CHANGE OF RULES

HOUSE OF CARDS

They were not perfect.
And perfection was not them. Jin thought as he gazed out at the snowy scenery from the roof of the dorms, his favorite spot.
Certainly not him and certainly not the others.
Not Yoongi. Because he was blunt and crass, honest to a fault and ready to close the world and everyone out when he got fed up.
Unapproachable.
Not Hoseok. Because he was pouring himself out, always helping, always smiling and hid his pain behind those smiles too.
Unreachable.
Not Jungkook. Because he was always trying to reach immeasurable heights and did not realize that he trampled over people in his determined fight against himself.
Oblivious.
Not Jimin. Because he was always trying to hide his insecurities behind bravado, pushing others away while doing so and did not realize that people loved him despite those.
Inattentive.
Not Taehyung. Because he was looking for hedonistic pleasures while shutting people out, deceiving others with acts and plays.
Empty.
Not Namjoon. Because he was chasing regrets and past relationships, unable to move forward as he acted like nothing was wrong.
Hollow.
But Jin was not worried, because they all changed... They were still not perfect but they changed.
Because they found each other, saw through each other and accepted each other despite everything...
He smiled as he spotted Yoongi and Hoseok, walking towards the dorms with bags full of ingredients for their little birthday party, Hoseok dancing and fooling around and Yoongi's laughter was clear and unrestrained as it traveled trough the lazy winter air.
They broke through the walls that surrounded them for so long, opening their hearts and became each other's best support when those cages came back to haunt them. Yoongi was still blunt, grumpy and would still close himself up but Hoseok was granted access to his heart, and his never ending energies and his vibrant smile always managed to wash away his troubles. And in turn Yoongi was allowed to see when that heart-shaped smile was off, and he devoted himself, his honesty and his stubbornness to solve whatever caused it to dim.
Jin let out a chuckle as Yoongi grabbed hold of Hoseok's scarf and pulled him down for a kiss, saying he was way too loud. But Jin saw his smile, and it matched Hoseok's own as they disappeared inside the building.
They were no longer unreachable, but open and strong.
Jin looked back to the road when he heard the unmistakable battle cry of Jimin, running together with Jungkook towards an imagined finish line and he jumped around in victory as he reached the big tree by the sidewalk first. Jin was a bit scared for the cake, but Jungkook seemed to have a sure hold on it.
They were rivals, they competed and they brought the very best out of each other and despite how it seemed, it was not a relationship in which one loved more. Because even if Jungkook was still oblivious and slow when it came to feelings, he learned to accept them and became aware of them, immediately responding to Jimin's owns and showed affection in his awkward but sweet way. And Jimin came out of the shell of his insecurities thanks to that support, his sensitive and gentle self well protected by their maknae instead of those hurtful spikes and that trust was the one that forged their bond.
Jin knew they fought, because they were headstrong like that, but seeing how Jungkook gave the cake to Jimin only to carry him bridal-style back to the dorms all the while grinning at each other impossibly bright as kisses were stolen, he knew that they were good just like that.
They were no longer oblivious, but aware and trusting.
Jin sighed happily, adjusting his scarf as snow began to fall and knew he should head back inside soon before someone barged in on their newest couple... But it was just so pretty outside and he took a picture, sending it to his girl as he listened out for any suspiciously loud noise.
Taehyung was probably more occupied with Namjoon then to think about trivialities like the snow and that thought made him shook his head fondly.
That odd pairing seemed to have a sort of bond that was hard to understand but when one looked at them, really looked at them, it just explained itself. Because Taehyung, who was always restless in his search of happiness, finally seemed absolutely serene, still loud and still fun loving but serene as he found his place next to Namjoon, not needing acts and strings of lovers to make him feel happy anymore . And Namjoon opened up to that new relationship, stepping over boundaries, over all obstacles for Taehyung and seemed happier then ever next to him. They gave each other strength to move on from past wounds and just clicked in that way, finding balance in their different yet so similar personalities.
Jin knew they were still fighting against odds, a new relationship already tested by distance, but he saw them smiling at each other, soft and innocent, and knew they could do it.
They were no longer empty, but brave and filled with love.
Jin began to make his way inside, humming to himself when his phone went off.
My girl
Jin smiled, thinking that he was lucky too because he was dragged back from the edge of desperation by not only his friends but by her love too. And maybe he was not perfect but he was loved and needed, and had dreams and people to fight for, to live for.
'Jin! That picture is absolutely beautiful!'
'Right? It reminded me of you.'
'Ugh, so cheesy.' she teased. 'But thank you for the compliment, Jin.'
'When will you call me oppa?' Jin chuckled, skipping down the steps.
'When you act like one.' his girl laughed and he stopped skipping, a bit embarrassed even though she was not seeing him. 'Everything okay? Did the surprise go well?'
'I don't know, we didn't check on them yet-Oh my.'
'What was that sound?'
'I think we just checked on them.' Jin laughed, hurrying to salvage the catastrophe as loud noises echoed through the dorms.
'Go save them.' his girl laughed. 'I guess I will see you later?'
'We have a snack-date, but of course you will.'
'Love you.'
'I love you too.' Jin smiled hanging up on her as he arrived to the floor, witnessing how a half Namjoon laughed himself to death along with Yoongi as Jimin and Hoseok chased Taehyung around Jungkook with – what seemed to be their alien's pants? 'What are you doing?!' he laughed.
'Taehyung-hyung figured we would surprise them so he surprised us instead...' Jungkook grinned, seemingly content to be a barrier between his friends.
'I would chase him around too if he had hit me with water.' Yoongi grinned and Jin noticed that Hoseok and Jimin were indeed drenched, but both were laughing.
'I'm not sorry you s.' Taehyung sang but Jungkook put an end to the chase, calling dogpile and Jin was dragged into it too.
Their loud laughter sounded through the floor, filling the cool winter air with warmth and unrestrained happiness.
And as Jin was trying to catch his breath, different limbs resting on him, he thought that maybe this was perfection after all.
This chaos of friends lying comfortably on each other on the floor.
Jungkook complaining about how Jimin drenched him as he rolled over to drape himself across his chest but still held on to him tight. Taehyung snuggling against Namjoon, teasing the others as Namjoon played with the ring on his finger. Yoongi resting on Hoseok's back and refusing to move, saying they should all shut up already as the younger grinned, seemingly content with staying as a pillow as he joined Taehyung in the noise making.
And Jin was in the middle of it, feeling absolutely content.
'Come on guys, let's go eat!'
'Okay Mom!'

Because nothing was sure or permanent in life.
Not love, not friendship, not even life itself.
And maybe it would all fall apart like a house of cards.
But what mattered was that they would build it up again.

Together.
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With this we are finished, ending this journey and fun ride... I hope you enjoyed every moment of it because I did!
I want to thank you all for reading, commenting, subscribing, voting, giving me inspiration and loving it~ (really, you guys are awesome <3)
Thank you!
And thank you, my dearest beta, for helping me polish this story till the very end!

Now let's close the Room for the final time...