"Namjoon, where the hell's our luggage?!"

Namjoon shook his head at Seokjin's impatience, a small sigh escaping his lips. He tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the conveyor belt to start moving. They had been waiting for nearly twenty minutes, and if Namjoon had to wait some more, he swore he'd go insane.

"The luggage is coming, okay?!" Namjoon groaned in frustration. "Stop lashing out on me for shit I can't control."

Seokjin shook his head and pinched the bridges of his nose. "I know it's not your fault. I hate this stupid airport goddamn it."

Why was it that when the time was of the essence, that was when everything seemed to go wrong?

Seokjin had half a mind to yell at Hoseok and Jimin for letting Namjoon, and he goes on a vacation trip together. They had been postponing a trip for the past couple of years, and after being reassured by Jimin that Yoongi wouldn't be brought back, they had finally decided to do it. Of course, the moment Namjoon and Seokjin chose to travel the world for the holidays was the year that Hoseok decided to bring Yoongi back.

It was already the thirtieth. It was the thirtieth, and Yoongi was scheduled to die tomorrow. Seokjin wanted to scream but didn't, as if that would make anything better. It wouldn't.

When Namjoon and Seokjin finally got their luggage, they burst out of the airport, immediately calling a taxi to them. Heaving their luggage at the back, they quickly gave the driver directions to Hoseok and Jimin's place. Namjoon looked at the time, frowning. It was almost five in the afternoon.

They had to count their luck, though. There was a slim chance that there would be any tickets available this late in the holidays, but they managed to secure two tickets back to Seoul by an act of fate. Of course, given that they were nearly sixteen hours away, the flight would take longer than anticipated. While Namjooon was utterly beat, he could feel the adrenaline rushing through his body, the closer they got to Hoseok's home.

❄️

"Happy Birthday!"

That was the first thing Taehyung was greeted with as Jungkook and Taehyung knocked on Jimin and Hoseok's door. True to their word, they had arrived in Seoul the day before, but, per request, they came waltzing in on Wednesday morning. For a split second, Taehyung had forgotten that it was, in fact, his birthday, even though Jungkook had wished him a happy birthday at midnight.

"Where's Yoongi?" Taehyung asked, after acknowledging the birthday wishes. Without waiting for a response, he walked into the house in a hurry, a wide grin piercing his lips as his eyes met Yoongi's. "Yoongi!"

"Hi, Taehyung," Yoongi smiled, pulling the younger in for a hug. "Happy birthday."

"I wish you would have told us that he was back earlier," Jungkook whispered, already wiping the tears off his face. "We would have stayed here. I can't believe he's here."

"Trust me, Kook, we didn't know he was going to come back until Christmas Eve," Jimin murmured. "I asked Hoseok what he wanted to do. He chose Yoongi."

Jungkook nodded. "Of course. Why wouldn't he?"

"Kook, come here," Yoongi grinned. "There's enough room for both of you."

Hoseok gravitated towards Jimin as Jungkook ad Taehyung became sobbing messes in Yoongi's arms, watching the familiar scene unfolding in front of their very eyes. It was as if almost yesterday, Jimin and Hoseok had walked into their home to find Yoongi waiting for them. But it had been six days since then, and now, the time was on them more than ever before.

New Year's Eve was tomorrow, and once the clock struck midnight, Yoongi would disappear for good.

Jimin, fortunately, had yet to ask Hoseok what his plans were for tomorrow. It was for the better, Hoseok supposed. How could he look at Jimin and tell him that he had no idea what he wanted to do? How could he give Jimin that false hope that he wouldn't leave? Hoseok was beyond confused himself– he didn't know what he wanted, at least not anymore.

"I'm going to kill Hoseok for keeping you to himself," Taehyung glared at Hoseok jokingly. "We could have been by your side much longer."

Yoongi smiled weakly. "At least you're here now. My vacation's almost up. I'm due to leave tomorrow."

"I know." Taehyung squeezed Yoongi's shoulders. "We have to make the last two days count. You still look great, I promise."

Yoongi shook his head. "I don't feel great. I wasn't aware that the closer to Death day you were, the worse you became. I look paler than the snow right now."

"Mm, no, you look like the prettiest snowman," Jungkook responded, smiling cheekily. "Doesn't make sense, but go with it for fun times' sake."

"Of course," Yoongi agreed. "I'll be the snowman of the group."

Though it was meant to be a joke, Hoseok couldn't help but feel that explain Yoongi entirely. Snowmen only came during the holidays, made due to snow overflow coming from the winter season. Yoongi had come in during the winter season and would leave, melting away just as the snowman at sun contact. The only difference was, snowmen could always be rebuilt come the following season. Yoongi being here was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and one that, once taken, would cease to exist entirely.

Only photos would be left, proving Yoongi's existence.

"Have you decided where you'll be tomorrow night?" Taehyung asked, sitting down in the living room. Yoongi cast a look at Jimin and Hoseok.

"Hangang Bridge."

"Hoseok!"

Hoseok ignored Yoongi's voice, running faster. Despite Yoongi's pleas, Hoseok couldn't find it in himself to stop. He'd fucked up. He should have known that Yoongi didn't have any feelings for him.

But like an idiot, Hoseok had shattered the only friendship that had mattered to him.

"Hoseok, stop!" Yoongi yelled once more. "Please! I can't keep chasing you like this."

Hoseok had reached the middle of Hangang Bridge when Yoongi had finally caught up to him. Despite his short stature, Yoongi was highly athletic, compared to Hoseok, who was only active through recreational activities. He felt Yoongi wrap his arms around his waist, causing Hoseok to jump, forcing him to stop running.

"Stop running away from me," Yoongi whispered, taking short, shallow breaths as he leaned into Hoseok's back. "Please. Don't push me away."

Hoseok's breath drew at Yoongi's words, the vulnerability of them stopping him in his tracks. Hoseok's heart was racing at speeds he'd never known it could, even after he did all that running, and it was all because of Yoongi.

"It's always been you, Hoba," Yoongi whispered. "Always. I like you, Hoseok. So much. Please don't run away from me now that I know you want me too."

Hoseok forced himself to blink back tears at Yoongi's response, remembering Hangang Bridge's importance to them. They'd run there, Hoseok did really, Yoongi just chased after him, and that's where Yoongi had finally confessed what Hoseok had accidentally blurted out the day they had fought.

He couldn't remember what they had fought over exactly— it must have been Yoongi expressing interest towards someone else and asking Hoseok's opinion. Back in high school, Yoongi had been one of the stars, someone that seemed to receive love confessions left and right, making Hoseok's efforts completely meaningless.

Yoongi wanted to go back to the place where it all began.

"Are we allowed to see you off?" Jungkook asked quietly, looking at Hoseok for confirmation. Hoseok slowly nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

"If Yoongi wants you there, then yes," Jimin said, speaking for Hoseok. "I'll be there too. We should all see him go, don't you think?"

"I'm sure Seokjin would throw a hissy fit if he weren't allowed to see Yoongi go," Taehyung chuckled humorlessly. "You know how close they were. He'd personally bring back Yoongi if he pulled that stunt."

"You're damn right I would."

Though the voice sounded muffled through the door, Hoseok could immediately recognize SEokjin's voice. Not even a second passed when Seokjin started banging on the door.

"Open the door, you cowards!"

Jimin shook his head, quickly opening the door. In an instant, Seokjin burst in, followed by Namjoon, whose hands were holding luggage.

"It should be a crime to keep my dead best friend away from me," Seokjin glared at Hoseok. "You're lucky I'm too emotional; else, I would have happily slapped your face."

"Aw, don't hurt Hoba. He just wanted some time with me," Yoongi pouted, going over to embrace Seokjin. "I've missed you too, Jinnie. It's been years."

"Yeah, and the one year I'm told you aren't coming back is the year you do," Seokjin scoffed. "The disrespect I'm feeling is astronomical right now. You're lucky fate seemed to be on our side. If not, we wouldn't have made it back to you on time."

"The important thing is that we're finally here," Namjoon reminded, grinning widely. "Hi, Yoongi. Apologies that our welcome remarks are coming so close to our goodbyes."

So close to goodbyes.

"Hoba, what do you think our goodbyes would be like?"

Yoongi and Hoseok were lying on the grass, looking up at the crystal blue sky. Hoseok turned to Yoongi, looking at him amused.

"Already planning how we'll die?" Hoseok teased. Yoongi laughed, shaking his head.

"We have the rest of our lives ahead of us," Yoongi smiled. "I'm not worried. After we live our lives, adopting kids, pets, traveling, and it's finally time to head to the other side, how would you want to go?"

"Together." Hoseok immediately answered, lacing his fingers with Yoongi's. "You leave; I follow."

"But only once our life accomplishments have been achieved, right?" Yoongi said, raising an eyebrow. "We live, laugh, love, and die together. What's the last place we'd visit?"

"The place we first confessed our feelings to each other," Hoseok smiled softly. "Hangang Bridge."

"A fitting end to our perfect romance," Yoongi giggled. "A chapter finished. We'll do that. Together."

"Always."

To end a chapter of their life— in every which way.

"Excuse me," Hoseok mumbled, breezing past them. For the first time ever, Hoseok couldn't stand the thought of being in the same room as Yoongi. He felt suffocated, vying desperately for a way out.

Yoongi stopped in his tracks, his attention already focusing on Hoseok. Before Yoongi could say anything, Jimin stepped in, smiling tightly.

"I'll go see what's up with him," Jimin reassured. "You stay here. Go ahead and eat. Hobi and I will be right down."

Hoseok hadn't even noticed as Jimin came into his room, silently closing the door behind him. He didn't bother his face, which was now drenched in tears as he gazed up at Jimin, who only glanced at him worriedly.

"What's wrong?" Jimin asked, taking a seat next to him. Hoseok smiled weakly, shaking his head before more tears began rushing out of him, leaving his body shaking. "Hoseok, talk to me."

"We'd always planned the end of our days at Hangang Bridge," Hoseok stammered, his voice breaking. "The place we confessed to each other. It's hitting me now that I have to make a decision."

"Hadn't the answer always been easy for you?"

"It was," Hoseok admitted. "Not anymore. I need more time."

"Time for what, Hoseok?" Jimin inquired. "You were always hellbent on leaving with Yoongi if given a chance. Shouldn't you be taking the chance presented to you now?"

Hoseok laughed humorlessly, wiping his tears with his sleeve. Of course, Jimin would still put Hoseok above himself. Jimin hadn't even considered the thought that maybe, Hoseok's hesitancy had to do with him. Jimin wouldn't be able to see the conflict brewing in Hoseok; he wouldn't be able to fathom it.

"Can I kiss you?"

Jimin's eyes widened at Hoseok's question. His heart somersaulted as he stared at Hoseok dumbfounded, his mind attempting to process what Hoseok had just asked.

"Are you sure?" Jimin asked, eyeing Hoseok warily. "You shouldn't be forcing yourself to do things. How would that help you, anyhow?"

"Jimin, it's not that serious," Hoseok whispered. "Don't overthink it. Please."

If it wasn't serious, then why was Hoseok asking him in the first place?

Jimin nodded once, heart racing out of his chest as he felt Hoseok's cool breath on him. His eyes fluttered closed as Hoseok closed the gap between them, lips moving against each other in a slow dance, each person testing the waters.

Tentatively, Hoseok's hand reached out to caress Jimin's cheek, adjusting himself to gain more closeness with Jimin. Jimin let Hoseok take the lead, feeling himself lightheaded at the reality of the situation. After years, Hoseok was kissing him, and Jimin couldn't help the hope coiling through him at Hoseok's sweet, tender caresses.

Hoseok pulled away ever so slightly, eyeing Jimin carefully. Jimin's cheeks had flushed a permanent red; eyes widened yet holding an immeasurable sparkle in them, lips parted as he took in quick breaths to regain his composure.

"You're the reason why the answer isn't easy for me anymore." Hoseok breathed, voice filled with sincerity. "You're the reason I need more time, Jimin."

"Hoseok..." Jimin trailed off, feeling his eyes starting to water. Hoseok placed a finger on Jimin's lips, offering him a small smile.

"I can't stand the thought of leaving you here," Hoseok shook his head, scoffing at himself. "It's stupid, really. But I mean it."

This can't be real.

"Don't bring my hopes up like that, Hoseok," Jimin's voice wavered. "You're going to give me hope. It's already hard enough as it is for me."

Hoseok pulled away. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Jimin muttered weakly. "At least I get a kiss before you leave, right?"

"I could always make it two."

With that, Hoseok leaned in to kiss Jimin once more, both lost in their little world as they melted into each other's embrace, all while Yoongi watched, a broad smile planted firmly on his lips before he slowly closed the door, walking back to the living room.

Taehyung looked at Yoongi questioningly, eyebrow raised. "Everything alright?"

Yoongi's beamed broadening, eyes sparkling wide. "Everything's perfect, Taehyung."

Completely, utterly perfect.

a/n: mhm yup, jihope kissing is very fulfilling and it seems like yoongi is completely on board with the idea.

stole cara's time zone because of tae's live and then i honestly wasn't in the mood for a while, so i distracted myself with serotonin boosts. if there are mistakes in my writing just pretend they don't exist please LMSAOHFGKJLD

decision day is tomorrow. as a reminder, you get to choose what path hoseok takes. it'll just be a like a poll of sorts, asking you to comment on which ending you want. might be in the lines along:

"if you want hoseok to leave with yoongi, comment here"

"if you want hoseok to let yoongi go, comment here"

only one of them will be the official ending, so hoseok's fate will be entirely in your hands.

no pressure though 😚❤️