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Sitting on the bench in the park all alone kind of made you think. It isn’t the first time that Hoseok had been late to one of your many scheduled hangouts. And it definitely wouldn’t be the first time that he had been a no-show entirely. If that was the case, you would get a very long apology text later. Being the best friend of a K-pop idol really had its downsides.
Hoseok hadn’t always been your best friend. It wasn’t until a few years before he debuted with Monsta X when a scrawny teen accidentally dumped coffee all over your lab notes that you even knew him. He had spent the entire afternoon after that helping you re-transcribe the parts that were incapable of being salvaged. When he had left, you figured you wouldn’t see him again.
That didn’t last long because you soon came to have company every few days while you spent a few hours studying in the local coffee shop. Sometimes he bugged you and sometimes he helped you, with flashcards or reminding that it was 100% alright to take a break from looking down at the textbook. Getting headaches when you finally looked up helped with the latter as well. He also flirted quite a bit but you weren’t one to pay too much mind to it, as your focus was school.
But now, since you were out of school, and working full time, except for the days that you took off (like today), things had changed. You paid a little more mind to the flirting, but you would never to tell Hoseok that. You had figured he was joking for a long time, it was his way of making himself comfortable. If anyone asked, you had resolved any stray feelings for Hoseok while he was on tour but in reality, you felt a connection but couldn’t take the risk of ruining the greatest friendship you have ever had.
You hadn’t realized that you had been watching the same two ducklings swim in the stream until a ball flew past your face. It brought you back to reality as the kids chased it down in order to throw and kick it around some more. Huffing, you pulled your phone from your coat pocket to check the time. 7:54 P.M.
“He’s got 6 minutes and then I’m leaving.” You mutter to yourself. The sun was setting and the air around you was becoming chiller as time passed. But speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Hoseok was running towards your bench, sweaty and carrying a small bag. “Y/N...!” Was all he said as he practically jumped onto the bench next to you. You rolled your eyes as he handed you the bag with the apology drink and candy bar. “I am so sorry that I’m late.”
You could only shrug at this point. You weren’t mad at him, maybe your pride was a little hurt, but you had honestly grown used to him being late to your plans.
There was actually a night were you sat in a 24 hour coffee shop until 11 in the evening in hopes that he would show but never did. That had been made up with an entire day with him so you couldn’t have stayed too mad, but the memory was there.
“It’s fine, Hoseok.” You start but he just shakes his head.
“No, Y/N... No, it isn’t fine. I feel like I am neglecting you as a friend. I don’t even have an excuse for being late today. I just forgot. So I honestly feel bad.” He couldn’t seem to look you in the eye. You knew it hurt him to hurt you, which is the biggest reason why you were never mad at him.
There were times when you had cancelled the plans he made because he needed to get rest. You even locked him out one time when he came over anyway. Eventually, you did let him in because he wouldn’t go away but you did make him lay on your couch while you worked on a few documents from work. After 15 minutes of laying there, he did fall asleep.
“Hey, I get it. You are an idol. So things will be hectic. Maybe next time, I can just come to you since you are always trying to make it out to meet me.” You say softly, putting your hand on his knee. Hoseok looked up at you with a smile and nodded.
“Y/N, you are the best person that I have ever met.” He said turning to look back at the stream and going to put an arm around your shoulder, pulling you into a side hug. This made you smile. “Oh, hey! I got you something else. It’s from when I was on tour.” His opposite hand dove into his pocket to retrieve a small box. “I saw it and thought that it would suit you. It’s also something to have when I’m gone.”
You took the navy box from his hand. Opening it revealed a silver charm bracelet with two charms. One was a book and the other a coffee mug. Looking at it made you laugh. “There’s another charm under it that you can put on it if you want.” You weren’t looking at him, too mesmerized by the bracelet, but his voice was nervous and shaky. Lee Hoseok was never nervous or shaky. So you lifted the bracelet to reveal a small H charm. H for Hoseok.
You didn’t say anything, just threw your arms around his neck and pulled him into an awkward bench hug. “I love it. Thank you.”
He spoke softly into your hair and it almost sounded like he used the words “My girl.” So quickly you pulled back. “What was that?” Hoseok froze, eyes wide. Obviously, not thinking when he spoke. Once again, he was nervous and shaky.
“Uh... I...I said, anything for... my girl.” He was looking up at the stars that had began to shine as the sun had gone down. The small smile that had been on your face slowly grew into a cheesy grin. “I’m just much more comfortable with you than anyone else and I don’t know, somewhere between dumping my drink on your notes and being excited to come home from a show in another country to my best friend, I really started feeling something for you. And I understand if you would prefer to keep being friends but since it’s out, there’s no taking it back.”
Eventually, he did turn to face you again and when he did, you took his face in your hands and kissed him quickly. “Hoseok, I’d be more than happy to be your girl.” His eyes lit up and he kissed you again and then proceeded to help you put on the bracelet.
Maybe he won’t be late to everything now. You laughed quietly to yourself, as he started to drag you off of the bench and away from the park.