Hoseok exited his apartment, heading toward Hope's Bouquets. As he walked, he observed couples connected by crimson threads—a visible sign of soulmates—and those who lacked them. It always struck him as heartbreaking to see perfectly compatible couples without a thread, as if fate hadn’t bothered to intervene.
Hoseok possessed a unique ability: he could see these threads. It was a trait inherited from his mother and the women on her side of the family, starting with his grandmother. They could see the threads connecting others, but never their own, nor those of anyone else who shared the gift. This created an agonizing uncertainty: could you ever truly know if the person you loved was your destined partner? It had plagued his mother, who cycled through relationships, discarding each one as soon as she discovered the thread linking them to another. She’d been branded promiscuous, but Hoseok knew the truth: she was simply severing ties with those whose fates lay elsewhere. Watching his mother weep over her inability to find her own soulmate had broken his heart. Now, Hoseok was terrified of succumbing to the same despair. He feared a life defined by the same aching loneliness. He hadn't experienced love yet, and the thought of being depressed like his mother terrified him.
He flipped the ‘CLOSED’ sign to ‘OPEN’ as he entered the flower shop, then began tidying up, anticipating the rush of Valentine’s Day customers. February was always the busiest month, and this year felt particularly frantic.
Finally, a customer entered. He was a young man with silver hair. Hoseok greeted him, watching as the man wandered through the store, admiring the blooms. He noticed the slight, hesitant pout on the man’s lips.
“Can I help you?” Hoseok asked, approaching him.
The man looked up, smiling faintly. “Just looking for a flower for my little brother.”
“Is it for a special occasion?” Hoseok inquired.
“He’s graduating soon,” the man replied.
“Graduation, huh?” Hoseok pursed his lips thoughtfully. “I’d recommend these roses, daisies, and tulips. The colors are vibrant and cheerful.”
The silver-haired man watched as Hoseok gathered the flowers, arranging them into a striking bouquet.
“Yeah,” he breathed, captivated.
“Here you go!” Hoseok flashed a genuine smile, handing him the bouquet. He felt an impulsive urge to wink. He hadn’t winked before. It felt natural, instinctive.
The man nodded, accepting the flowers. “Thank you.”
As the man left, he finally exhaled, a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding since the wink. Was Hoseok flirting? The thought sent a jolt through Yoongi. A wink from someone else would have earned an eye roll. But from Hoseok…it was something else.
“Yoongi!” Jimin called out.
Yoongi turned to see Jimin, who was growing taller with each passing day. Jimin loved it; Yoongi resented it.
“C’mon!” Jimin tugged on Yoongi’s arm. “We’re gonna be late!”
Yoongi groaned as Jimin pulled him along.
Jimin was practically vibrating with excitement about his boyfriend’s graduation. He couldn’t wait to see him walk across the stage, grab his diploma. The bunny smile, the crinkle in his eyes…Jimin was hopelessly in love.
Yoongi rolled his eyes, but he was happy. And secretly jealous.
Not of Jungkook, but of their connection.
Yoongi longed for a love like theirs—a devotion, a tenderness. He wanted someone who would accept him, flaws and all. It was easy for some, but for Yoongi, it felt impossible.
He was only 22, still young. He had time to find someone. But what would they be like? How would they treat him? Would they love him as fiercely as he would love them?
He envisioned a future—a happy life in a cozy house, a fulfilling career. A perfect future…
But perfection was an illusion. And a well-paying job was a distant dream. He worked as a waiter at a Korean restaurant, balancing it with his college studies.
Still, he was content.
♥
“JEON JUNGKOOK!” Taehyung bellowed, his voice echoing through the stadium.
Jungkook walked down the aisle, a radiant smile illuminating his features. He bowed as he accepted his diploma from the principal.
“THAT’S MY BOYFRIEND!” Jimin screamed, earning a glare from Yoongi.
“Stop shouting,” Yoongi grumbled. “They’ll kick us out.”
“It’s called support!” Jimin retorted.
Jungkook’s family chuckled at their youthful exuberance. They remembered their own wild days.
Jungkook looked at his friends and family, his smile widening. He waved his diploma like a proud child.
‘He’s really growing up,’ Yoongi thought, but he still saw Jungkook as a little kid.
After the ceremony, Jungkook joined his friends for an afterparty. He wouldn’t be home until late.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” Yoongi said, excusing himself.
He navigated through the crowd, searching for the restrooms. He sighed.
He was lost.
“Are you lost?” a voice asked from behind him.