Chapter Text
Hoseok grinned and waved at his housemates across the Hufflepuff table. It was his first day as a fifth year and the sorting ceremony was about to begin. He had managed to catch a glimpse of the nervous first years before he entered the hall. They all looked like little children and Hoseok couldn’t fathom that he was that small and timid when he had first come to this place. He looked around his table, seeing how much everyone had grown… they were all big now- ‘The big kids’ as Jin put it. His eyes settled on Taehyung who though had grown nearly a foot since they first saw him, was still the kid of their group and probably would always remain.Taehyung had somehow managed to acquire a pgymypuff within 20 minutes of entering the castle grounds and now the little pink and puffy creature sat on the 3rd year’s shoulder like a ball of wool. One of their house prefects, the 7th year student Rupert Davis beckoned Hoseok to come and sit next to him.
‘Before we have the council meeting tomorrow, I wanted to tell you,’ Rupert said to him, ‘I want to nominate you for prefect next year,’
Hoseok blinked in surprise, ‘Seriously? Me?’
‘Yeah,’ Rupert nodded, ‘I and Rebecca think you and Leslie will make really good prefects. Everyone adores you, seniors and juniors. You are helpful but not a pushover, it’s perfect,’
‘Wow,’ Hoseok smiled, still trying to take in the sudden compliments that he had been given, ‘I’ll do my best, if I’m chosen,’
‘I know you will,’ Rupert smiled and patted his back, ‘You’re the most hardworking person I’ve known. But if, you feel it’s going to be too much since you’re the Quidditch captain as well then-’
‘I’m the Quidditch Captain?!!’ Hoseok exclaimed loudly.
‘Rupert!’ the Hufflepuff seeker rounded up on the prefect. ‘I told you to leave that detail out of it! We all wanted to surprise him tomorrow with the news!’
‘Ah, sorry,’ Rupert facepalmed himself. ‘Well, cat’s out of the bag now,’
‘I can’t believe this!’ Hoseok was overwhelmed, eyes wide with amazement and lips pulled in a ‘o’. He bounced on the balls of his feet and his copper hair bounced with it. ‘I really can’t!’
‘You deserve all of it Hobi,’ his teammate clapped his back.
‘Well, the quidditch captaincy is yours this year,’ Rupert said. ‘Now next year, it’s upto you if you want to take the prefect position too. I honestly can’t think of someone better, but I don’t want to pressure you,’
They all dispersed again into other groups, greeting everyone after the holidays. Hoseok saw his one of his two Slytherin friends enter. Vanessa walked into the hall, rosy lips smiling in all her glory. Hoseok saw her arm, looped into Min Yoongi’s. And to Hoseok’s biggest surprise, Yoongi was smiling too. It was small and slight, but it was there. He wasn’t look grumpy or impassive like he usually did. When the two sat down at their table, Yoongi said something to Vanessa which made her exclaim and kiss him on the cheek, after which she proceeded to intertwine her hands with his.
So it had happened, Hoseok smiled to himself. Vanessa had finally taken the leap after all those discussions with Hoseok. He was glad to see her so happy, she deserved it.
Vanessa and Yoongi soon became the hot topic for the entire school, and they were indeed a sight to behold. Both were a picture perfect couple, like they belonged in a luxurious painting from another era. Hoseok hadn’t expected Yoongi to be the kind to display affection publicly, but he did so with her. Both were often see walking hand in hand. Maybe Yoongi was not the shy kind. He never pushed Vanessa away when she tried to do any couple-like things with him, including feeding him occasionally from her own fork or jumping at him for a piggy back ride.
And like that, slowly, Hoseok saw the change in Yoongi. His stone cold mask was slowly breaking, giving away. Yoongi smiled more and whenever Hoseok saw that, it lighted something inside him, like a warm flickering flame. It was comforting to see him smile, to see him happy.
And Hoseok was happy, that this change in Yoongi’s behaviour was going to keep Vanessa happy in the long run. They seemed to be in love (not like Hoseok knew anything about love). He wondered if he will ever find something like what Yoongi and Vanessa had, something so perfect that it fit like a glove, something so endearing that it made everyone around you yearn for the same.
Was such a love possible for everyone? Hoseok didn’t know… he couldn’t know because he hadn’t felt anything like this for anyone in his life yet.
But soon, the yearn for it, started to transform into something else and Hoseok didn’t know why. When he looked at the couple, he started wanting the idea of this perfect love more and more. It came to a point that looking at the two made him sad that he didn’t have what they did. He didn’t like feeling like this. This was not what positivity looked like.
Being the new captain, he had to keep some captain traditions alive, one of which was keeping a tab on how the other teams played. He was informed by his keeper that the Slytherins were having a practice match but when Hoseok went to see how it was going, he saw that the Slytherins weren’t really doing much except pass the ball.
They fooled us Hoseok scoffed and was about to leave when he saw one of his friends in green sitting and watching the players with a dewy smile that made his eyes crinkle. Hoseok creeped up behind him.
‘Who are you gazing at?’ Hoseok whispered into Jimin’s ear, making the boy jump in his spot.
Jimin turned back, grey eyes wide in shock. ‘N-Nothing, I’m watching the game,’ he replied, evidently flustered.
‘You’re pink like a peach Jiminnie,’ Hoseok grinned. ‘Don’t you lie to me!’
‘I’m not lying!’ Jimin whispered. People were looking at him since his first exclamation and he hurriedly walked out of the stands. Hoseok looked at his enemy team play for a few moments, waved to Vanessa who was also watching the match with her friend Laura and then ran behind Jimin.
‘Wait up!’ Hoseok almost jumped at the smaller boy, putting his arms around him from the back. ‘Oh c’mon Jiminnie! Are you really gonna keep secrets from me?’
‘Ok fine,’ Jimin pushed him off himself, ‘You’re not gonna let this go,’ he shook his head. ‘I was just… admiring,’
‘Admiring who?’ Hoseok brought his face up close to Jimin’s, brown eyes twinkling.
‘Ash Vorhart…?’ Jimin said sheepishly, running a hand through his charcoal hair. ‘She… she’s an amazing player,’
‘You sound so sappy,’ Hoseok threw his head back in laughter.
‘This is why I wasn’t telling you! I regret it now,’ Jimint tried to pry himself out of Hoseok’s grasp but the taller just pulled him back in.
‘No no, I want to hear it,’ Hoseok said. ‘Not like we didn’t already know you have a thing for Vorhart. C’mon its been like 3 years that you’ve been secretly pining for her. You turn pink whenever she passes by, you aren’t even able to look at her!’
‘Thanks for making me feel miserable,’ Jimin rolled his eyes.
‘I think you look adorable when you’re shy Jiminnieee,’ he pulled on the other’s cheeks. ‘You never know, that might just charm Vorhart. Nothing else seems to impress her anyway,’ They could hear some familiar voices coming towards them and saw Jin and Namjoon arguing as they crossed paths with Jimin and Hoseok. Jin was evidently telling Namjoon off about something. The taller had ducked his head down and was rubbing the back of his neck, a clear sign of embarrassment, while Jin’s mouth moved like rapid fire, the tendons in his neck almost popping in agitation.
‘Don’t you deny it, I can see it in the way you look at her,’ Jin yelled.
‘Can you not scream?’ Namjoon exclaimed, ‘Hold on, should I just get you a spot at Dumbledore’s pulpit so you can scream it to the entire school? Will that be easier for you?’
‘Don’t you get sarcastic with me!’ Jin raised his eyebrows. ‘We have a match tomorrow against them, I hope we don’t lose because you aren’t focused enough,’
‘For the last time, I don’t like her, I just admire her flying skills!’ Namjoon was ready to pull his hair out.
‘What are you guys talking about?’ Hoseok asked as the four of them fell in line.
‘This guy-’ Jin pointed at Namjoon but the other cut him off.
‘It’s nothing,’ Namjoon tried to wave it off. ‘It’s rubbish. Jin is being overdramatic like he always does,’
‘You called her the cute green eyed girl!’ Jin almost stomped his foot.
‘Who are you guys talking about?’ Jimin asked.
‘Ash Vorhart!’ Jin declared and Jimin felt his heart sink a little. ‘Namjoon has an enormous crush on her,’ Jin held his arms wide open to denote the scale of the situation. ‘We had a meeting with the Slytherin team and those cunning snakes sent her in to speak and Namjoon bloody agreed to every stupid term of theirs for the practice schedule! They have taken all the best time slots that we wanted!’
Namjoon tried to defend himself, ‘I just didn’t think it through-’
‘Because you were too busy drowning in her green eyes!’ Jin snapped at him.
‘Ash… Vorhart?’ Jimin asked again and Hoseok could sense what was happening. He slowly moved closer to Jimin, keeping a hand on his shoulder. At the same time he felt a little worried for Jin. Whatever Jin had told him a year ago, had all been in vain. Jin had fallen only harder for and oblivious Namjoon and this was his weird way of protecting his feelings, by pushing Namjoon away before he unknowingly hurt him more.
‘Yeah,’ Jin nodded. ‘Are you two friends? I’ve never seen you guys talk. If you are then maybe you can fix Namjoon up with her,’
‘Jin, I never asked for that!’ Namjoon was nearly yelling.
‘I’m going and assembling the team for a last practice,’ Jin said. ‘Be there,’ he gave a sharp look to Namjoon and left.
‘Don’t believe him guys,’ Namjoon waved his hand. ‘He’s blowing up a small thing,’
‘But… you do like her?’ Jimin asked him, dreading the answer. Namjoon just shrugged in response and smiled, waving them goodbye. That was not the answer Jimin was looking for and his heart sank even more.
‘Hey,’ Hoseok looked at Jimin once the Gryffindors were gone. ‘Are you ok? Don’t let that bog you down,’
‘I’m alright,’ Jimin chuckled, starting to walk back to the castle and Hoseok silently walked with him.
Jimin was not alright, but he was excellent in lying. How could he be alright when the star student of their school had expressed interest in the same girl that he liked? A girl who Jimin felt too shy to talk to, who he thought was way out of his league. His negligible chances had just dropped to the scale of non-existence.
*
A few evenings later, Hoseok was looking around for his lost potions assignment.
‘Fuck fuck fuck,’ he muttered to himself, upturning books and desks. Where had he left it? Snape was going to kill him! ‘Where the fuck is it!!’
‘Listen, Hobi,’ his friend Leslie stopped him in the corridor, ‘Jungkook told me that his friend had collected some discarded parchments in Flitwick’s class and chucked them in one of the cupboards in the empty classrooms. Weren’t you finishing your assignment in Flitwick’s class today?’
‘I was!’ Hosek exclaimed. The parchment must have rolled over without him realizing. He ran to the empty rooms in the ground floor east wing. It was past curfew time but he didn’t care, he needed his assignment back if he was to sleep peacefully tonight. When he drew closer to the classrooms, he felt the screech of a desk against the stone floor.
‘Who could it be at this hour? It’s always empty here,’ he wondered. Was Jungkook here to get his assignment as well? He opened the door of the room where the screech came from and stopped dead in his tracks.
He saw a couple inside, the blonde haired girl sitting on the desk with her legs around the waist of the blonde guy. Both were kissing quite fervently, fingers tugging on each other’s hair, sighs escaping their lips.
Hoseok recovered from his frozen state and looked away. He recognised who they were and an uncomfortable flush creeped onto his face. He slowly took a step back, eyes directed to the side when he heard the girl exclaim, ‘Hobi?!’
Hoseok awkwardly glanced at Vanessa and looked away instantly, ‘I’m sorry I didn’t mean to-’
‘Oh no, no, we’re sorry,’ he heard her say and then heard her hop down on the floor, ‘Sorry you caught us in that state,’
Hoseok chuckled, eyes still trained away from them and waved his hands, ‘Nah, don’t worry about it. I’m glad you-you both haven’t lost the spark or whatever, after all these months,’
Yoongi stood behind Vanessa, completely mortified. Something about this made him utterly uncomfortable. He stared at Hoseok's embarrassed face, feeling equally flustered.
‘You came here for something?’ Vanessa asked.
‘Yeah I… My potions homework is missing. Someone said there were some abandoned parchments in one of the classrooms,’
‘Ok, we’ll let you look for it in peace without traumatising you further,’ Vanessa laughed. She turned back and held her hand out for Yoongi, ‘C’mon Yoon,’ she beckoned him and Yoongi was still frozen. She took his hand and pulled him out of the room.
‘Why do you look so horrified?’ Vanessa asked him once they were near they common room. ‘You didn’t care when Snape caught me kissing you. And this was just Hobi, he’s a friend!’
Yoongi didn’t answer. Because he didn’t know himself why this bothered him so much.
That night Hoseok lay awake a long time on his bed, tossing and turning. Somehow he couldn’t get that image out of his head that the yearning for it was not giving him a moment’s peace. Why couldn’t he have that with someone too? It seemed so fierce, yet so… good. Could there be a feeling so intense, that it took over all your other senses? He saw how immersed the two were today. He precisely remembered how firm Yoongi’s grip seemed, how needily his mouth seeked the other’s. Hoseok felt the pit in his stomach grow. He wanted to feel that way for someone... wanted someone to feel that way for him,
The following days, Yoongi felt himself strangely drawn to Hoseok. He wouldn’t interact with the Hufflepuff, but his presence made Yoongi too conscious of himself. One day, during care of Magical creatures, his lilac eyes caught Hoseok smiling in the sun, helping his friends with the class’ task. Sunshine fell on him, rays seeping through the clouds and Yoongi realized how much the golden light complimented his features. His skin looked honey kissed and smooth, his smile radiating the same energy as the warmth of the sun. His copper hair glistened in the dancing light. Hoseok had grown taller and leaner, his jawline looked sharp enough to cut, a contrast to his soft gazes from those shapely eyes. Yoongi regarded him for a while, watching him point his long fingers to something. Jung Hoseok was… beautiful… ? What?
That day started the saga of Yoongi trying to steal small glances towards Hoseok and regretting it the very second later. His chest would tighten just a bit when he knew Hoseok was around. And he hated that so very much.
*
‘The rains have really cut down our practice time,’ one of the Hufflepuff chasers said to the new captain of the team - chaser Jung Hoseok.
Hoseok stood up straight and squared his shoulders. ‘I know we all hate this weather,’ Hoseok said to them, briefly glancing out at the grey skies drizzling over the entire castle grounds. ‘But we’ve already lost a week of practice. The match against Ravenclaw is in less than a month. We can’t go unprepared. We have to put our practice before our weather preferences. Do you see how dedicatedly the Gryffindors are practicing?’ Hoseok pointed in the direction of the Quidditch pitch. From this distance they could see about 7 dark dots flying in the air.
‘They haven’t let this weather stop them so why should we,’ he grabbed his broom with determination. ‘Let’s go out there, and do our best. We have to work hard guys, or we’ll regret it later,’
‘You’re right,’ his keeper stood up too. ‘Let’s give it our best effort!’
The team agreed and cheered on, making their way to the quidditch grounds.The continuous drizzle made the grass beneath them glisten. The atmosphere was humid and chilly.
The Gryffindor captain - Kim Seokjin invited them for a friendly match. After about an hour of playing, they saw the third team approach, all in green.
‘Here they are,’ Hoseok said to Jin. ‘Playtime’s over,’
‘Well at least they didn’t interrupt our time,’ Jin said. ‘Maybe Vorhart is making a difference after all. Anyways, I think let’s wrap up now before Namjoon falls off his broom from her presence,’
‘Hey!’ Namjoon flew closer to them, ‘I heard that!’
Jin ignored him. They all headed down on Jin and Hoseok’s signal. All three teams were headed to the changing rooms.
The Gryffindors went it first, immediately stripping down from their rain soaked clothes to their shorts. The small, wooden, cabin-like room was a mess, clothes everywhere, water bottles being flinged around, muddy boots being kicked away. Yoongi was on one of the benches, quietly wearing his anti-mud boots. He was trying to avoid the loud rough-housing of some of the other players. All he wanted was some peace, a nap in his bed but his captain dragged them all for practice in this chilly weather.
His eyes caught Jung Hoseok making his way towards his corner, nonchalantly taking his jacket off, revealing the sleeveless yellow jersey beneath. His skin had a sheen of rain and Yoongi suddenly felt something in the pit of his stomach, a flutter, sending a wave of heat upto his cheeks. He watched him move closer, running his hands through his towel dried hair. Beads of rain water trickled down his neck, into the jersey and Yoongi gulped. Hoseok sat across him on the bench and Yoongi’s eyes momentarily lingered on his muscular thighs. His skin was so very smooth and Yoongi had an urge to reach out his hand and see if it was was silky as it looked-
‘Can you pass me that?’ Hoseok’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He stared at the Hufflepuff, in utter disbelief. It was not possible… what was he thinking just now? It could not be! There was no way that Jung Hoseok, the ‘clown’, had aroused him enough to want to touch him. And… and what about Vanessa? He was with her, he was committed to her-
Seeing the lack of response from Yoongi, Hoseok himself bent forward, reaching his hands at something right behind Yoongi. The Slytherin froze, clenching his fists on his knees. Hoseok’s chest was just mere inches away from his, his head bent behind him, rummaging through whatever the fuck he was seeking. Yoongi slightly turned his head towards him. He smelled good, despite just having played a game. It wasn’t a perfume… it was Hoseok’s own scent, earthy and warm. Yoongi’s heart beat so loud he wondered if Hoseok would hear it. He wanted to move in, press his lips to that beautiful neck, feel himself pressed against that chest.
The taller moved back, having retrieved his gloves from the pile that lay behind Yoongi. ‘Here it is,’ he said, dusting it on his thighs. He looked up to find Yoongi still frozen like he was in shock, except that his breaths were getting shorter, the rise and fall of his chest getting faster steadily.
‘Are you ok?’ Hoseok looked at him. When he didn’t get a reply, he leaned in closer again, as if wanting to observe his face for signs of distress and to his surprise, he saw the lilac eyes dilate. ‘Min Yoongi are you ok?’
Yoongi stood up hurriedly before his brain could again exclaim how beautiful Hoseok was. In his abrupt movements, his shoulder hit Hoseok’s nose.
‘Hey watch it!’ he yelled at Yoongi who turned back and held his index finger up like he was trying to make a point, ‘Don’t, Jung Hoseok. I told you we aren’t friends,’ and maybe we never should be.
Yoongi grabbed his broom, uncaring of the fact that he didn’t have gloves on, or his boots tied securely and took off to the sky as soon as he exited the room. Hoseok watched him go with a grimace. Why was Yoongi so moody with him? He was getting a bit sick of it, now that he knew Yoongi was capable of smiling. Hoseok had done nothing to be at the receiving end of his anger.
Yoongi’s practice did not go to well, there was hardly any surprise in that. Throughout the game his focus had been more on figuring out his mind over Hoseok than trying to keep the Quaffle away from the hoops. As soon as practice was done, he rushed back to the common room, hoping to shut himself in his room.
It was just a momentary attraction, is what Yoongi kept repeating to himself. It’s ok, it happens… even if he was dating someone else right now. Maybe it was just a fleeting moment of appreciation. Maybe he was just overwhelmed by the proximity- Well, he shouldn’t be overwhelmed, his mind scolded him. The Dracwyn teachings in him reminded him of the importance of loyalty. Loyalty to your blood, to your kind, to the promises you’ve made to your people. And he had promised Vanessa his loyalty, he had promised to keep her happy. Yes they weren’t verbal promises, but he still considered himself responsible for it. They were in a relationship and it was going well. Why was he attracted to someone else?
A pair of hands circled around him, hugging him from the back.
‘How was practice? You’re back early?’ he heard Vanessa. She had found him before he could make his way to his dorm. Guilt spread through him like cold currents and he found his voice stuck somewhere at the back of his throat. Vanessa clearly sensed his stiffness.
‘What’s wrong?’ she slowly broke apart and turned him to the front.
‘Nothing,’ Yoongi lied. He could flawlessly lie to the world but never to the people close to him, he could see that in the frown of Vanessa’s eyebrows.
‘Cut the mindless questioning and tell me what’s wrong,’ Vanessa said, knowing him better than he knew himself.
‘It’s nothing Van,’ Yoongi gave a nervous chuckle, ‘I just… didn’t have a good practice so my mind was on how to improve my blocks,’
‘Is that so,’ Vanessa smiled, and looked at him carefully. She knew he was hiding something but decided not to question him. She wound her arms around his waist again. ‘Don’t worry sugar, you’re always so committed, I know you’ll be back to being the best keeper in no time. Maybe you just had an off day,’
Vanessa had said it in the context of his sport but it encouraged Yoongi nevertheless. Yes he was committed to this. He was going to make it work. Vanessa stood on her toes and kissed the tip of Yoongi’s nose before kissing his lips.
‘You two need to get a room you know,’ they heard Laura behind them. ‘I don’t know for how long I can bear to be around this,’
‘Oh stop being so dramatic would you,’ Yoongi said. ‘It’s just a kiss,’
‘Well, I’m happy being as far away as possible from your sappy love,’ she said to her cousin.
‘You’re big talk Yoongles,’ Vanessa teased him. ‘Let’s see how you feel when you’re little cousin get’s a boyfriend,’
Yoongi looked instantly alarmed.
‘Hey I’m not little!’ Laura stomped her foot. ‘We are in the same year!’
‘Yes you are little,’ Yoongi sniggered. ‘Now go to your room! Leave the grown ups,’
‘A few months of age does not make you-’
‘Go on now,’ Yoongi had already grabbed her by the arms and was pushing her towards the girl’s dorm. ‘Stay in there, you’re grounded you brat!’ he laughed.
But the happiness was momentary, because now Vanessa was onto him. Even though the change started out small, but she caught on to it. She kept silent, hoping this was a rough patch, it would pass. It would’ve passed if the problem was just the two of them, but it wasn’t. The problem was an external factor, because she observed how awkward Yoongi was in Hoseok’s presence, how his eyes would instantly find Hoseok whenever he entered the classroom. Vanessa could feel her chest caving in everytime it happened. She loved Yoongi. She loved Hoseok too, he was her good friend. And she wanted Yoongi’s happiness because that’s what she had wanted from the start, back when they were friends. So where does that leave her now?
Yoongi was trying his best and it showed… it showed a bit too obviously. Things did not come naturally to him anymore. He sought to be alone more than to spend his alone time with Vanessa. It’s not like her presence annoyed him, that was far from it. He loved her, he truly did, but maybe it was going back to friendship for him. The way guilt would drive him crazy day and night was proof that he cared for her. He felt selfish and cruel, but at the same time he wasn’t someone who could do something half-heartedly.
By the end of fifth year, it was obvious. They were not happy anymore.
And that’s why Vanessa wasn’t surprised when Yoongi called her to talk in the same abandoned classroom that they frequented earlier.
‘Say what you have to say Yoongi,’ Vanessa said in front of him. Her small frame seemed slightly fatigued. ‘But say only the truth. Don’t sugar coat it,’
‘Alright,’ Yoongi swallowed thickly. He leaned against a table in front of her. ‘Vanessa, you’re my best friend. And… I… I don’t think I’m keeping you happy the way you deserve to be,’ he blinked, fighting back tears. He was never weak… never. Except in front of her.
‘I know you tried your best,’ Vanessa said. She was heartbroken to the core. She wanted to yell and snap and fall down crying, but the fear and guilt she saw in Yoongi stopped her from doing so… because since childhood she had known, that Yoongi was good hearted… and even the best people make mistakes. ‘You tried your best. And I don’t want to bind you with guilt. You’re right, we should break up,’
Though that was the path Yoongi had chosen from the start, knowing it was the right path, the weight of the words still hurt them both deeply.
‘I don’t want to hurt you anymore,’ Yoongi said. ‘And believe me… it’s… it’s so hard, this entire situation that I’ve landed both of us in-’
‘I know we’ve been friends,’ she said. ‘But I need time to sort my own feelings,’ Vanessa spoke softly. ‘I wish… I would’ve seen it earlier. I was kind of stupid for missing it,’
Yoongi blinked. He didn’t fully understand what she meant by that.
‘We shouldn’t have rushed into this… when the signs were so obvious,’ she said.
‘What signs?’
‘The cause for this… rift. It’s because you’re eyes are on someone else,’
Yoongi looked instantly alarmed. How could she know? He had made sure that he never, ever wandered close to that attraction towards Hoseok again. He avoided that boy at all costs, avoided being near him, avoided thinking about him. Kept it all away to convince himself it was just a momentary, one time feeling.
‘Don’t look so nervous,’ Vanessa said. ‘It’s alright,’ she shook her head and he saw a tear leak down the corner of her eyes. ‘I mean, it does hurt a lot, I won’t lie about that. I wish you hadn’t done that, but you have,’
‘Vanessa,’ Yoongi stood up and walked a little closer to her, wanting to provide comfort but couldn’t ‘What… what are you referring to exactly,’
‘Yoongi,’ Vanessa chuckled slightly through her sob. ‘I know you have feelings for Hoseok. You’ve kind of… been drawn to him from the start,’
‘No!’ Yoongi’s answer was too quick, his self denial easily kicking in. It was even more surreal to hear it from her mouth, real words hanging in the air.
‘I mean… I…’ Yoongi tried to make his statement. ‘I don’t have feelings for him Van,’
‘Are you denying it?’ Vanessa looked at him and Yoongi couldn’t let the guilt build further.
‘There… aren’t any feelings involved,’ Yoongi said plainly. That was true wasn’t it?
Vanessa shook her head, ‘If that was the case Yoongi… you wouldn't have become so distant,’
Yoongi gulped again. He really did not know what could make the situation better. Maybe nothing could. Maybe they had to crash and burn.
Things became blurry after that because of the crying that turned to yelling, that finally turned to apologies. In the end both were a mess, frustrated and heartbroken.
Like their love had been so apparent, so was their breakup. Everyone instantly knew they had separated. Yoongi did not smile anymore. He kept his distance from Vanessa and so did she. Hoseok saw all of this and couldn’t help but feel a certain amount of anger towards Yoongi. This is what he feared from the start, that Vanessa might get hurt. She was his friend, his good friend and she was a gentle soul, unlike Yoongi who was like a fiery storm. He had tried to talk to Vanessa, to hopefully console her but she was avoiding him as well. She left him with a sad smile and a ‘I need some time alone’. He wished he could make the pain go away, completely unaware that he was the cause.
The year had ended. Their OWLs had finished. Hoseok boarded the Hogwarts Express with Taehyung close behind him. For some reason that boy seemed scared and jittery, but he wouldn’t tell why. They pulled their trunk through the corridor and once again, Hoseok bumped into whoever had hurriedly emerged from the compartment next to him.
‘Sorr-’ his voice was cut when he saw who it was. Min Yoongi looked at him nervously. He had never seen the Slytherin nervous. He looked vulnerable and in that moment, all of Hoseok’s anger towards him was replaced by an unexpected feeling of protection.
‘Are you ok?’ he asked Yoongi.
‘Yeah… sorry,’ Yoongi said and moved away. Hoseok felt that apology of him carried more behind it than he could comprehend. He took a deep breath and walked forward, taking Taehyung’s hand who’s faced had turned pale like he was recounting some nightmarish memory. He didn’t know what lay ahead, he could only hope that things would get better next year.
Conclusion Mood Music -
Last Love - Piano Cover of First Love