...

14💜

They pull away from one another as Hoseok shakes his head quickly. "No, Taehyung. This is all my fault. I-I should have told you how I felt forever ago. But.. When you called me 'just a friend' all those weeks ago, something inside me broke." The brunet brings a hand up to wipe at his tears,

but Taehyung beats him to it. "I knew you liked me - I knew it. But I was such a coward to say anything, sitting in fear that you would hate me for loving you.. So when you called me a friend, especially since I had fully hoped and expect you to confess right then and there I just - I lost it, Taehyungie. I felt like my heart had shattered into a million pieces because I loved you so much - I still do, please don't forget that."

Tae's eyes began to water as well. He remembered that morning, so many weeks ago now but it felt like a lifetime. He had called the love of his life 'friend' for fear his feelings wouldn't be returned - If he had any clue his Hoseokkie felt the same way he would have spilled his heart out for him right then and there.

"You know," Hoseok continued in a quieter voice, "I thought I had come to terms with never having you - not as anything more than a friend. I honestly thought that I would be okay if you went off and found someone else to love, get married to, have kids and a small dog with." A bitter laugh left his chest, "But I guess I'm selfish because throughout this whole thing I've realized that I will never be okay with you loving, kissing, holding, being with anyone else but me." An adorable pout graced his soft features as he looked away from the younger, cheeks tinting a bright pink all the way up to the tips of his ears.

All of the breath nestled into Taehyung's chest at that moment was forced out immediately. His eyes were awestruck as he looked at his hyung. Hoseok really loved him, really really loved him. Taehyung couldn't feel any happier - he was sure.

"Sunshine, I don't think there's anything wrong with being selfish." He smirked up at the other. "Especially when it comes to you loving me. I will take every inch of you - the good and the bad - and I will happily give you the same from me." Tae's hands raised to run themselves along the elder's ribs, strong and unhesitant. "I can't lie, I felt the same way. I thought I would be fine if you found someone else - that I would be okay with you loving someone else along as I got to stay by your side. But I was wrong. I want you hyung - no, I need you Hoseokkie." The brunet smiled at the drop in honorifics, not willing to stop the boy in his rantings. "I need you like my lungs need air, like the Earth needs the sun. I don't want to lose you again." He leaned forward and placed a dainty kiss on the other's collarbone. His voice was desperate as he pleaded with his hyung, his hands shifting to grip at the elder's hips.

"Please be selfish with me."

Hoseok hesitated for a moment, mulling over all of the past and recent events in his head. There was no doubt in his mind that he loved Taehyung - and now there was no doubt that Taehyung loved him back. But.

But was being in a relationship - if that's even what Taehyung was suggesting - a wise decision? What would the other members think? Or their fans, should they ever announce their love publicly? How could he possibly keep the love out of his eyes now? Would this effect the band? Or practice? Would things change drastically, or would they stay the same? Should they even tell the members until the whole thing was more... Solid?

"Hyung."

Hoseok's attention was drawn back into the moment, Tae looking up at him as if there was nothing else in the world that he wanted to see more than Hoseok in his pajamas on a Friday morning.

"I can hear you thinking over there."

The elder laughed lightly and reached for the other's neck, stroking Taehyung's jawline softly with his thumbs. "You know me so well." Hoseok leaned forward and pecked the other's lips with his own. "Taehyungie... I'm not sure if you're asking what I think you are, but I'll ask you outright so that there's no confusion." A moment passed as Hoseok simply took in the man sitting beneath him, his gorgeous eyes, the soft slope of his nose, the adorable mole sitting on his cheek. Then another, as he thought about Taehyung in his essence; his vibrant personality, his loving disposition, his selfless acts of kindness...

Yes, there were many things that Hoseok had questions about - their future and how they would handle things especially - but. But, Hoseok decided, those questions couldn't be answered unless they took their first steps together - as a couple. Hoseok decided that the stress or fear they may face in the future wasn't made to be faced alone - only together would they be able to conquer such things.

"Taetae, I know that there is a lot we still need to discuss - and there will be many things that we will have to face together if we should do this but... I can't pass up on this chance any longer. W-Would you consider being my boyfriend? Will you give me a chance to love you? Will you give us a chance?"

Not a second passed before Taehyung answered, no hesitance in his voice.

"Yes, sunshine. I would love all of that and more." He reached up and pulled Hoseok's hands to his lips, brushing against the other's knuckles and making Hoseok blush. "And you? Will you be my boyfriend? Will you let me love you will all I have? Let us flourish as best we can?"

Hoseok nodded feverishly as he leaned further forward and rested his forehead on Taehyung's, their eyes connected softly. "Yes, Taehyungie. I'm yours."

Their promises to each other were sealed with stolen kisses, giggles intermingling with their mintflavored breath. Their eyes glistened lightly as they held one another, happiness welling up and bubbling over.

***

[Fourteenth chapter done!]