It was an awkward and tense moment as I held my breath and instantly regretted blurting my thoughts out loud.

I'm so stupid. I've fucked up. I pronounce myself as a colossal moron.

"I'm so sorry. I should't've asked. I apologi-"

"It's okay."

Yoongi said two words and stayed in silence. I tensely froze with bated breath as Yoongi never moved. His grip had significantly loosened, yet held me with the lightest touch. I didn't know if it was appropriate to release my hold or to stay still. I couldn't see his expression which made my trepidation rise.

"I- Well I spoke of them for a brief moment before... Do you by chance recall?"

I took a moment to think as I searched through whatever database my brain had left in storage.

It took me a bit, but I roughly recalled him mentioning his mother the time he had apologized. It was only a vague recollection, so I couldn't recall much. Just that he had mentioned a mother.

"I, uh, not really. You've mentioned your mother before, I believe."

"Right. I did. It's not the easiest to speak of this topic so lightly."

"You don't have to. It was rash of me to ask. I understand if you feel uncomfortable."

"The others know and I feel as though you have a right to know a bit about my past too. Just promise me one thing."

"Sure. Anything."

"Don't stop hugging me until I let you go first."

I paused a moment and was surprised by his request but nodded against his chest in response. I could hear his heartbeat from where I was positioned and it had definitely sped up since the topic started. Now it was slowing down though, but it lulled me to calm myself for him. He took a couple seconds to collect his words before he let out a sigh and began.

"We all have pasts. Everyone does. Mine is just a little... sadder than most."

I didn't want to interrupt him, so I nodded to show I listened and understood.

"My father left the day before I was born. My mother was so stressed out afterwards and went into premature labor. Apparently it was horrible for her. She was terrified because she was left alone and had me early."

His words were clipped and held heavy. His chest could only let in shallow breaths and the reverberations of his voice made me feel so sad. I could feel his hands tighten a bit around my hoodie as well.

"It wasn't till I was four that I understood that something was really wrong with her. Sure before that, she neglected me quite often... but it was at that age that she began to drink a lot more."

His words choked a bit at the end, but I made sure to tighten my hold and lightly tussle the little hairs resting at his neck. His heartbeat quickened from its steady pace and I knew it was gonna get worse.

"School was more or less of a safe haven. I wasn't good at making friends. I feared having people get close and finding out about my life at home. I stuck to myself and the other children already didn't like me. For a couple years I went through life alone."

I closed my eyes against his chest as I felt his grip release a bit. His words exuded hurt and a tone of somberness. I felt a niggling sense of pain in the back of my mind that was coming from the boy in front of me. My brain just sent signals saying to comfort him and protect him.

"I wasn't the worst student at school, but I won't say I was the best. Oftentimes I threatened other students before they could think to be rude to me. I've been in fights before. Won't lie about that, but it's only if they threw the first punch. My grades were average, but I never found much interest in grades and such because I didn't plan on much of a future."

"Oh, Yoongi..."

"Shh, the story gets better. Eventually. My mother definitely hated my guts and probably still does. I was less of a child and more of a burden to her. She said things when drunk. Does 'The truth of the things you don't want to say come out when you're drunk' ring a bell?"

My eyes opened and widened as I recalled the conversation. They immediately shut as I nodded against him and lightly brought a hand up to pet his hair soothingly.

"Ah, so you recall. I don't want to repeat myself word for word, but all I'll say is that it hurt a lot. The saying 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me' is complete bullshit. Each of her words dug deep and filled my brain with bad thoughts. I was in a really messed up place a while back. I'm glad you didn't have to see it."

Yoongi let out a low sigh and I could hear a small sniffle.

"Those guys saved me. I first met Seokjin-hyung when I was nine. He was ten and caught me when my mother actually kicked me out for spilling a cup of water. What a sight to see a boy being shoved out a door, huh?"

I slightly opened my eyes as I soaked in the information. This is the first time I've heard anything about their first meetings.

"I won't go into much detail, but he was very persistent with being my friend. Back then, we lived a block away from each other and he actually didn't have the same confidence as you see in him today. That's a story for him to tell, though. I met the others all later and it took us a bit to discover we were all soulmates. Damn, I just wish there was some physical way to tell who your soulmate was so the process could've been way easier. For all we know there may be another one, but you know... I just have a feeling you're the last one. I feel complete with you around."

His tone shifted at the very end into a lighter one as his heart beat calmed from it's previous drumming. I moved to tilt my head but he squeezed his arms around my form and hugged me tighter.

"To cut this short and end it off, my mother doesn't want to see me ever since I finally left. Wants nothing to do with me, especially after I mentioned the guys. The day I called her after many years of no contact just to tell her I found them was the day I officially didn't have a biological family."

I tensed as he did. I softly played with strands of his hair as his breathing quickened.

"She doesn't approve. There's lots of things she never approved of in my life, but being with men was one that really hit the nail. She was absolutely furious and disgusted. I'll never forget the pure anger that rang through the other line. It was so bad that Namjoon literally smashed the phone into the wall out of pure anger in the middle of her screams and promised to get me a new one."

He burrowed his head down and I could hear the trembling in his voice. The constant sniffles and the inability to stop some hiccups showed that he was crying. I wanted to wipe his tears, but his arms held me tight. I made sure to continue to pet his hair and pull him down closer to me, in what I hoped, was a comforting manner. The dull pain that I felt was very heavy on me and I felt so bad for the boy in my hold. Some tears began to build up in my own eyes and I couldn't stop their formation. He took a minute to gather his words and stop his sobs.

"That's just an overly simplified version of my past. You don't need to know all the details. In the end all that matters is that you guys are my family. I've said this before, in a way, but now it includes you."

The tears really began to stream down my face as I hugged Yoongi tightly while he cried over me. I kept to my word and never stopped hugging him.

❀♡❀

It wasn't long before a knocking was heard outside the bathroom door and Hoseok's worried voice filtered through. Yoongi simply yelled back a reassurance and asked for a minute. Hoseok said that they'd wait out in the hall until we were ready.

Yoongi held me close for a few seconds before loosening his grip.

"C-can you look away. Don't want you to see my ugly fa-"

I pulled back and slid my hands down from his hair to cup his face.

"No. You aren't ugly in the slightest. Don't hide yourself from me."

His eyes widened but cutely scrunched as I immediately began to brush the tears away. He brought a hand up to try to get me to stop but I held steady and pinched his cheek in retaliation.

"Yoongi, I may not have been there back then but know that I am so happy that you shared your story with me and are here with me today. So absolutely happy. I know we had a rough start, but I am truly grateful to have you as a soulmate. I'm here for you as much as they are now. You are my family too."

A shaky smile appeared on his face as he wrapped his hand around one of mine and dropped it onto the counter. With one of my hands still softly stroking his cheek and his other holding me tightly, it felt like a silent reassurance- that we had each other's back.

He suddenly leaned down and captured my lips in a sweet kiss. I returned it as I leaned up and rubbed my thumb softly along the expanse of his cheekbone. He let out a low hum as we parted and I did my best to wipe away any remnants of tears.

Suddenly, my face turned into a scowl as I muttered, "Ooh, that vile woman, I swear I will not bow with respect in her presence if I ever meet her."

Yoongi let out a choked laugh as he rolled his eyes.

"The others have said worse. It's okay. I don't ever want you guys to interact with her." He moved away and leaned down to wash his face as I gazed down at him with concern.

"Do you miss-"

"Not in the slightest. Although she was the woman that gave birth to me, that doesn't make her someone I appreciate and cherish. If anything, we are mere strangers now and I'd like for her to stay that way."

"Okay."

I let out a soft smile as Yoongi shot me a weary look but ended it off with a huff.

"Wash your face too. Your eyes are all puffy."

He looked up and instead began to wipe a damp hand towel over my face. I whined as he scrubbed, but he ignored them. I let out a small laugh as he brushed it on my neck and triggered a ticklish spot. He let out his own when I tickled his waist and I felt the pain he felt evaporate.

"While you guys are taking your leisure time in there, I think we're all quite fatigued."

We stopped our mini tickle war before Yoongi set to putting the towel back on the rack as I jumped off the counter and straightened my clothes.

Yoongi opened the door and we were met with the others all curiously glancing at us.

"How come we keep catching you guys in promiscuous positions?"

"How was that promiscuous- you know what. Never mind. I'm exhausted. Time to sleep." I led the way out and began to walk down the hall.

"Wrong way."

"Damn it." Turning on my heel, I catch sight of all the boys watching me with amused eyes as I return to them.

"Let us take the lead."

Crossing my arms with a huff, Taehyung and Jimin immediately slung their arms around me and cooed jokingly. They messed around with me as we walked past several halls. Over their laughter, I glanced over and saw both Seokjin and Namjoon checking on Yoongi and making sure he was alright while the latter kept brushing them off indignantly.

I let out a small smile as I saw Jungkook jump onto his back as Hoseok went forward and used his fingers to make Yoongi smile. He of course complained, but I couldn't deny seeing the happiness light his eyes as he gazed over his shoulder at Jungkook and the rest.

"Hey y/n! Stop making goo-goo eyes at Yoongi and look at me instead!"

With a blush, I turned to Taehyung and shot him a glare as Jimin giggled.

"I was not doing whatever you implied. I was admiring the decorations."

Taehyung hummed as he dragged me up a staircase and caused me to realize that I had no idea where we were going. I totally forgot to keep track of the path. Great.

"Here we are! We always get these four rooms."

I was pulled forward to a large hall with several doors on the sides.

"Let's see who they paired us up with this time. It's always amusing to see which luggages they packed together."

"Shouldn't I go tell your families goodnight? I feel a bit awkward not saying anything."

"They already retired for the night but it's okay."

I bit my lip and raised an eyebrow in disbelief but just silently followed as the twins dragged me to glance at each room and yelled out who was sleeping where. After a bit of searching, the groups were decided but I realized that my luggage was set alone in one of the rooms rather than rooming with someone.

"Hmm. I suppose it's like them to be more formal regarding sleeping arrangements."

The others nodded along to Namjoon's observation as I flopped onto the comfortable queen size bed.

"You can sleep here alone for formality's sake... Or one of us can stay with you to keep you company if it gets too lonely."

I glanced over at the sly grin that grew on Jimin's face. Sitting up and resting on my elbows, I look up in thought.

"I mean I'm fine with either choice. It's just I know they set Hoseok, Yoongi, and Jimin together. I'm not sure if one of you guys wanted to stay?"

The three in question shot each other silent glances before Jimin announced an immediate rock-paper-scissors match to determine the winner.

Letting out a small chuckle the others sat on the bed with me just to watch the short game.

❀♡❀

Hoseok won.

I laughed as Jimin reacted as though it was the end of the world while Yoongi shrugged and shook hands with Hoseok. Though, I think Hoseok slightly winced at Yoongi's grip but that could've been imagined.

It wasn't long before Hoseok brought in his luggage and it was time for everyone to retire for the night as we all bid our farewells.

Hoseok went off to take a shower in the attached restroom after I finished mine.

The only thing is that I was left a blushing mess after he left. Why?

Once I stepped out of the restroom fully clothed, the moment I looked up Hoseok was already undressed with only his boxer shorts and a towel draped over his shoulder.

I won't lie when you know where my eyes automatically flew to.

I may not have much experience at all, but I think he was packing a lot if you know what I mean.

❀♡❀

"Are you still blushing!"

My hands dropped from covering my eyes in front of the closed bathroom door once I registered Hoseok's words.

"No! Shut up!"

His muffled chuckles rang out as I stepped forwards to unpack my luggage just to occupy my mind instead. It didn't take me long to reorganize my items and refold my clothing items. Just as I was about to fold one of my sweatpants, I heard the bathroom door open behind me and immediately tensed.

He made no sound as he walked closer to me while my hands gently set the pants down.

"I hope you're fully dressed."

"And if I'm not?"

"I'll internally combust. Do you want me to internally combust, Jung Hoseok?"

His laughter once again filled the room as he swept past me while slightly tousling my hair.

I let out a grumble and shifted my hair away from my face, but immediately set it back to cover my eyes once I registered that Hoseok was rather indecent with a new pair of boxers and the towel draped around his neck.

"I'm going to die! Great job, you killed me."

I pretended to keel over and die as I heard him shuffle around with his own luggage case in front of my dead sprawled out form.

A light kick to my shin caused me to let out a huff as he said, "As if. If you don't mind staying dead then I'll get the whole bed to myself."

"Excuse me? Do you have no respect for the deceased?"

Hoseok let out a chuckle, but it sounded a bit forced out. I turned my head to look up at him. He had managed to put on a pair of sweats but his upper torso was still exposed. I was about to look away until I noticed the uncomfortable look on his face.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry, was that offensive?"

Sitting myself upright, he glanced down at me before gulping and leaning down to help me up.

"N-nah. It's fine. I'm just a bit tense around the topic."

"Oh, I see. Sorry."

"It's fine. In any case, we should head to bed. If there's one thing to note, it's that usually Namjoon's parents have a strict schedule up here. Breakfast starts at eight."

"Oh oka- what."

"Yeah. Your 'waking up at noon days' are over."

I let out a low grumble as I followed Hoseok to the bed. We entered on opposite ends and I slightly shifted to set my phone on the charger before glancing back and noticing Hoseok sitting there while scrolling through his.

A light blush appeared as I noticed he still didn't have a shirt on. His back muscles flexed as he leaned over to plug his phone in and- is that drool? I swiped my mouth to thankfully find nothing and watched as he leaned back over.

"You forgot your shirt."

He whipped his head up and shot me a quizzical look before they lightened as he exaggeratedly glanced down and said, "Oh no! I can't believe I have forgotten an article of clothing that I don't wear at night."

"You don't wear a shirt to sleep?"

"Not normally. I find it more comfortable to go without. I hope that doesn't really bother you, but I can go put one on if you'd prefer."

"No, it's okay if you, uh, normally don't."

"You sure? Your face is starting to rival a tomato's."

He let his lips tilt up in an amused smirk while I looked away and fanned myself.

"Be quiet. Just stay in your lane and I'll stay in mine."

"No! I've been waiting so long to cuddle with you. I worked so hard during that match earlier just to win. I deserve a prize don't I?"

I felt the bed dip as he shifted closer to the middle as I siddled towards the edge.

"You're prize is seeing my amazing morning face. I'll let you know that you won't be disappointed, however, pictures are not allowed."

I shot him a mocking grin as he shot his own back and sidled closer.

"That sounds really lovely, but I was hoping for something more."

"Something more?"

"Yeah, more... like this."

I let out a tiny squeal as he suddenly leaned forwards and got a hold of my frame before pulling me in towards him at the center of the bed. I let out a small laugh as his hands tickled my sides over the hoodie.

"Is this Jungkook's hoodie? I think I recognize that design."

"Probably? I just grabbed a random one."

"At this rate, you'll steal all of our hoodies."

"The perfect crime, huh?"

He leaned in and pecked my forehead affectionately before leaning back and resting his head on the pillow as I looked up at him from against his chest. His skin felt warm upon direct contact and I couldn't help but sneak in a small press to see how firm his chest was.

The dim lighting didn't allow me to fully admire his face, but I could recognize his heart shaped smile anywhere.

"Night, Hobi."

"Night, angel."

"Pfft, angel?"

"What? It's fitting!"

"Incorrect."

"Sure, sure... but we both know it's true."

I let out a snort as he began to rub soothing circles against my back. Sighing in defeat, I burrow against him and shut my eyes.

Listening to his steady heartbeat lulled me gently to sleep.

❀♡❀

A/N: Refer to chapter 61 if you'd like a reminder of some extra context. It does connect back, funny how that happens, huh?

I can't believe this pandemic is still going on. School season is rising again and people are already stressed as is. I wish you all the best and to continue to stay healthy and safe. Wear your damn masks and wash your nasty hands because those actions really can prevent you from getting sick and possibly spreading it to others as well. Think smart, not hard people.

Question Time! I hope I didn't hurt your brains with the questions of the last chapter. I do admit that I love reading all your replies and intellectual thought processes. Very interesting indeed.

What is the first thing you notice in a person?

I actually had to think and honestly, I believe I glance at a person's stance first. It's a bit odd, I guess, but depending on their position, it can tell a lot about whether they seem friendly or not based on basic vibes that I get. That's an automatic first thing, but then of course I look over appearances and tone of voice and such.