December 31, 2019 - 9:55pm

Many of the guests were still having dinner, but many had skipped the meal, perhaps to return later, in favor of dancing now that the floor was ready and the dj booth was manned.

By now Yoongi, in total, drank three glasses of the "aged masterpiece" and one of the "not-so-aged masterpiece". He'd told Seokjin (while Jungkook barely tried to conceal the fact that he was eavesdropping - he even chimed in with his opinions) all about the ways he contributed to the downfall of his relationship with Hoseok. Seokjin was sympathetic about some things but also called him a "spineless shit, no offense" when he came to how he broke up with Hoseok.

"That's fair," Yoongi conceded.

"Ohmygod!," Jungkook's eyes suddenly went round and Seokjin followed his gaze.

"Don't look now, but your choreographer's on his way."

Yoongi felt his body tense, frozen as if he were in a bad dream. All he could do was wait, but then-

"I guess... never mind?," Seokjin shrugged, offering a bewildered expression.

Yoongi risked a glance behind him.

Hoseok wasn't far, but Taehyung was by his side, excitedly pulling him by the hand. "Come on, Hoseokie!! Show us ARMY's new choreography!"

Hoseok gave in and followed the beautiful blond man to the dancefloor.

Yoongi saw them go to the dj booth to request a song from the group's most recent album for which the music video had yet to be dropped.

Yoongi discarded all pretense, turning all the way around on his stool. It was always exhilarating to watch Hoseok dance. He was a born performer, the heart-shaped smile ever-present making the most complicated choreography seem like a walk in the park. He was in his element when he danced and Yoongi could spend hours watching him. He had, when they were together. Before he'd become so laser-focused on his own work that he forgot to keep a balance, forgot to remind Hoseok how important he was and how proud Yoongi was of him.

"You should go dance with him. I bet the D in 'Agust D' stands for 'dance'," the smile was evident in Seokjin's voice even though Yoongi faced away from him.

Jungkook wore a mortified expression, "Hyung, you're so embarrassing."

Seokjin, unbothered, continued, "At least say 'hello' to him. That's probably what he was coming to do."

Probably. Until Taehyung intercepted him.

Yoongi was torn. He did not want to speak with Hoseok only to find out that he and Taehyung were a thing. It wasn't in the media or anything, but just like Jimin and Namjoon, Hoseok would be the type of celebrity that would control when he shared information about his partner. They could very well be a couple and be under the radar.

Yoongi debated with himself... he could try to avoid them for the rest of the night.

He could try to avoid seeing Hoseok laugh and dance with his best friend's husband's soulmate (his inebriated mind had a hard time stringing that together). And possibly end up being invited to their wedding in a year or two.

No. If they were together, he should find out and be supportive. Hoseok at least deserved that much.

🖤

Yoongi tentatively climbed off of the barstool, turning back briefly, "Thanks for... just... thanks."

Seokjin nodded, "No problem. Good luck out there."

Jungkook chimed in, holding two thumbs up, "Good luck, hyung!!"

He turned back, facing the huge room and walked forward, making his way between tables with his eyes fixed on the dancer.

"Sorry," he said as he bumped into another guest, though not taking the time to look at them. He was way too transfixed on the movements the choreographer made as the end of the song slowed, the motions became unfairly sensual [a/n body rollllllllllllllsssss] and the crowd on the dancefloor shouted at the unbelievable display.

Yoongi continued, carried on his own two feet as if on autopilot, drawn to the choreographer the way he'd always been. They caught each others' eyes, Yoongi having an out-of-body experience as Hoseok gave him that look he had when he danced this way.

The current song ended and people were milling around on the dancefloor, Hoseok's chest heaving as it did after every dance - because even when he was having fun, he put his entire being into it, and it was tiring.

Yoongi gulped and took a step forward as the music changed.

A familiar song that Yoongi almost couldn't place. 

Another step forward.

The song continued and before the first vocal even began, Yoongi knew what it was-

♫ Love to see you shine in the night like the diamond you are ♫

https://youtu.be/cXrd_IQzCtM

[in my head, Khalid's Better will always be their song. if you read my first story, you'll know the scene 😔 ✊]

People around him began dancing with friends or partners and Yoongi could merely stand frozen as the song tugged at his memories. Of the night they met.

Yoongi remembered how, after the concert, he and Hoseok went to some hole-in-the-wall diner and shared french fries. How this song came on over the crackle of the worn-out diner speakers and Hoseok stood, dramatically extending his hand. How they danced between tables as waiters and waitresses dodged them carrying meals to their customers. How Yoongi didn't feel embarrassed as elderly serial-coffee drinkers and chainsmokers looked on in amusement. [a/n: i looked up that south korea only banned smoking inside restaurants in 2015. the year they met in this story, so don't come for me]

How Hoseok scrawled Yoongi's number on his arm with the waitress's pen (his phone was lost at the concert). How Hoseok kissed him - without asking, but Yoongi didn't even need him to ask because Yoongi was his, already - before he left to go home.

Thought of how Hoseok burst back through the door of the diner, not five minutes later, to kiss Yoongi again because he didn't even make it to his car without thinking about his lips. How the movement of their mouths and their hands grew to a fever pitch and Hoseok detached only to take him by the hand, pulling him out to his car before they could be kicked out of the diner.

How they drove to Hoseok's apartment - Hoseok with one hand on the steering wheel so Yoongi could hold the other one - flying through the empty streets and ignoring stop lights because it was the dead of night and they were young and in love and invincible.

How they made love until the sun came up. How nothing felt better than being with Hoseok. [a/n guys, i'm actually crying. i love soulmates]

He snapped back to the present, for the first time realizing that he'd been stopped in the middle of the dancefloor like an idiot this whole time.

Hoseok moved towards him, his warm brown eyes unwavering, as the bass of the song seemed to syncopate with Yoongi's heartbeat.

"Yoongi."

He was close enough to touch.

And how Yoongi wanted to touch him.

"Hoseokie!"

Taehyung appeared out of nowhere carrying a glass of water, "You're all flushed, I thought you'd need some fluids. Oh, hey Yoongi!"

If ever there was a sign that he should nope the fuck out of a situation, Yoongi felt that this was it.

He turned on his heel, leaving the wedding hall as quickly as possible, feeling now more than ever like he needed a smoke. And he couldn't resist this time.

"Yoongi!"

[a/n]

i get it.

i leave a cliffhanger just about every chapter.

but this is the only life i know, okay??

💜