Paradise in You | sope

paradise lost | six

The exhilaration that Yoongi had felt when he had been with Hoseok, where he'd encouraged Hoseok to pursue Alex, had left his system. All Yoongi could feel now was dread. Hoseok had taken his advice, and actually began making efforts to try with Alex, and Hoseok seemed to never let Yoongi get updated with how everything was going.

"Alex and I went shopping together. It was fun. We bought matching sets!"

"Alex and I went bowling. He let me win, isn't that sweet of him?"

"Alex and I went to Baskin Robbins. He paid for everything!"'

"I went to see Alex play at his school. He's amazing, Yoongi, you should have been there."

Every time Yoongi would hear Hoseok talking about Alex, he would smile and say the same phrase over and over again: how he was glad that Hoseok was enjoying himself with Alex and how he hoped that things would continue progressing well between them. The more he said that the less he meant it, and Yoongi couldn't fully explain it.

It's not like things had gone back to normal with Hoseok.

Maybe it was because Hoseok was trying with Alex that they were hanging less now. Sure, they were around each other during school hours and after school, but it almost felt like Yoongi wasn't seeing Hoseok, at least, not the way that Yoongi felt that they should be interacting with each other. He knew it was for the better, but parts of him still couldn't help but be hurt that their dynamic was still changing.

It was for the better, though.

When the Winter Formal finally rolled around, Yoongi couldn't even look at Hoseok and Alex without feeling his eyes starting to water. He had come alone, just as he'd told Hoseok he would, but that didn't stop everyone else who had come with dates from looking ethereal on the dance floor— though no one compared to Hoseok, who looked like he was made to be on the dance floor.

From the second Yoongi had stepped into the room, he couldn't take his eyes off Hoseok.

"You look great, Yoongi," Hoseok complimented, grinning at him. Yoongi smiled, cheeks warming at the compliment. "The suit really matches you. Wait, did you get a haircut?"

"I did, actually," Yoongi smiled, running his fingers through his hair. "It's not that much but I didn't think you'd notice."

"Of course he did," Alex came up from behind, linking his arms with Hoseok. "That's just how attentive he is. Hi, Yoongi."

"Alex, hi," Yoongi's genuine smile melted into a polite one. "You look wonderful."

"You're too kind," Alex replied easily, before focusing his attention on Hoseok. "Shall we dance?"

And just like that, Hoseok had left as quickly as he'd appeared, and Yoongi hadn't interacted with him since. Yet, no matter where Yoongi turned, his eyes always seemed to find Hoseok in the swarm of people, and even though Hoseok wasn't paying any attention to him, Yoongi found himself letting his eyes catch Hoseok's every movement, even when Hoseok was interacting with Alex, his date.

Especially , when Hoseok was interacting with Alex.

It was hard not to appreciate the two of them together, but it still left Yoongi feeling sick. Hoseok had coordinated with Alex in outfits, and everyone was raving over them. They looked perfect together. Yoongi should have been happy for Hoseok, especially when it seemed like Hoseok was not just enjoying himself, but enjoying Alex's company even more.

He knew that he had encouraged Hoseok to move on, but now that he actually was, Yoongi completely despised it.

"Enjoying the party, Min?"