Day One

"It honestly doesn't surprise me that you three managed to get an invitation to a party from strangers," Jin shook his head in bafflement. It was around seven in the afternoon when we all arrived at the beach house, all of us loudly entering the living-room having filled ourselves on a variety of sweets. Yoongi lounged on the couch while Namjoon, Hobi and Jin played a round of Mario-Kart. After our loud entrance, we joined them while sharing the events at the arcade.

"Jin-hyung, you guys wouldn't have to cook and it'll be rude to accept the invitation then bail," Jimin pleaded.

"Jiminnie, you just want to the see the girls from the arcade," Kook giggled without taking his eyes off the television screen. We all laughed at Jimin's red ears which confirmed what Kook said was valid.

"It would be nice to skip out on cooking responsibilities," Hobi surprised me in agreeing to attending, "Besides, it's on the same beach so we can always walk back if we get bored."

Having all agreed, everyone made their way to their rooms to get ready. Soo, Mi-cha and I were trying on different outfits when there was a knock at the door. Hobi's confused face puzzled me.

"Hey," he whispered, "Can I talk to you?"

He didn't speak a word to me which made me even more nervous. He isn't usually this quiet, and this sudden change in personality was causing little beads of sweat to form on my forehead. I couldn't possibly think of what I could have done to cause this mysterious confrontation.

I followed him to the patio that was dimly lit with one small lamp, I paused for a second when I noticed the figure standing near the railing overlooking the beach. Taehyung turned having hear our approaching steps, and he smiled as if trying to assure me that everything was ok. Hobi leaned against the nearest wall and passed a glance between both of us. It was as if he was trying to solve a math problem that he just could not figure out.

Taehyung moved closer to me and took my hand, intertwining our finger. The gesture completely took my breath away. I held my breath, waiting for Hobi to yell or push us apart, but he simply stood against the wall with the same puzzled face. 'What the hell is going on?' I thought. What happened in the short time we were getting ready, that brought this on?

"Tae said he has confessed to you," Hobi finally broke the unsettling silence, "He spoke his piece, but I wanted to hear what you have to say."

"What did you want to hear?" I nervously asked.

"What do you mean, what I want to hear?" Hobi laughed, "I'm not interrogating you. I'm not dumb enough to think you weren't bound to date. I've always wondered why you never did."

"No one ever asked me," I dumbly reply.

"Well, that's odd," he chuckles.

"Not really. Everyone at school remembers you and Jimin does a real good job at scaring others away."

"Tae isn't running," he says with a grin, "So tell me, Ri, will I need to protect you from a clingy Tae, or from a possibly angry Jimin?"

I glanced up at Tae who had been quiet throughout the entire conversation. He smiled down, silently encouraging me to speak my mind. Finding courage in his beautiful boxy smile, I squeezed his hand.

"I didn't expect to feel this way about him. I just wanted to start a friendship. I actually lost confidence in myself, but he was always there reminding me that I'm worth more than I was made to believe. We don't want to sneak around and would like your acceptance."

I felt Taehyung's posture relax. I grinned to myself having realized that he was nervous the whole time. I found the courage to speak up for us and didn't realize that he probably feared I'd back out. I would need to do my part to build up his confidence as well.

"Well, that settles that," Hobi pushed off the wall, playfully smacking Tae on the shoulder, "If she has accepted your feelings, I'm not one to stand in her way."

"I thought you'd be more protective about this," Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck as if to rid himself of the stress of the whole situation.

"I know you Tae, and Jimin has always spoke highly of you," Hobi stated, "I would have only been against you if you were a skirt-chaser or if she rejected you but you pressured her into an uncomfortable situation. I respect you even more for checking with me even when you didn't have to."

"No, I had to," Tae cut in, "Nari values your opinion, and I didn't want my best friend to feel as if I were trying to be sneaky. I plan on telling Jimin, but wanted to tell you first."

"It was pretty obvious you liked her," a voice spoke up from the shadows. I felt myself grip Tae's hand tighter. We had been so engaged in our conversation that we failed to notice the opening of the front door and sound of footsteps. Jimin and Soo Min stood in silence. Soo Min looked as if she were trying not to laugh while Jimin simply smiled.

"What do you mean it was obvious?" Tae mumbled.

"With the exception of the hyungs, we noticed the glances and blushing. I was confused because Min jae, but I guess he was just a temporary passerby," Jimin shrugged.

"You're not mad?" I asked. I don't want to be the type of girl that ruins a friendship, especially when it's Jimin. I would completely understand if the idea of his cousin and best friend dating made him uncomfortable.

"Of course not," he chuckled, "Tae Tae doesn't fall that easily and he's definitely a better pick than Min-Jae. I will admit I worry how things will turn out if this doesn't work out, but I don't want to be the reason you don't give it a try."

"Thank you, Jimin," Tae pulls him into a brotherly hug, having the weight lifted off his shoulders.

*Taehyung's POV*

We entered the party as a group. The sound of music, laughter and numerous conversations filling the beach house. Jimin, Hobi, Mi-Cha, Kook, and Soo immediately went to the dance floor that was created in the livingroom. Namjoon, Yoongi and Jin went to the food and drinks having whined the whole way here about starving and praying the food would be good. The others had been shocked when Nari and I had entered the house holding hands, but it was not as awkward as we thought it would be. If anything, they accepted it quicker than I would have expected.

Now, I looked down at my smiling girlfriend.

"What did you want to do? Dance? Eat?" She asked while looking around at the guests. I honestly wasn't big on parties, but I'd do whatever she wanted.

"Why don't we grab something to eat and take it out to the patio? It's not as crowded."

She nodded in agreement and we headed to the island table where all the food was set up. I felt a grip on my hand and looked at Nari's face. She looked uneasy. I followed her eyes and frowned at what had caught her attention. Min-Jae. He glanced at our joined hands and had the audacity to look hurt. I stood waiting for his next move, or words, but a girl, I didn't know, wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing his cheek, stunned me into silence.