"Now that you're settled at the new job, when am I going to hear your stuff?"

Yoongi chuckled as Taehyung leaned forward on his elbows, almost spilling a cup of hot cocoa. The two were catching up at a cafe, with the younger asking question after question about Yoongi's work as a producer at a new entertainment company.

"It's only been two months since I started, Tae. I'm still learning the basics of the industry," the elder explained with a small smile. "But it's been going really well. I've never been so excited to go to work each day."

"I'm proud of you, Yoongi," Taehyung said through his signature wide grin. "You've really come into your own."

Yoongi took a sip of his coffee, savoring the rich taste. "Only took twenty seven years, but better late than never. How's the gallery?"

Taehyung launched into a full rundown of his gallery's latest accomplishments, including visits by some of the most influential people in their country. The boy was all animated facial expressions as he recounted the President and his wife's time at the gallery, sharing how stunned he was when the two asked for a private tour.

"And they hugged me," Taehyung concluded, disbelief making his eyes big and bright. "Me! Our nation's leaders gave me a hug, can you believe it?"

"I actually can," the elder commented with a playful roll of his eyes. "You're just so adorable."

The younger shook his head humbly. "I just think they're big fans of Van Gogh."

Yoongi paused for a moment as another question came to mind, but he was a little hesitant to ask it outright. "How's everything else at the gallery?"

Taehyung caught on quickly, the corners of his lips tilting up knowingly. "If you wanted to know how Jungkook was doing, you could have just asked. I know it's been a while since I've given you an update."

After Yoongi and Jungkook spoke a couple months back, the elder had a long conversation with Taehyung. The two friends spoke about what Jungkook meant to each of them, with Taehyung revealing he saw the younger as his intern and his intern only. Yoongi filled him in on his complicated relationship with Jungkook, and ever since, Taehyung took it upon himself to let Yoongi know how the boy was faring.

According to the curator, Jungkook started breaking out of his fog shortly after the confrontation with Yoongi. The boy put a lot of time and energy into his work, slowly returning to his energetic and friendly self. Sometimes a twinge of sadness would remain, but overall Taehyung saw a positive improvement in the younger.

"Well, for starters, he isn't an intern anymore," Taehyung intoned, raising his eyebrows high. "He's been officially promoted to my assistant. He has a strong future at the gallery if he wishes to stay there."

Yoongi nodded his head, unable to help the happiness he felt over hearing of Jungkook's promotion. He was so proud of him and everything he'd amounted to in such a short period of time.

"I'll have to text him later in congratulations," the elder murmured, already planning out what he would say.

"How often do you guys talk?" Taehyung asked after taking a long swig of his drink.

Yoongi considered for a moment, recalling the limited messages they'd exchanged over the last two months. "Not too often. We've been true to our word about giving each other space, so we'll only share some of the most important bits every now and then."

"Have you seen him at all?"

"No," Yoongi shook his head. "But god, I want to so badly. I want to see for myself that he's happy and doing well, that he's healthy and fulfilled. Though I still want to give him the time he needs. I don't want to show up out of the blue and pressure him into deciding what our future will be . . . if we will have a future together."

"Are you waiting for him to make a move, then?" Taehyung asked, something unidentifiable filling his voice.

The elder bit his lip. Was he waiting for Jungkook to reach out to him? Maybe. But what if more months went by and there was silence? Would Yoongi still wait for the boy then?

"Yes," Yoongi said at last. "I'm waiting for him to tell me if I still have a shot."

"And what if he put an elaborate scheme together, all so you two could reconnect? What would your reaction be to that?" Taehyung implored, mischief evident in his eyes.

"Stop toying with me, Tae. That'll just get my hopes up and I don't want to spend my time daydreaming about the what ifs."

But Taehyung didn't relent as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You didn't answer my question though. What if he waited just long enough so the both of you could be happy with yourselves, then plotted a sweet reunion after hearing of your own success? Would something like that be a clear indication that Jungkook was ready to discuss your future?"

"Kim Taehyung, you're too big of a dreamer," Yoongi answered, completely avoiding his friend's questions.

"Nah, I'm just a storyteller," Taehyung responded, pushing up from his seat. "But you should really think about your responses to those questions, Yoongi."

"Why?"

"Because I'm waiting for an answer, baby," a voice sounded in Yoongi's ear.

But not just any voice.

Yoongi turned and came face to face with Jungkook.

"Kookie?"

Jungkook remained crouched down at Yoongi's side. "Hi, baby."

"We're still doing the whole baby thing, are we?" Yoongi asked, elation at seeing the younger bubbling up in his chest.

The younger chuckled, his big eyes squinted and warm. "If you'll let me, yeah."

Jungkook rose from the ground and took the chair Taehyung abandoned. The curator was nowhere to be found.

"If it isn't obvious now, I had Tae help me plan this," Jungkook explained softly. "He's been filling me in how you've been doing, and a couple weeks ago, I knew I wanted to see you again. So we planned out all the particulars and here we are."

"You could've just called me, you know. I would've answered," Yoongi assured as he ran his eyes over Jungkook's face.

Jungkook seemed to be doing the same, tracing each and every one of Yoongi's features. "But this is more romantic, isn't it?"

The elder nodded his head, a smile threatening to break through his lips. "It is. So . . ."

"I still like you," Jungkook pronounced lightly, but not without feeling. "I like like you and want to know if you still feel the same."

The smile finally did reveal itself on Yoongi's face. "I still like like you, too."

"Good, because this whole grand romantic set up would've been really embarrassing if you didn't," the younger joked, his hand tentatively reaching out for Yoongi's.

Yoongi clasped it without hesitation. "I've put a lot of work into myself over the last couple of months. There's still a ways for me to go, but I'm genuinely happier now. I now know the things I need in life to make me feel safe and loved and at peace. And that includes you."

"Yeah?"

"I want to date you, Kookie. I want you to be my boyfriend and to always hold your hand. I want to be your baby and to love you," Yoongi announced without shyness or tentativeness.

Jungkook squeezed his hand. "That's a lot to ask considering we haven't even been on a second date."

The elder laughed freely. "Then go on another date with me."

"Deal," the younger winked, a smirk decorating his mouth. "But no more pretending, baby. This time, everything we do is the real deal."

"Yes," Yoongi agreed quickly, leaning closer to the boy. He stopped when their mouths were just a few inches away. "How we gonna seal this deal?"

Jungkook didn't answer. He closed the remaining space between them and gently kissed the elder. His hands came up to reverently cup Yoongi's face, his touch soft and warm and loving.

They broke away moments later, looking at each other with promise and hope for their future together.

"That seal it for you?" Jungkook asked after a minute, his thumbs rubbing circles over the elder's jaw.

Yoongi pouted teasingly. "We may need to try once more."

So they kissed again and again, swiftly sealing the deal on their futures together. It wouldn't always be easy - their relationship would surely require a lot of hard work and communication - but they vowed to never give up on each other.

And maybe even more importantly, they vowed to never give up on themselves.

The End.

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》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

This short story was so fun to write, guys! It's funny that this idea popped into my head just over a week ago, and try as I might, I couldn't get it out of my head! So that's how The Hoax was born and how we got to where we are today!

I typically like to take a lot of time to explore character backstories, create complex emotions, and have fun with side ships as well. So this short story was actually a challenge for me - how could I tell a compelling and believable story while moving at a relatively quick pace? I had to decide which details to emit and to not go into depth on the side ships. Hopefully that didn't detract from the story!

Thank you always for your support and love - I say this a lot but it's true . . . It all means the world to me! It helps me keep up my motivation and dedication to this craft, so thank you all so, SO much!!

Love you all 💜 Borahae 💜💜