"Oh? You can't make it? That's okay, I hope she's doing well." You were speaking on the phone with your brother. "No, no- it's okay. I hope she'll be fine, though." He'd planned a dinner with you and his family, but his wife fell sick.

Ending the call, you sighed, looking around in the half-empty restaurant. Guess you would leave empty-stomached. There wasn't a point in eating somewhere this fancy alone, anyway.

Standing up, slowly, you felt a bit embarrassed that you were leaving already.

Just as you exited you saw a familiar face a few inches away from yours. "Hyung?" You called, making him blink as he smiled and stepped back.

"Berry-berry! I saw you were alone from the window, so I wanted to ask you if you wanted to join us?" You looked to the side to see Hoseok awkwardly standing there, watching you two.

You suddenly remembered that Taehyung was also an idol, along with the rest of Bangtan. And so, you got flustered.

Bowing towards Hoseok in respect, you greeted him. He smiled and greeted back.

"Who's this?" You heard him murmur to Taehyung, who grinned widely and brought you to a side hug as he said your name.

"–otherwise, also known as my strawberry~" he cooed, gently pinching your tinted pink cheeks. Your heart was pacing out of your ribs, you'd never expected this to even happen– hell, you'd never even expected to meet Kim Taehyung, either.

"It seems Taehyung has taken quite a liking to you, I see," Hoseok said, a delightful laugh leaving his lips. "It's very nice to meet you."

Then, your attention went back to Taehyung when he tapped your shoulder. "So, want to join us?"

"But," Hoseok interrupted, an unsure look in his eyes, "what if he's already eaten?"

Taehyung pouted and turned to you again, "Have you?"

You didn't see the point isn't lying, so answered.

"I haven't."

Both men gave you a wide grin in elation.

"Perfect."

>.<

The whole night, you were conversing happily with the idols you looked up to– now friends you could talk to.

Taehyung, seeing Hoseok be extremely friendly with you and you responding merrily to him, found that something didn't sit well in his heart when he saw that.

And, he immediately realized that he was jealous. Jealous of Hoseok of getting your attention like that.

So, in an internal flurry of pouting and frustration, Taehyung interrupted the conversation.

"Hobi hyung, he's a fan, you know," Taehyung said, half-feigning his excitement. He was happy to be talking about you, just not the fact that it was in this situation of wanting to break Hoseok apart from you.

"Wah, really?" Hoseok asked you, his eyes lighting in happiness.

You got shy, averting your gaze down to the table, slowly nodding. "I'm an ARMY."

"That's so cute~!" Hoseok said, making Taehyung's fist go tighter in an almost anger. He didn't want Hoseok to do that.

He had an internal realization that his jealousy might set something off and go too far. But, he shrugged the thought off for the moment– his frustration taking over his actions.

"Yeah~" Taehyung gave you a heartwarming smile with a sly look. "And, who's your favorite, Berry-ah?"

Your cheeks flushed a shade of red when Hoseok's curious sounds increased.

"Who? Who? Who?" You couldn't even look up, extremely flustered at the situation.

Taehyung, a smug feeling resting inside of him, flaunted, "It's me, isn't it?"

You wished you would get swallowed by the ground, so flustered.

Nonetheless, you nodded, finally looking up, not meeting either of their eyes. "Yeah..." you whispered.

"Oh~? Taehyungie is your favorite! So, that makes sense why he's taken so much of a liking to you," Hoseok commented, your heart flip-flopping at the words.

You stammered, "I guess."

After that little event, Hoseok calmed down in being too interactive with you, stuffing his face with food instead.

Taehyung settled down his jealousy in satisfaction at the fact that it worked. Even if he noticed what he did might be something wrong, since there's nothing wrong with Hoseok talking to you. But, he understood his own intentions very well.

He wanted you all to himself.

>.<

"Hobi hyung, you go ahead, I'll walk him home."

Hoseok nodded and went off, waving at you two. Taehyung turned to you, a smile on his lips.

"Let's go?" He offered, your heart in a frenzy of fluttering.

You nodded, "Let's go."

>.<

"Sorry," Taehyung suddenly apologized as you two were walking.

You blinked, surprised. "For?"

Taehyung gave you a glance, guilt in his eyes. "I probably made you uncomfortable. I'm so sorry."

Then, your memory of the restaurant flashed and immediately shook your head, smiling in reassurance.

"Oh– it's fine," you laughed. "Don't worry about it. I was just flustered. Meeting you was too much already, I can't believe I met J-Hope-ssi, too."

Taehyung gave a small smile, seemingly relieved. "I'm glad," he said, a sigh escaping his lips.

You saw your apartment complex near and felt your mood drop. So soon.

"We're here," you heard Taehyung say.

You chuckled, stopping at the gate. "I know. It's where I live."

He laughed with you. Then he gave you a bright smile, hopeful glint in his eyes. "See you?"

You smiled back, staring into his brown twinkling eyes. "See you."

You two just kept staring for a few more seconds, not feeling time even tick by.

Your breath got caught in your threat seeing Taehyung's eyes starting to be half-lidded, pupils dropping down on your lips.

You could feel your heart trying to escape as Taehyung, almost as if in a daze, slowly leaned forward, distance lessening between your faces.

You felt yourself slip as he came closer and closer– slip into the haze of soft desire. Your eyes set on his, which were still on your lips.

Feeling soft warm breaths on your lips, you saw his eyes look up to yours, lips not even an inch apart– just barely touching.

"Taehyungie..." you whispered, making him snap out of his daze. He made a squeal of surprise and threw the distance between you two, his face– unknown to you– flushing.

"Ah, sorry. Sorry about that, Berry," Taehyung murmured, covering his face with a hand, now a meter away from you. "I'm really sorry– I gotta go, though. See you~"

Stumbling, Taehyung waved and dashed off, his face still covered with his hand.

You just stood there, heart pounding against your chest as if you'd explode.

What just happened?

>.<

Taehyung opened the door to the dorm, seeing a dimly lit lamp in the living room. "Jin hyung?"

Wanting to talk to a certain member- the only one he had hope that could help him in this state- he asked for where he was.

"Is Yoongi hyung here?" He asked, making Jin look at him. Shaking his head, Jin answered.

"He went to the roof."

Nodding, Taehyung turned back around, wanting to go and talk to Yoongi.

"Taehyung-ah." Stopping in his tracks, Taehyung turned his shoulders to look at Jin.

"Hm?"

"Are you okay?" Jin asked, his forehead scrunched in concern. Taehyung gave a forced smile after a short sigh.

"Yeah."

And, he turned to the door again, wanting to escape the heavy suffocating air of the dorm room.

Hearing the front door close, Taehyung's feet brisked towards the staircase to the roof of the building.

Footsteps thudding, echoing in the stairwell as Taehyung hurried up, his heart not being able to contain his own emotions.

He swung the door opening, the cold air of evening hitting his face. "Hyung?"

Yoongi, who was just leaning against the railling, watching the city lights of Seoul, turned slightly to look at Taehyung. After a second, he turned back around.

"What is it, Taehyung?" Taehyung heard Yoongi softly say as he approached the elder, leaning on the railing next to him, not daring to make eye contact.

"Remember..." Taehyung started. He swallowed the lump in his throat and continued. "Remember when you said it looked like I was in love?"

Yoongi hummed, probably saying that he did. Giving Taehyung a side glance, Yoongi raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you are?"

Taehyung still couldn't make eye contact with Yoongi. He just started off, feeling his hyung's eyes on him. Slowly, he nodded.

Yoongi breathed in a long breath, letting it out in a sigh. "Well, it's not predictable, I guess. How long ago did you meet-?"

Tapping the metallic railing, Taehyung answered, "More than two months."

"And, you had time to fall?" Yoongi asked, somehow doubtful.

Sighing, Taehyung finally connecting his eyes with Yoongi's, a desperate look in his eyes. "I made time for–" almost blurting out him, Taehyung stopped himself. "I made time. I actually... visited them at midnight, once. I really enjoy their presence." He was using gender-neutral pronouns to keep it hidden. He didn't want to hide it, though. But, he had to for now.

Yoongi gave him a look. "And? Why did you come to me?"

Taehyung looked down to the ground and turned back to face the view of the city, heart feeling heavy.

"Because, hyung–" Taehyung said, his voice almost cracking. "You're the only one who I got the courage to tell."

He heard a soft sigh. The sound of shuffling was heard before Taehyung felt arms wrap around him in a comforting hug, Yoongi's hands gently pulling the younger's head down to his shoulders.

Sniffling, Taehyung felt wetness from his eyes escape, the warm liquid dampening Yoongi's shirt's fabric. He felt comforting rubs on his upper back, Yoongi humming, as if he's about to say something.

"Taehyung-ah... It'll be okay," Yoongi muttered. "And, you know, I'm not saying this to sugarcoat it. I'm not like that. But, it'll be okay."

Taehyung tightly grasped the fabric of Yoongi's sides, a soft sob sounding in his throat.

"But, hyung–" he whined, voice muffled. "I've fallen– so hard. I almost– I almost kissed– today–" he said, voice breaking.

Yoongi hushed him, the rubs not ceasing. It was one of the most comforting hug Taehyung has ever received. "You almost kissed the person? You must really like them."

Yoongi had a soft smile on his face as he felt Taehyung nod against his shoulder.

"It'll be okay–"

"No, it won't," Taehyung interrupted, breath hitching as he cried harder onto Yoongi's shoulder. "You don't understand, hyung– you don't-" And, he fell into a mess of sobs and tears.

Yoongi shook his head slightly, comfortingly patting his back as well. "Hyung knows more than you think, Tae." He'd whispered under his breath. But, Taehyung hadn't heard it, too busy crying his eyes out.

>.<

"Jin hyung! You didn't go out?" Jungkook's voice broke the silence in the dorm. Jin shook his head as he watched the three- Jimin, Jungkook, and Namjoon enter.

"I didn't feel like it, I just ordered in with Yoongi," Jin answered, looking back at his phone.

"Are Hoseok hyung and Taehyung back?" Jimin asked, making Jin look at him with a thoughtful look. "Hoseok is in the room, and Taehyung-"

"Taehyung isn't back but Hoseok is?" Namjoon asked, hearing Jin stop. Jungkook had already gone into his own room, now only Jimin, Jin, and Namjoon in the room.

"No, he's back. He's with Yoongi," Jin answered, looking back at his phone again.

"Yoongi hyung?" Jimin asked, surprised. "Hm? On the roof?"

Jin nodded, not looking at them. He was tired and reading the news, so he didn't want to turn his head again.

Jimin hummed, clicking his tongue. "Don't you think Taehyung is acting slightly strange?"

Namjoon sat down next to Jin, pulling his own phone out. "Is he?"

Jimin furrowed his eyebrows, thinking about the strange behaviour in Taehyung. He almost thought the other 1995 liner was hiding something.

Then, he shrugged, too tired tonight to think deeply.

"Maybe I'm just imagining things."

>.<

Your phone ringed, making you jump. Nervously, you checked your phone, half hoping it would be Taehyung, half hoping it wouldn't be him.

Your heart increased its rate when you saw it was exactly who you wanted it to be– but somehow hoped it wouldn't.

After that incident of him almost kissing you, he hadn't texted or called you in four days. And, of course, you were counting.

You couldn't help but admit this, you'd definitely fallen for the angelic man. No matter how much you told yourself that you wouldn't- no matter how much you told yourself that it would never work out because he's an idol, and you're a boy.

With a gulp and a clear to the throat, you answered the phone. "Hello?"

"... Hello?" Albeit a little different, you still recognized his voice. He muttered your name before continuing, "Sorry I haven't called in a while, schedules have kept me busy- how've you been?"

Letting out an inaudible shaky breath, you answered, looking out the balcony screen door.

"Like always," you answered.

"I'm hoping that means good?" His voice, even on the phone, bringing you happiness by hearing it. You couldn't help but let your heart flutter and stomach fill with butterflies- well, he was the love of your life. You were surprised at how quickly you fell, but you knew you had. And, you even contemplated whether you just liked the idea of him or just him himself.

And, you came to the scariest one: you'd actually fallen for him. But, you kept yourself in control– reminding yourself that he was an idol, and he'd never like you the way you liked him. And, you'd almost felt like you almost fell out of it-– just to be dragged down again with the adorable smile that would play on his lips as he let out a soft giggle having done something extremely endearing.

"Yeah, it's going okay. Boring, but okay." Boring without you, anyways.

"Can we meet? At the park?" You were expecting this, him asking you to meet, again. But, you hadn't prepared an answer, yet.

"When?" You spoke, mouth moving ahead of your mind.

"Um... are you free anytime today?" Well, since you'd already indirectly accepted, you didn't see the hurt in actually going. You wouldn't lose anything anyway.

You actually had a day off today, so once again, your mouth spoke faster than your mind could rethink what you were about to say.

"Does two sound good?" You heard a sigh of relief on the other end.

"Sounds perfect."

>.<

Taehyung fumbled with his long sleeves, sitting on the bench outside the park he was supposed to meet you at. His heart was pacing at a rate of a cheetah running– he couldn't believe what he was about to do.

He'd decided, with Yoongi's advice, that he'd tell you his feelings to you, today. Maybe it was too soon? He wasn't sure– he'd never done this sort of thing before. It was his first time ever confessing, and he hoped it would be the last. Hoped.

He really wanted you to return his feelings- even if there was a slim chance. He really wanted it.

Nervously, he waited. It was only one-fifteen, he'd came early in hopes of not wanting to back out later and also not wanting to make you wait.

The park was around a less urban area, so there weren't any people walking around. In fact, the street was bare of anyone except him right now.

After around fifteen minutes, he heard soft footsteps approaching him from his right. Turning his head in hopes of it being you, his eyes gleamed. Then, he pouted, seeing it was just a little kid.

Even so, Taehyung smiled and waved at the kid who waved back as he passed by. Sighing, he went back to fumbling with the buttons on his sleeve.

And, once again, after a few minutes, he heard soft footsteps from his right. Again, he turned in hopes of it being you- this time, it was.

You stopped in your steps and stared at him, his eyes staring back.

"You're... early," you murmured, walking over to sit on the empty spot next to him.

"So are you," he said, his face in a wide grin, happiness feeling his chest that he was seeing you.

Ignoring your cheeks trying to heat up at the adorableness of Taehyung, you spoke. "So," you started, "Why did you call me here?"

Pouting, Taehyung slightly leaned on you, giving you a side glance, "Am I not allowed to see you?"

You laughed lightly, shaking your head. "That's not what I meant. You must've been busy, so I thought it would be really important?" You said, unsure if what you were saying was really what you wanted to say.

Taehyung chuckled, "Are you saying me seeing you is unimportant?" He teased. "I'm kidding. I wanted to tell you something."

Your heart dropped into your stomach hearing how serious he sounded.

"W-what is it?" You asked, your eyes wandering to the trees around. You didn't hear him say anything, so you curiously and slowly turned to face him. He was just looking at you, a desperate yet loving expression in his eyes.

"Keep looking at me," he whispered, sending tingles through your spine.

Breath stuck in your throat, you didn't dare tear your eyes away from his. Even when your faces weren't that close, even when you weren't touching, you felt like there was nothing between you two when he opened his mouth to speak– a bare whisper of a confession.

"I like you."

You blinked, not processing it. "What?" you asked softly, eyebrows raising slightly in surprise.

Taehyung let out a sigh, a dreamy look on his face, his gaze still not moving away from yours.

"I like you."

Your face flushed, heart pounding. You swallowed before speaking up in a soft mutter.

"I... I like you, too."

It was his turn to hold a look of surprise. "You... do?"

Your cheeks tinted pink, you nodded shyly. "And... it's not just because you're an idol. I like you, Kim Taehyung."

The expression of surprise only left after a few seconds, replaced by the happiest smile you'd ever seen him make. Within a second, you were engulfed in a warm hug, his head nuzzling your neck.

Your heart warmed in happiness, feeling your own arms go around him. You heard him sigh in content. "My strawberry likes me back~" Taehyung cooed, making you laugh.

"You thought I didn't?" You asked and he pulled back to shake his head, then grinned.

"But, I'm really really really really really happy that you do~" He said, beaming.

Just then, you felt something drop on your head making you raise your brows. Then, you felt something cold drop on your cheek. The realization hit you of what's happening.

"It's going to rain–" you said, grabbing Taehyung's wrist and pulling him into the park. There was no one there. They'd probably seen the weather report and didn't go there unlike the two idiots running around. You were leading him to another bench, where three sides were covered along with an overhead to stay protected from the rain- which instantly turned heavy.

Panting lightly, both of you settled down. Laughter erupted from both of you, finding the situation funny.

"Didn't you check the weather report?" you asked him. He shook his head, an amused look in his eyes along with a gleam of adoration.

"Did you?" He asked.

You remembered, "I did! But, I forgot about it when I exited the house... My umbrella is literally on the dining table..." you groaned in complaint at yourself.

Taehyung laughed softly, setting his hand on your cheek. "That's okay." He kept looking into your eyes, making you stare back. The warm of his hand spread from your cheek to your heart, loving every second of this moment.

Taehyung's hand dropped gently, trailing softly to your waist, pulling you slightly closer, making you rest your head on his shoulder as he turned to face the scenery of the park.

You hear him hum, the vibration of his body reaching yours.

Your attention turned fully on him when he uttered your name, a sound of want in his voice.

"Be my man."

His words set a haze of dizziness to your head, swimming in the pool of delight. You wanted to say yes, to accept. But, something stopped you. You continued staring at the scenery, waiting for whatever the reason that stopped you from coming into your head, as well.

As the rain continued to splatter down harshly on the ground, you remembered the sad reality you didn't want to.

"Taehyungie hyung–"

"Yah, you don't have to call me hyung anymore... I like it when you just call me Taehyung," he said, pouting, making you laugh.

"Okay, Taehyung," it felt odd to refer him like that, but it was his wish, so you continued. "No matter how much I want to, I don't think I can."

Silence fell between you two.

You heard a small sigh, "Why?"

"Because the public doesn't want you to have a man."

"Well, they don't want me to have a woman, either," Taehyung fired back, wanting to just have a happy ending with you. You glimpsed at him, holding a gaze when you saw his on yours.

His eyes were dark but held so much emotion. A twinkle of hope with a glint of desperation, and it was mostly confused.

He shut his eyes, and let out another breath, opening them to speak.

"I love you."

The words made your heart hammer, cheeks dust pink and your jaw slightly drop. Before you could say anything, Taehyung continued.

"I don't care about what the public says as long as I love you."

You couldn't find the words to reply.

"But... do you... know how much hate you'd get?" You said, heart cracking at the thought of the homophobic reactions. "How much our country hates people like us? And, it's not even with another member– it's with a fan. If the rest of the ARMY finds out, they'll kill me and say you look better with Jimin or Jungkook, instead."

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows, feeling anger spark in him when he heard yourself refer to yourself as a fan in such a disgraced way. "There's– there's nothing wrong with you being a fan," He defended.

You looked at him, understanding eyes boring into his defensive ones. With a sad smile, you said. "I know. But, they don't."

After a few seconds of silence between you two, thoughts moving fast in your heads, both of you had silently agreed that this wouldn't work out well– not as a relationship between you two– but rather with the public. Both of you were thinking about it for the sake of the group.

Taehyung didn't want to let you go like this– he never wanted to let you go. He just wanted you in his arms, warm and safe.

"Berry-berry," Taehyung said, softly, the endearing nickname making its appearance again.

With a small smile, you replied, "Hm?"

"I love you~" He said, leaning forward to you, embracing you tightly. Your heart swelled, the warmed of his body spreading to yours.

"I love you, as well, Taehyung," when you said that, Taehyung pulled back with a happy grin.

"You said it back!" He exclaimed, the most delighted beam on his face.

With a playful roll of your eyes, you responded with, "Of course, I did. I said it the day I met you."

He tilted his head, remembering back to the day he'd met you. "Oh, you're right! You're so cute~" He said, taking your face between his hands and softly pressing it.

The rain slowly lessened to little more than a drizzle.

"Do you have any more schedules?" You asked as he let go of your face just to look at it.

"Oh, right! Today is the filming of the next Run episode..." Taehyung said, sounding as if he just remembered. He fished out his phone to see a bunch of missed calls from the other members. They had to be at the set by four.

You grinned, thinking of the Run episodes that you've enjoyed. "Ah, I'll be anticipating it."

Seeing Taehyung smile back as he gave you a second glance before looking back at his phone to text the others, you felt your heart soar. It was such a perfect sight. You wanted this moment to last forever.

"I have to go," Taehyung grumbled in disappointment, sighing. He gave you a sad look. "So... we... shouldn't see each other... yeah?"

You felt as if the air was suffocating you as your heart fell heavy, the weight of sadness pushing it down.

Taehyung looked up at the park, there was still a light drizzle, you saw his lips barely move as he said the words- voice sounding sad like you were drowning in an empty ocean. "I want to... keep seeing you, though."

You were just looking at him, taking in his beauty of his side profile. Your voice was hoarse as you said in just as a small voice, "I want to keep seeing you, too."

Taehyung's eyes averted to you, his head no turning to face you. He looked at you with such an intense look before it fell to a helpless look of despair.

Feeling your nose twitch, wanting to cry, you took a long breath in so you could hold it back, not wanting to make the mood sadder than it already was.

Finally, Taehyung turned his head to take a proper look at you. He leant forwards, making your noses touch, his eyes full of emotion boring into yours.

His warm breath hitting your skin, he spoke in a whisper, "Can I kiss you?"

Your breath hitched in surprise. You looked down at his lips– they looked so inviting. Looking back into his eyes, you saw he was looking down at your lips.

When he leaned closer, you felt yourself almost giving in– but then, you remembered. This can't happen. You'd get too attached.

"Taehyung– we can't," you whispered, the distance between your faces almost nonexistent.

He looked at you sadly. "Why not? It can be like... a farewell kiss? And... we can never talk about it again. We'll at least be friends after this, right?"

You felt your stomach drop. "Yeah, of course. But... we still... can't," you choked out, averting your gaze aside, not meeting his eyes.

You felt warm hands on your cheeks, turning your face to make you look at him. He just strongly looked in your eyes, a look of vulnerability gleaming in his.

Not saying anything, you two just stared. Until you felt his lips gently touch your forehead, sending tingles throughout your body.

He pulled back to sadly smile at you, eyes glistening. You felt a lump in your throat seeing such a sad sight.

"Okay," he breathed out before creating more distance between you two, standing up, facing his back to you.

"See you." His voice was laced with melancholy.

Without even turning around, he walked off, under the soft splatters of rain, leaving you sitting there, feeling your heart crack like a glass would after a big impact- the moment before shattering.

A shaky breath left your lips, leaning on the side wall, watching Taehyung's figure disappear as he left.

You weren't sure if this was right.

It didn't feel right.