One Day At A Time- ATEEZ

Empty plates of cake is stored away, along with empty cups of soda thats now been replaced with alcohol. Not the strong kind thankfully,

Jeongguk didn't drink.

So didn't Jimin or Taehyung.

They'd rather not have a part two to what happened last time, or provoke it from happening.

Enough shit has happened already.

Meanwhile after seven bottles, Minho was a happy mess. There's music playing so him, Soyeon and Hoseok are going wild with their childish dances. Lisa watches fondly to her girlfriend, leaning a head against Jeongguk's shoulder as he watches the scene with a bunny smile and sparkling eyes while they sit at the wooden benches around the area of the lighthouse.

Yeosang is beside him to his other side, holding his boyfriend in his arms as he lays on his chest, laughing at the trio dancing with fingers interlaced with Yeosang's hand.

Johnny ended up joining them at one point, beer in hand with a chaotic smile on his lips, feeling light and happy to be with his friends as Taehyung ended up joining his boyfriend as well, or perhaps V did to express her bubbly self to the music.

Lucas is clapping at them from beside the heartbroken squad, who try to smile it off to the way they're bothered being in this small space together.

Jimin, Ten, Taemin, Felix and Woosung.

They're trying very hard to be presentable.

Very hard to not feel awkward or not scowl when someone speaks up, even Jeongguk, but as the night goes on, so does their patience.

And the music is not doing any great justice to Woosung's ears, but not like he's one to complain while being in his friend's birthday.

At one point Jimin stands up, unable to take this tension from where he's sitting, moving to around the space to go out of the glass door, closing it behind him to go to the bay thats around the outer layer of the lighthouse, almost like a porch. The chilly night is still cold but with his hoodie it doesn't feel so bad.

So he takes out a cigarette, trying to light it up with his lighter but the wind isn't exactly letting him be great at the moment.

Just one cigarette is all he fucking needs, damn!

Suddenly hands cups around his cigarette and hands, being a shield to the cold. Jimin finally lights it up and takes an inhale, right when he flickers his eyes up to see Lucas standing there.

Well he is someone unexpected.

Maybe refreshing, but definitely unexpected.

"Thanks," Jimin mutters, taking the cigarette between his fingers to exhale, "Why are you out here and not in there?"

They're leaning against the railing now, watching the ocean crash against the tough rocks as the wind gently caresses their skins lightly.

Like a hand, but not in a good way since it feels colder.

Lucas shrugs, looking at Jimin now, "It's not always fun to be lonely."

This perks a laugh from Jimin, taking a puff of his cigarette once again, "I'm not entirely lonely, thanks."

"I know you miss Taemin though."

To this Jimin couldn't say anything in return, only look at the ocean with his perplexed eyes and pursed lips, tapping the cigarette so dust of the ashes falls to the rocks.

The silence was enough for Lucas to scoot closer, gently bumping to Jimin's shoulder, "It's okay to feel like that Jimin," Lucas says in a small giggle, trying to lighten up the ambient for the tense boy, "Why do you hide so much?"

There's no perfect way of explaining this, but Lucas carries this type of aura that's just.... Calming..... And relaxing.

Dependable.

Despite his usual headstrong personality and manly way that he is, he's genuine. Not much of a petty person like how Jimin is, and that alone feels relieving.

One can definitely learn a thing or two with Lucas, and his duality on being able to be playful but be serious is definitely appreciated.

So with another puff, Jimin sighs the smoke out of his lips, "I..... I don't know what to feel."

"Of course you do," Lucas ventures gently, making Jimin avert his attention to him, "Can I confess something to you?"

Jimin nods slowly back to him, hugging himself tighter since he's feeling more of the coldness now because of the wind.

Lucas's gaze grows lost to the ocean. The endless sea of a dark abyss but with twinkling stars and a pretty moon in the sky, being the light of the Earth.

Let's not forget the light of the light house tone a guide to the lost sailors.

"Before Seokjin, I was pretty straight and a fuck boy," He says quietly to the world, his smile still softly there but growing more softer, "I hated the thought of commitments and I just couldn't imagine myself with a guy."

"Well, until I met Jin."

Jimin couldn't help but tug a small smile to Lucas's eyes glittering like the sky, seeing though as he found his own lighthouse in a distance.

"When I saw him at that dance from school last year I was so determine to find him," Lucas said quietly, chuckling under his breath with a shake of his head, "I tore the whole school apart the next day trying to find him. I think I skipped all my classes, being so determined to just see him. I didn't even want to talk to him, just to see him."

He then pauses for a moment, looking at Jimin with a love struck expression as he realizes the tale of his story, "And I did. Truth is I didn't know what it was that I felt as I tried to pursue his heart, but all I knew is that I liked who I was when I was with him. I felt myself...... And I just..... I didn't question it. If I did then it would drive me crazy, and I wouldn't be happy. So I took it one day at a time and focused on my happiness, and that was being with Jin."

Officially Lucas turns to Jimin, still leaning to the railing, "My point in this is that sometimes it's good to not even question yourself too much. Let it flow. If you're too desperate for an answer then you'll never find it. It's okay to feel what you feel, regardless of the gender, what truly matters is if you feel like you are yourself and a better person when you are with the person feel something for."

Jimin felt those words like a warm blanket to this cold night, unable to hold himself back from looking over to the inside of the glass of the lighthouse where everyone is.

He sees Taemin, who's on his phone with a small tugging smile before putting it down and talks to Felix, who looks just as miserable as Ten does.

In many ways than one, in such a short period of time, Taemin has shown Jimin many things that he has taken into consideration. He has awaken a side of him that he was not willing to show, accepting it and encouraging to spread its wings and fully embrace it. He has learned ways on being safe, protecting himself from trick deals while in business and be able to start portraying both sides of himself.

Not only that but he has given Jimin everything he ever wanted without Jimin ever asking for it; Respect -despite their texting conversations, study sessions out at cafes or at parks for Taemin's lessons like cute hang outs, sometimes watch a movie when they're all done and laugh at the characters or cry with them. Awaken the fire whenever they kissed that Jimin has never before with anyone. Even though they've only kissed around three times max, it still remains like a blissful memory in Jimin's mind and hope that he is able to feel this passion for someone.

Without the need of sex.

And Jimin single handedly pushed that all away just because of his confused emotions and being blinded by society of how a man should be.

He fucked up.

He betrayed Taemin's trust. Knowing about his emotions, wanting to take care of him and just wanting to be in his life, Jimin stomped on those emotions in front of his face with a kiss between his closest friends and breaking his heart.

Jimin refuses to drink after that night.

Now Taemin is finding happiness with someone new, even if they're just friends. Then again, Jimin and Taemin were never friends to begin with when they were like this.

Taemin does deserve happiness, he's a good person after all with maybe a few secrets, but no one in this world would ever understand him as well as Jimin did.

It's like they share the same soul, and that's why it's always painful whenever they're away from one another.

Yet they still do it even if it hurts.

Jimin tears his eyes away from his when Felix catches his stare on Taemin, looking back out to the ocean with a final puff of his cigarette before throwing it to the rocks.

"He's never going to forgive me."

Lucas slowly smiles, feeling warm to the fact Jimin has finally accepted his feelings in some way, before wrapping an arm around his shoulders and bringing him to his side.

"He will eventually," He assures him, patting his brunette hair, "If he's truly the one for you, there's no possible way for him to be away from you willingly. But now it's time for you to step up and meet him half way."

Yeah..... It's time to just..... Stop hiding.... Maybe.....

Perhaps Jimin has been lingering in the shadows for too long, if his heart is just one tough one to crack and feel trust so easily.

He just needs something, anything to show that this won't be a waste of his time to avoid getting his heart broken.

And that will come with time.

Jimin glances at Lucas, smiling more wider now before wrapping an arm around his torso and hugging him tightly.

"I guess I accept you being with my best friend."

"I think it's kinda too late for that now."

And they both giggled, feeling a friendship slowly blooming beautifully between the two souls in this dark night.

Filled with a brighter clarity than the stars

Meanwhile back inside the lighthouse Ten was having a difficult time just sitting there, being his usual enthusiastic self. He feels so broken that he doesn't even feel like smiling at this point, and it aches.

It aches just having someone you've been crushing on for years, be their literal back bone as they go through bullying and even learning a different language for them in order to communicate, just completely disregards those acts as if it was nothing. Ten knows so well that everyone has been telling Jeongguk about how he felt about him, he just knows it because even Hoseok has told him.

Ten acknowledged his space after what happened, still being there for him whenever he needed up, but then to see him just so quick and comfortable enough to be making out with someone else, who's the same gender since that's been a battle he's been going through, and not just one but two people is just something beyond Ten's sensible heart can take.

He actually feels like he fell in love with him, he sincerely does, but clearly Ten isn't just meant for love.

Even with his feelings for Woosung, that felt as though he finally was able to feel something amazing for someone, he still isn't accepted.

It hurts being like this.

Even now after his confession at detention, Jeongguk hasn't told him anything. The three hasn't spoken but luckily there's no room to even speak since everyone is just talking at once.

For so long Ten has been doing everything right, why is this happening to him?

The more that though processes his head, the more tears began to beam his eyes until he couldn't take it anymore. Without another thought, he rubs his face and plasters a smile, grabs his jacket and swings it on.

"I'm head out."

A large chorus of protests echoes the light house, but regardless he only smiles and promises to see them tomorrow for dance class and to get home safe.

Not sending a final look to Jeongguk or Woosung as he walks down the stairs.

Just as he turns around, he lets the tears roam freely without breaking into a sob. Motionless they glide down his cheeks as he takes a step by step down the long staircase before he finally makes it to the final floor and places a hand on the door knob, a hand suddenly slams again it, blocking it from opening it.

Ten freezes, trailing his eyes to the hand and meets Woosung's eyes staring directly at him, a tender gaze meeting his fragile ones.

His heart skipped a beat.

Almost instantly Ten wipes his tears away from the sudden encounter, masking his eyes with a glare, "What are you doing here? I want to leave."

Woosung tugs a frown, placing a finger under Ten's chin and rises it up, meeting his delicate gaze. There's a moment where they don't say anything, but then Ten moves his face away from his touch with a grimace.

"I don't want to hurt you Ten," Woosung says quietly, a hand still firm on the door, "This is literally the reason why I haven't done anything to you."

This only spikes Ten's annoyance, grabbing the door handle to yank the door open but Woosung's strong arm doesn't even let it budge. However he moves so he trapping Ten against it, his other hand pressing against the door beside his head to keep him from leaving.

Forced to look at his face.

And Ten was not having it.

"You want to know something Woosung," Ten chuckles drily, his voice almost hoarse, "I hate when people decide things for me. If I get hurt then I will, but don't put that bullshit of an excuse because you have the the will to control yourself to not hurt anyone."

Woosung grits his teeth, grinding it together almost and that was enough to show that Ten hit a nerve, and so Ten narrows his eyes back and leans to his face, "But I won't be taken as a joke or a game, whether you know your feelings or not. Decide for yourself what it is that you want, but don't confuse me or put the fact that you are afraid to hurt me as an excuse," And he glances down to his lips, "Fear of the future will only keep you as a prisoner. Time to be in charge of your life than letting fear take it over for you."

And with Ten pushes him back, leaving Woosung nearly awestruck. However Ten only rolls his eyes and opens the door, getting right out to face the December coldness alone.

Something he just desperately needs right now, to be alone

What neither of the two noticed upon this encounter is a pair of eyes watching them from the stairs, being one to also go after Ten when he left but comes into this scene instead.

Jeongguk didn't know why he stayed, but he couldn't find himself to move when he saw them together.

And he still couldn't move.

Just as the door closed, Woosung stares at it for a moment or two before turning around, seeing Jeongguk just a few staircases up. The two didn't say anything to each other when their eyes met, but it's almost as though they knew what they were thinking.

Ten is right.

Fear will never let them be happy.

And it's the constant thing that has separated the three of them; Fear.

Jeongguk still doesn't say a word while this processes him in his head as he turns around, heading back up the stairs.

With nothing but a blank stare as he makes his way up to the light.

The music that was booming only moments ago is more softer now, everyone in this comforting silence with blankets as they turn the lighthouse off, leaving them in this darkness with the dim fairy lights and the natural light of the night outside.

Minho and Taehyung are cuddled together with a mint green blanket on the wooden bench, pointing at different stars from on the sky, calling out constellations quietly under their breathes.

V and Karma has made their appearances a few times, giving their birthday wishes for Minho since it's been the three of their idea to surprise him and Jin today.

It's a soft quietness flows between them where Taehyung is lost looking out to the stars, a soft pout on his lips that he didn't even notice he was forming. Meanwhile Minho stares at him, just admiring him with this need to just protect him, hold him tighter, keep him warm from the darkness he usually goes through on a daily basis.

To make him feel not so lost.

"The night is so pretty," Taehyung whispers quietly, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest when Minho places his hand over his on the window, caressing his delicate skin.

"You like pretty looking at it."

This made a soft smile form Taehyung's lips, spreading his fingers to let Minho fill in the spaces with his fingers against the cold glass of the December coldness.

"We came far together didn't we?"

Minho knows Taehyung is thinking more about their youthful years together, when they would sneak in here and just make shadows to the ceiling with their hands or escape from their reality as the road got rougher.

Where they did it together.

So he hugs Taehyung's waist tighter, plopping his chin on his shoulder, "Yeah we did, and I'm so proud of you," He says, meaning those words with his whole heart, "You came so far, grew so much. I'm so grateful to have met you Tae, you and your system."

Taehyung interlaced their fingers against the window, rubbing his thumb against Minho's finger before bringing their interlaced fingers to his heart on his chest.

"You accepted me, loved me, and cared for me in ways I never have been," Taehyung says back quietly, turning his head back to meet Minho's tender gaze, "I should be the one grateful to have met you, and I really am."

Gently their foreheads nuzzles together, the moon shining between their relaxed faces, glowing the love inside their young hearts.

"I'll be here, always. Don't forget it because we are in this together, a team you and I," Minho whispers quietly, squeezing Taehyung's hand back, "Doesn't matter where I am, I will always be right by your side Tae, I promise."

Taehyung smiles softly and lets their lips meet, casting a sweet kiss between the two. The way their heart melted together by this tender gesture, just brushing away all of their worries to be filled with the love for each other never will stop feeling so new and natural.

They're just meant to be together, they know it, and their hearts know it. This is why they fight so hard, no matter what obstacle lies ahead, to do this together.

And never leaving anyone behind.

They slowly pulled away, giving one last peck before Taehyung cuddles back to Minho's chest.

"I'm in love with you."

Taehyung smiles upon hearing Minho saying this, bringing their tangled fingers to kiss it and placing it back to his chest, "I'm in love with you, so much hun."

Their soft moment together in their own galaxy was captured by a photograph without them realizing it, being so into their beautiful bubble of a genuine atmosphere to care about the world around them.

Felix smiles to the photo on his phone, sending it to both of them before shoving his phone in his pocket, moving his gaze to stare at the fairy lights with a heavy sigh. Everyone seems to be in their own little world, either in their phone or with their significant other, or just listening to the soft music with eyes closed as they lay down on the bench.

Lightly Felix closes his eyes, letting the delicate song relax his body and erase any stress he previously had. More so the stress of today with the whole fighting, but at least he did get expelled so everything is okay.

Just a few moments of a peaceful silence, he suddenly feels a presence of someone beside him.

His eyes flutters open and he turns his head, instantly feeling his stomach twist upon seeing Yeosang sitting next to him with Hwanwoong, who made himself at home by laying his head on Yeosang's legs with a grey blanket over his small body.

For a second Felix was confused to what they were trying to do, but then he realized it when Yeosang managed to sneak his hand from under Felix's blanket, not being visible from the eyes of everyone else, and places a hand over his thigh.

And he yanks him closer so they were practically pressed against each other.

Instantly Felix was going to literally jump away out of instinct but then he feels another hand sneaking under the blanket shyly, this time finding his hand on his lap, interlacing their fingers together.

He's so warm....

His gaze softens, tracing the hand to Hwanwoong, who manages to look as though he just has his hand on Yeosang's leg. Seconds later Yeosang's hand clasps over on top of their interlaced hands, caressing their skins with so much care in the delicate touch of his fingertips.

It took so much of Felix to not melt, to not break his walls down, but when Yeosang hesitantly lays his head on his shoulder, comfortably nuzzling his blond hair against his neck, Felix couldn't fight with himself anymore.

Just for today, he'll just pretend everything is okay.

And tomorrow he'll continue to avoid his feelings for his exes.

Even if it stings.

So with an eye scouring over everyone, making sure they weren't looking, he turns his head and pecks Yeosang's head. His other hand sneaks over and caresses Hwanwoong's head, seeing a small smile twitching his lips with his sleepy eyes still closed.

For once the three not feeling so incomplete after so many months separated.

Being just where they need to be, together.

A night of a beautiful birthday, being the night of so many awakening moments.

Especially for Jimin, who would look out at the stars with knees to his chest while Taemin is a good space away few from him but no one in between.

He's on his phone often, and Jimin just wishes he could yank it out of his hand and haul it to the fucking ocean.

But somewhere deep down he manages to control his temper and only feel his heart frowning in his chest.

He misses his attention.....

Quite a lot actually....

So he was bold in scooting closer, sitting right at the middle from their distance apart.

Taemin seems to have noticed because he just puts his phone away and looks away, more so outside the window with a dark gaze.

Reluctantly Jimin looks at the window and places a finger on a fogged space at the center, drawing half a heart with the pad of his warm fingertip.

And he dared himself to look at Taemin.

The other is looking directly at the half heart before look at Jimin's gaze, his stare being completely blank as a guarded lock.

Jimin only blinks back, letting his hand fall from the window and tightens the white blanket around his body with a bit of anxiety rising up.

It would be obvious that Taemin wouldn't follow along with this. Jimin did mess things up between them, even if they weren't anything, but he did fuck with his feelings.

He just needs hope that.... It can be fixed... Somehow.

And that was answered.

Taemin suddenly moves, meeting Jimin halfway and sits in front of him while hugging his black blanket to his body, legs crossed with his eyes still stern but then he looks at the half heart.

And he draws the other half with his finger slowly.

It was almost as though Jimin breathed a breath of fresh air, staring at the completed heart for a second or two before looking back at Taemin with lips parted.

But the other male got to his feet already and was walking away, dismissing himself and saying he's growing really tired and might just get some sleep at his dorm.

At least he gave him a sign.

It won't be easy winning his trust back, but this was all the confirmation Jimin needed. So he lays his chin on his knees, smiling softly with a heavy breath exhaling his lips.

One day at a time.

Just one day at a time.

Now will be Jimin's moment to show Taemin who he truly is. The person who he awakened, and just how determined he is.

For what exactly? Jimin doesn't know that yet, and he won't know now.

All he knows that it's time to to fighting for the wrong reasons and fight for what he desires.

And that is Taemin, and boy did it feel so fucking good to finally admit to that.

A small smile perks Jeongguk's lips as he sees Jimin's peaceful face, the complete heart engraved on the glass above him, Jimin making the step in meeting Taemin halfway there.

Now it's time for him to fight for what he wants in his heart.

The thought plays in his head for a moment or two before glancing at Woosung, who was sitting beside him with eyes lost to the turned off light at the center. They haven't said anything to each other when they got back from the stairs, but they wanted to feel close.

Well the comfort of being close, even if it's without saying anything.

Jeongguk has ran it over and over his head many times on what to do with himself, thinking of Ten's words before slowly feeling more firm on his emotions.

It's still fuzzy but......It's there.

So reluctantly he scoots closer to Woosung, and was bold when he wrapped his arms over his shoulders, yanking him to his side.

To say the other was a tense mess, perhaps even tense by how sudden this was, but as Jeongguk rubs his arm tenderly he began to melt to his embrace with this peace feeling his heart.

The fear slowly dwindling away, even if it did whisper to the back of his mind.

It won't go away so easily, but a day will come where they won't be afraid anymore.

They just have to take it one day at a time, and their answer will come when they least expect it.

And it'll get easier.

Just take it one day at a time.

_____________________
A/N:
Awwwwwwww this chapter was definitely something. A lot of realization, a lot of tender moments between the character, just a lot of soft moments.

How are we doing?!

Did you guys enjoy it as much as my tender heart did?

Ahh let's see how their journey will go!!

I PURPLE YOU!! <333