There’s a DVD player in our room.”

Our room. 

That did something to Hoseok’s heart. 

“Sure. And know what? I’m feeling generous, so I’ll even let you choose the movie.”

“Like that wasn’t going to happen anyway.”

They put on their pajamas and brushed their teeth side by side, taking turns spitting the toothpaste into the sink. Afterward, Hoseok did his long skincare routine while Yoongi chose a movie from the extensive collection on the TV stand. He didn’t really care what the other put on since he’d be overthinking things anyway, so he might as well choose a documentary about rocks and volcanoes. 

When he returned to the room, he found Yoongi lying on the left side of the bed, tucked under the covers, revealing only part of his old white t-shirt and his face with granny glasses on. 

He turned off the light before getting into bed, leaving a lamp and the television on, which was showing the beginning of Toy Story 2. He scoffed, but he didn’t say anything about his friend taking the old, old days comment so seriously. 

As the movie progressed, Yoongi settled in more comfortably until his head rested on Hoseok’s shoulder. Hoseok leaned closer to him to make him comfortable, his eyes half-closed, threatening to drift off to sleep. The combination of the cozy blankets, firm mattress, cool air, and dimly lit room created the perfect atmosphere for an early night’s sleep. Who cared that it was just 8 p.m.? He was thirty and sleeping late wasn’t as fun as it used to be. 

Yoongi’s cheek was pressed firmly against his chest. He took Hoseok’s arm and clung to him, his fingers slowly caressing his skin. Hoseok realized he was cozying up to him, snuggling like a little kitten seeking warmth. It had been a while since they’d slept in the same bed, but he didn’t remember him being so affectionate, so it must be something new. He didn’t want to imagine where he’d gotten it from or who he’d done it with; the only important thing was that he was the object of his affection at that moment. Then he felt his knees approach his thigh, his feet sliding down to his calf until they reached his bare ankle. That was when their skin touched. 

“What the fuck, hyung! Your feet are so cold.” He said, moving his legs away from him.

“I don’t like wearing socks in bed.” He responded with a pout, trying to pull him back to him.

Hoseok shook his head, sitting up in bed and pulling back the covers. Before he could even think about what he was doing, he took his friend’s feet and began to gently rub them, warming them with his hands. 

Yoongi didn’t say anything about it, he just stared at Hoseok with an unreadable expression. If he didn’t like what he was doing, at least he didn’t say anything about it. He just stared, his feline eyes remained fixed on Hoseok’s face, perhaps waiting for him to turn and look at him, but he never did. His gaze was fixed on Yoongi’s feet, fighting the urge to leave reverential kisses all the way up to his thighs. 

It was for the best that he wasn’t wearing shorts so that he couldn’t see his thin, white legs and salivate at the sight. Just imagining them made him tense, forcing him to close his eyes and concentrate on his task. 

The television was playing in the background, but he wasn’t really paying attention. All his senses were focused on Yoongi and his cold skin, on the bones of his feet and the fine hairs on his toes. Now, it wasn’t like Hoseok had a foot fetish, but when someone is in love, every inch of the body of the person they love is divine in their eyes. 

“That’s really nice, Seok.” Yoongi let out in a low, sweet voice, almost shaken. That made him continue. “You’re really good at that.” 

He nodded, acknowledging what he was saying, but he still didn’t look back at him. “I have some experience.”

“Oh yeah? And how come you’ve never done it with me before?”

“Never had the opportunity.”

“That’s too bad.”

His skin was already warming up, but he chose to continue. Yoongi was happy, and Hoseok was exactly where he wanted to be, so why stop? He didn’t know when he’d have the chance to do it again, though he felt a little scummy about doing it for his own personal, selfish reasons.

But it wasn’t like he was getting sexual gratification out of this, he’d like to make it clear. His cock wasn’t getting hard in the moment or anything close to it, he swore to God. But it was a terribly sensual act; the room was getting warmer too, he could feel it in his own skin. 

This was uncharted territory. They’d never had this kind of contact before, not even anything remotely similar. They hugged and kissed each other on the cheeks or foreheads from time to time, normal things friends did. But this, him massaging his feet with such adoration, was new. And as much as he would have liked to continue to do it until he was falling from exhaustion, he couldn’t overdo it either. He didn’t want to overwhelm Yoongi with his intensity.

So after counting to ten, he lowered his feet and covered them with the blanket again, acting as if it had been a normal thing between them.

Once he finally mustered the courage to turn around and look at him, Yoongi was still staring at him, the light from the television illuminating his flushed face and his teeth biting his lip. 

Hoseok still couldn't figure out what he was thinking.

“That should keep you warm for the rest of the night.” He said, finding it difficult to look away from him now.

Yoongi nodded, blinking rapidly. “It will. Thank you, it was… really nice.”

“No problem.” 

Yoongi swallowed, his eyes blinking rapidly. “Do you want to keep watching the movie?”

“Uh, actually, I think I’m going to sleep now. You can keep watching if you want.”

He nodded, looking away first. As he did, the heavy tension in the air dissipated.

Hoseok watched him settle back down, his attention returning to the television. He too returned to his old position, his head resting on the pillow and his back against the mattress, but Yoongi didn’t move closer this time. They both stayed in their respective spaces until they fell asleep, Hoseok lulling himself to the sound of the movie and the calm breathing of the man beside him.

The next morning, with clear skies and full bellies, they decided to explore their surroundings. The weather was calmer, although clouds still partially obscured the sun, but at least it no longer looked like it was going to rain. The paths were well-maintained, but they were packed earth, with no gravel or paving, and were by no means flat. Even so, it was very easy to explore, following the paths that led to the lake as they wandered through the beautiful forest.

It was intimidating to see the pines so tall and majestic, seemingly endless. The aromas of damp wood that wafted from them, the way life was so palpable. Walking in the forest, breathing its clean air, brought a sense of calm that could not be obtained anywhere else in the world. No buildings, no cars, no crowds. Only immense greenery and eternal nature.

Besides, it was a great place to think, since there wasn’t much else to do.

As they took in the magnificent scenery, Hoseok wondered if this was a good time to confess his love. It was the most beautiful place he had ever seen; the birds were singing, butterflies fluttered around them, sunlight filtered through the branches of the trees, it was just life happening to them. It would be a good setting to tell the other how he felt, so there would be no way he’d suffocate with all the fresh air he was breathing. 

But they were also in the middle of nowhere, with no one around and nowhere to run. He didn’t want Yoongi to feel cornered, as if he were being pressured into reciprocating. That would make Hoseok feel like a nerd who believed in nonsense like the friendzone. So no, he guessed it was icky to do that in such a private place. 

Oh God, this was going to be harder than he anticipated.

“Hey, look at that.” Yoongi said quietly, taking Hoseok’s hand to stop him from walking.

“What thing?” Hoseok whispered back, trying to see where Yoongi was pointing with his free hand.

“On the tree, near that crooked branch. See, it’s moving.”

“Hyung, I can’t—” Then he saw it: a brown squirrel with a long, fluffy tail, darting quickly through the tree branches. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen one, but sure, he could understand why it seemed worth stopping to watch. “It’s nice, I guess.”

“It’s more than nice, Seok-ah. It looks just like you.” His friend said with a smile, his left hand still pointing in that direction while his other hand still held Hoseok’s. “Look at its cute little face with its cute little cheeks, that’s literally your twin.”

“Really? That’s why you stopped us?” He might have wanted to sound annoyed, but the tenderness he felt for his hyung couldn’t be hidden. Yoongi knew that better than anybody.

“What? Are you not happy to see it?” 

He sighed, putting a smile on his face. “It quite literally changed my life, so thank you for showing it to me.”

Yoongi returned the smile, showing off his gums. “You’re very welcome. And now that I know it makes you happy, I’ll make sure we stop every time I see a squirrel on the trail.”

“I’m sure you will.”

And he did. 

He stopped them every single time a squirrel was spotted. Hoseok counted them: there were eleven sightings. One of those times they saw a group of three squirrels chasing each other, another time they saw a very big squirrel, and they couldn’t tell if it was fat or pregnant. They discussed it for a long while.

Only when they stopped for the fifth or sixth time, he realized that Yoongi was still holding his hand. He didn’t know if he was doing it consciously or had completely forgotten, but he decided to remain silent and enjoy the contrast between the rough spots on his skin and his soft grip. It was easier to walk that way, having someone to lean on when there were stones in the path or inclines to climb. 

After walking for about an hour and a half, they found the small waterfall mentioned on the Airbnb listing. It wasn’t as small as they had expected, since they had imagined a pool of water that would only reach their ankles, maybe their calves. But no, it was easily deep enough to swim in. 

It was a little noisy, kinda subtle, hidden well enough to have some privacy. The water flowed continuously, cascading into the lake, looking very inviting. It would probably be very refreshing, perfect for a dip and floating for a while.

“Let’s bring our swimsuits next time.” Hoseok said, admiring the view.

“Or we can just get in in our underwear.” 

He chuckled. “Sure, why not?”

“But let’s do that some other time. All that walking made me hungry.” Yoongi said with a pout, pulling him away from the river. 

“What do you want to eat?”

“PB and J.” 

“What?” He laughed again. “You’re starving and that’s what you want to eat?”

“Yes. This is our non-chore week, remember?” He turned and continued walking backward as he spoke to him. His hand still holding his. “We’re not making anything super elaborate.” 

He shrugged, a little smile forming on his face. “Anything you want, hyungie.” 

“That’s what I like to he–” Suddenly, he fell backward, landing on the ground and taking Hoseok down with him. He didn’t react in time and couldn’t avoid falling on top of his hyung, their heads landing side by side on the ground. 

“Fuck.” Hoseok said, pushing himself up with his hands to see the other’s face, which was grimacing from the impact. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I–” He winced. “Ugh, I think it’s my ankle.”

Hearing this, he got off him, approaching his feet to inspect them. “Which one?”

“The left one.”

“I’m going to–” 

“Yes, it’s okay, you can touch me.”

With the utmost care, he began to feel his ankle with his fingertips. Inch by inch, patiently searching for anything broken or swollen, thinking of a way to help him. 

“Ah, there.” Yoongi winced again, trying to get his feet far from him. 

“Hm. Let’s go back to the cabin so we can put some ice on it.” 

He tried to lift him, but it hurt to put weight on him. “Ouch, Seokie, it hurts.” 

“I know, I’m sorry.” 

“You’re going to have to carry me on your back.”

“Yeah, good idea.” He crouched down and turned his back to him so he could climb up.

Once he was sure Yoongi had a firm grip, he straightened up and wrapped Yoongi’s legs around his waist, settling into a comfortable position. With his arms around his neck and Hoseok’s arms supporting his legs, they headed back down the path. 

“You’ve been working out.” Yoongi pointed. “You’re strong now.”

“Heh, it’s the pilates.”

“Well, whatever it is, it’s working.”

He laughed, being so happy and relieved that he couldn’t see his face. “Thanks, but we’re still going to have to make a few stops so I can rest, though. I’m not Superman.”

Yoongi sighed, getting comfortable in his place. “That’s okay. We have all the time in the world.” And then he did something surprising: he kissed Hoseok near his ear. Just a quick little thing, a silent killer.

After making two stops to rest, they finally arrived at the cabin. Hoseok left Yoongi lying on the sofa while he went to the kitchen for a package of frozen fruit, returning to his side to take care of him. 

He placed the cold thing on his ankle, holding it there while he watched his hyung pout. 

“Does it still hurt a lot?” He asked, worried about him.

“Not really.” He settled his head on the cushion leaning against the armrest, looking sadly at Hoseok. “I’m just scared that this will ruin the rest of the trip.”

“Why would it?”

“What if I can no longer walk? We won’t be able to go hiking or return to the waterfall anymore.”

Hoseok shook his head, frowning in confusion. “I mean, we still can do it.”

“Yeah, but you would have to carry me everywhere.”

“You’re saying that as if it was an inconvenience.” 

“It is.”

“It isn’t. I would carry you from here to China if I had to and I wouldn’t complain even once.” He smiled at him, hoping that would reassure him. “Don’t you know I’d do anything for you?” 

“I know that.” Yoongi said in a low, almost timid voice. “But–”

“And that’s never going to be a problem.” He interrupted before he could say anything else. “It’s you and me against the world, remember?”

He smiled even with his pout, making him look cuter than ever. “How could I ever forget?”

Hoseok nodded. “Okay, then. So no more pouting, even though I think it suits you unfairly well. Let’s enjoy our time here, no matter what.”

He sighed wistfully. “It doesn’t hurt as much anymore. I think the cold is helping a lot.”

“Mm, good. I think the swelling just needs to go down a little and you’ll be as good as new. Let’s just chill out these next few days in the meantime, just to not make it worse.”

“Okay.” He took his hand, which was resting on his knee. “Let’s enjoy our time here.”

From that moment on, something changed. Yoongi was acting differently, although he didn’t know if it was real or just his imagination… or wishful thinking. It was as if he was doing things on purpose to drive him crazy. 

The day after the accident, when he could walk without limping, they went out to the patio to read on the grass. Hoseok had brought his Kindle, where he had downloaded A Perfect Day to Be Alone by Nanae Aoyama, a book that had been recommended to him months ago but that he had never found the time to read. Yoongi took a book from the bookshelf in the bedroom, something about a murder mystery in a sorority house, where the girls who lived there had to discover who the culprit was. Honestly, it sounded very interesting. 

Hoseok was the first to lie down after putting up a blanket. He raised his arms in the air to read from his device, waiting for his friend who had gone to the bathroom. When he came back, he sat next to him and, without saying anything, put his head in Hoseok’s lap. 

Stop thinking, start doing. 

He repeated to himself over and over. Then, without thinking twice, he placed one of his hands on the other’s hair and began to stroke it. Time passed and he changed positions, but he never stopped touching him. He did this until Yoongi fell asleep, leaving the book on his chest and his fingers near Hoseok’s leg. A short time later, he too fell asleep.

Then the following night, they decided to camp after finding a tent and two sleeping bags in the second “bedroom”, which was just the storage closet. They built a bonfire in the yard to make s’mores: Hoseok was in charge of putting the marshmallows on the branches, while Yoongi toasted them over the fire. For some reason, he always blew them on before passing them to Hoseok, putting his pink lips in a cute pout. It was impossible to look away. 

Then midnight fell, and they went to sleep in the tent, their sleeping bags pressed together side by side. And like when they were kids, they whispered memories and secrets to each other, sharing knowing smiles that only they understood. 

When Yoongi asked him to share something he’d never told him, he almost blurted out what he’d been dying to say. It was on the tip of his tongue, his heart pounding with the adrenaline of a confession, but his mind didn’t seem to be on the same page. Because when he opened his mouth to say it, looking into Yoongi’s eyes which were illuminated by the small lamp they had brought, he instead said that he still liked watching cartoons in bed. He didn’t know if it was his imagination, but for a second he thought he saw disappointment flash in his hyung’s eyes.

And then there was the time they decided to play board games that were stored in a cabinet in the living room. There was Clue, Jenga, Life, Monopoly, and about ten other options, so they chose to play them all. When they got to Scrabble, already feeling a bit hungry, Hoseok prepared a bowl of chopped fruit for them. Yoongi said he wanted to return the favor, so he fed Hoseok by hand. The worst part was that he didn’t even use a fork, he just brought it to his lips with his hand, feeling the gentle touch of his fingers linger even when he was gone. Hoseok almost tore his hair out in desperation. This was the sweetest torture of his life, making him want to die slowly, making him want to live even longer.

Then night would come and it would continue, Yoongi was truly unstoppable. He loved to make Hoseok laugh when they were lying in bed, saying all sorts of silly things just to get him to burst out laughing. He also liked to touch his socked feet with his own bare ones, going up to his ankles to try and take them off. 

Or when he would wake up in the early hours of the morning and find Yoongi hugging him while he slept, with his arms around his waist and his head nestled between his shoulder plates, feeling his warm breath pass through his clothes to reach his skin. It happened every morning of that week. So one night he fell asleep facing his bedmate to see what would happen then. When he woke up that morning, Yoongi was sleeping peacefully on his chest, his hands clutching his shirt. Hoseok smiled to himself and settled back to sleep, returning the embrace. They slept like that for the rest of their vacation.

But his breaking point came when they returned to the waterfall on the sixth day, this time prepared with their things. Towels, water bottles, more chopped fruit, a change of clothes just in case, only without their swimsuits because they both agreed it would be more fun to go in their underwear. 

They left their things at the edge of the lake and entered it. The water was cold and not very deep, depending on where they stood. Every movement they made created small ripples in the sunlight, following them like a shadow. 

They were free to do whatever they wanted. They could float and drift with the gentle current, dive underwater and peek at what wasn’t visible from the outside, play a game of who could hold their breath the longest (Hoseok always won), sit on the shore watching the other relax in the lake, then join them and chat for a while sitting on the large rocks overlooking the landscape, feel the sun on their faces and close their eyes to take it all in, be grateful for being there, even if only for a moment, then return to the water and play with their best friend in the world as if they were young again, feeling as if the years hadn’t passed at all.

They were a few meters apart, just looking at one another as they laughed, when suddenly Yoongi got closer to him, making the lake seem warmer. His wet hands slipped onto his shoulders, and for an instant Hoseok stopped breathing, managing not to sink and drown from his touch. The world paused, everything around them vanished. Hoseok could only see him: his dark eyes, his button nose, his rosy cheeks and the tiny freckles visible only up close, his sweet, petal-like lips. The feeling of wanting to stay there forever grew in his chest, blossoming like the spring. Every movement he made was hypnotic, every blink, the way he ran his tongue over his lips, even the drops that trickled down his cheeks. He felt like he was in a trance, his insides feeling the magnetic pull that bound them together, drawing them closer almost without them realizing it. 

Something was happening. 

Something might have happened. 

But Hoseok looked away and instead grabbed him by the waist, throwing him into the water and making him laugh in surprise. 

Okay, honestly he didn’t know what was wrong with him either. That was the perfect timing and he fucked it up, again. 

Hopeless and a damn fool.

But at least that started a fight of trying to pull each other down, Yoongi returning the gesture of grabbing his shoulders and pushing him down. 

It was fun, it was their usual. They were laughing like crazy, splashing each other, chasing after the other when one tried to run away. 

It was safe, nothing had changed. 

It was tearing Hoseok in two, his constant desire and his continuous indecision.

Do something!

No. Don’t ruin the only good thing you have in the world.

Go for it!

Now it’s not the time.

“Are you okay?” Yoongi asked, looking at him with concern. “You suddenly stopped and got really quiet.” 

Once again they were close to each other, but this time Hoseok wasn’t going to let it go. He took him by the nape of the neck and finally pressed their lips together in a miraculous kiss. He was careful, even though his desire grew stronger with each passing second, feeling those velvety lips against his own. He wanted to give the other the chance to pull away whenever he wanted, to run away if this wasn’t reciprocated. 

But that never happened. 

Yoongi responded immediately, with the same intensity and hunger as the other. He wrapped his arms around his neck, drawing closer, surrendering his body and soul to the moment. He tasted like sweet water and the elixir of life itself, it was like kissing the most beautiful rose in the garden, just as soft and delicate. 

He could feel the small drops falling from his lashes to his cheek, how cold the tip of his nose felt, the shivers running through his body, the thump thump thump of his heart against his chest. Hoseok never thought he could feel this way, so invincible and powerful, so– so overwhelmed in the best kind of way, as if happiness couldn’t fit inside him and was overflowing from his pores. 

He was kissing Yoongi and his best friend was kissing him back. This was happening. This was finally happening.

Hoseok moved them both and propped him up against a rock, placing his hands under his legs for support. They separated for a single second, exchanging glances with dilated pupils, so dark they resembled the starry night. Words weren’t necessary, they both knew what it meant.

They sought each other’s lips simultaneously, colliding in an intense relief of connecting again.

This time there was more pressure and precision, a dance of tongues exploring new territories.

If a kiss on the cheek from his best friend made him feel like he was melting, kissing his beautiful mouth was incomparable. He couldn’t think of anything good enough in life that could compare to that experience, that feeling. Kissing the person he loved so deep in his skin felt like he had never kissed anyone before. It was as if all the other times, all the other people, didn’t count now, or as if he had forgotten everything that came before this moment; in any case, it just didn’t matter to him anymore. From now on, it would only be Yoongi, Yoongi, Yoongi. His one and only.

This was a kiss that would change his life forever. The way he was feeding off the sighs he let out, breathing the same air, tasting himself on the other’s tongue, and quite frankly, exchanging so much fucking saliva, it all marked a new beginning in their story. There was no going back.

“Seokie?” Yoongi asked between kisses, his voice strained and affected. Hoseok had to stifle the moan he felt rising in his throat. 

“Yes, hyung?”

“My back hurts.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He shifted so he could move away from the rock.

Yoongi placed his hands in his hair, stroking it with his fingers. He bit his lip as he looked into his eyes, seemingly trying to think of what to say. They floated in the water, taking in the silence, wrapped in a tight embrace.

“What just happened?” He asked, looking him straight in the eyes.

“Uh, we kissed.”

“Hm, yes, I’m aware of it. But, uh, why?”

“Because I… wanted to.”

“Okay, good, I wanted it too.” He stroked his shoulders patiently. “But why did you?”

He looked at him expectantly, a lump forming in Hoseok’s throat. “It just felt right.”

Yoongi sighed in disappointment, shifting out of his grasp and swimming toward the shore. Hoseok followed immediately.

“Did I say something wrong?” He watched him grab one of the towels and wrap himself in it, still with his back to him.

“Not if that’s the way you feel.” He said with his voice icy, a stark contrast to how warm it had been just moments before.

“So why are you—?”

Yoongi turned to face him, weariness etched in his eyes. “Seok, you’re giving me mixed signals. This whole trip you’ve made me believe there’s something going on between us, that you’ve been trying to tell me something important all this time, but when you have the chance to say it you don’t. So I’m just going to go out and ask it: Do you want me or not?”

And there it was. That uncertainty that had hung over their heads for years, unspoken by either of them, was finally laid on the table. 

Hoseok was left baffled by the question, it felt like it had triggered something inside him because suddenly he couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

“Want you? Hyung, I love you. I have for a very long time and I– I wasn’t going to say anything because I’m so scared of losing the one person in the world who matters the most to me.” He sighed, shaking his head. “But I’m so tired of keeping it to myself. You deserve to know that someone loves you as ardently as I do.” He got closer to him, his sight straight and unmoving from him. “And you ask me if I want you? I burn for you, I would die for you, I will live and breathe for you. Even if you didn’t feel the same, but I have the slight feeling that you do, I would continue to love you til the day I dropped dead and I had nothing left. You are so deep in me that I don’t know how to live with myself anymore. I love you. I’ve loved you ever since I’ve known you and that will never change, even if we do. I love you and I want you in every way possible, only if you let me have you.”

Yoongi laughed, tears welling in his eyes. That was what immeasurable happiness looked like. His hands flew to his face, holding his cheeks with adoration. “A simple ‘I love you’ would have sufficed, but it’s nice to know that you have some Shakespeare in you.”

“What can I say? You bring out my romantic side, especially since I’ve been bottling it up for years and it was begging me to let it out.”

“Really? How many years are we talking about?”

“I think from the first time I saw you, but consciously, about four.”

Yoongi nodded like he understood. “The wedding in Spain?”

Hoseok was surprised, frowning with a pleased smile on his face. “How did you know?”

“That’s when I knew too. Only it wasn’t at the wedding, it was the next day. You were hungover and hadn’t left your bed all morning, you didn’t want to. Your head ached, even the slightest noise bothered you, and you had been vomiting since we arrived at the hotel room.”

“Yeah, you stayed up with me the whole night.” He raised his eyebrows, taken aback. “Wait, don’t tell me it was when you saw me throw up on the bathroom floor.” 

“God, no.” He said laughing, covering Hoseok’s mouth with his hand. “Now, hush. I’m in the middle of my romantic story telling.” 

“Sorry.” He mumbled behind his hand. 

“But anyway, that day you and I had made plans to go sightseeing because I was dying to see la Basílica de la Sagrada Familia. I had insisted that it was fine if we didn’t go, that we could come back another time, or go at night even if it was closed. But you still got up and went to take a shower, changed your clothes, put on your sunglasses, and told me, ‘I’m going to make this dream come true for you, no matter what.’ So we went to every single place I wanted to go see and you never complained once. At that moment, when I looked at you, I just remembered everything you had done for me in all these years and I thought: ‘God, I really love you.’ And I really did. From then on there was no going back for me, from then on I knew it.”

“And you never said anything because you were afraid things would change between us.”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t feel the same.” He took a deep breath and his bright smile returned. “But it doesn’t matter anymore. We didn’t waste any time because everything we did led us here, so we could be together at the right moment. We are where we are supposed to be, right?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

Yoongi kissed him on the lips, sweet and lingering. His eyes were still closed when they separated, his face showing how serene he felt. “I love you so much, Seok. As hard as anyone can love another person, and maybe a little bit more than that.” He let a long sigh go, now looking into his eyes. “I’m so lucky to love and be loved by my best friend. I’m so lucky that it’s you.”

He chuckled. “Look at us, just a pair of old sappy people. Is this what we’re going to become?”

“Yes, and somehow I know we’ll get worse.” He palmed his chest. “Now kiss me again, you sap. We have so much to catch up on.”

“Mm, you don’t have to tell me twice.”

They stayed there, embracing on the lake shore, listening to the waterfall cascading down as they kissed leisurely, now with all the time in the world. Not even when the clouds rolled in and it began to rain furiously did they separate. They let the water soak them and send shivers down their spines, making them laugh with knowing laughter. 

In that small world, it was just the two of them, existing only in each other’s lips. It could rain, snow, or thunder, and there was no power in the world that could separate them. Not now that they knew what it was like to have each other. Not now that their friendship was ruined, becoming something much bigger than the cloudy sky.