✔ We Accept The Love We Think We Deserve #namgi

~thirteen~

The same night Yoongi reconnected with Hoseok, his phone buzzed with a message from his cousin. Hoseok's text was brimming with excitement, reinforcing how happy he was that they had crossed paths and how eager he was to catch up properly in the near future. The energy Hoseok exuded was strikingly similar to Taehyung's, and it filled Yoongi with a newfound sense of motion and vitality in his life.

For years, Yoongi's life had been stagnant, a monotonous routine he had grown accustomed to. It wasn't that he had ever led a particularly vibrant life; more often than not, he preferred solitude, finding solace in the quiet. However, the past few years had been so devoid of joy and companionship that he had forgotten what it felt like to be surrounded by people who genuinely cared for him.

Now, with Namjoon, Taehyung, and the unexpected reappearance of Hoseok, Yoongi found himself enveloped in a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. These people lifted him up, made him smile daily, and reminded him of the beauty of simple human connection. The thought of returning to his old, shadowy existence was unfathomable.

The next day, his phone buzzed again. It was another message from Hoseok. "Hey, hyung! I found the perfect day for a soirée! My fiancé and I would love to host you all next week. How does that sound?"

Yoongi's heart lifted at the invitation. He quickly typed a reply, "That sounds wonderful, Hoseok. We can't wait!"

As he hit send, Yoongi couldn't help but smile. The prospect of reconnecting with family and forming new bonds filled him with a sense of anticipation and hope that he had not felt in years.

The week passed by in a blur, and soon the day of the soirée was fast approaching. A few days before the event, Jimin returned from his travels, and Yoongi finally had the chance to meet him. Jimin was the epitome of sweetness and care, his love for Taehyung and their baby radiating from every touch and glance.

Watching Jimin kiss Taehyung's belly with such tenderness, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world, brought an unexpected pang of envy to Yoongi's heart. His eyes stung with uninvited tears.

Yoongi knew Taehyung deserved every bit of happiness he had and more, but he couldn't help but long for the same kind of love and mourn what he lacked. It was the first night in a long while that he felt the weight of sadness creeping back in, despite his efforts to mask it in front of his friends.

When Taehyung and Jimin left for their apartment, it was just Yoongi and Namjoon left behind. Yoongi stood at the sink, washing the dishes and cutlery they had used for dinner, while Namjoon helped by drying the tableware.

"Are you okay?" Namjoon asked gently, catching Yoongi off guard.

"Me? Why wouldn't I be?" Yoongi replied, trying to sound casual.

Namjoon paused, his eyes searching Yoongi's face. "It's okay to feel down when you see such love and happiness being displayed so brightly. I feel down sometimes too."

Yoongi turned to Namjoon, genuinely surprised. "You? Why?"

Namjoon sighed softly, continuing to dry a plate. "I love my brother, but I spent my teens and early twenties living for him and only him. I never had time for myself. Don't get me wrong, if I had the chance to go back, I would've done everything the same. But it's natural to wish for a love like theirs as well. Even anyone with their life put together would envy their love."