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Hoseok found refuge in the bathroom to be alone and not to bother anyone. Loyal to his persona he couldn’t show to the other members the condition he was in right now. He had let himself slide against the wall crying all of his emotion out quietly not to wake up the other. He felt selfish to cry for this reason but being a human being is after all wanting to be liked by others, moreover when you are a public person. Today all the members had received letters from fans, every and each of them except him. He wondered what he had done not to deserve those letters but he couldn’t point what. And even if the fact that Jimin gave him some of his letters really moved him it hadn’t relieved him from his negative emotions for too long. He also thought that he better should have left when he wanted to, that whether he was here or not nothing would change. A new sob shook him, sob that he tried by all means to hide by putting his hands on his mouth. Then, he put his head on his folded knees and stayed in the quiet for a few long minutes. However, at one point, he felt fresh air and when he had raised his head, a little light dot whose height became bigger and bigger each time had appeared before him. As he was dragged by this light he stood up against his will and came forward to this light source. He didn’t want to go here, he just wanted to cry in peace but his body didn’t respond and got closer and closer until he could touch the light by the pads of his fingers. At first nothing happened but out of nowhere he had been sucked in by this ray of light and then nothing more. The bathroom was empty and engulfed in darkness again.

In a loud noise, he fell flat on his face on the cold tiles although way cleaner than before. Hoseok rubbed his already teared, red eyes and swore that he saw daylight comes in. A window? In their bathroom ? Hoseok leant on the bathroom sink in order to stand up and winced in pain. He soon raised his head, his eyes staring at his reflection but what surprised him was not his post-crying face but what was surrounding him. The room was spacious, there were two sinks in front of him, the mirror was clean, there was obviously a window but also a big shower so big that all the members could fit in and on his right a bath located under a second big window. Carefully and stunned, he got closer to it and looked outside. He went backwards rapidly met by his fear of height. Why was he so high up and why wasn’t he in his dorm with the others? His breathing got faster and his tears threatened to fall even more.

And then a noise had came from outside of the room. Maybe he could find help. He went outside slowly paying attention to all the hallway’s details that he went by. He traced back the corridor and arrived in a more than spacious living-room. The kitchen and the dining room were separated by a bar and facing the latter was a big black leather couch on which five people were sitting. Coming from the smell, the five persons were eating. His stomach then made a noise. He was so hungry. He inhaled and exhaled before closing his eyes and opening them again in order to gain confidence. He finally went forward to find help in these persons who were talking. This is strange. Their voices vaguely remembered him something but at the same time they were totally unknown to him. When he was not to far but not to close, just enough for them to hear him, Hoseok cleared his throat and said before the five heads turned in his direction

« Excuse me, I don’t know how I got there, I just want to come back to my house. Please help me. »

« Hoseo-Hoseokie hyung? »

(Hyung?) Hoseok raised his eyes and discovered five couple of eyes watching him like he was an alien. And then:

« Woah », was the first thing he said when he saw them. « You- wh-why how did you became older in the span of thirty minutes? »

The change was obvious and the young man rapidly felt himself go red. The five men who were sitting in front of him were none other than his members but older, more muscled, more tattooed and cooler.

« And you hyung you’re nineteen again and what the hell are you doing here! » Taehyung shouted « What— »

« Tae, » Namjoon put his hand on the younger’s shoulder. « Calm down you are scaring him »

Hoseok had indeed took a step back.

« Oh no, sorry hung, well… » Taehyung faced the others. « As he is nineteen I still have to call him like that? »

« Y-you guys… » Hoseok hesitated « How old are you? »

« This is not a question to ask, » Seokjin sulked slurping a mouthful of his ramens.

« Hyung, he is as lost as we are. We should tell him, » Yoongi faced the young Hoseok and invited him to sit in front of the face of them. « Seokjin hyung is turning thirty (the concerned groaned), I am twenty nine, Namjoon is turning twenty eight, Jungkook is turning twenty five and Taehyung’s turning twenty seven. Jimin as well and you are twenty eight. »

He nodded without looking at the men facing him.

« You think time travels exist then? I know how I landed here but I don’t know why. It’s weird. »

« Yes a little bit too odd for my liking, » Namjoon added clapping his hand together. « Tell us how you arrived here. »

Hoseok tried to look at his leader but his eyes systematically wandered on Namjoon’s chest and arms. He couldn’t concentrate if he kept staring at his leader.

« Well, huh. I was in the bathroom at night and a light showed up in front of me and began to shine. I didn’t want to come closer to it, » he shook his head, « No but my body kind of acted on his own and I arrived here. »

He looked around him a mix of fear and wonder in his look. Then he asked :

« Is it a new dorm? »

« Is this what you are interested in now ? » Namjoon retorted in disbelief.

« Hyung, we said we had to help him, » Jungkook added.

« Yes but not by telling what is actually happening. »

« This is Yoongi hyung apartment, » Taehyung answered ignoring Namjoon who himself sighed.

« Yoongi hyung’s apart… wait, you are all living separately? » They all nodded their head. « It means we disbanded, that we don’t get along anymore, that we didn’t succeed, that we… »

Those damned tears won’t leave him alone.

« Hobi hyung, don’t worry. We have just sold it, » reassured the maknae with a sweet voice

« We just disbanded then? »

« Hoba, you haven’t even asked what year it is ».

(Oh.)

« We are in 2022. »

« Wait! It’s been nine years! »

« Yes and it has been nine years we lived together, we needed our own private space. We haven’t disbanded. A lot of people thought so a few months ago but we just decided to take a break from our group activities to focus on our solo projects. »
« Solos? Albums? »

« Yes, that’s it. »

« So in 2022 we don’t make music together anymore? » He said worried letting himself fall on the couch between Namjoon and Yoongi. « What happed so that we make this decision? »

« It’ll be way too long to explain it all to you Hoseokie, » Seokjin said looking at the younger. You’ll know when it’s time. »

« I just need to know if it has something to do with our friendship? We don’t get along anymore, is it? »

Jungkook adorably smiled at Hoseok in order to reassured his nineteen years old hyung.

« Absolutely not. If it was like this do you think we would all be at Yoongi hyung’s? »

« We, well I mean you, aren’t all here, » he looked down again and played with his fingers.

« It’s normal, don’t worry. Jimin and you are in Chicago right now. »

« In Chicago? Why? »

« You are going to perform on the Lolapalooza main stage for your solo debut and Jimin joined you to support you. We would have loved to go too but we all have really busy schedules. »

« The main stage you say? All alone? I am the first to release my solo album then? And Jimin really flew across the world just to see me perform. »

Hoseok cheeks turned light pink as for this affirmation. The members were moved by the young Hoseok innocence.

« Yes and we are all are at Yoongi’s to watch you perform like the great artist you are. »

He looked up, eyes wet.

« You think so? »

« Of course. Without you the team wouldn’t have come this far, » Jungkook assured.

Namjoon put his arm around the young Hoseok shoulders who almost startled at this sudden contact.

« You are an important pillar for this little family we are just beginning to form in your time line. »

« Are you sure about that? »

He looked at them with eyes full of hope. He was the one supposed to give it but at this moment he himself needed it.

« You know, » Yoongi added putting his forearms on his thighs, « It’ll be complicated, really difficult but everything is going to be alright because we are all the seven of us and we are going to stay like that. You don’t have to worry. Everything will be fine even if it’ll take time. »

The younger nodded, a little bit more confident than he was minutes before. Namjoon then looked at his phone to watch the time and he announced :

« It’s going to begin. »

The other members rushed in front of the TV.

« Huh, it is a good idea to let him listen to his music in advance by the way? » Taehyung asked vaguely pointing the young Hoseok.

They looked at each other, puzzled.

« Probably not but we don’t have other choices. He aren’t going to lock him in a room and leave him here during one hour and a half, » said Seokjin.

« One hour and a half ! » The younger exclaimed.

« Hehe, yes, » Taehyung giggled. « Hyung you’re so famous. »

Hoseok had a hard time believing it. But the members were the people he trusted the most whether they are ten years older or not. So he stayed sat in front of the TV in silence waiting for the concert to begin.

Seeing the images, Hoseok didn’t recognized himself. He had long hair, make up on, reveled an incredible stage presence, dance better than ever and he found his songs just as good as the others. He’ll have to congratulate his older self if he have the opportunity to see him one day. In other words he was captivated by what he was watching and all of these people in front of the stage… He heard the the melody of a hip hop music followed the word hangsang which is repeated multiple times and at this moment… the crowd began to sing each lyrics, didn’t miss any of the Korean one. It was the case during all the performance. Foreigners who doesn’t talk a word of korean sang along all the lyrics of all of his songs written in his mother tongue. So they had done it. They succeeded.

« A few hours ago Jiminie-, » he took everyone by surprise talking when his 2022 self went off the stage for an interlude. « He gave me letters which weren’t for me and now… »

He turned his gaze back on the TV screen completely absorbed by all of these lights glowing for him and just for him. He had just one wish, he just wanted to come back in his time line, work as hard as he could and be in 2022 as fast as it can be for everything to change.

« Will it be long until people like me ? »

The other members were astonished.

« Hoba, for us it’s really far behind us. Of course we haven’t forgotten all that happened those last years, how much it has been difficult during our debut but as we already told you everything will eventually work out. For your current problem, it’s going to be much faster than the rest don’t worry. »

Hoseok nodded swallowed by Yoongi’s wise words.

The rest of the performance unfolded without troubles and some songs were followed by Taehyung’s hum as if he had learned all the songs by heart.

The fans were chanting Hoseok’s name which maybe surprised his 2022 self more than himself actually.

He was confused but in a positive way. Maybe he shouldn’t have seen this performance, maybe it would change his future significantly as in all these science fiction movies. He didn’t remained less captivated by what he had succeed to become and by what the future had in store for their group.

When the members couldn’t stop praising the performance, he reminded about something that had been recurrent during some performances. [2022] Hoseok couldn’t stop paying attention to the left side of the stage. When he had sung Hangsang, Safety Zone and when he had finished Hoper World. None of the member seemed to have noticed but it turned round in circle in the young Hoseok’s brain, he wanted to know the reasons even if it seemed like it wasn’t serious, it had intrigued him.

« Say, huh- he began, did you noticed that he, me, always looked on the stage left side? »

They stopped talking and looked at the younger. It was Namjoon who talked first.

« No, as for me I have not noticed anything. »

« Me neither, Yoongi assured. »

If their conversation had ended here maybe he would have believed them but Jungkook had let a nervous chuckle out of his mouth which resulted in a smack on his head given by Seokjin.

« Yaaaah Hyung! »

« Deserved. »

Hoseok frowned.

« I know you are lying. Why? »

« Hobi-hyung, there’re things you don’t know and it’s better this way I mean, » Taehyung scratched the back of his head suddenly a little uncomfortable, « It’s not something we can tell you casually. 

« Okay but I didn’t ask you to tell me what was happening I just asked if you had noticed. »

« Yah, Hoba, » Yoongi interjected, « Even if you are not from here, I remind you that we know you, yeah? »

Hoseok lowered his head defeated by the older point. But still, something worried him but he stayed quiet knowing well he would not get an answer.

« So, » Namjoon stood up, « We need to decide where Hoseok is going to stay. »

« We can bring him to the company, don’t we? There is a couch in Hobi-hyung’s studio, »Jungkook suggested.

« My studio? My own? »

Jungkook smiled at him and nodded in order to confirm that, yes, it was indeed the case.

« We can’t bring him there. Imagine someone see him. How do we explain that he again is nine years younger and that now we have two j-hope? » the leader pointed out.

« If we bring him now nobody should be there, there’s only us to stay at work at such hours. Moreover, there are food, showers and toilets, Yoongi affirmed.

« And a dance studio just for him, » Seokjin added convinced of his argument.

« Why don’t one of us welcome him ? »

« Tae, should I remind you that we all practically sleep at the company. And if we don’t spend our nights there we still go home at three in the morning. »

Taehyung pressed his lips together into a line and slowly nodded.

Hoseok didn’t really know what to say. It was tempting to visit their workplace but how much time would he stay here? His 2013 group needed him. What if they thought that he definitely left this time. He almost screamed :

« I need to go home! They are going to think that I went back in Gwangju and that I abandoned them! »

Five pair of eyes turned to him, unsettled by this sudden dramatic momentum.

« Hobi… Nobody is going to believe that you left. I am sure the time has stopped in your timeline. »

« How can you be so sure of that Namjoon-ah? »

« Yes- Yes, it’s true that I know nothing about it but I still can tell you that none of us would think you abandoned us without saying anything, yeah? »

Even if the young Hoseok wasn’t totally convinced by what the leader said he nodded in agreement.

Before that Namjoon and Hoseok go to the workplace, everyone busy themselves into cleaning the diner table to the delight of the youngest who, even if he wasn’t in his time line, wanted everything to be clean.

The drive was more than quiet. Hoseok looked out of the window admiring the changes that the city had dealt with for the past nine years. He could explain this change as quite technologic but also more minimal than what he thought it would be.

When they had arrived and that Namjoon had paid the cab they stood in front of the big building. Hoseok, stayed there, staked on the pavement, a hot summery wind gently tickling his face. He looked up slowly the mouth agape. Namjoon looked at him, smiling and almost wanting to mock him but he refrained himself to do so understanding the shock to move from their former building to this gigantic one which arose from scratch only because BTS has succeeded.

« You know, a few weeks ago you held a big party at the last floor for the release of you album, »
Namjoon broke the silence with a calm voice

« Yeah? We must have had a good time all the seven of us. »

« Oh Hoba, » Namjoon added grinning, « We were far from being only seven. »

Hoseok opened his eyes big looking at his nine years older leader. And before the younger could just open his mouth Namjoon added again:

« I know that you are going to ask me about it and no I am not going to tell you who had come. You’ll know in nine years. Furthermore, you are the one who invited them so you already know them, even just a little. »

Namjoon friendly winked at him before steering to the entrance hall.

« Come on, let’s not spend the night here. »

« Wait. » Hoseok looked at his tiny watch, « You can go in at such hours? »

« Yes, we can, he showed him the keys which he shook before the younger eyes. « Let’s go. »

The younger followed Namjoon quite carefully. Nobody must see him so if he could avoid alarming the security guard it would be really great. Once they are in the hall he stopped walking without being concerned by this leader who, he, continued to walk in the building force of habit. His mouth had opened wide as well as his eyes. It was huge, so large he couldn’t believe his eyes. How did they manage to go from their little flat and garage to this hugeness?

« Hoseok-ah! Come on! »

Hoseok skittered to Namjoon who waited him in the elevator. Hoseok looked at the buttons and saw they were going to the 10th floor. 

« Why are our studios so hight up ? »

The older shrugged his shoulders having absolutely no idea. He thought about the fact that Hoseok asked a lot of questions, more that what he recalled.

When they were out of the elevator, Namjoon went in front of a sort of plaque and explained before the dancer ask: 

« This is for facial recognition. To avoid intrusions, all of that, » he added seeing the puzzled face of the other boy.

« It has already happened? »

« Yes. A TV channel. »

Hoseok stayed quiet with a still worried expression on his face. So Namjoon said to him :

« Don’t worry nothing serious. »

When they had crossed the door they found themselves in a corridor that gave the younger a headache.

« It’s really a maze there, some of us still get lost. » Hoseok nodded. « I need to go find your studio keys. Stay here, I’ll come back. »

Despite the leader’s indications Hoseok had decided to go explore the hallways without goal. And of course his leader was right. More than being just a maze, at this hour all was quiet and dark. Hoseok was scared, he should have stayed where the rapper told him to stay.

« Hoseok-ah!"

The said Hoseok startled hearing his friend loud voice. He was just behind him. Namjoon giggled and Hoseok pouted.

« Namjoon-ah this is not funny! I almost died! »

« Always more dramatic. »

He then rummaged through his pocket and handed Hoseok the keys and walked passed Hoseok.

« Come on, follow me. »

They started walking again and arrived in a sort of dead end.

« Here is my studio and here is yours. » He pointed at the door.  « Go ahead, the honor is yours. »

Hoseok got closer to the door and opened it thanks to the keys. They both entered and Namjoon closed the door before sitting on the couch. Hoseok didn’t pay attention to him his gaze fixed on the plaque that was by the door.

« Welcome to your Hope World. »
Hoseok turned his face frowning a little. Namjoon wiggled his fingers in front of himself showing Hoseok the entire room.

« Your studio name. »

« Hope World » he repeated dreamily, like an echo.

He focused again on the plaque he started at earlier.

« And this is… 

« Oh. You’ll see, » Namjoon smiled, flashing his dimpled and had almost made Hoseok’s heart stagger but he didn’t let this flustered him.

« Why don’t you stop telling me that? » He crossed his arm on his chest and Namjoon couldn’t help but finding him adorable

« So you’ll have still little surprises. Other way it wouldn’t be fun for you later. »

« You don’t even know if I am going to remember this all nor even if I could go back home. »

Namjoon answered that Hoseok was right and then invited him to sit on the chair tucked under the desk where numerous computer screens, speakers and figurines took center stage. He also noticed a group photo as well as a Jimin and him one in which they were sitting on the grass before a blooming cherry blossom in front of what it seems to he Hangang. This photo seemed to be directly out of an anime. Jimin’s hair was dark blue, it suits him so well. It was the first time the saw Future Jimin and… whoa.

« You are drooling a little, » laughed loudly Namjoon.

Hoseok didn’t say anything but felt his cheeks burning. He still continued to stare at the photo. He was giving a kiss on the singer right cheek and the latter had a huge smile on his face, one of his eyes smile.

Namjoon looked at him without him noticing anything and he thought that he still didn’t know. He looked at him with affection. He only wanted to protect him for outside cruelty even if he knew that it was what made him who he is today.

« I took this photo. »

Hoseok faced him, eyes glistening, something unexplainable in his expression. A mix of nostalgia of a moment he hadn’t lived yet and of future anticipation.

« I found it beautiful. »

Namjoon smiled and Hoseok returned to his observation.

Then the leader did a building tour, he showed him the bathroom, the showers, the dance studio -the most important-, the food full fridges and eventually he made him promise not to leave the studio the next day until he came to see him. He also forbid him to look at the content of his future self’s computer knowing well that all the events he still have to live were stocked in it. Hoseok confirmed him that he won’t do anything because he didn’t even know how to make it work anyway.

Namjoon then left well insuring that nothing of it all bothered the younger. He promised him that the next day he’ll be at the company early in the morning. After his friend’s departure, Hoseok hesitated for a long time between he should sleep or dance. The issue was that Hoseok didn’t felt sleepy at all so, as his promise not to get out of the studio applied just when the building was open and living, he went in the huge practice room. He turned on the light and closed the door behind him before stepping closer to the monitor. He forbid himself to play BTS’ future songs. He has already heard enough of his own and the members were right : if he knew everything before it wouldn’t be fun. So he decided to play No More Dream, and with a little of hope he searched for Born Singer. With surprise he found the music on the streaming platform which seemed a bit strange to him as they never released it on official platforms. He didn’t mind much and listen to the song lying on the floor. He wanted to dance but he also needed to gather his thoughts. He closed his eyes during a few seconds and without noticing he felt tears pouring down his rounded cheeks. The day has been really emotional, he had to let all of this out. But he knew that these tears weren’t tears of sadness, just a mean to let go. When he decided to get up he played N.O and Blanket Kick during which he smiled like an idiot to the fan service of the choreography. When he thought back on it he wasn’t bothered by it at all. After that he found himself exhausted. He blamed this on his tears. He decided to sleep on the big couch from his studio which is way more confortable that his bead in the dorm. This is with a calm mind and a tired body that we fell asleep.

Now, it has already been five days that Hoseok was in 2022. He had thought that after falling asleep the other night he would have returned in 2013 but he was still there. He had taken some habits, he often visited the members who treated him like a little fragile being and to be honest he really liked it in 2022 but it wasn’t his home and his future self and Jimin hadn’t came back in Korea yet. He thought that maybe it was the reason why he was still there? But why waiting for both of them to come back? He felt that despite the inner peace he now was feeling there was something missing and he assumed that this something would come from them.

He was on Jungkook’s couch in front of the TV because he had set about finishing all the Marvel movies that hadn’t been released in his time line. It was maybe the only future related thing he was allowed to do although Yoongi had not been so enthusiastic about the idea he had finally given up because of Jungkook big puppy eyes who was desperate for his hyung to leave knowing all the MCU story line from 2008 to 2022.

Jungkook was in the kitchen cooking something. Actually, all the members were taking over from each other in order to welcome Hoseok in their house. They had confessed that if they had kept their dorm a little bit more it would have been more practical but they did with the means available. In the afternoon, Jungkook received a call which made him stare at Hoseok a few minutes before focusing on the outdoor. When the rapper had asked him who it was Jungkook had vaguely answered that it was Taehyung who asked what he should be doing for working out but Hoseok wasn’t no fool; even in 2022 he knew when Jungkook was lying. However, he had said nothing and let it be.

It’s only when around seven in the evening he heard voices coming from the entrance that he knew that something was up. Jungkook came back alone even if he had gone answering the door. He caught his phone and his coat and announced to Hoseok :

« I’m going out but you’re not alone. »

Behind him, two silhouettes went forward and Hoseok obviously knew who it was.

« I am sorry to have lied to you earlier, I just wanted to surprise you. »

« Whoa, I thought that seeing me younger would have been super weird but it’s actually seeing Jungkook talking to me which is even more strange. »

Jungkook slightly laughed and waved his hand at the young Hoseok who remained speechless. [2022] Hoseok and Jimin were standing in front of him more radiant than ever.

« Hi, » said Jimin softly waving his little hand at him. « It is indeed really weird to have two Hoseokie hyung in the same room. »

The young Hoseok blinked a multiple times unable to understand what was happening.

« How? Didn’t you guys were in Chicago? »

[2022] Hoseok raised an eyebrow.

« Are tou really asking how we arrived? »

« Of course not! » The younger crossed his arms on his chest and pouted. « What I was trying to say is that I hadn’t expected to see you. » 

« Aww hyung you are so cute, » exclaimed Jimin going to gently pull the younger’s cheeks.

The later cheekbones turned bright red and [2022] Hoseok came closer to Jimin before taking his hand rather possessively. The younger noticed that move but said nothing, for them it was more than normal. So why his eyes still stared at their intertwined fingers of their so different hands but matching each other so well?

« Hoseokie hyung, come sit down. »

The two adults sat down on the couch and the younger put his butt on the coffee table.

« How did you find my, well would I say, our performance? » [2022] Hoseok asked and his counterpart’s eyes began instantly to shine to the mention of the festival. He never ended to praise the performance sometimes being interrupt by the adult who was saying that some parts could have been better here and there.

And during this time, even if he still found it really weird, Jimin looked at both of them talking to each other so differently. The younger was way more shy than what he recalled form the past, or maybe it was his Hoseok who asserted himself more than before. All of this overwhelmed him and he grasped [2022] Hoseok tight a little hard which made the latter whine in a weak pain and so ended the animated conversation.

« Sorry hyung. »

[2022] Hoseok took Jimin’s hand, kissed tenderly the top and looked at him under his lashes.

« It’s okay. »

For its part, Hoseok didn’t understand very well. Yes, it’s true that it’s common for them to behave like that but there was still something, a feeling in the room that he couldn’t describe because it was the first time he felt that. He looked at them quietly a questioning air on his face but they didn’t seem to pay attention to him anymore as they stared into each other eyes.

« Huh… » he scratched the back of his neck, « Say I don’t want to break whatever has happened just now but I just want to know what’s going on actually. »

Both of the adults looked at each other. Then [2022] Hoseok’s gaze soften and he paid attention to his younger self again.

« I know that you know but I also know that you are fighting against it. »

The young Hoseok tilted his head to the side. (What?)

[2022] Hoseok sighed for a long time and took his head between hands. Jimin gently stroked his back necessarily knowing something the young Hoseok didn’t know yet. The adult then raised his head a determined look on his face.

« I don’t know if I should tell you now because maybe it isn’t good or whatever but listen… Jimin and I are in a romantic relationship. »

A heavy silence invaded the room. Both of the adults looked at the younger waiting for a reaction which didn’t come.

So [2022] Hoseok carried on :

« I know it’s a lot to assimilate at once moreover when I know what you are feeling and what you have to live with. »

The young Hoseok weakly shook his head from left to right, a reaction the adults didn’t understand very well. So [2022] Hoseok clapped his hands once and began to talk a little fast.

« Listen little me, a few days ago you kissed Taehyungie. For him, it allowed him to figure out that he liked men but you already knew it. »

Again, the younger shook his head.

« Of course you do! It had confirmed you again what you already knew… even if your first confirmation was when you first saw Jimin at the train station, you did a gay panic and you didn’t talk to him for days. »

Jimin lightly laughed and [2022] Hoseok blushed a little before continuing:

« I am even sure that when you saw the others you couldn’t look at them in the eyes properly because… well huh… well you saw how they look like! »

Jimin and the young Hoseok looked at each other and said at the same time :

« Woah, » witnessing his high speech delivery.

Without taking offense, Hoseok went on :

« Anyway, I know this is not going to be easy to get used to the idea but it’s truly one of the best things that happened in your life so please don’t worry too much about that. People are stupid and you have the right to love who you want; or not for that matter! Do what you want with your life. It was this kind of advices we needed at the time because we would have been together since the very beginning. »

« Wait! What do you mean by the beginning? » The young Hoseok yelled standing up like he was losing his mind. « It means that Jimin loves me back? »

Jimin kindly smiled at him while [2022] Hoseok didn’t understand very well how his 2013 self was so slow on the uptake.

« Yes but you know me so, » he stopped, looked at his Hoseok and carired on. « Hyung, could you say to- to me that what the other think we don’t care and that I don’t need to show myself how I do back in your time line, that I just need to be myself and accept who I am. Look at how I am now! I’m more than happy and I would like my 2013 self to avoid all these useless pain. »

« Jiminie, if Namjoonie could hear you he would say that hardships shape character and so that it is essential that I tell you nothing once I am back but it’s only me in here, I am in front of you so— »

« Drooling, » [2022] Hoseok said trying to loosen the atmosphere.

« … drooling- what?! NO! »

The three of them laughed together.

« Don’t worry, it’s understandable. »

But the young Hoseok resumed :

« Anyway, I see how you changed, how we changed and and I think that maybe if that could happen sooner it’ll be most likely better. »

He blushed, his hears turned red as well.

« Oh boy! Emotions everywhere. I’m going to make us something to drink. »

« But wait… aren’t we at Jungkook’s? »

« Yes we are but we spend so much time with each other that it’s like we didn’t left the dorm. By the way, it must have been hard for you to know that. The others told me that you had hard times accepting it. »

« Yes that true. »

« But don’t worry, we’re seven and that is for life. Don’t be too anxious about it. Even in 2018 when it’s going to be become really hard for you all, I promise you that all the seven of you is forever. Look at us » [2022] Hoseok lips curled in a heart shaped smile and opened his arms.

« It’s amazing. »

« And there’s so much more for you to see! » The adult winked at him. « Wait a little and you’ll see that all your hard work will be worth eventually. »

« Okay, this time I’m really going. I’ll come back, » Jimin finally declared leaving a light kiss on his lovers lips.

The younger was found speechless. How has it happened? Who did the first move? Do the members know? Yes definitely. But do everyone know? And if so, what do they think? Don’t they get insulted all the time? They seem really happy together so maybe in the end nobody knows.

« Are you still with me? » [2022] Hoseok snapped his fingers before the younger eyes to make him come back to the reality.

« Yes, yes I’m here. »

The older didn’t seem convinced, surely well informed.

« If you want to talk I’ll listen. »

« Oh. No No. I am going to ask you things but you’re going to tell me like Namjoon and the others that you can’t answer and that I’ll see by myself in the futur. »

[2022] Hoseok sighed heavily and a silence settled in the room, silence punctuated by Jimin’s regular angelic hums.

« You have the right to ask me only one question, I’ll answer. »

The younger eyes opened big and he pressed his elbows on his knees in order to think and them he straightened and put his hands on the table behind him.

« Who know? »

Caught off guard, [2022] Hoseok didn’t answer right away.

« So, this is your question? »

The other, nodded rather vigorously contrasting with the start of their meeting.

« Huh okay. So our parents and our sister, the members, obviously and Jimin’s family. We haven’t officially announced it in the media for very obvious reasons. »

This fact eased the younger nerves. It meant that their couple wasn’t the target of constant attacks from enraged nobodies on the social media or ill-intentioned red tops.

Jimin came back with steaming hot chocolate cups which he put on the table next to the younger warning him not to spill them. Jimin asked his Hoseok about what both of them were talking about and the younger watched them. What he noticed and caught his attention was the eyes the two men sitting in front of him were giving each other. The glint in their eyes when one was talking and the other was listening was indescribable for the younger, but it was something soft, gentle, comforting and most likely full of love.

The younger then felt himself leave a bit. Unlike the first time, it wasn’t violent and he didn’t panic. The last thing he saw was the two adults protective and proud gaze before he fully closed his eyes and found himself lying on the cold and dirty floor of the bathroom.

When he opened his eyes, he didn’t know what he was doing here, spread out on the floor but he felt this feeling of serenity, peacefulness and a lot of love overwhelmed him in a rather violent wave. Violent, like the noise of the door when it opened on Jimin who yelled while crying without caring about his bandmates sleep :

« Hobi hyung, Hobi hyung, you would’t respond, I though you, well I—»

« Jimin-ah. »

Hoseok put his hands on each side of his dongsaeng face, silencing him up. He looked at him in the eyes and gifted him with his softest smile before bringing his and the younger’s forehead together and said to him whispering :

- I love you.