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There had been staring. Like a lot. Just not directed at him at first.
Jungkook had really admired Namjoon when he first arrived in the dorms. He tended to follow him around like he was the coolest person to exist. Yoongi would absolutely argue against that during that time because Namjoon was simply an arrogant, sweaty teenager back then. Not cool in the least.
But their youngest seemed to think so.
Yoongi had done his best to show all of them that he wasn’t intimidating simply because he had a resting face. He could be cranky whenever he lacked sleep - which was more common than not, but he wasn’t cold. It took a while but he managed to have a special bond with each member.
Jungkook and him were pretty close. They liked the same foods and movies and when the maknae became interested in writing his own songs, he went to Yoongi for help.
Yoongi wasn’t aware that the younger acted differently around him.
Of course it was the oldest who had to comment on it and bring it to Yoongi’s attention.
“I've been craving this since the plane ride.” Seokjin groaned as he slurped up his ramen from the cup.
“Really?” Yoongi chuckled, enjoying his own, “How come?”
Seokjin grinned at him, corners of his mouth pink from the spice, “I looked over at JK and his hungry stare made me hungry. All I could think about were these waiting for us here.” They stocked up on noodles wherever they stayed.
Yoongi cocked his head, “Hungry stare?”
“You know,” Seokjin waved his chopsticks in the air, “When he looks at you. You were napping and he just watched you like usual. Like you were a snack.”
A moment of silence fell upon them.
“... What?” Yoongi mumbled, setting his cup down on the short table they were sitting at.
“The way he looks at you,” Seokjin repeated but Yoongi did in fact hear what he had said, “Like he’s starving.”
“I have no idea what you’re saying.” Yoongi used his utensils to mix his noodles, suddenly not hungry.
“How could you not? Jungkook’s got this obsessive personality, right? He’ll dedicate all his time and energy into something for a while before moving on to the next. He does it with games, shows, musicians, food - he eats and eats and fills up so much on that one thing until he’s sick to his stomach. But the one thing he’s never gotten sick of eating isssss,” Seokjin put a hand out, like Yoongi was supposed to fill in the blank. The singer sighed, shaking his head, “Is you Yoongi.”
“Me?” Yoongi was aghast at the accusation because seriously what was he saying?
Seokjin’s expression was mixed between disbelief and irritation, “You can’t possibly tell me you’ve never noticed. He’s had eyes for you since day one.”
Yoongi slammed his hands on the table and pushed himself to stand, “What are you talking about hyung?”
“What are you talking about?” Taehyung asked as he waltzed into the hotel room. Yoongi cowered and sat back down, keeping quiet as he watched the other go to the mini fridge. He was so distraught he hadn’t heard the door being opened. He was silently thankful no one came in after him.
“Watch,” Seokjin said and Yoongi’s eyes flitted to him with panic. No way was Seokjin going to reveal what they were conversing about, right? Clearly he was out of his mind with this ridiculous theory of his, “Taehyung, how does JK look at Yoongi?”
“Hyung!” Yoongi hissed with embarrassment.
Taehyung didn’t have any sort of reaction as he nonchalantly responded with, “Like he wants to eat him up.” He answered, pulling out a cold water bottle.
“Taehyung!” Yoongi scolded, feeling warm all over.
Seokjin smiled with satisfaction, “See, everyone’s aware of it. You’ve never felt it?”
“W-We all look at each other,” Yoongi thwarted the idea, “There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“But he doesn’t look at anyone else like that,” Taehyung chugged some water, taking a deep breath before continuing, “I thought you knew.”
“I…” Yoongi shook his head, “You guys play too much.”
Seokjin hummed, “You don’t have to believe us Yoongi, just watch your back. If you’re not careful, you’ll be swallowed up in one bite.”
Yoongi rolled his eyes and cleaned up his food and that was the end of that.
Because there was absolutely no way Jungkook would look at him like that. None of them would. They were - well more than friends but not exactly family. They were BTS. They were seven. They were the most important people in his life. He thinks he would be aware if one of his members was like in love with him or something.
He was sure Seokjin and Taehyung were just trying to rile him up. The last thing he wanted was to believe such a lame excuse of a joke.
Yoongi wanted to ignore what he was told but subconsciously he felt like he was watching Jungkook out of the corner of his eye by the very next morning.
They had two rooms but they had breakfast together, Seokjin, Taehyung and himself joining the other four in their bigger room with an actual table and chairs. He couldn’t help but steal glances at the maknae every now and then, who was sitting on the other side, animatedly talking to Jimin about his excitement for their first show in New Jersey. Yoongi picked at his omelet, moving around the spinach in it as he opened his mouth to speak, “What songs do you-” He had lifted his head to ask all of them but his gaze caught Jungkook whose head had completely snapped to face him, eyes locked on him. Jimin was still looking at the maknae, shifting his gaze to Yoongi, ready to listen to what he had to say.
What the hell? Did Jungkook turn to him before he even spoke?
“What was that hyung?” Hoseok asked, tilting his head with a smile.
“Um,” Yoongi looked back to his plate, “I was just asking, uh, what, what songs you think army want to see…”
And just like that, the topic of the surprise songs got everyone interested. But Yoongi didn’t join in. Too self conscious. Seokjin said Jungkook watched him when he was napping on the plane. How often did he watch him when he was awake? Was he looking right now? As Yoongi squished his cherry tomatoes that decorated his plate. He was too nervous to check.
Soon, they were whisked away to make their way to the stadium and prepare for the concert.
Everything reverted back to normal, all of them too busy with their stylists and mic checks and soundcheck and focusing on giving their all.
It was during FYA, Yoongi wasn’t even aware Jungkook was near him. He knew Namjoon was to his left as they waited for the music to drop. He felt a presence behind him and shivered. An arm slapped against his back, sliding to his shoulder and then curling on his head as a forehead pressed to the side of his face. Yoongi refused to look, gripping his mic tightly as the crowd screamed louder for a second. He could still feel the heavy gaze on him. Watching like he was prey. The hold on him was dropped and Yoongi managed to walk away without so much as a glance.
He didn’t have to, to know it was Jungkook.
Yoongi was a trained idol, with years of experience on his back. He knew exactly how to handle letting the show go on without expressing personal concerns. They finished the rest of the concert without another incident, not even sitting next to each other during the ending mentions.
The problem was after.
Yoongi truly had a difficult choice to make out of this. He could continue to ignore Jungkook’s advances - if he could call staring as a form of flirting - or he could confront him.
But what would he say?
Yoongi’s never thought of Jungkook in any other light until Seokjin brought up the issue. He didn’t really consider any of the members as options. There was too much history between them, too much to risk if things didn’t work out.
Perhaps that’s also what stops Jungkook from doing anything else.
Or perhaps they were all wrong. Jungkook could just be looking at him because he finds him attractive. Yoongi finds himself doing that sometimes. It doesn’t mean he’s in love with any man he finds hot and can’t tear his eyes away from.
This could all be a big misunderstanding.
“-ngi hyung? Yoongi hyung!” Yoongi blinked, lifting his head up to look at Jimin as they rested on the couches in their backstage room, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Yoongi said right away, all the members watching him, “Sorry.” He specifically avoided looking at the maknae, in fear of meeting his eyes.
“We were trying to decide on dinner. What are you in the mood for? No ramen tonight.” Jimin explained.
Yoongi shrugged, “Oh, anything is fine with me…” He wasn’t in the mood to eat. He tended to skip meals when he was stressed out. And right now he was extremely stressed out.
They were given the green light to leave the stadium, being led outside to their cars.
“This way Suga.” One of their staff members held his arm out, showing Yoongi the door they were to exit through. His other arm barely touched his back, only attempting to make sure he followed when it was unceremoniously knocked away, replaced with a much bigger and beefier arm draping around his shoulders.
Yoongi couldn’t help but look to his side to see Jungkook’s blank stare at the staff before flickering to Yoongi and grinning, “You were amazing tonight hyung.” He complimented, leaning in so Yoongi could hear him.
“Right.” He was able to spit out, glancing behind him to Seokjin with a little smirk on his face, showing off to Yoongi that he was right.
They were outside in only a few seconds, two cars parked for them. He needed to do something about this or it was going to eat him - UH he means, it was going to drive him nuts - OH he means crazy. No mentions of eating or any sort of food.
Yoongi glanced over his shoulder to his only hyung, making a face begging for help and he held up three fingers. The best thing about knowing all of them for years was being able to understand each other without words. Seokjin nodded and rushed forward, catching Jungkook in a headlock, pulling him to one of the cars, “Sit with hyung JK!” He teased, finding Jimin and Taehyung’s eyes, gesturing with his head for them to go with him as well.
Namjoon and Hoseok turned to Yoongi with suspicion already in their expressions. He sighed, “Come on.” He climbed into the empty car left for them.
“What was that about?” Hoseok couldn’t wait to ask as he rushed in after, sitting across from him.
Yoongi brushed his hair out of his face. It wouldn’t be long to reach their hotel that was nearby so he came right out with it, “Do - Do you guys think that Jungkook, that he, he um, he-”
“-Likes you?” Namjoon finished for him. Yoongi snapped his mouth shut with a shy nod. The other two rappers shared a look with one another.
“Well, I wouldn’t say we know for sure but it does look that way to us.” Hoseok confessed honestly.
“Jin hyung said he’s felt this way for me since day one but I - I never noticed anything. He was all over you Namjoon. I didn’t even know now. He’s never said anything so I have no idea how long he’s - he’s, you know.” Yoongi scrambled with his words.
“Hmm,” Namjoon scratched his chin, “He was with me when he first came to the dorms, but he did ask about you. Mostly whenever we would fight, he’d want to know what happened, so I took it as him just being curious. But now that I think about it he would ask things like he was trying to get to know you. I didn’t know much about you at that time though, so I only answered what I could. Where you were from, what got you into music, how your audition went, if he could listen to the songs we were working on, if you-” Namjoon paused, eyes going wide, “He asked me if you liked men.”
“What?” Yoongi shrieked.
“Yeah, he, he said something like he saw you staring at Sejin ssi and he was just wondering…” Namjoon recalled.
Yoongi flushed at the mention of their old manager. Okay maybe Yoongi did have a small crush on him at the time but it’s not like it meant anything! “And what the hell did you tell him?”
“I told him if he wanted to know he could ask you himself. How long did it even take for him to get comfortable with you again?” Namjoon pointed out, “He probably got his answer along the way.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this when he asked?” Yoongi shuddered at the thought of Jungkook having been watching him their entire lives. He felt like a complete idiot for being so oblivious.
“I don’t know, he was just a kid, I didn’t take anything he said seriously.” The leaders attempt to shrug it off did little for Yoongi’s sanity that was cracking.
Yoongi groaned into his hands, “This can’t be happening.”
“Honestly, you’re quite lucky, hyung. Our Jungkookie does not seem like someone that’d harbor feelings for someone for 15 years without doing something about it. I’m surprised he hasn’t eaten you up already! He’s showing a ton of restraint.” Hoseok laughed like this was all some big joke.
But it wasn’t.
This wasn’t some stranger or a less important acquaintance, this was Jungkook, his Kook ah. Yoongi’s known him since he was a teenager, watched him grow up to the man he is today. Jungkook was patient and kind and extremely talented and determined and hard on himself to be perfect for his hyungs and competitive which they’re all fond of and funny and overall wonderful. He’s also painstakingly attractive - enough so that his looks challenge Seokjin’s title and he’s the buffest in the group from how much he hits the gym.
He was perfect, in Yoongi’s eyes, but none of that ever screamed a match for a partner. Yoongi guesses he subconsciously stopped himself from thinking any thoughts like that of the members. He was still figuring himself out when he entered the dorms and having a bunch of guys going through puberty who were mostly shirtless and music obsessed did not help at all. He felt ashamed for a long time until he learned to accept himself. Despite being open to the group and those closest to him about his sexuality, it was like all the men in his life were blocked off from becoming anything more than just friends - or soul partners in Hoseok’s case.
He didn’t really date anyways, didn’t think it was fair when he was so dedicated to his career right now. He has his fair share of fun every now and then but nothing further than one night.
“Hyung,” Yoongi looked up at Hoseok, “Are you asking now because you want to confront him about this?”
Slowly nodding, Yoongi glanced down, “I - I didn’t know.. If I knew sooner I would’ve… It’s just not fair to him..” His mind couldn’t handle the fact that he’s known Jungkook for 15 years and there’s a big possibility the maknaes feelings started then too.
“So you need advice on how to turn him down?” Namjoon asked and Yoongi felt his stomach curl up.
Turn him down?
Right. That’s what he wanted to do. What he needed help with. Rejecting Jungkook. So he could move on. So he wasn’t hooked on Yoongi any longer if this all turned out to be true.
He thinks of everything he can. All his most memorable moments with Jungkook.
He remembered how happy Jungkook gets when they’re paired up to share a room or go do a ‘friendship’ activity together. He’s the one who taught him what drinks to order when they go out. He showed him a little bit of piano and guitar playing. How to write songs and use computer programs for making beats.
Jungkook asked him to be a weight for him when he found any free minute to work out, doing push ups or squats with Yoongi on his back.
When Yoongi had to dress up as a maid for a punishment, it was the maknae who stared at him and said he looked pretty. Of course Yoongi took it only as a kid making fun of him but now he saw it in a completely different light. And even though Jimin was all over him on camera during the Run episode where Yoonji was born, Jungkook was flipping his skirt up behind the scenes - again, another time Yoongi assumed he was being teased for the situation he was in.
Taehyung was his biggest fan but Jungkook was there too. He always asked to hear the songs the rappers were working on and he was Yoongi’s go to whenever he needed lyrics sung out. Sometimes he would beg to accompany him to his studio just to watch Yoongi work.
The youngest was always the first one to wish Yoongi a happy birthday, whether it was bursting through his bedroom door to sing it first or spamming him with texts if they were apart.
Yoongi was close to all his members and he never felt any difference towards them. Seokjin was his only hyung who took care of him, cooked for him, cuddled with him when he was having trouble sleeping. Hoseok gave him energy, made him laugh when he needed it the most, making sure he never felt alone. Namjoon was his comfort, writing songs like clockwork now, always checking up on each other to ensure neither was working themselves to death. Jimin was his protector, always by his side and ready to argue for his sake, giving him a radiant smile that warmed his heart. Taehyung felt like home, sprucing up Daegu memories with him and dragging him out to share a meal.
And Jungkook.
Jungkook was… Special.
“Hyung?” Hoseok put a hand on his knee, getting his attention back, “You want to reject him?”
“I..” Yoongi felt his face flush, “I don’t… Know..”
Hoseok’s face of concern melted into admiration, “You’ve always been sweet on him hyung. Anyone can tell you have a soft sport for Jiminie and Taehyunie too but it’s different with Jungkook, right?” Hesitantly, Yoongi nodded with agreement, “So why don’t you just go for it?”
“Huh?” Yoongi reeled them back to reality, “I can’t do that. What if things get messy o-or we get sick of each other? What will that do to the group?”
“What if the sky falls tomorrow? What if the moon disappears and the Earth loses its axis stability? What if it all goes okay and you two last forever?” Namjoon suggested, “When have we ever lived asking ourselves ‘what if’?”
Yoongi did his best to hold back any tears threatening to appear because curse Namjoon and his way with words. “I’m scared.” He confessed. He was 33 years old and he was still terrified of commitment. Terrified that he would screw it up. He was a workaholic, sometimes forgetting to eat or would push off sleep. He didn’t always properly communicate his feelings, leading to misunderstanding. He struggled to dedicate himself to anything other than music. Jungkook deserved someone who would shower him and praise him with love.
“You don’t have to be,” Hoseok said, “Not with Jungkook.”
Namjoon added, “Maybe the best thing to do is talk about it with him. Tell him how you really feel. If you need time, well, he’s waited 15 years it looks like, what’s a few more?”
The car halted and Yoongi took in a deep breath.
Was he really going to do this?
He hated confrontation. And this one was really personal.
Hoseok and Namjoon urged him to get out first. Their leader massaged his shoulders in an attempt to hype him up. “Fighting hyung!” Hoseok said hushly next to him.
The other four were waiting in the hotel lobby and Yoongi, once again, avoided Jungkook’s heavy stare directed towards him.
He hopes he doesn’t embarrass himself.
When they head up, Yoongi mentions he’s going to shower before dinner - something the others can’t fathom who always choose to eat before washing post concert sweat off.
It’s mostly because Yoongi’s currently in shambles. How was he supposed to do this exactly? Just out right ask the singer how he felt about him? What he wanted from Yoongi?
He had to reject a girl once in middle school but aside from that, he hadn’t dealt with the concept of a relationship again.
After his very thorough shower, Yoongi put on one of the hotels silk robes, tying it tightly around his waist. He did some skincare for his face, making sure his hair was not too neat but not too messy.
Okay.
Here goes nothing.
He popped out of the bathroom, finding the members stuffed with the room service they ordered. Jimin was the first to spot him, offering him an angelic smile, “Hyung, we got you filet mignon.” He pointed to the closed heating tray.
“Thank you, I’ll eat later,” He freezes in his spot, realizing he’d have to ask Jungkook in front of the others. Well. Not like they didn’t know what was going on. “Kook ah..” Yoongi called softly, wringing his hands together nervously.
Jungkook perked up instantly, “Yes hyung?”
It was now or never. “Can I talk to you.. Um, just for a minute, in, in private..” He cringed at his attempt.
“Oh,” Jungkook looked surprised, “Of course.” He got up and Yoongi hugged himself as Jungkook passed him to get the door, assuming they’d go next door to the empty room.
“Maybe hyungs hungry for something else.” He heard behind him, causing Yoongi to turn and send Jimin a glare. He scurried out, using his keycard to get the other door open, the maknae behind him obediently.
“Is everything okay hyung?” Jungkook immediately asked.
“Yes,” Yoongi answered automatically, then shook his head, “Actually, it’s - well I’m fine, nothing to worry about. There’s just something… We need to discuss..” He took a seat on the end of his bed.
Jungkook came over and sat next to him. Not too close. No body parts touching. But not too far. Not much space between them. “Okay, what is it?”
Yoongi couldn’t look at him, which made it feel that much worse. Was he supposed to start by saying ‘hey kook ah, i heard you might have been hiding feelings for me for the last 15 years and i wanted to let you know i’m not sure how i feel myself but i’m not saying no but i’m not exactly saying yes either’. He thinks it’d be more accurate to tell Jungkook not to wait for him to catch up. 15 years, allegedly, is a long time. Yoongi could never compare his slightly rising heart beats to what Jungkook could feel for him.
“Kook ah,” Yoongi licked his lips, “Do you..” He trailed off, feeling like an idiot, “I’ve noticed you…” Oh yeah, great start Min Yoongi, “I’m sorry, I - I’m trying to find the right way to ask this. Do - Do you-”
Jungkook suddenly jumped up, looking down at him, fists clenched together, “H-How did you find out?”
“What?” Yoongi furrowed his eyebrows.
“Did someone tell you?” Jungkook looked like a mix between incredibly upset and incredibly pissed off. His eyes were angry but his lip wobbled as he spoke, “Was it Jimin hyung? What did he say?”
Yoongi shook his head hastily, “No, I didn’t talk to Jimin. It doesn’t matter how, just.. Wait, are we talking about the same thing here?”
Jungkook turned away, “About how I’m in love with you..?”
“Oh,” Yoongi sat up straighter, watching the maknaes pained expression, “Yeah.”
“I wasn’t going to tell you,” Jungkook said quickly, “I didn’t want to ruin anything. Our relationship now means more to me than my feelings. This group is more important too. I thought…” He swallowed hard, refusing to look at him, which Yoongi found so bizarre now that he was so hyper focused on Jungkook’s constant stares, “I was doing a good job keeping it a secret.” Yoongi didn’t have the heart to tell him everyone else already knew. “... Did I make you uncomfortable? Because I swear hyung I would never intentionally do that.”
“No Kook ah,” Yoongi tried to soothe him, “Can you sit with hyung? I want to talk to you.”
Jungkook held for a second before sitting back down, this time with much more distance, head tilted to the ground, “We don’t need to do this, it’s awkward. I already know you don’t see me like that. I’m just some kid to you. And I’m okay being that, as long as you’re in my life. I just… Can’t..” Jungkook bit his lip and Yoongi wished he would look at him, “Handle you re… Rejecting me out loud hyung… Please, we don’t need to talk about this.”
“Kook ah,” Yoongi did his best to sound as gentle as possible, sliding over a tiny bit to not startle the younger, “Look at me.” Jungkook shook his head, “Please?” Yoongi reached out slowly and placed his hand on Jungkook’s. “I didn’t ask you to talk to reject you.” He admitted.
That did the trick.
Jungkook instantly found his gaze, doe eyes covered with something heavy, “You didn’t ask to speak alone looking like you walked right out of a sexy dream to reject me?”
Yoongi blushed, “N-No,” He cleared his throat from shyness, “At first, I didn’t really understand. I never noticed… But when I did, I realized.. I may not share your exact feelings but you’re, you’re special to me Jungkook. I feel honored to have your attention. I don’t know what I did to earn it but-”
“-You’re fucking irresistable hyung, that’s what you did.” Jungkook interjected.
After a brief pause that had Yoongi wanting to fan himself, he hummed, “Okay, yeah. I appreciate it.”
“So does me being special to you mean what I think it means?” The maknae asked, a hint of eagerness in his voice.
“If you’re okay with me still figuring it out then…” Yoongi retracted his hand, folding both in his lap, “I’d like to.. Be with you…” His shoulders were latched onto immediately, being forcefully shifted to the side, coming nose to nose with the singer.
“Are you being serious right now?” Jungkook’s fingers tightened.
“Yes.” Yoongi wanted to make sure Jungkook understood he would never be cruel enough to play with his feelings.
“Hyung,” Jungkook moved his face back, “Can I kiss you?”
Yoongi jolted, “Huh? Now?” He sputtered, not expecting that.
“I practically waited all my life to get this chance. You just served yourself up to me on a silver fucking platter, hyung. How much self restraint do you think I have?” Jungkook asked.
Oh god.
He was definitely going to get eaten!
“O-Okay.” He thought that would initiate a simple kiss, their first one.
Jungkook leaned in, Yoongi closed his eyes, their lips met, fireworks happened. When the maknae pulled back, Yoongi was ready to smile, to tell him it felt magical, as cheesy as that was, but he didn’t get to because Jungkook cupped the back of his head with his hand and softly pushed him back to lie on the bed. He surged forward to kiss him again, this time titled his head and prying his mouth open and using his tongue to make Yoongi’s toes curl and his eyes to nearly roll back from the pleasure.
Just from a kiss!
Yoongi put his hands on Jungkook’s chest when he was having trouble breathing, pushing him back. He panted, feeling drool leak from the side of his lips, looking up into Jungkook’s stare. Like a predator watching his prey.
“Hyung.” Jungkook whined, one hand trailing down his clavicle, pushing open his robe, “Can I touch you?”
Yoongi weakly nodded, “J-Just a little.” He wasn’t prepared to go all the way or anything but a little couldn’t hurt. Jungkook had been waiting so long, so he’d indulge him.
A thumb found his nipple and Yoongi gasped. “You used to wear these slutty little tank tops in the dorm, your nipples would peek out and you never fixed it,” Jungkook reminisced, “And tonight, your shirt was totally see through. Everyone got to see them. So pink and pretty.” He leaned down, tongue pressing against his other bud that wasn't twisting between his fingers.
“Kook ah!” Yoongi yelped. His past sex partners barely touched his chest. Some light kisses down his body or a pass of the palms, nothing regarding this much attention.
“I’ve wanted to taste you for so long.” Jungkook mused, wrapping his mouth around Yoongi’s nipple and giving a harsh suck.
“J-Jungkook,” Yoongi whimpered, his hands finding the youngers hair, “We - We can’t.” It was taking everything in him not to let Jungkook take him right then and there, to hear out all his fantasies and act them out with him. But it was late and they had another show tomorrow. Work came first unfortunately.
Jungkook let go with a pop, tongue passing over his shiny lips like he just enjoyed a delicious meal.
“Tomorrow,” Yoongi could feel his hips quiver, “When we have more time.” He reached up to cup Jungkook’s face, pulling him down for a kiss. A much tamer kiss but Jungkook happily accepted it.
“Hyung,” Jungkook sighed into his mouth, “I love you. I’ve loved you for so long. I’m going to take care of you and show you my worth.”
Yoongi pulled him back so he could get a good look at his lover, “You already have Kook ah. Hyung wants you so bad.”
Jungkook greedily kissed him for a while longer.
When they returned - Namjoon and Jimin passed out on their beds - Yoongi got to enjoy his still hot steak with Jungkook pushing a chair right next to him, pressing to his side with the other members giving them sweet smiles.
Jungkook leaned his head on Yoongi’s shoulder, accepting a bite offered to him.
As he chewed, Yoongi thought to himself; he didn’t mind getting eaten.
