Angelic Adventures of Bangtan

by UltsBangtan7

Summary:

Aria believed that her last year of university would be as uneventful as the two before. She hadn't planned for her life to change in a matter of months. She begins to fall behind with work and a certain member of a certain group offers to tutor her, introducing her to six boys who will change her life forever.
Can one person love seven boys equally? Can a girl have seven soulmates?
Seven soulmates who are way more magical and complicated than she ever thought possible.
Do angels actually exist?
(Will become more mature in later chapters)
-this is my first proper fic so please go easy on me <3

Notes:

Hi, this is my first fic and my writing isn't the greatest but I hope you guys enjoy <3

Chapter 1: Bad Dreams

Chapter One: Bad Dreams

 

“Just close your eyes.” The mother assured her child as she turned him to face her and away from the carousel.

 “But Mummy.” The boy protested pointing to a small chubby finger towards the turning horses. “Just one go.”

 His mother seemed to grow frustrated. “Ho, you can have a go later but now will you just listen to me.”

 The small boy looked up to her. “Of course mummy.”

 “Close your eyes and count to a hundred and by the time you open your eyes I’ll be back with a present.”

 “Then the carousel?” He asked looking hopeful.

 “Then the carousel.” His mother agreed becoming more exasperated.

 The little boy covered his eyes obediently and started to count. When his mother was sure the child wasn’t peeking she quickly slipped into the crowd of people never once glancing over her shoulder.

 When the boy reached a hundred he removed his hands from his face and looked around expecting his mum to be there. “Mummy?” he shouted, his bottom lip trembling. “Mummy, where are you?”

 

 “No!” She screamed, shooting up in the bed. Her heart was pounding as her mind replayed the little boy’s desperate voice and his small sad face. “Calm down, Aria, it was only a dream.” She told herself trying to calm her breathing down.

 One of her flatmates burst into her room a second later. “Holy shit Aria, are you okay?” he asked concern clear in his voice.

 “Sorry Liam, it was just a bad dream.” she told him.

 Her best friend took a seat at the bottom of her messy bed. This had started to become a routine. Aria’s nightmares had been plaguing her for the past two months and every night she woke up screaming Liam was there.

 “Maybe you should talk about them?” Liam asked softly patting her ankle. 

 Aria shook her head vehemently, the little boy’s cries popped into her head once more and she didn’t feel like she could open her mouth.

 “I don’t mean to me,” Liam reinstated quietly. “But you’re not getting enough sleep, Ari, and it’s showing in your grades.”

 “Okay Mum.” She said swatting at him. 

 It was true though, her last two assignments had come back with marks that had barely passed. She just couldn’t seem to concentrate and not sleeping well was making her lose all motivation.

 Liam grinned at her and raked his hand through his bubblegum coloured hair. “So you’re up for good now, right?”. Usually he would join her in the living room for a hot drink and then go to bed and sleep until noon.

 Aria sighed and kicked the blankets off. “Talking about grades, I should probably go to the library and actually start focusing on my dissertation.”

 Liam looked amazed. “Rather you than me honey.”

 “Connor round tonight?” Aria asked suddenly feeling bad in case she had dragged her friend away from his sleeping boyfriend.

 “Yeah, but that boy could sleep through anything.” Liam laughed.

 “You get back to him and I’ll get dressed and be a good productive student.”

 “You know you’re insane right?”

 Aria laughed, she needed to do anything to get the little boy’s distraught face out of her head. “That’s what they tell me.”

 

 The library was unsurprisingly quiet because of the early hour, Aria seated herself on one of the sofas and pulled out her laptop. She sighed as the slow loading machine booted up. Her eyes scanned the few students who had joined her in torturing themselves; there was a girl in the far corner of the room with large purple headphones who seemed to be very immersed in the textbook she was reading and on the other side seemed to be three boys who looked like they were doing more messing around than actual work. She rolled her eyes, first years. Aria couldn’t help but look at the group for a little longer, they seemed different to other people she had seen around university. It could have been that two of them had unusual hair colours; one bright red and the other a mint colour that she would usually associate with Liam. But it wasn’t that there just seemed to be a difference that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

 Her laptop still hadn’t loaded yet, she knew she desperately needed a new one, but that would mean having funds. Aria slammed her hand down on the laptop and cursed. “Come on you stupid thing.”

 “You probably need a new battery for that.” A voice said from over her shoulder making her jump.

 She glared at the boy and realised it was the mint haired one. “What?” She asked dumbly even though she had heard exactly what he had said.

 “A new battery for your laptop.” He repeated with a shrug. “That or you could buy a new one.”

 “Oh right.” She said tightly, annoyed at him for stating the obvious. “Thanks.”

 “That model is ancient.” He carried on, scratching the back of his neck.

 Aria shot him a look as if to ask him why he was still talking to her? But the boy didn’t seem to notice and carried on talking. 

 “I didn’t actually come over here to talk about computers.” He said sheepishly and glared at his friends over her shoulder.

 Aria looked at his two friends who seemed to be very close to laughing. She glared at the boy. “So why did you come over here?”

 “My idiot friends were so kind to point out that your t-shirt is inside out, but didn’t have the balls to actually come and tell you.” He shrugged as if he was done with the conversation.

 “Oh.” She blushed as she looked down and noticed that her Stitch top was indeed inside out. “Thank you.”

 “Whatever.” He said walking away, his posture slumped portraying that he didn’t want to talk and wasn’t going to talk. “But really get a new laptop or you might lose all your dissertation work.”

 Aria nodded a thanks to him not at all concerned at the fact that he knew she was doing her dissertation.

 

 The three boys left soon after and headed back to their apartment, which they shared with their four best friends. Despite the late hour the youngest three of the group were flopped on the floor in the middle of a game of Call of Duty. They looked up surprised when the others walked through the door.

 “Where have you guys been?” asked the pink haired boy as he pressed pause on the game, ignoring the annoyed groans of the other two.

 “Where’s Joon?” Jin asked, shrugging off his coat.

 “Bed.” The pink haired boy replied. “You feel different.” He told them there was a different air to them, they seemed chilled and happier than he had ever seen them before.

 “What are you talking about Jimin?” Hobi asked pushing back his wet cherry red hair so the rain droplets would stop from running down his cheeks.

 “Jimin’s right.”the youngest agreed. “You do seem different.”

 “You went to see her, didn't you?” Taehyung had been quiet the whole time assessing the three who had just arrived, he could sense her on them.

 Jin shared a look with the other two boys, they weren’t going to tell the others that they had run into Aria when they were at the library until the next morning. They didn’t want there to be a clash because they had ‘broken’ the rules.

“I can’t believe you got to meet her before me.” Jungkook flopped down on the sofa in their apartment pulling at the strands of his dark hair in annoyance. 

 “It’s not like we planned it.” mint haired Yoongi replied scowling at him. “She just happened to walk into the library whilst we were there.”

 “At four in the morning?” Taehyung asked, raising a solitary eyebrow questioning them.

 “Maybe she couldn’t sleep?” Hobi asked. “I just needed to get out of the house and Jin and Yoongi happened to be awake so they came along.”

 “Is it the bad dreams again, hyung?” Jimin asked, his tone sympathetic. Hoseok frequently suffered from the worst dreams.

 Hoseok nodded in reply. “And anyway you guys can’t be mad at me, Yoongi was the one who went to speak to her.”

 “You spoke to her?” Taehyung asked both jealous and intrigued. “What was she like? Is she as cute up close as she is from far away.”

 Yoongi shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “I told her the top she was wearing was inside out, that’s all.”

 Jungkook groaned picturing her embarrassed expression as she would have realised, and her small thank you to Yoongi. It wasn’t fair he wanted to talk to her.

 “Namjoon is going to kill you.” Jimin told him in a sing song voice.

 The leader of the group had told them not to approach her yet, it was still early days and they didn’t know enough about her situation to go barging in. He was meant to make the first move being the member that was most experienced in these turn of events but Yoongi had instead.

 “What’s dying anyway?” Yoongi grinned. “Plus it was so worth it, you should have seen her face.”

 Hobi and Jin chuckled in agreement making the other three more and more jealous.

 

She was tucked up on the sofa binging How to Get Away with Murder, although there was a deadline for her literature review in three days she couldn’t seem to bring herself to write it. Aria was hooked on the show within seconds and was already on the third series. 

 “Hey beautiful.” Connor, Liam’s boyfriend, flopped down on the sofa beside her. 

 “Hi.” She greeted without taking her eyes off the tv screen. 

 “Liam and I have a proposition for you.” He said grinning.

 Aria felt her best friend’s arms wrap around her shoulders. She groaned. “You guys are going to try and convince me to do something that I don’t want to do, aren’t you.”

 “Well,” Liam said, his tone already light and convincing.

 “There’s this party” Connor started with a small smile.

 “No.” Aria replied. The uni parties that Connor and Liam always went to were always full of the ‘populars’ from university. There was always someone off her course that she didn’t want to bump into. Plus she was tired.

 “Ari, come on.” Liam pleaded sitting at her other side. “It’s going to be at the Bangtan apartment.”

 “Yeah, so?” She had no idea who the Bangtan Boys were, but she knew they were one of the most popular groups on campus.

 “They never have parties.” Liam continued. “This is the first time ever.”

 “Plus, we all received invitations.” Connor said slapping three pieces of card on her knees. “We have to go.”

 Aria eyed the invitations suspiciously. “I don’t even know who they are so how do they know who I am.”

 Liam gave Connor an exasperated look over her head. “See I told you the lack of sleep was making her dumb.”

 “Hey!” She protested elbowing him in the ribs.

 “What Liam meant to say is, you’re one of the prettiest girls on campus of course they know who you are.”

 “Ha!”

 “So you’ll come?” Liam pleaded giving her the puppy dog eyes.

 She sighed. “Fine but only if you let me dye your hair the purple colour I’ve always wanted you to have.”

 The boys grinned. “You have a deal.”

  

 

 

Chapter 2: The Party

Notes:

Hi, back again lmao
Thanks to everyone who has read and left kudos it's greatly appreciated.
I'm hoping to update this quite frequently, it's likely to be once a week. (depending on inspiration)
t/w: slight swearing and alcoholism

Chapter Two: The Party

 

“Remind me again why I let you convince me that having this party was a good idea.” Namjoon questioned the group as they placed the assortment of alcohol on the kitchen worktop.

 “Because you love us.” Jungkook told him with his signature grin wrapping his arms around Namjoon’s shoulders.

 “And you’re still jealous that Yoongi-hyung talked to Aria first.” Taehyung teased, remembering the leader’s sour expression when Yoongi relayed the tale to him. 

 Namjoon raked his hands through his grey-blond hair ignoring him. “We don’t even know if she will come.”

 “I hand delivered her invitation myself.” Jimin pouted. “I’ll be personally offended if she doesn’t turn up.”

 “She has to come.” Jin’s tone was final. “The Bangtan Boys never throw parties. Plus she won’t be able to stay away, have you seen this face.” he cupped his chin in his hands and pouted.

 Yoongi laughed at him. “Honestly, I’ve never seen her at any parties before.” He shrugged fingering the silver ring -the one they all had- on the fourth finger of his left hand thoughtfully. “Maybe Namjoon’s right.”

 “Oh will you two stop looking so crestfallen.” Hoseok told the sternly flicking each of them in the forehead. “Even if she doesn’t come, this party will be amazing.”

 “Exactly!” Jin replied. “If she doesn’t come it’s her loss.”

 “Plus,” Hoseok added with a grin. “We’re the Bangtan Boys nothing is going to stop us from trying our luck with other girls tonight.”

 Namjoon heaved a sigh knowing that they were right, but he couldn’t shake away the patch of sadness in the bottom of his stomach at the thought of her not coming. He mentally shook his head; this wasn’t him, this wasn’t Kim Namjoon. Kim Namjoon who was emotional at the thought of one girl not being at the party.One girl he didn’t even know that well. He needed to pull himself together.

 “What time did you say on the invitations?” He asked, cracking a grin, feeling a little like himself again.

 “Ten.”

 

Aria watched as Liam raked his hand through his purple coloured hair for the hundredth time that night. She grinned as she caught his eye in the mirror.

 “I’m guessing you like it?” She questioned.

 “It’s different.” He admitted, admiring himself from a different angle. “But I feel like purple may be my colour.”

 “See I’m a genius.” Aria grinned wiggling in her chair pulling the strand of hair Liam was trying to curl out of his hand.

 “Sit still.” He mock scolded, this time successfully curling the strand.

 “I don’t think this is very fair.” Aria stated waving her hand at her reflection as he curled her hair perfectly. “How come this works so well for you? And when I do it, it ends up looking like a mess.”

 “I have four sisters, I knew how to curl hair before I knew how to shave.” Liam replied, poking her shoulder when she moved again. “Plus you can’t sit still that’s probably why.”

 “I’m nervous.” Aria huffed in reply. “You guys are making me go to a party and wear a dress, this is a big thing for me.”

 Connor laughed at her from the bed where he was browsing his social media. “Oh yeah it’s a huge thing.”

 “Don’t tease her.” Liam said although he was smiling too. “You know ‘you-know-who’ is going to be there.”

 Aria felt her face flush knowing exactly who ‘you-know-who’ was. Lee Minhyuk was Aria’s childhood crush that had never left her. He was the typical kind of crush for a teenage girl; a bad boy who broke the rules and strayed away from class to smoke behind the bus shelter with his friends. But Minhyuk wasn’t mean like a normal bad boy; she had often seen him volunteering at the local animal shelter back in their hometown. Unlike a childhood crush though, Aria hadn’t grown out of it; even now she was too scared to talk to him. She thought back and can only remember once ever having a conversation with him and that was in science class so it didn’t count.

 “You’re still sweet on Minhyuk?” Connor asked, the shock was evident in his voice. Aria blushed a deeper shade of red. “Have you talked to him yet?”

 She shook her head looking into her clasped hands, it was too embarrassing. She was twenty one and she couldn’t even seem to bring herself to talk to one boy; she had relationships in the past but somehow Minhyuk was different.

 “Oh man,” Connor said jumping off the bed. “Hurry up and get ready, we need to be early if we want to get a chance to talk to him.”

 “Talk to him?” She echoed.

 “Yeah, you chose one of the most popular people on campus to be in love with.” Liam told her matter-of-factly. “Everyone will be swarming around him.”

 “Come on.” Connor rushed her, she hadn’t even realised that Liam had finished her hair. “Chop, chop woman, we’re getting you laid tonight.”

 “Laid?” Aria echoed again, she was feeling lost at the thought of talking to Minhyuk.

 “Talking first.” Liam said with a laugh.

 “Then sex.”

 Liam jabbed his boyfriend in the stomach as Aria left the room to get dressed. She eyed the simple blue knee length dress with suspicion, it wouldn’t have been her choice. Jeans, a top and a leather jacket seemed more safe but she had made a deal and she had to follow her side of it through.

 

 Although they arrived at the party ten minutes after the invitations stated, it was already in full swing. Aria didn’t even have to admire the fact that their student flat was in fact the penthouse of the most expensive student accommodation in Newcastle. They were thrust into the open plan living area of the Bangtan apartment which was packed with bodies moving together in time with the music. 

 “See,” Connor told them shrugging off his jacket to put it on the already full coat rail. “I told you we should have got here early.”

 Aria felt a wave of nerves go through her replacing the ones that were there because there was a chance she would have to talk to Minhyuk. There were too many people and the flat was huge, she didn’t want to get lost.

 “First things first.” Liam told her grabbing her wrist to drag her over to the alcohol he had spotted in the open plan kitchen. “Alcohol.”

 He poured her a drink strong enough to make her tipsy with the first sip and Aria drank it in one. She felt the burn of alcohol as it slowly made its way down her throat to warm her stomach. The people around the table who were lining up shots poured another three and handed them to Aria and her friends. She was already feeling drunk and a whole lot better than she had when they entered ten minutes before.

 Liam and Connor pulled her into the middle of the living room ignoring her protests that she couldn’t dance. They were going to make sure she enjoyed the night with or without Minhyuk.

 That’s when she spotted him she could see him over near the floor length windows, the moonlight illuminating his snow white hair. He was talking to his two best friends, Hyungwon and Wonho, laughing at something they said. Aria felt her heart pound in her chest, she always did like his laugh the most.

 “Go and talk to him.” Liam’s breath was warm on her cheek and his tone was commanding. He gave her a little nudge with his arm. “Go on, we’ll stay right here.”

 She had to do this she told herself, she had to be brave. It was now or never. She took a deep breath and began to push herself through the closely packed sweaty bodies squeaking a small sorry every time someone glared at her. She was almost upon him when she was cut off by two boys laughing and joking pushing into each other as they danced. 

 “Excuse me.” She said feeling her confidence lower by the tiniest margin.

 The boys stopped messing around and looked up at her the grins still on their faces. That’s when she recognised the mint haired boy from the library.

 “You.” He said in accusing tone, eyes raking from her perfectly curled hair, down her dress to her heels and back up again.

 “Computer boy.” She remarked spying behind him to see Minhyuk pointing towards the kitchen. “Can I get past please.”

 The second dark haired boy she didn’t recognise followed her eyeline and shook his head once at his friend whilst Aria wasn’t paying attention. 

 “Yoongi.” Yoongi replied, taking the hint off Jungkook to carry on the conversation.

 “Huh?”

 “My name’s Yoongi, not computer boy.” he told her holding out his hand so she could shake it.

 “Oh,” she said distracted watching her chance to speak with Minhyuk leave with him as he walked away from the living room. “Aria.” She said, taking his hand. 

 As soon as their hands touched Aria felt a rush of warmth travel up her arm. She pulled her hand away looking down at it in shock, she had never felt anything like it. It wasn’t exactly electric but it had shocked her all the same.

 “I’m Jungkook.” the boy on Yoongi’s left interjected.

 Aria looked up to the boy who she hadn’t met and was gobsmacked, how could two people be so handsome. Where Yoongi was serious and mysterious in a leather jacket and all black, Jungkook was softer and calmer in a red and black checked shirt and blue skin tight jeans, his black hair in waves across his forehead. He looked sweet and innocent and he was smiling right at her.

  WOAH . “Nice to meet you.” She said with a smile thankful that Jungkook didn’t go for a handshake too, her drunk body must not be able to take any kind of skinship.

 “You’re inside-out shirt girl.” Jungkook laughed waving his drink in the air. Yoongi shot him a look as Aria glared at the older boy.

 “That’s me. Anyway I have to-” She took a step back and felt someone’s foot under her heel as she did so.

 “Ow.” The unsuspecting male cried out.

 She whipped around. “Oh my God I’m so sorry.” She said hastily feeling her cheeks flush in embarrassment.

 The pink haired boy looked up from rubbing his foot and seemed unaffected within a second. “It’s okay, happens all the time at parties, no harm done.”

 She watched as he pushed back the sweaty strands of his hair that had stuck to his forehead. Damn, how did so many beautiful men get into the party. He was wearing a grey and black striped silk shirt that was sticking to his chest because of the humidity in the room. Aria tore her eyes away from his body before he realised she was staring. Her drunken state was making her thoughts inappropriate.

 “I should go.” She blushed, she had to get to Liam and Connor now.

 The three boys were about to protest, when her two friends appeared one carrying her a drink and the other three shots.

 “Holy shit,” Connor cursed, taking in the scene in front of him. “You left us to talk to three of the Bangtan boys, you’re immediately forgiven.”

  They were the Bangtan boys? No wonder people said they were the most beautiful people on the campus. “Connor!” She hissed feeling more embarrassed.

 “Here lightweight.” Liam placed a drink in one of her hands and a shot in the other and leaned to whisper in her ear. “The hot one with the mint hair is totally checking you out.”

 The words were like an electric shock to her system, she drank the alcohol quickly to try to distract herself from his words. Not long after the night went downhill fast.

Chapter 3: Tutor

Notes:

Here's another chapter for you guys, I hope to get the next uploaded within a week.

Please feel free to leave any comments.

Thank you for taking time to read this fic, it means a lot.

Chapter 3: Tutor

 

 “I told you it was a bad idea to let her drink that much.” Connor hissed at his boyfriend as they tried to wake up a very drunk Aria.

 She had thrown up in the toilet multiple times before she flopped down on the sofa and fell into a deep sleep. They had been trying to wake her for the last ten minutes but she wouldn’t move. It was becoming more and more embarrassing because they were the last ones at the party and the Bangtan Boys were staring at them from the kitchen.

 “She was just trying to have a good time.” Liam shrugged, pinching her on the arm but still Aria was snoring softly. “At least she’s actually sleeping.”

 “Sleeping?” Connor hissed in annoyance. “She’s practically comatose.”

 Liam was about to retort it wasn’t his fault that she had passed out on the host’s couch, but the boys had joined them from the kitchen and were staring down at them from the other side of the sofa.

 “Maybe someone should carry her out?” Jungkook suggested raising an eyebrow when Aria let out a loud, embarrassing snore.

 Liam looked both happy and annoyed at his suggestion, why hadn’t they thought of that? “Good idea, Connor grab her purse.” He leaned forward to tuck his hands under her knees to carry her. 

 “I’ll do it.” Taehyung announced stepping forward, shocking everyone. “Namjoon-hyung has only had one drink so he’ll drive us.”

 Namjoon glared at Taehyung for the smallest moment but then smiled. “Yeah, I’ll give you a lift.”

 Connor didn’t look sure but Taehyung had already lifted Aria into his arms as if she was as light as a piece of paper. “We could always get a taxi.”

 “It’ll cost a bomb, just accept this one good deed.” Jin slurred stumbling a little. “As for me I’m going to bed.”

 “I think Hobi-hyung should go to bed too.” Jimin said with a small grin flicking his eyes up to the stairs that led to the upper level. “The lady awaits.”

 Namjoon flicked a glare at Jimin this time and then looked at the boys. “Come on.” 

 Aria stirred in Tae’s arms and for the first time that night her eyes flicked open. “You’re pretty.” She slurred sleepily as they left the apartment and reached her hand up to his black wavy hair. “You’re like an angel.”

 And then it all went black. 

 

 “Aria Hope Collins, these grades are horrendous.” Her mother scolded her over FaceTime. “You were doing so well almost getting a first. What’s happened?”

 Aria raked her hand through her tangled hair, she hadn’t had the chance to shower before her mum interrupted her sleep with her call. “I guess I’ve lost all motivation.” She shrugged, she didn’t want to worry her mum about her bad dreams.

 “You’re nearly finished your degree. I don’t think now is a good time to start losing motivation.”

 Aria sighed at her mother for stating the obvious. She wasn’t ready for a lecture, she had the worst headache and her stomach was like a washing machine. “I can’t help it, I just seem so far behind and can’t catch up.”

 Her mother looked sad for her, her biggest dream was for her daughter to be as successful as possible. “Have you asked if there is a tutoring system?” She asked. “Where other students can help you out.”

 Aria blushed, she didn’t want everyone to know how far behind she was. “Mum, I don’t think-”

 “Aria.” Her mother’s tone was firm. “Do you want to pass your degree or not?”

 As much as she hated university, Aria had to admit she loved her course and really wanted to graduate that year. “I’ll email the head of the programme and see what he says.”

 “That’s my girl.” Mum smiled and then got distracted by something in the background. “I’ll have to go. Felix has decided he’s going to try and climb the kitchen cupboards.”

 Felix was Aria’s baby brother and at the age of three he had decided his favourite thing would be to climb everything in sight. Aria felt a pang, she really hated being far away from him. Her mother and father had tried so hard to conceive another child a couple of years after Aria without any luck. She was basically an only child until her 18th birthday when her mother announced that she was finally pregnant again.

 “Send him my kisses.” Aria said, making a mental note to go home once she got on track with her work. 

 “I will. Bye honey, I love you.”

 “Bye mum.”

 After showering Aria composed her email to her teacher and got an almost immediate reply. Kim Namjoon was her tutor, she frowned at the two names on the screen that name sounded familiar but she couldn’t quite place the name to a face.

 

 “You’re her tutor?” Jungkook asked incredulously. “How is that fair?”

 Namjoon sighed over lunch and avoided all the inquisitive gazes off his friends. “Thomas, the head of the programme contacted me personally. How could I refuse?”

 “I thought we were meant to keep as much distance from her as possible until we knew everything we could about her.” Taehyung said frowning at the older boy.

 “We were meant to.” Namjoon told him his words pointed directly at Kim Taehyung. “She was meant to come to the party so we could familiarise ourselves with her. But someone decided to offer her a lift home.”

 “I wanted to make sure she was definitely safe.” Taehyung sulked in response. “Plus Yoongi, Jungkook and Jimin were talking to her so why couldn’t I?”

 Namjoon sighed and looked to his hyung for backup. “Namjoon’s right we need to take this slowly or we might scare her off.” Jin agreed, his eyes flashing a silent message to Namjoon showing he stood with him. “Tutoring her isn’t stepping over any boundaries.”

 Jimin pouted playing with the noodles in his bowl. “So Joon gets to spend all that time with her and we have to stay away.”

 “We’re only going to be discussing literature, it’s not exactly a romantic date.” Namjoon replied with a laugh. 

 “I’m curious,” Yoongi spoke for the first time, turning to Taehyung. “She said something to you as you were leaving last night. What was it?”

 Taehyung grinned thinking back to Aria’s small hand reaching up to his face. “A gentleman never tells.”

 “That’s hardly fair.” Hoseok complained. “We told you all about the library.”

 “She called me pretty.” Taehyung said shrugging as if it wasn’t a big deal to him. Inside he was still warm and fuzzy. “And she said I looked like an angel.”

 “An angel?” Jin blanched, his noodles dropping from his mouth into the bowl.

 “Oh come on hyung.” Yoongi had to laugh at him. “It’s not like she actually knows.”

 “It’s a weird choice of a compliment.” Jin argued. “She could have said he looked kind, nice or handsome.”

 “Hyung,” Jimin laughed, he hadn’t seen Jin overreact like that in a while. “Relax.”

 Namjoon looked down at his watch and stood. “I’ve got to get going. I meet Aria in half an hour.”

 There were grumbles from the table but they all murmed their goodbyes to their leader.

 

Luckily for her Kim Namjoon had decided the university cafe was the best place for their first tutoring session. Aria was sat at a table close to the window trying to stop staring at everyone who came through the main doors. She scanned the time on her phone, he was running late. Her eyes lifted to the door once more; A tall boy with grey-blonde hair slicked back off his tanned face walked into the cafe. Aria was taken aback, he was wearing a university hoodie and some black, ripped skinny jeans, followed with classic vans. He looked amazing.

 “Aria Collins?” He asked walking over to her.

 So this was Kim Namjoon. She stood and smiled, she didn’t know whether she’d do much learning. Aria made a mental note not to stare at him. She offered her hand. When their hands clasped Aria felt a jolt of electricity fire up her arm immediately rendering her speechless. This was happening too often with gorgeous boys.

 “Kim Namjoon.” He greeted with a smile, placing his backpack on the seat opposite her. “Would you like a coffee?”

 Nice as well as handsome, Aria decided that she really liked Namjoon already. “It’s okay, I’ve just finished one.”

 “I really don’t mind.” Namjoon told her with a smile, his dimples popped in. Aria desperately wanted to poke her finger in the small craters. “Hmm, caramel latte right?”

 Aria was shocked. “How did you know?”

 “A hunch.” He grinned again and then walked to the counter.

 Aria got a lot more work done than she expected, Namjoon went back to the first lecture of the semester and explained it in detail to her. He was amazing, the way he worded it and how passionate he was made her want to learn. She looked down at her pages of work and sipped her coffee happily.

 “So does that sound better?” Namjoon asked, placing his laptop down.

 “How do you do this?” Aria asked still in awe about how easy Namjoon made it all seem.

 “Do what?” He grinned.

 “Teach it so I can understand.”

 “I’ve done a lot of tutoring for my six housemates, it gets easier the more you do it.” He shrugged.

 “Wait,” Aria felt a jolt of embarrassment as she made the link. “You’re one of the Bangtan Boys right?”

 “Guilty.”

 She didn’t remember much from the night before but Liam and Connor had filled her in. Aria felt her cheeks flush bright red. “I’m so sorry about last night, I don’t know what I was thinking drinking that much.”

 “Don’t worry about it.” Namjoon laughed, obviously thinking back to that night. “It’s not the first time or the last time that something like that will happen at a party.”

 “Oh no, that’s why your name was familiar.” She was becoming more embarrassed by the minute. “You were the one who gave me a lift.”

 “Yeah,” His smile was growing at the same pace as her embarrassment. “Taehyung carried you down from the apartment because you were completely gone.”

 “I haven’t drank in awhile and I don’t really go to parties often.” Aria explained feeling like an idiot. “This is maybe a sign that parties and I don’t really mix.”

 “Don’t be too hard on yourself.” Namjoon laughed, it seemed that Aria being so flustered was amusing to him. “Anyway, you up for the next tutor session to be at my apartment and I can provide noodles.”

 “It’s a date.” Aria said and then flushed for the tenth time that day. “Wait, I mean-”

 “I know.” Namjoon’s smile was huge, making his eyes practically disappear. “Thursday next week?”

 She nodded knowing that she would have to call Liam straight after to work off her embarrassment.

 “Perfect.”

Chapter 4: The Housemates

Notes:

So, I'm late at updating...again. Uni work is taking priority at the moment which sucks :((. I hope you're all well and keeping safe at this difficult time.
Thank you, for your patience :) I'll try my best to keep to weekly updates.

Chapter 4: The Housemates.

 

  “Noodles for the pretty lady.” Hoseok said, placing the steaming bowl on the table next to Aria’s books. When Namjoon had invited her over and said that he would provide her with food, she didn’t realise that all of his housemates would be there too. She smiled her thanks to Hoseok who had plopped down in the seat beside her. “Joonie is such a good tutor, don’t you think? He really has a way of teaching.”

 “He’s pretty amazing,” Aria agreed, looking at her copious notes. “A month ago if you would have asked whether I could have finished this course I would have laughed right in your face. Now, with Namjoon’s help I possibly can.”

 “Don’t be too hard on yourself, the basics were already there, you just needed someone to motivate you. I think some tutors really don’t understand how quickly you can fall behind with work, especially when there are so many different modules, so they don’t instill the motivation needed for students to really want to succeed.” Namjoon said humbly, but the top of his ears were tinged red because of the compliment.

 “You don’t give yourself  enough credit, Moni.” The pink haired boy Aria vaguely remembered from the party told him. “It’s very hard to force Yoongi-hyung to study when he’s decided against it but somehow you succeed.”

 “Hey!” Yoongi interjected glaring at the younger boy. “I study all the time.”

 “Of course you do, hyung.” Taehyung laughed avoiding the bread roll that was thrown in reply.

 Aria felt herself laughing with the boys, she felt at ease. It was baffling to her because she knew she should feel intimidated as she did at the party the week before.

 “So you guys all go to the uni?” She asked, feeling obliged to make conversation with them.

 “Yeah,” Seokjin replied. “I study maths, Hobi and Jimin do dance, Tae and Jungkook study photography and Yoongi does music composition.”

 “Maths.” Aria visibly cringed. “You must be really smart.”

 “Of course, smart and handsome.” He told her in reply with a wink ignoring the groans from his friends.

 Aria flushed, she couldn’t handle him. She turned to Yoongi. “Music and composition, huh? What kind of music do you compose?”

 Yoongi shrugged, taking a bite of a bread roll. “Whatever comes to me.”

 Aria felt that out of all of them Yoongi was probably the one who didn’t want her to be there. Where everyone had greeted her warmly when she came through the door, Yoongi had just nodded in her direction. She felt embarrassment fill her when she thought it could be a result of being an embarrassment at their party.

 Jungkook shot his hyung a glare when he noticed Aria’s embarrassment flooding her face and Yoongi coughed. “Maybe one day when I’m famous you’ll hear some.” He told her as he left the table.

 “Don’t mind Yoongi-hyung he’s a little distant with newcomers but I’m sure he’ll warm up to you the more you come over.” Jungkook told her with a soft smile. Aria saw that he had the smallest freckle under his bottom lip and felt the weirdest urge to kiss him there. 

 This was inappropriate, she had only just met him. She immediately lowered her head to hide her blush. Aria decided that she needed to stop being so embarrassed around them because it just made things awkward. “The more I come over?” She questioned, she only thought this was a one time thing.

 “I thought here would be the best place to do our sessions from now on.” Namjoon told her. “That way I have access to my computer and I don’t have to carry my books to a different place.”

 “We only agreed to this on one condition.” Jimin laughed already finding himself so funny that his head was tipped back and his adam’s apple was bobbing up and down. The other boys let out chuckles in reply.

 “What is it?” Aria asked, she had a feeling it was something embarrassing yet again.

 “As long as you promise not to be practically comatose on our sofa.” Taehyung finished for him knowing his best friend wouldn’t be able to speak.

 “Oh come on guys,” She exclaimed with a pout. “It’s not even that funny.”

 “No offence,” Namjoon told her with a grin. “It really is.”

 “I’ve already sworn off getting that drunk ever again.”

 “Until next time.” Jin said in a knowing tone.

  After lunch Namjoon decided that he was going to shower. Aria insisted that she should leave, being there any longer would be weird. Namjoon protested that she should stay and they’d consolidate everything that she had learned that day.

 Jungkook and Jimin were with her in the living room playing video games. From the frustrated moving Jimin was doing on the floor, she had a hunch the maknae was winning.

 “Aria, do you like games?” Jungkook asked looking up at her through his eyelashes, when the screen had shown his name as being the winner.

 “I’m terrible at games.” Aria admitted with a laugh. “I can’t use both controls at the same time, it takes way too much skill for me.”

 “I could teach you?” Jimin said, handing his orange controller to her.

 “I would have no idea where to start.” She admitted reluctantly taking the controller.

 “Once you know how to do it, it’s as easy as breathing.” Jungkook said clicking away to make another game pop up.

 “Yah, Jeon Jeongguk, put on an easier game and don’t try to show off too much.” Jimin said before turning to Aria to explain the controls to her.

 Jungkook laughed and replied but Aria didn’t catch what he had said. She was watching Jimin’s plump lips as he told her what every control did. Aria couldn’t grasp any words, it was like she had forgotten English all together. She decided that his bottom lip was a tiny bit plumper than his top lip and lost herself in wondering what they would feel like pressed against hers. 

 “So you understand enough so far?” Jimin asked, and Aria snapped out of her reverie, she hadn’t listened at all.

 “Um, yeah sure.”

 Even though Jungkook was going easy on her, Aria failed miserably multiple times. After the fifth time he completely obliterated her Aria, she pushed the controller onto the floor in defeat. Jungkook grinned at her.

 “See, I’m actually horrendous at games.” She exclaimed, throwing her hands up in defeat.

 “Don’t worry you weren’t as bad as Jimin-hyung.” He teased, ducking out of the way of the cushion that Jimin had thrown in reply.

 “You little ass.” Jimin said, pouncing on the younger boy.

 Aria giggled as they rolled across the floor play fighting. In the end Jungkook was the winner, he pinned the smaller man down by sitting on top of his chest. Jimin squirmed and complained, going red in the face with embarrassment that Aria had witnessed the fact that Jungkook was stronger than him.

 “Yah,” Namjoon exclaimed when he walked into the room. “Jimin, Jungkook we have a meeting urgently.”

 Jimin and Jungkook sprung to action, they both scrambled up from the floor groaning. “Right now? But Aria and I were going to have a rematch.” Jungkook complained, pouting.

 “It’s important.” Namjoon said through gritted teeth. He turned to Aria. “Sorry to cut this short but we desperately need to have this meeting, it’s well overdue. I can give you money for a taxi home.”

 Aria got up from the floor and shook her head, although she was disappointed she couldn’t accept Namjoon’s money. “It’s okay, I’ll walk home.”

 “Can it not wait?” Jimin asked, throwing himself on the sofa.

 Namjoon glared at the two boys whilst he opened the front door for Aria. She did want to question the fact that the ‘meeting’ was so much more important than consolidating what she learned that day. Namjoon had insisted that she stayed, maybe he had changed his mind and made up an excuse for her to leave.

 “Bye then.” She said awkwardly, feeling like she had overstayed her welcome.

 Namjoon rubbed his neck and smiled softly at her. Aria’s heart started hammering in her chest, it was moments like this she found herself feeling odd. It was the whole world slipped away when she was him, which was absurd because she had met him twice. She tried to snap out of it, but his face was coming towards hers, was he going to kiss her? He brushed a stray curl out of her eyes and grinned like he knew exactly what she was thinking.

 “See you next week, pretty girl.”

Chapter 5: Guardianship

Notes:

Hey guys, I'm back again. How is everyone? I hope everyone is doing well at this difficult time.

This chapter took way longer than I thought to write out...and I've been doing this instead of writing my dissertation...yikes.

Thank you all for your continued support, your comments are always welcome <3

t/w: Some strong-ish language but not too often.

 

Chapter 5: Guardianship

 

 “Timing, Joon.” Jiminn growled from the living area where he was tying his shoelaces. “She was just starting to talk to us properly.”

 Namjoon rolled his eyes, they were all taking too long to  get ready. “I don’t want to go as much as you. In fact I would prefer to be studying with Aria.”

 “The lovely Scarlett awaits.” Yoongi said sarcasm lacing his voice.

 When everyone was finally ready they crowded around the old mahogany bookcase at the end of the living room. It always seemed so out of place in their black and grey chrome apartment; but it had its importance. Namjoon reached out and tipped forward the scarlet spined book on the top shelf. The bookshelf groaned and slowly moved to the right exposing a small dark room behind. The room was just big enough for them all to fit.

 “I’m not looking forward to this, just for the record.” Hoseok said, sighing.

 “It’s not like any of you have said that.” Namjoon said, immediately irritated.

 They placed their left hands together so that their silver rings were touching each other. Within seconds they were zapped to the Guardian’s Waiting Room. The room was so white that it was blinding to any human, there were seven seats set out for them whilst they waited. There was a desk placed at the far side of the room, with a short, pretty blonde receptionist tapping away on her computer.

 “Taehyungie!” The receptionist squealed when she saw them zap into the room. She stood so that she could adjust her large glasses and straighten her skirt, making herself presentable for him.

 “Clarissa!” Taehyung gave the boys a knowing look and then headed over to greet her.

 Jungkook rolled his eyes at the giggles that started to come from the desk. “He’s not going to go there again is he, hyung?”

 Jin looked at Taehyung who was flipping his curly black hair back and laughed his iconic window wiper laugh. “You know Taehyung, he doesn’t go for seconds.”

 “You never know, hyung, Clarissa might be Tae’s special one.” Jimin said, observing his friend with interest.

 “You know it can’t be that.” Yoongi whispered. “There is only one special one for Taehyung. Only one special one for any of us.”

 Before anyone could reply, Scarlett appeared dressed smartly like always. Her red hair was laced with grey and was pulled back in a tight ponytail. She regarded them with a small serious smile.

 “Ah my Bangtan Boys, just in time.” She said in a motherly tone.

 Scarlett had been with the boys the whole time from when they first arrived alone and confused until they received their purpose and were sent back down to earth. She was very much like their mother in many senses, and the air she was giving off suggested they were going to be on the end of one of her many rants.

 She led them into the meeting room and took a seat at the head of the table, gesturing to the boys to take a seat also.

 “So,” Namjoon said, feeling a little foolish now that they were face to face with her and had not properly fulfilled their duties.

 “Do not ‘so’ me Kim Namjoon.” Scarlett said, glaring at them all individually.

 Most of them held her scathing gaze confidently but  when she got to Jungkook he averted his eyes and looked sheepishly into his hands. “We’re sorry, Scarlett, things just got a little hectic at home.”

 “Can you tell me what your rank is? Can you remind me what your job is? Do you know who you’re meant to report to when you have more information about your subject? Are you unclear of your mission?” Scarlett asked in a sharp tone. She glared at them once again when no one replied. “Well?”

 “We’re guardian angels,” Yoongi snapped, he hated it when she talked to them like they were children. “Our job is to protect our subject from danger no matter the cost.”

 “We’re supposed to report to you the first time we have contact with the subject.” Jin added. “But in our defense we are trying to maintain a normal life as well as complete our degrees.”

 “I understand that, boys, and trust me I do not want to be this hard on you but the superiors need to know these things.” She sighed, putting her head in her hands.

 “We’re hoping to slowly make her our friend.” Taehyung smiled, the thought of Aria getting closer to them made him feel warm inside.

 Scarlett smiled back at him. “Is that so?” Like a mother she could see exactly what Taehyung was thinking. “So the bond is definitely there?” She asked, businesslike.

 “Oh yeah.” Jimin grinned remembering the story Taehyung had told them about her saying he looked like an angel. 

 “She can definitely feel it.” Namjoon replied more composed than Jimin. “She’s confused by it  but she definitely knows that there is something there.”

 “Interesting.” Scarlett mumbled jotting something down in her notebook. “I wasn’t sure but the superiors were adamant that all seven of you were placed on this case. And from what you’re explaining it is more than a guardian bond. And all seven of you feel it?”

 The boys nodded solemnly. It wasn’t unheard of that a subject and guardian angel would have a soulmate bond, but for all seven of them to feel it was something special. It was more popular for a person to have one to three guardian angels, so that they could keep watch over the subject at all times. This was usually from heaven but in more special cases on earth.

 “If this is a soulmate bond, it must be handled very carefully.” Scarlett continued. “In normal cases it is important that the subject does not find out about angels or heaven. Obviously, in this case that is going to be very hard because of the soulmate bond. It is inevitable that the subject will find out about heaven and angels eventually but this must be processed very slowly. We cannot have our secrets revealed to the world, so we must be able to trust her.”

 “I think for now at least there isn’t a chance that we’ll tell Aria anything.” Hoseok said, looking at his members for confirmation. They all nodded in agreement. “She is still shy and it’s clear that she feels very embarrassed around us at the moment.”

 “That’s expected she has no idea what’s going on.” Scarlett seemed almost sympathetic. “She’ll be feeling many different things around you. Her emotions and feelings will be heightened significantly in your presence.”

 “Oh really?” Jimin grinned, wiggling his eyebrows.

 Scarlett glared at his inappropriateness. “This may also be difficult for each of you, sharing one soulmate between seven of you. So I’ll be freeing my services, not just for group meetings but for individuals who are struggling with the bond.”

 “I don’t think we will struggle with sharing. We share everything.” Jin replied. It was the truth, the boys were closer than friends, more like brothers. They had all chosen to live together when they were assigned Aria, even though individual accomodation was provided. They had bonded a lot over their trainee days and were practically inseparable. 

 “Just in case, you know where I am.”

 

 The boys were exhausted when they returned home. Scarlett hadn’t let them leave until she had lectured them about treating Aria with respect and care. Hobi flopped down on the seat with a sigh, flicking his too long, cherry red hair out of his eyes.

 “I’m exhausted.” He moaned, holding his tummy as it rumbled. “Who fancies pizza?”

 The boys all cheered except Taehyung who was grinning at his phone oblivious to the others. They all shared alook and Jungkook and Jin plonked down on the chair arms next to Tae.

 “Ooh Clarissa.” Jin said, wide eyed as he scanned the younger’s phone.

 “Clarissa, I love you so much.” Jungkook teased in a lovey dovey tone.

 “Really?” Namjoon questioned with a raised eyebrow. 

 They had all been sure that whatever happened with Taehyung and Clarissa in the trainee days was over. Taehyung had admitted himself that things just couldn’t work out between them. 

 “I thought that was over.” Hobi frowned, confused.

 “Yah,” Taehyung cried standing up. “I have my reasons.”

 “Yeah, one of them is your penis.” Jimin muttered with a smile.

 “You didn’t have a problem with Hobi-hyung sleeping with that cute redhead at the party.” Tae accused him of narrowing his eyes.

 “Oh, he wants to sleep with her again.” Yoongi teased his eyes gleaming with amusement.

 “It’s not like that.” Tae grumbled, he hated when they wouldn’t stop teasing him. “Just order the damn pizza.”

 They had settled down with a movie as they waited for the pizza. It had been ages since they had all watched something together. There had been arguments about the genre of movie and in the end Yoongi had won and they settled for a horror movie. Not far into it there was a knock at the door.

 “That’ll be the pizza.” Hobi said jumping up.

 The boys were exchanging funny remarks about Hobi having to pay the full bill. “Nah, fuck off.” He swore in reply to them and opened the door.

 It wasn’t the pizza delivery. Aria was standing outside the door smiling sheepishly up at him.

“Our study princess is back again?” He remarked with a raised eyebrow.

 “Sorry for stopping by so late.” She said nervously tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “I was going to come back earlier but I remembered your meeting and didn’t want to interrupt.” She blushed. “Anyway, I think I left my phone on your kitchen counter.”

 “Aria just couldn’t stay away.” Hobi shot over his shoulder into the living room.

 Aria stepped into the apartment under the stares of the boys. She had been hoping they’d all be in their rooms doing their own thing and wouldn’t experience another one of her embarrassing moments. She didn’t have any luck like usual.

 “Twice in one day.” Namjoon's amused gaze regarded her. “I know I said our study session would be soon but I didn’t mean twice in one day.”

 “Someone’s keen.” Yoongi’s eyebrows quirked up.

 “No I’m not.” Aria said hastily to stop them from saying anymore. “I think I left my phone here.”

 “Any excuse to come and see my handsome face.” Jimin laughed, his eyes disappearing in his beautiful eyesmile. Jin high-fived him for his comment like a proud father.

 She disappeared into the kitchen away from any more of their comments. Her phone was where she left it face down on the counter. She felt relieved not just because she found her phone but because it would end the boys teasing.

 “Have you found it, pretty girl?” Taehyung’s voice floated into the room from behind her.

 She felt shivers shoot down her spine, it was the third time in that day that one of them had called her pretty. In reality, Aria found herself just average, not pretty, so compliments always made her feel uncomfortable. She cursed her fair skin as a blush crept into her cheeks. “Yeah it was right where I left it, thankfully.”

 “Oh good.” His voice was closer, just behind her.

 Aria turned, placing her phone into her back pocket. He was very close to her, way too close. If she reached her fingertips out she would touch his expensive shirt. His black hair was in long messy curls, she coulld tell he’d been raking his fingers through it. She wanted to do the same, to feel the silky lengths between her fingers. Taehyung’s eyes were locked in an intense gaze with hers; they were the deepest, darkest pools of brown. For a split second she thought she saw a flash of gold around his dilated pupils but realised she was probably too overwhelmed by the eye contact and was mistaken.

 She stepped back away from him. “I should go.” She said turning and immediately making eye contact with the maknae.

 Jungkook was looking at them with a small smirk on his lips and Aria felt that she had been caught in the middle of doing something. “Hey, do you want to stay for pizza?”

 “I really shouldn’t.” Aria said, she needed to get out of there before she embarrassed herself any more. 

 “There’s enough to go around.” Taehyung insisted. “Come on, Aria.”

 “Fine, I’ll have a slice.” She gave in.

Chapter 6: Subject

Notes:

Hi, I'm back, later than I expected, but this chapter is slightly longer than the others.

I hope you're all well!

Thank you for your continued support. Comments are much appreciated.

 

T/W: a small panic attack at the start and some swearing throughout.

 

Chapter 6: Subject

 

 Chapter 6: Subject

 

The room was the brightest of whites, Aria had squint her eyes to see around properly. It looked like a boy’s room; there were clothes strewn all over the floor and a dirty plate on the table next to the bunk beds. Aria frowned, why was she here?

 It was unlike any of her other dreams, this one felt real, as if she was in the room not merely visiting in her subconscious. 

 The door handle jiggled behind her and she felt like she needed to hide but there was nowhere to go. Two boys walked into the room completely oblivious to her evem though she was standing right in front of them in her bunny pajamas and her stitch slippers.

 The smaller boy hooted at something the other said to him and that's when Aria recognised who they were. Jimin’s hair was black and long covering his eyes and he was much skinnier.  Namjoon also looked younger and had a pair of round glasses on, which made him look adorable.

 Aria opened her mouth to talk to them but no sound came out. Instead the boys walked around her and sat down on the bottom bunk.

 “I just don’t know if I can do it, hyung.” Jimin moaned, leaning back against the pillows. “How can i be responsible for another person’s life? I couldn’t even look after my own.”

 She frowned, she didn’t understand his words and she hated hearing him sound so lost.

 Namjoon patted his leg in a comforting way. “Come on, Jiminie,  we’re training for this. We’ve come so far, we can’t give up yet.”

 “I don’t think I’m cut out for this guardianship with what's-her-name.” He sounded so defeated that Aria just wanted to give him a big hug.

 “Aria.”

Aria was more interested, they were talking about her.

 “What?”

 “That’s our subject’s name. Aria.” Namjoon explained, rubbing his eyes underneath his glasses. He looked tired. “And don’t worry too much about looking after her, we’re all going to be there beside you, like always.”

 “But hyung, what if she dies?”

 

Aria bolted upright in her bed, Jimin’s last words running around in her head. ‘But what if she dies?’. She was panting, she could feel the sweat running down her back. Death. It was a scary thing to consider even in dreams. Aria felt the panic rising up in her chest, her lungs were tightening and she was finding it very hard to remember how to breathe.

 She needed Liam but he was out at Connor’s house at a family party. Aria grabbed her phone, it was too late to ring her parents. She blindly clicked her phone and the call started to connect.

 “Hello?” Yoongi’s sleepy voice floated from the phone.

 “Yoongi,” Aria gasped out. “I’m sorry.”

 “Aria?” He asked concern lacing his voice. “Are you okay?”

 “I can’t breathe.”

 “Put your head between your knees and breathe in and out slowly.” He ordered. “I’ll be there in ten.”

 By the time Yoongi got to hers she was calmer. She opened the door embarrassed. “Yoongi, I’m so sorry.”

 “Are you okay?” He asked, checking her over with his eyes.

“Yeah,” She said sheepishly. “I just panicked.”

 “What panicked you?”

 “I have bad dreams and this one just panicked me more than normal.” Aria explained feeling like a child. “Usually Liam is here to calm me down, I was trying to call him.”

 “Can I come in and make you a hot drink?” He asked, pulling his long black coat around him. “It’s freezing out here.”

 He made her a hazelnut hot chocolate and they settled on the sofa in front of the tv that was muted on a Netflix movie. Yoongi shook off his coat and blew on his black coffee, eyeing her over the rim of the mug.

 “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked, taking a sip.

 Aria thought through the dream again and thought about the one part that had panicked her the most. It seemed too stupid to say out loud. Especially because she would have to admit to Yoongi that she was dreaming about two of his best friends. She shook her head.

 “You know sometimes talking about something makes it better.” He said wisely. “Or we could just both watch this silent movie.” He nodded to the tv with a grin.

 Aria laughed and unmuted the tv. “Thank you for coming and taking my mind off it.” She rubbed at her face with her sleeve. “I know I would be severely pissed off if someone woke me at four in the morning.”

 “I was awake.” Yoongi said hastily. He saw her face fall a little and realised that Aria was a lot more sensitive than he had first thought. “Producing. I get the best ideas at this time of morning. I had only just dropped off when you called.” He placed his mug on the table. “I get nightmares too sometimes, a well made hot drink and some shit tv usually helps.”

 “You do make a good hot chocolate.” Aria agreed, enjoying the feeling of the hot liquid slowly slipping into her bloodstream.

 “I take pride in my hot chocolates.” He grinned.

 “Just like your music?” Aria asked, she really wanted to hear some of Yoongi’s tracks one day. 

 “Music helps me express myself in ways nothing else can.” Yoongi told her, looking off into the distance. “That’s the biggest thing us boys have in common, our love for music. In another life we could have formed a band, toured the world and had adoring fans.”

 “In another life?” Aria asked, confused. 

 “Yeah, it’s not like we could do it now.” He laughed, sad. “We’re all bogged down by uni work and we never get into the studio altogether to produce anything  good enough.”

 “If that’s your dream you should follow it, university is good for people who enjoy it but I can tell that your heart is more in performing.”

 He laughed fondly. “You sound like Joonie-hyung.”

 “And when is Namjoon ever wrong?” She grinned and added immediately after. “Don’t tell him I said that.”

 “We don’t want his head to get any bigger.”

 “So do you sing?” Aria asked, she was really curious about the band Yoongi had mentioned.

 “No, I’m tone death. Namjoon, Hobi and I rap and Taehyung, Jimin, Jin and Jungkook are the singers.” He told her. He was getting more comfortable in her home. He put his feet up on the coffee table and laid back against the sofa cushions. Aria liked the fact that he seemed to like it at her home. “We actually have a couple of songs we’ve already composed. Namjoon, Hobi and I can come together and make some really good songs when we’re in the mood.”

 “I have to hear these!” Aria jumped up excited. “I request one VIP pass to the first ever Bangtan Boys concert.”

 “Jimin’s too nervous to sing in front of people, he might pee himself.” Yoongi laughed.

 “Now I have to see that.” Aria laughed jumping up and down. “I wonder what you all sound like together. Oh my god this is so exciting.”

 “Don’t you think you’re getting a little overexcited?” He asked her with the biggest smirk on his face.

 “Oh definitely.” Aria grinned back. “I’m sleep deprived and haven’t had enough caffeine.”

 “I think it’s time for you to go back to bed.” Yoongi said standing. She felt her happiness drop to the bottom of her stomach, she didn’t like the thought of being there alone. Aria knew it was stupid and would usually commend herself for being very individual but tonight after her nightmare, she was scared. He saw the horror on her face. “Get me a blanket and I’ll sleep on the couch just in case you have any more nightmares.”

 “You don’t have to do that.” Aria said, she felt like a bad person, dragging him all the way there and then making him sleep on the couch.

 “Trust me I do.” He said so quietly, she almost didn’t catch it. “And I can’t be bothered to drive home.”

 Yoongi settled on the couch with the fluffiest blanket known to man and stared up at the cracked white ceiling. The bond he felt was stronger than he ever imagined, he could feel Aria’s comfort so strongly that it was warming his veins. The fact that he made her feel safe and comfortable made him feel as if he was important and needed. The only other people he felt like this around were his members. He felt strangely at home.

 

 Aria wanted to hide her disappointment when she awoke and Yoongi was no longer there. All that was left of him was a neatly folded blanket, a note and some fresh croissants from the bakery down the road.

 

Hey Pretty Girl,

I Had to leave early for work and didn’t want to wake you. I’ve left you some croissants and messaged you the recipe for soothing herbal tea that usually helps me with my nightmares.

Be at the apartment on friday at seven and we'll see about a "BANGTAN BOYS" Concert. No promises though.

 YOONGI.

 

 She smiled as she bit into the fresh pastry, she had to find a way to make it up to him. Looking at the clock she realised she was also running late for work. Aria rushed into her room to get dressed, dreading the day ahead.

 

 It was almost an hour until closing time and the customers were starting to thin out. Aria was exhausted and blindly walked towards the couple who had just been seated. She didn’t even realise who the customers were. Aria was too exhausted.

 “Hi, are you guys ready to order?” She asked, staring blindly at her notebook.

 “Aria!” A familiar voice exclaimed in surprise. 

 Aria’s head snapped up and she finally took in the scene in front of her. Taehyung was sat to the left beaming up at her. His hair was a shiny red colour held back by a white bandana. He looked good. Aria didn’t realise she was staring at him in awe until the girl opposite coughed.

 Aria looked at Taehyung’s companion, she was petite and blonde, beautiful in a sophisticated way. She realised suddenly that Tae was probably on a date.

 “Taehyung and…”

 “Clarissa.” The girl replied with a honey sweet voice that matched her looks.

 “What do you guys fancy to eat today?” Aria asked.

 She knew that the boys dated, they were quite notorious for it around campus. Of course Taehyung wouldd bring her to a restaurant for a date, but Aria couldn’t help but feel her heart drop. Why did it hurt that he was with another girl? She didn’t even know him that well.

 “Something romantic.” Clarissa replied, she reached over and took hold of Taehyung's hand.

“Um” She had never been asked that one before.

 “I’ll have a pepperoni pizza.” Tae said saving the day.

 “Fine,” Clarissa huffed. “I guess I’ll have a margharita.”

 When Aria returned, her co-workers, Lucy and Isadora were in deep discussion about Taehyung. They eyed her enviously as she made drinks for the table, both offering to take them over for her, just so they could get a closer look.

 “He’s on a date.” Aria shrugged, when one of them asked if she would get his number. “Also don’t let Daniel hear you or you’ll be dead.” Daniel was their manager and had told them all that no flirting would be tolerated.

 “How can one man be that beautiful?” Isadora sighed happily.

 Aria looked over to Tae’s direction, she could see that he was laughing; his head was thrown back and he had the widest smile on his face. Isadora and Lucy were right, he was absolutely gorgeous. And Clarissa was a very lucky girl.

 

 “I can’t believe we came here.” Clarissa lowered her voice so no one could overhear them.

 “What do you mean?” Tae frowned in confusion.

 “I thought this was my day off, a date.” She sighed looking over to the bar. “And yet you brought us to the one place where you knew your subject would be.”

 “I like this restaurant, it does the best pizzas.” Tae shrugged. “Plus I didn’t even know she was on shift.”

 “Come on, Tae, we both know that’s not true.”

 “Listen,” Taehyung said, leaning closer. “Today isn’t about Aria, it’s about us.” he lied, also glancing at the bar.

 Yoongi had sent him to make sure Aria was okay after her bad night and Tae thought his best excuse would be to bring a date. He couldn’t turn up by himself, that was too weird.

 “I thought it would be nice of us to do this again.” He told her, this time truthfully. He really liked Clarissa’s company.

 “Next time let’s go somewhere that isn’t here.”

 “Noted.” Taehyung was glad that Clarissa knew little about Aria and the soulmate bond or he would be at the receieving end of a complaint.

 

She was dreaming again, back in a white room. This one was different to the one she had seen the night before, it looked like some kind of waiting room. All the Bangtan Boys were there, sat on the chairs provided. Taehyung was over at the desk at the far end of the room. Aria silently moved closer and realised that it was Clarissa who he was talking to.

 “So, how is life now that you have to look after your subject?” Clarissa asked, she was smiling her blinding smile.

 There was that name again. Subject. Namjoon had referred to her as being their subject in another dream. She frowned, her brain was being too overactive recently.

 “I wouldn’t call it looking after.” Taehyung told her, matching her smile. Aria realised that he was flirting with her. “It’s more looking out for.”

 “What’s she like, this girl?” Clarissa asked, not unpleasantly but inquistively.

 Aria strained her ears so she could hear his reply. “She’s very nice.”

 “Pretty?” 

 “Clarissa, come on, she’s my subject and I’m not meant to be talking about her with anyone.” Taehyung said with a sly smile.

 Aria and Clarissa were wearing identical pouts, they both really wanted to know the answer.

 Much to Aria’s dismay Taehyung leant forward and whispered the reply in Clarissa’s ear. She giggled flirtatiously and batted her eyelashes at him.

 “I was thinking about last year,” Clarissa told him. “I miss us, I really do.”

 “Me too.” Taehyung replied with a smile. “It was one of the best times of my life.”

 

Aria awoke slowly this time, she felt a blush in her cheeks. That dream was like she had interrupted something, something intimate that shouldn’t have been witnessed. She decided then she was happy for Taehyung, she was happy if he was happy. Even if her dreams were made up events, her head was obviously telling her something.

 She rolled over to check the time and there were two messages, the first of Yoongi and the second off Tae:

 

Hey pretty Girl, No bad dreams tonight

I’ll be here if you need to ring.

 

Hey Aria, fancy a midnight trip to McDonalds?

 

Chapter 7: Minhyuk

Notes:

....Hi Guys! I'm finally back.
I want to apologise that it's been a while, after writing my dissertation I lost all of my writing motivation and haven't been able to bring myself to write for months. This chapter has been in progress ever since April, so I apologise if it's not quite the best!
I hope that I can get back to updating more regularly.
Thank you to anyone and everyone who reads this, you guys are the best!
I love you all and our boys <3

Chapter 7: Minhyuk

 

 “So tell me about Clarissa.” Aria said, as she sipped her strawberry milkshake.

 “A true gentleman never tells.” Taehyung grinned at her over his burger.

 “Oh so it’s serious?” She exclaimed trying to ignore the pang of jealousy she felt at the pit of her stomach. This was Taehyung, her tutor’s best friend, she didn’t even know him that well. Common sense was telling her that she didn’t know him well enough to have feelings about him but her heart couldn’t seem to understand that. “Come on, spill the deets.”

 Taehyung quirked an eyebrow at her. “Aria Collins if I didn’t know any better, I would say that you’re jealous.”

 “Me? Jealous?” She played it cool. “Never.”

 He laughed and contemplated his next words, a solitary  finger tapping against the table as he thought. “We had something in the past and I wanted to see if it was still there.”

 Aria was intrigued and the sense of jealousy deepened. She felt herself flush with embarrassment at her own feelings. “And is it?”

 “I’ll tell you that when I know myself.” He smiled weakly, then sighed. “Come on then seen as you’re so interested in my love life, tell me your secrets.”

 “Ha.” She said reaching over to steal a chip. “I have no secrets.”

 Tae eyed her with a disbelieving look. “You must have a boyfriend?” She shook her head. “A crush?”

 Aria blushed and looked down at the table, how could she tell him that at that moment, her weak heart had decided not only to crush on him but also his six friends.

 He whooped. “You have a crush, I knew it.”

 “Oh shh.” She swiped at him. “It’s only Chris Evans.”

 “Captain America?” He seemed disappointed. “You could have at least been original.”

 “I don’t think your girlfriend seemed to like me.” Aria burst out before she could stop herself.

 “Not my girlfriend.” He corrected her. “And Clarissa is icy when she first meets people, especially when she sees them as competition.”

 “Competition?” Aria echoed in disbelief. “I’m never going to be competition for her. She’s stunning.”

Taehyung’seasy smile had vanished and he leant over the table to be closer to her. “Never put yourself down, Aria, you are beautiful both inside and out.”

 The ride back to Aria’s was quiet but comfortable. Aria contemplated his words on the journey and decided that Taehyung was one of the nicest, most genuine people she had ever met. Even though she still believed that she wasn’t anywhere close to being as pretty as Clarissa, Tae’s compliment warmed her heart.

 

Aria knocked on the apartment door early friday morning. She was late. They had agreed ten o’clock for the study session but the line in the coffee shop was long and eight orders of coffee took a long while to make and carry.

 Namjoon swung open the door and smiled at her sleepily. He was still in pajamas, a long sleeved black t-shirt and mustard and navy bottoms. His honey, grey hair was sticking up in all directions and Aria felt the distinct urge to run her hands through it.

 “Sorry I’m late.” Aria breathed as if she had been running.

 Namjoon stepped aside and let her into the apartment. The other boys were sitting in the kitchen around the counter and all smiled at her as she shrugged off her coat.

 “Aria, to what do we owe this pleasure?” Jimin drawled in a sleepy tone. He stretched his arms above his head and his biceps bulged. Aria tried to look away but she was mesmerised by his perfect skin.

 “Another study session, remember?” Yoongi told him.

 Aria snapped out of it and held up the big box. “I brought coffees and pastries.”

 The boys were alert then, all sitting up straighter as she placed the coffees on the table. “Coconut latte for Jin,” she passed it over to him with a small smile, happy that she had remembered everyone’s preferences.

 “I think you might be an angel.” Jin said wrapping his hands around the takeout cup. He ignored the sharp looks he got off Yoongi and Namjoon.

 “Caramel macchiato for Yoongi, vanilla latte for Hobi, americano with extra sugar for Namjoon, caramel latte for Jimin, hazelnut hot chocolate for Tae and a double hot chocolate for Jungkook.”

 Tae sipped his hot chocolate and let out a sound of bliss. “You’re right hyung, she’s definitely an angel.”

 “Does this mean that I’ll actually get to see you guys sing something?” Aria teased blowing on her own coffee.

 “Aha!” Jin said triumphantly. “These are bribery coffees.”

 “Aria!” Jungkook exclaimed mock shock on his face. “I am shocked and a little hurt that you’re trying to blackmail us with croissants.”

 “Very nice croissants.” Hobi provided.

 “Yoongi said.” Aria pouted and crossed her arms. “And these are not bribery coffees, these are a gift because I couldn’t really turn up here with only my own, could I?”

 “I said be here at seven and we would see.” Yoongi said in between bites of his croissant. “I didn’t promise anything.”

 “Someone has to listen to your music.” She told them shrugging as if she wasn’t fussed if she heard them or not. “You need an outside ear.”

 “Tell you what.” Jimin said, leaning over the table. He was close enough that she could see the light brown flecks of colour around his dark pupils. Suddenly eye contact was too intense for Aria and she averted her eyes. “We’re working on a new song at the moment and when it’s finished you can be the first person to hear it.”

 She eyed him suspiciously. “You promise?”

 He nodded and thrust his pinky towards her. “Pinky promise.”

 

 

They were around forty five minutes into their study session fuelled by food and coffee and making great progress, when they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Namjoon looked at her apologetically and slid off his chair heading for the door that had been ignored by the other boys who were in the living room arguing about the latest football game.

 Aria carried on with the seminar task she had completely messed up in class, it seemed easier when Namjoon explained it. She understood him better than any of her teachers.

 She hadn’t paid any attention to the unknown person at the door until Namjoon walked into the living room. “Jungkook, Minhyuk’s here to see you.”

 Aria’s head whipped up at the sound of his name, Minhyuk was here? This couldn’t be happening, Aria felt the need to hide. She just had to hope he’d go and sit with Jungkook and not see her sitting at the table.

 It was as if he read her mind, after greeting Jungkook he turned his beautiful blonde head and looked straight at her. “Oh, you have company.” He exclaimed eyeing the boys with an expression that Aria couldn’t read.

 She lowered her head to her work and blushed, she couldn’t deal with Minhyuk’s attention even after years of wishing that she would receive it.

 “That’s Aria.” Jungkook provided room on the sofa so Minhyuk could join the group. “Namjoon tutors her.”

 “Interesting.” Minhyuk said with a slow smile and then threw Aria a wink, which made her flush deepen to a beetroot colour. “Nice seeing you again, Aria.”

 “Again?” Jimin raised his eyebrows in surprise.

 Aria blushed a little, once again cursing her fair skin. She always seemed to get herself into bad situations. “We knew each other in school.”

 “I wouldn’t exactly say we were friends. Aria was very shy and kind of kept herself to herself.” Minhyuk grinned. “I once tried to approach her, at twelve, heart in hand like a love sick kid but got too scared to confess.”

 “Confess?” Aria and Jungkook echoed with matching shocked tones.

 “I was a kid in love.” Minhyuk smiled, running his fingers through his beautiful locks. “Don’t worry, it passed as quickly as it came.”

 Hoseok and Yoongi shared a look and both studied Aria’s expression seeing if they could read her reaction. On the outside Aria’s expression was not betraying anything. In contrast on the inside her mind was racing to try and make sense of everything that Minhyuk had just said. Had he really just said that he had a crush on her at one point? 

 She realised that the boys were staring at her waiting for her to answer. She caught eyes with Minhyuk and quickly lowered them to her notes. “Funny things childhood crushes.”

 Jimin mumbled something and then smiled brightly. “Minhyuk-hyung, fancy a game of Overwatch?”

 Minhyuk’s eyes left Aria who was still trying to avoid any type of eye contact. “Actually I’m here to see if Jungkook wants to go to the gym.”

 “Sure I’m down.” Jungkook grinned. “I’ll just have to get changed.”

 “Yah,” Jin cried out in surprise. “Who goes to the gym on Saturday?”

 “Who goes to the gym at all?” Aria said screwing up her face.

 “Exactly.” Yoongi said, heading over to the table where she was sitting. “This is why I like her.”  

 Aria giggled as he ruffled her hair whilst Jungkook pouted. “It’s good to keep fit, pretty girl.”

 “I enjoy chocolate and coffee too much.” Aria grinned, patting her stomach.

 “Seconded.” Namjoon responded.

 “Hyung, you’ve been going to the gym a lot more recently.” Taehyung countered squeezing his biceps. “You’re actually getting buff.”

 Namjoon laughed and placed his hands over his face in embarrassment, in a way that Aria could only describe as being cute. “Still like coffee and chocolate.”

 “You know Aria, Jungkook is really good at making the gym fun.” Minhyuk told her dropping a wink which sent shivers spiralling down her spine. She couldn’t believe her body was still reacting to him in this way so many years later. When would she be over this silly childhood crush? Perhaps when he stopped looking as good as he did. “Perhaps he could take you along one time?”

 “Well-” Aria started feeling a bit flustered at the suggestion. She couldn’t cope with Jungkook’s handsomeness when he was sitting across the table from her in his pyjamas, so the thought of him in gym clothes, working out and being sweaty was not good for her health.

 “Minhyuk, if I didn’t know any better I would say you’re trying to set up our maknae on a date.” Namjoon teased.

 Jungkook and Aria both stuttered replies neither forming a coherent response. Aria didn’t know if she was making it up or if Jungkook’s cheeks really had reddened. Maybe it just looked that way because of how far away she was.

“He’s the golden baby who wouldn’t want to go on a date with him?” Minhyuk replied, ruffling the younger boy’s hair. “You want to don’t you Aria?”

 “How could I say no to that face?” Aria grinned at Jungkook who exclaimed in surprise and covered his face with his hands. 

 “Yah!” Tae exclaimed, stamping his foot, he cupped his chin in his hands. “What about this face?”

 “Not quite on JK’s level.” Hobi teased, ducking to avoid Tae’s hand that had come dangerously close to slapping his face.

 

 Namjoon brought the room back to order claiming that Aria had to finish her exercise before she was allowed to go home. Aria mumbled something about Namjoon being a bossy boots and whilst the others had laughed he had sat and pouted for the next hour.

 Aria glanced to the living room where Hobi and Yoongi were watching anime. She found herself admiring how comfortable the boys were with each other; Yoongi had his head on Hoseok’s shoulder and was running his fingers through the soft hair at the nape of his neck. They looked so cute. 

 Jungkook had gone to the gym with Jimin and Minhyuk; Tae had mumbled something about meeting up with Clarissa and Jin had retired for a mid morning nap. Aria’s eyes flicked to Namjoon who was now browsing his phone pout still there.

 “I’m sorry for calling you bossy boots.” Aria grinned. “But you’re a tiny bit bossy.”

 “I’m your tutor, if I am not forcing you to do work who will?”

 “That’s a good point.” Aria rubbed her tired eyes. “I think I’m finished.” She told him passing her papers over the table. She watched as he put his glasses on and studied her work, in a way that was sexier than it should have been. “So, how do you guys and Minhyuk know each other?”

 Namjoon blanched and put her paper down. “Know each other?”

 “Yeah, did you meet in uni or have you known each other a while?”

 “Oh. We met in a summer training camp.” Namjoon said hastily and Aria eyed him suspiciously.

 “Training camp?”

 “Yeah you know those summer camps that kids go to? Mine and Jimin’s parents sent us to the same one and that’s where we met Minhyuk.”

 “It’s funny how all the populars are close friends.” Aria stated quietly.

 “See that’s where I disagree, we get called the Bangtan boys, they call us popular but we’re just the same as everyone else.” Namjoon stated modestly.

 “Dude have you seen you guys!” Aria exclaimed, scaring both herself and Namjoon.

 “Your point?” Namjoon smirked, knowing she could possibly embarrass herself with her answer.

 She cleared her throat preparing for the teasing that she knew was coming. “Objectively speaking you guys are freaking gorgeous. Everyone admires your coolness, your fashion sense and assortments of hair colours. And then when you delve deeper you guys aren’t just the rich kids everyone thinks you are. You’re dorks.”

 “Yah and you started that so well.” Yoongi cried from the couch. “By calling us gorgeous and then ruined it by calling us dorks.”

 “No offence but it’s true.”

 “Namjoon, she’s not coming round any more.” Hobi joked, throwing Aria a wink.

 From that day forward Aria felt more comfortable around them, their constant friendship reminded her of the friendship she had with Liam. They were honestly some of the nicest, funniest people she had ever met. 

Chapter 8: First Steps

Notes:

I'm back! Sorry for taking so long to update, inspiration hasn't been kind to me recently but with the help of Butter, I have found the motivation to write again. What does everyone think of Butter? I was personally attacked by Jungkook, Namjoon and Hobi lmao. Anyway STREAM BUTTER!!

 

Chapter 8: First Steps

 

 They had been at the gym a little over fifteen minutes; Jimin was on the rowing machine with Jungkook and Minhyuk next to him doing weights. He found exercise a fun way to relieve the stresses in his life. Jimin had to admit that the weight of protecting the life of a girl he was coming to like more and more was a heavy burden to carry. He felt lucky that with his brothers, exercise and singing the stress levels were kept at a bearable level.

 Reminiscing, he was not sure whether he and Aria would get along. The pressure of having someone telling him constantly that the subject he was assigned to could possibly be his soul mate. Their soulmate. The only one for them. It made him want to resent her, how could one human girl hold that much power over them? Especially when they were meant to be some of the most powerful beings on earth and in heaven.

 Then he saw her for the first time at the party, flustered and drunk. The first time his eyes met hers, he felt a jolt of something he had never felt before. It was like his body was drawn to her, to protect, love and cherish her forever.

 He thought of her at home, pen between her pink lips as she thought of the answer to the questions Joon was asking her and almost groaned in pain. It was not fair that everything she did affected him in this way.

 “Yah Jimin are you even listening?” Jungkook’s exclamation broke his reverie before it could go any further.

 “Huh?” He said a small blush rising up on his cheeks.

 “I was saying shouldn’t we be warning Minhyuk away from our girl?” He asked with a  mock serious frown.

  Our girl . Our girl , they belonged to her as much as she belonged to them.

 “I was twelve by the way.” Minhyuk held his hands up in defense. “It’s not like it was yesterday. Like I said it was a stupid childhood crush.”

 Jimin grinned and winked at Jungkook. “You better not be trying to steal her from us.”

 “I literally just-” Minhyuk started and then was cut off by Jimin and Jungkook’s laugh. “Not funny guys.”

 “I disagree.” Jungkook giggled. “You should have seen how serious your face went.”

 Minhyuk lightly slapped him on the back of his head. “I have yet to find my soulmate and I’m not going to steal yours in the process. How’s that going by the way? Does she have any idea?”

 Jimin stopped rowing, he was glad that Minhyuk was asking and actually interested in their situation. With so many other angels being skeptical and often nervous of the fact that the seven of them shared one soulmate, it was nice that Minhyuk’s relationship hadn’t changed with them. “It’s going slowly, it’s hard to know when exactly to make a move. One wrong step could ruin everything.” he sighed, raking his hand through his sweaty pink hair. “If she finds out about us too soon or gets bombarded with information all at once it could scare her away and that’s dangerous.”

 “As to whether she knows or not, we think she has some feelings.” Jungkook grinned to himself. “She does this really cute little gasp if one of us accidentally touches her and you can tell she’s overwhelmed with feelings but doesn’t know why.”

 “Jungkook, I think you’re blushing.” Minhyuk teased, grinning at the younger boy. 

 “I am not.”

 “Has Scarlett said exactly what the superiors want you guys to do? Or is it down to you?” he asked. “I know with Jooheon’s and Changkyun’s soulmate there’s steps they have to take before making contact with her.”

 “The first meeting was accidental actually.”  Jimin relayed, thinking back to that night when Hobi, Jin and Yoongi came in late from the library. It felt like a lifetime ago. “Scarlett wasn’t very happy about that aspect but other than that they seem to trust us to progress at our own speed.”

 “You know,” Minhyuk said, suddenly becoming serious. “Aria thinks she has a crush on me, but i don’t think she has realised just how much she’s drawn to you more.”

 “Of course she’s drawn to us, we’re gorgeous.” Jimin grinned, flexing his muscles.

 “Jimin-hyung, you’re starting to sound like Jin.” Jungkook groaned, but there was a grin on his face.

 

 When all her tasks were over, Aria was free to go home but somehow got roped into watching anime with Hobi and Yoongi. She wasn’t complaining, it was nice to sit with them and enjoy their company. After a few episodes, her legs were going numb from her sitting on them and her eyes were closing.

 “I’m going to have to stand up before I fall asleep.” She told them, sitting up straighter on the sofa.

 “Would it be so bad to have a nap right here with us?” Yoongi drawled, making her look at them.

 Yoongi sat closest to her, his mint hair sticking up haphazardly, she could see his dark roots starting to come back through. His eyes looked as sleepy as hers and he had a small smile on his face as he laid back on the cushions. She had never seen someone look that cute and comfortable. Hobi was resting on his shoulder almost asleep also, with the brightest smile directed right at her.

 A nap with them was the best thing she could think of at that moment. However, she was scared that if she went to sleep her nightmares would come back. Instead of taking Yoongi up on his offer, she rose to her feet and walked towards the full length windows.

 Hobi and Yoongi both made dispirited noises and she heard the latter saying he should probably get up and do something himself.

 Aria admired the view as she heard Yoongi’s footsteps pad softly down the hall. She hoped she hadn’t annoyed him and then cursed herself. Yoongi wasn’t that sensitive, he was always busy.

 “This view is amazing.” Aria breathed looking over the river to the sparkling Tyne Bridge in the distance. “I never realised how high up we were.”

 “It’s a very pretty spot.” Hobi agreed, shifting on the sofa. “Sometimes I come and sit here at night, wrapped in my blanket and just watch the cars on the bridge.”

 “I bet it’s beautiful at night.” she said, thinking about how peaceful it must be to stand there and look down at the river. “I’ve actually never been over the Tyne Bridge.”

 “And you’ve lived here for how long?” Hobi exclaimed, the laugh audible in his voice and much closer than she was expecting.

 She jumped and looked back to see him hovering close behind her, his chin almost resting on her shoulder. Aria was speechless, all her focus on his deep brown eyes and perfect skin. All the boys were beautiful and she always felt breathless when they made eye contact with her. Hoseok’s eyes flicked down to her lips where she was unconsciously liking them. She wondered if he wanted to kiss her and blushed beetroot.

 Breaking eye contact first, she spotted the mahogany bookshelf at the far end of the room and headed towards it. It was beautiful and stood out from the rest of the boys’ furniture.

 “I’m guessing this was Namjoon’s idea?” She grinned at Hoseok, hoping to break the tension fizzing between them.

 “And Yoon’s.” Hobi answered with a small smile. “If you look on the bottom shelf, it has mine and Taehyung’s manga collection.”

 Aria crouched and examined some of the titles. “Fullmetal Alchemist. Someone has good taste!”

 “I think that might actually be Jimin’s.”

 She scanned the shelves admiring all the different genres, she was about to turn and ask about Hobi’s favourite book when something caught her eye on the top shelf. The book was the most beautiful shade of red with delicate wings embossed in gold at the top of the spine. She reached up to pull it out and examine it.

 “Hey, don’t touch that.” Hobi’s voice was sharp and loud right behind her.

 She jumped back as if shot and felt a jolt of surprise go to her stomach. How could she have been so foolish? This could have been one of their prized possessions and she was just going to touch it without asking. 

 “I’m sorry.” She turned to Hoseok, head bowed so he wouldn’t see the embarrassment on her face. Aria wanted to get out of this situation as quickly as possible, she had never heard Hobi use that tone with anyone else. He must be really angry with her. “I better go.”

 “No,” Hobi touched her shoulder, sending warm sparks to combat her bubbling embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you. It's just that the book is very old and precious to us.”

 “I understand, I’m sorry for not asking first.” 

 “How about we go to the Tyne Bridge?” He asked his tone almost as bright as his smile.

 “Right now?”

 “Better now than never.”

 

They got coffees from the café just down from the apartment and walked ten minutes to the bridge. It was quite cold out despite it being almost spring, Aria had to zip her coat up to her chin and wrap her hands around her take out cup to keep them warm. Hobi had a black jacket on and a cute blue woolen hat pulled over his cherry hair. He looked as gorgeous as ever.

 “I still cannot believe you have lived here for almost three years and have never been over the Tyne Bridge.” He exclaimed after taking a sip of his drink.

 “I’ve never really been down to the river either.” Aria shrugged. “I can’t actually explain why.”

 “I am honoured to be the first one to take you.” He grinned, his flushed nose wrinkling with his smile.

 The sun was glistening off the dark waters of the river and the wind was blowing softly against her curls, no doubt tangling them into a horrible mess for later. It really was beautiful to look across the water and see the other bridges silhouetted against the horizon. Aria looked at Hobi to exclaim at how beautiful the view was but he was looking straight at her.

 “Have I got coffee on my chin?” She asked subconsciously, wiping it just in case.

 Hoseok laughed, a loud brilliant laugh that warmed her insides. “No, I was just watching your reaction.” He replied. “You look like you have seen the most beautiful thing ever.”

 “One of the most beautiful things ever.” She corrected him. “There’s something I love about being this close to water. The sound of water running relaxes me for some reason. Does that sound stupid?”

 “Nothing you say is stupid, Aria.” he said solemnly. 

 “I disagree completely.” she grinned leaning against the side of the bridge so she could look further down at the calm waves. “I say silly things all the time, I’m always dropping myself in it. Liam says I don’t have a filter.”

 “I think Jin also has that problem.”

 Aria laughed thinking of the older boy and his dad jokes. “I’m glad you guys have such a good relationship, you know? It’s not often a person has so many friends to fall back on.”

 Hobi frowned slightly, it was like he was sensing that Aria had trouble with making friends in the past. She opened her mouth to change the subject but he stopped her before she could say a word.

 “We are lucky. But I hope that you know that all seven of us care...like you too. I hope our friendship is something you can rely on in the future too.”

 Her heart lifted and she felt warm and fuzzy inside, she hadn’t realised that the boys had wanted their friendship to go further than just her being Namjoon’s student. “I would like that.” she whispered looking out to the river again. “Oh! Do you see those ducks? There’s ducklings too.” She knew she was squealing but the sight of small animals made her so happy. “Have you ever seen anything cuter?”

 “I think so.” He said quietly beside her. 

 Aria looked at him, he was standing close to her again and for the first time her body relaxed holding his gaze. It was like she was prepared for whatever was coming next, she wanted to ask him what was cuter than ducklings but didn’t want to break the moment they suddenly found themselves in. 

 The wind had suddenly picked up again and was blowing her curls right across her face. She reached up to move them but Hoseok was quicker; he gently pushed the fly away hair behind her ear. His finger trailed from the bottom of her ear and across her cheek, she saw his tongue pop out and swipe across his lips. He was going to kiss her, she realised, her heart was beating so hard now that she was sure he could hear it. His fingers stroked across her chin as his face lowered towards hers. She closed her eyes in anticipation of his plump lips against hers.

 “Yah Hoseok! Aria!” A yell interrupted them and they jumped apart as if stung.

 They turned to see Jungkook and Jimin waving at them from the other side of the bridge, and when their eyes met each other they both knew that the moment was gone.

Chapter 9: Emergence

Notes:

HAPPY BTS DAY!!
It just felt right to update this story on BTS's birthday! The first day of Muster was absolutely amazing and I cannot wait for tomorrow's concert too. This chapter is a little longer than the others and took me a lot longer to write so I hope you guys enjoy it. Please feel free to leave comments if you want <3

t/w: some strong-ish language and things get a tiny bit heated in the chapter.

Chapter 9: Emergence

 

 “What was that? Jimin hissed at Hoseok as the four of them walked back to the apartment. Jungkook and Aria were walking ahead, the maknae gesturing wildly with his hands as she giggled in reply. Jimin was replaying the scene over and over in his head; the way Aria’s head was tipped slightly back, curls tangling down to her waist with a small smile on her face. He hated to admit it but he was jealous.

 “What was what?” Hoseok replied, pretending he hadn’t been two seconds away from kissing their subject. From kissing their soulmate.

 “You were about to kiss her and you can’t even deny it.” Jimin accused, his brown eyes flared silver rimming his pupils. “You know Namjoon is going to hit the roof, right? He said to take this whole bonding process slowly, hyung.”

 “I know,” Hoseok sighed, pulling his hat down to cover his ears against the bitter wind. “Look it’s not like it was planned or anything, it just seemed right at that moment. Don’t ask me whether I regret it because I don't.” Jimin smirked at him. “But I admit it was a bit rash.”

 “So you’re glad Jungkookie and I interrupted when we did?”

 Hobi chuckled, a gleam of revenge flashing in his eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll get my own back.”

 Jimin was once again casting his mind back to the bridge. “You should have seen her from where we were standing, hyung, she looked like an angel with the sunlight lighting up her hair.” 

The older of the two frowned slightly at his wording before realising the other was not being so literal in his description. “No offence but I was quite happy with almost kissing her.”

 Jimin groaned and looked towards Aria who was now walking arm in arm with the maknae. She looked so comfortable it made his heart lift. “I can’t believe how jealous I am of you right now.”

 Hoseok smiled widely and Jimin had a feeling that his friend would be gloating for the rest of the week.

 

 They reached the apartment in no time, Aria could hear the voices through the hardwood of the front door, one distinctly female. Clarissa and Taehyung must have been back from their date. They entered into the small hallway, and Aria’s cheeks started burning, she knew one of them would let slip about what happened on the bridge.

 On the way there she was glad that Jungkook had walked ahead with her, she and Hoseok hadn’t had enough time to discuss what happened. She felt embarrassed by the fact that Jimin and Jungkook had almost seen her kissing one of their best friends. That was probably very awkward for them. What was worse was the fact that she didn’t know what Hoseok was thinking, she wondered whether it was just a momentary lapse of judgement on his side. Perhaps she had imagined the whole thing.

 The living room looked cosy, Yoongi and Jin were sitting in the two armchairs in pjs and both holding steaming mugs of coffee. Taehyung, Aria and Namjoon were on the sofa, their feet propped up on the black velvet pouffe.

 “Oh, hey.” Yoongi greeted them as they made their way into the living room. “I was wondering where you had got to.”

 “We were at the gym  but Aria and Hobi-hyung were on a date,” Jimin told him unhelpfully, grinning when identical blushes flooded their faces.

 Aria put her head in her hands and groaned. Realising this probably made the situation worse she quickly let her arms drop to her sides. Namjoon’s eyebrows had shot up into his hairline, Yoongi was looking at her curiously and Jin almost choked on his coffee. However, it was Taehyung who spoke up.

 “A date?” He asked, his tone was betraying nothing. “Interesting.”

 “It wasn’t a date.” Hoseok replied, he shot Aria a comforting smile and she felt the nerves from beforehand dissipate. He was still her friend and whatever had almost happened on the bridge was forgotten. “Aria had never been over the Tyne Bridge so I decided to take her. We grabbed a coffee and went, it was a nice walk.”

 “Wait, you’ve never been over the Tyne Bridge?” Jin asked, incredulous. 

 “I know, it’s unheard of.” Aria said, her tone dramatic earning grins from both Namjoon and Taehyung.

 “How could you have not been over the bridge?” Clarissa frowned, her tone was suspicious. “You’ve lived here for three years.”

 Aria was confused how Clarissa knew that about her and missed the heated look that Namjoon shot to the others. “I’ve just never seen the need to, I stay mostly on this side of the city.”

 Clarissa mumbled a reply and Aria had the distinct feeling that the other girl didn’t believe her. She couldn’t for the life of her understand why she would lie about such a small detail.

 “Speaking of dates, how was yours, Tae-hyung?” Jungkook asked helpfully, saving the day. 

 “We went to the aquarium.” Clarissa answered for him, placing a hand possessively over his thigh. Aria had to bite back her annoyance, she hated when people answered questions that were not directed at them.

 “They had the cutest turtles.” Taehyung added with his signature box smile. “You would have loved all their pretty colours, Aria. They also had loads of crabs, hyung, you’ll have to go and see them one time.”

 Namjoon’s face lit up at the thought of all the tiny crabs, he smiled and his dimples popped. Aria found herself wanting to poke his adorable cheeks. “We should go one time?” Namjoon decided, his eyes meeting Aria’s as if he was asking her specifically.

 “We could have a double date.” Clarissa almost squealed, her eyes meeting Aria’s flashing with amusement.

 Aria was good at holding her tongue and the fact that Clarissa seemed to want to push her buttons tonight did nothing to change that fact. Although she hated confrontation she wasn’t going to let anyone speak down to her. She thought she heard Jimin curse softly beside her but when she looked at him, he was wearing an angelic smile.

 “It wasn’t a date.” Aria repeated with a sigh. “Just a walk.”

 “Then why did Jiminie say it was a date?” The blonde challenged, a smirk on her pretty lips.

 This time Jimin groaned, his eyes flashing with his annoyance. “It was just my way of trying to embarrass them. A silly joke.”

 Clarissa looked like she didn’t believe him and suddenly Aria felt uncomfortable. She didn’t really want to be in the room with another girl silently judging her, she was too exhausted.

 “I should probably be getting back.” She said to them, reaching down and pulling her bag strap over her shoulder. “I really should get some revision done for the test next Thursday. My mother will kill me if my grades are shit again this time.”

 “Oh Aria please don’t go yet, you’ve only just got back.” Taehyung whined, pouting cutely. “And we are going to order take out and watch a movie.”

 Aria hesitated, pulling her tangled hair out of her face whilst she weighed up her options. She didn’t really want to go to an empty flat and revise alone but she also didn’t feel comfortable interrupting their movie night. “I don’t know, I really want to pass this exam. If not for myself then for all Namjoon’s effort to tutor me.”

 “Exactly, you should go home and study or it’ll all be for nothing.” Clarissa agreed, flicking her hair and her gaze hard on Aria’s as if she could transport the other girl home with just a look. “There will be other movie nights, there won’t be more chances at your exam.”

 “Aria, stay for the movie tonight and we’ll start some revision tomorrow.” Namjoon said, his gaze was steady and encouraging on hers. “You’ve worked hard enough today and deserve to have some relaxation time. If you want to stay you’re more than welcome to.”

 Aria nodded slowly, dropping her bag to the floor and sighing slowly. “Okay one movie and then home.”

 “Excellent.” Hobi exclaimed, excitedly.

 Namjoon shifted to get to his feet. “Us boys will get blankets and snacks and you ladies can make yourselves comfortable.”

 

 When they had all gathered in the kitchen, Namjoon looked over his shoulder to the living room with a displeased look on his face. He sighed and raked his hand through his hair as he went to get cups out of the cupboard. The boys all stood near the kitchen table waiting for whatever Namjoon was about to say.

 “Tae Tae, I know Clarissa is your guest here but the way she is treating Aria is not acceptable.” The leader sighed, placing the cups down on the counter.

 Taehyung breathed out hard, he had also noticed how Clarissa’s tone and mood had changed completely. He hated the way she had tried to make Aria leave, especially because it wasn’t her place to decide anyway. “I don’t know what to do, hyung. When we’re alone, she’s the best, but if there is any mention of Aria, she becomes so jealous.”

 “And this is without knowing about the soulmate bond?”Jimin asked, he couldn’t understand how nearly all the other angels had heard of their one of a kind bond and yet Scarlett’s secretary had no idea.

 “She hasn’t mentioned anything about it.” Taehyung sighed. “So I'm assuming that she doesn’t. I don’t think she would be speaking to me right now if she did.”

 “I hate to say this, Tae, but I don’t think this situation with Clarissa is a good idea, especially with Aria becoming a closer part in our life.” Hobi said, putting a comforting hand on the younger boy’s shoulder.

 Tae turned to the fridge to grab the drinks. “I know, hyung, I promise I’ll speak to her. I just don’t know what to do with her right now. I wanted to try something with her just in case I was giving it all up for a bond with a girl I didn’t know.”

 “And now?” Jungkook asked, he had been curious about his hyung’s motives with Clarissa when he mentioned that he was talking to her again.

 “What do you think I should do?”

 “That’s up to you to decide, but you have to consider what is more important to you. You have tried twice with Clarissa and again you’re questioning whether it’s the right thing for you. I know it was a difficult thing when we found out about the bond, but Aria is our soulmate and there’s only so much pushing away you can do.” Yoongi said, knowledgably. 

 “Especially since Hobi’s already making moves on our girl.” Jungkook joked, wiggling his eyebrows at Hobi who had gone as red as his hair.

 “Can we not start the teasing again? We didn’t kiss, it didn’t happen.”

  Namjoon dropped the popcorn onto the side and the other boys’s mouths dropped open. “What’s this about a kiss?” Namjoon asked, regarding the red head with a suspicious glare.

 “There wasn’t a kiss.” Hobi insisted he had hoped the younger two would have brought it up later when Aria and Clarissa weren’t there.

 “There was almost a kiss though.” Jimin provided unhelpfully.

 “Yes okay, there was almost a kiss.” Hoseok admitted preparing himself for the onslaught of questions. “But these two dorks interrupted and nothing happened.”

 “Hey, no one should get to kiss her before me.” Jungkook whined. “She did say she wanted to date me.” 

 They all laughed at their maknae, Yoongi punched him lightly on his arm and Jimin brushed his hand through his hair.  

 “In all seriousness, I’m glad that Aria felt comfortable enough with you to possibly engage in a kiss.” Namjoon said he was talking in his sensible tone, the one the boys knew was serious. “But I still think we should take these things slowly. Hopefully, Aria will spend a lot more time around us and we’ll get to know her better. But for now,” he held up a finger. “I think it’s wise not to do any kissing, it could overwhelm her and push her away.”

 “You’re right.” Hobi agreed, feeling slightly guilty. “I’m sorry.”

 “No harm done.” 

 

 The first few minutes alone with Clarissa had almost felt unbearable. Aria had flopped down on the armchair that Yoongi had vacated with a sigh. She didn’t want to be alone with a girl who clearly didn’t like her. When she could bear the silence no longer she looked up from her phone and saw that Clarissa was staring right at her.

 “So how long had Namjoon been tutoring you?” She asked.

 “A few weeks.” Aria said thankful for the conversation, but nervous that it might head in the wrong direction. “I was really struggling and my mum suggested a tutor.”

 “Namjoon is just too nice like that, always helping a girl in need.” She smirked, Aria didn’t understand her expression and decided it was best not to ask her to clarify. “Have you been spending much time with the others?”

 “Some.” Aria replied, knowing her response was short and clipped.

 “With Taehyung specifically?”

 Aria suddenly realised why Clarissa was frosty towards her and almost laughed at how ridiculously misplaced her jealousy was. “Only if he’s here with the other guys.” She shrugged. “We don’t usually spend a lot of time alone. I come here to study.”

 “They seem quite fond of you.”

 Aria smiled slightly, she was beginning to see that what Clarissa said was true. “I’d like to think of them as my friends. But like I said I come here to study, today was just a one off.”

 Clarissa eyed her suspiciously for a minute, seeming not to believe her. It frustrated Aria that again this girl didn’t believe what she was saying.

 “Honestly Clarissa, I’m happy for you and Tae, I really am. He’s my friend and you obviously make him happy. I am not going to try and sabotage your relationship in any way at all.”

 Before the other girl could respond, the boys walked out of the kitchen, their arms full of goodies. Taehyung took one look at the girls and instantly felt the charge of atmosphere between them. He frowned sitting on the sofa next to Clarissa and shot Aria what looked like a smile of encouragement.

 “Okay, who wants chinese?” Jimin asked, waving his phone in the air.

 The takeout and movie was the exact thing Aria had needed after not sleeping well the majority of that week. Her nights had been plagued with nightmares, ones that woke her up dripping in sweat and panting hard. Although, most of the time she couldn’t remember what her dreams were about she was scared to go to sleep. But here snuggled in the armchair she felt peaceful. Namjoon was sitting on the floor in front of her, his hand was on her foot that was dangling down beside him. Tingles shot up her leg from the small circles he was drawing on her ankle bone. 

 Tae, Clarissa and Jimin had the sofa and were sharing a bowl of popcorn and a Sherpa throw. Aria’s eyes met Tae’s as she scanned the room and he sent her the softest of smiles. Smiling back her eyes then moved to the other boys who were laid on cushions in front of the TV. Yoongi was fast asleep, head on his hand with his mouth slightly open. Aria had never seen someone sleep so peacefully. Jin and Hobi were sharing a pillow, both propped up on their elbows, eyes glued to the screen.

 “Are you enjoying the movie?” Namjoon whispered, looking up at her, his brown eyes had a sleepy glow to them.

 “I am.” She replied with a small smile. “Thank you for convincing me to stay.”

 “Anytime, pretty girl.” He breathed, turning his attention back to the movie.

 

 Aria screamed, waking herself up in the process and jumped up in the armchair. The boys were all up on their feet standing over her in seconds. She realised in her sleepy haze she must have dropped off to sleep. Aria could feel her body shaking as she tried to take a steady breath; sweat was coating her body head to toe and she felt light headed.

 “Are you okay?” They all asked, concern lacing all their voices.

 “I’m sorry.” She breathed slowly, suddenly becoming a little embarrassed that she had screamed and startled them all. 

 “Were you having another nightmare?” Yoongi asked, holding out a glass of water he seemed to pull out of thin air. “Sip this.”

 Aria thanked him and raised the glass to her lips with a shaky hand. “It was probably something small and silly, it’s okay.”

 “It didn’t sound small and silly.” Jimin said firmly, his beautiful mouth was set into a firm line and his eyes were worried. “You sounded terrified.”

 “I get a lot of nightmares.” Aria told them, thankful that the water had made her feel a fraction better. “I’ll be fine in a couple of minutes.”

 “Are the nightmares getting better or worse?”Namjoon asked her softly, he was running his hand up and down her bare arm soothingly.

 “Well,” Aria thought for a second, she didn’t want to worry them. She hadn’t even told her mum or Liam how badly the nightmares were affecting her. But for one reason or another she couldn't seem to lie to Namjoon. “Worse for the most part.”

 Jungkook dropped to his knees in front of her, a concerned expression on his face. Aria once again couldn’t believe how beautiful he was; her eyes scanned his gleaming eyes, strong nose and beautiful pink lips. “Do you want to talk about them?” He asked sweetly. “Jin-hyung always says that talking about fears can make them better.”

 “That’s right, Jungkookah but Aria doesn’t have to share with us anything that will make her feel uncomfortable.”

 Aria smiled up at Jin thanking him with her eyes before looking back at the maknae. “I can’t always remember what happens, I just wake up knowing it’s bad.”

 The boys all looked sad for Aria and she smiled softly at the six of them hoping that they would believe that she was okay and not still reeling inside at the thought of going back to sleep. That’s when she realised that Taehyung wasn’t there.

 “Where’s Taehyung?” She asked, happy to change the subject.

 Hobi frowned as if knowing she was trying to take the focus from her. “He uh...he took Clarissa home.”

 That made sense, it was late and he wouldn’t want his girlfriend walking home alone. Aria righted herself and looked at the TV that was now playing a kdrama rerun and realised the movie must have ended ages ago. She clicked on her phone to see that it was nearing eleven and almost did a double take.

 “Oh my god, it’s late. I’m sorry.” She said blush high on her cheeks, once again she felt like she had overstayed her welcome. “I better get going. I'm sorry for falling asleep, why didn’t one of you wake me?”

 “You looked peaceful.” Hobi said with a small smile. “Until you screamed and we nearly shit ourselves.” 

 Aria’s blush deepened and she moved to get off the chair. “I better get home, it’s late and I don’t want to keep you all up.”

 “Don’t be silly.” Namjoon said, brushing his hand through his hair trying to stifle a yawn. “We’re all wide awake.”

 Aria laughed at him as she heaved herself to her feet to go and get her shoes and bag. “I can see that.” She shooed at them using her hands.“You guys get off to bed, I’ll order an uber.” 

 Namjoon smiled at her ruffling her already messy hair and said goodnight, Yoongi and Hobi waved their goodbyes and set off down the corridor to what she assumed was the direction of all the bedrooms. Jungkook and Jimin were left; the younger boy leaned over and brushed a soft and sweet kiss on her cheek. Aria squeaked at the contact and the flames it sent flying to her heart.

 “Goodnight Aria, I hope you sleep better.” He said with a small sleepy smile on his face. He leaned closer again and she wondered with a small leap of her heart if he was going to kiss her other cheek. “I call dibs on the next date by the way.” He whispered in her ear. Butterflies filled Aria’s stomach as her eyes blew wide at his words and before she could reply he was bouncing off to his room.

 Aria looked at Jimin and realised he must have been tasked with the job of locking the door after she left. She hurriedly got out her phone to order a taxi not wanting him to wait any longer than he had to.

 “Aria.” He said, making her head snap up from her phone. “Are you sleeping?”

 Aria laughed tightly but felt the telltale prickle of tears behind her eyes. She wouldn’t cry here, not in front of him and definitely not because she was so exhausted. She was stronger than that. “You just saw me asleep on your chair, Jimin.” she reminded him.

 He took a step closer to her, raking his hand through his hair whilst he slowly sighed. “You know what I mean. Are you sleeping when you’re at home?”

 Fiddling with her bag strap, she couldn’t meet his eyes. “Sometimes.”

 Jimin nodded like he already knew that it would be her answer. “These nightmares are stopping you from sleeping?”

 She nodded slowly, feeling the urge to tell him everything. But she couldn’t tell him that most of her nightmares revolved around him and his friends and usually had things in them that she couldn’t even explain. “They keep getting worse,” She whispered, tears creeping into her eyes. “And because of that I get scared to sleep. It sounds silly, I know, they’re only nightmares.”

 Jimin reached out and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “That’s not silly at all.” He reassured her, his tone was soft. “Hobi-hyung suffers from bad nightmares too, sometimes he wouldn’t sleep for days just in case he had another one. You don’t have to be alone with them, you know.”

 Aria hadn’t quite caught on to what he was meaning. “Liam is usually home and he comes and sits with me when he can.”

 Jimin shook his head slightly. “Is Liam home tonight?”

 “He’s at Connor’s on a Friday but it’ll be okay. I’ll go home and watch shitty movies all night.” 

 “If you want you could stay here?” He muttered. Aria’s eyes flashed up to his and suddenly a blush appeared on his cheeks.  He ran his fingers through his hair; Aria had realised that brushing his hair back was a habit of his. “I don’t mean sleep with me or anything. I would never suggest something like that. But if you want company, you could sit in my room and watch shitty movies until you’re tired enough to sleep.” His eyes were gleaming and Aria couldn’t say anything for a moment. “I’ll even sleep on the floor or in Hobi-hyung’s bed so you can have mine.”

 He was babbling now and Aria couldn’t help but feel happy tears fill her eyes at his kindness. “I would never make you sleep on the floor, Jimin.”

 Jimin’s pink head perked up, a smile on his beautiful face. “Is that a yes then?”

 “As long as Hobi won’t mind.”

 “Trust me Hobi hyung sleeps like the dead. He won’t even know you’re there.”

 When they got to Jimin’s room, the pink haired boy put his fingers to his lips and slowly opened the door. He was right, Hobi was in the first double bed closest to the door, blankets pulled over his head and snoring loudly. Aria suppressed the urge to giggle, and quietly tiptoed into the room after Jimin.

 “Are you sure the others will be okay with me staying?” she whispered to Jimin as he turned his bedside lamp on. “I really don’t want to give them a heart attack in the morning.”

 “I’ll message the group chat.” Jimin replied softly, holding his phone aloft. “But they shouldn’t mind because you’re my guest. Plus I'm sure they would rather you had company than be alone tonight.”

 Aria ran her fingers through her hair and realised suddenly she had no hairbrush, no toothbrush and nothing to sleep in. She looked down at her outfit and realised with dismay that she couldn’t sleep comfortably in her jeans. Seeing her look, Jimin walked over to a chest of drawers and pulled out two sleep shirts and two pairs of shorts.

 “They will probably be too big but the shorts have a string you can tighten and they’re more comfortable than your jeans.” He threw her the clothes and then nodded to the door opposite his bed. Aria guessed it led to their ensuite. “There should be a spare toothbrush in the cupboard and you can use anything else you need.”

 “Thank you.” Aria said heading to the door before she stopped and smirked over her shoulder. “Wow, it must be nice to be rich and have your own bathroom.”

 Jimin smirked back, throwing himself back on the dark covers of his bed. “Trust me, sharing one bathroom between seven of us was pure hell.”

 She could imagine how difficult it would have been to schedule showers when there were seven people sharing one bathroom. Aria was gobsmacked when she entered the bathroom, it was huge. There was a jacuzzi bathtub at the far end of the room, big enough for a party of people to fit. Opposite was the biggest shower she had ever seen, her fingers itched to play around with the dials on the walls to see what they did. Aria had never really understood why showers needed more controls than the power and temperature button but this shower intrigued her. She was surprised at how clean and tidy it was, from living with Liam she knew that boys were not usually the cleanest when they used the bathroom. But there were no trails of toothpaste left in the sink or stray beard hairs in random places.

 Jimin had changed into his pjs when Aria emerged from the bathroom feeling cleaner after brushing her teeth and her hair. Jimin giggled at her when he looked up from his phone and took in her appearance.

 “I knew that my clothes would be big on you but I didn't realise how small you actually were.”

 Aria bunched up his shirt in her fingers. “I can’t help being a short ass okay.”

 He grinned. “It’s not often that I get to tease people about being short, let me have my moment.”

 “You’re not even short, the only reason the others tease you about your height is because of how annoyed you get.”

 He fluffed the pillows beside him and placed extra cushions against the headboard. “Come and get comfortable, it’s already getting late.” Aria hesitated, it had been a while since she had been in bed with a boy and even though it was entirely platonic her body panicked. “I don’t bite unless you want me to.”

 “Oh shh. Your cringey pickup lines won’t work on me.” Aria berated him but neither of them could ignore the blush on her cheeks as she climbed into bed beside him.

 “Trust me sweetheart, if i was trying you wouldn’t be able to resist me.” He told her, his voice low and in a growl.

 “Park Jimin, I have very good self control.” Aria told him but she couldn’t hold his mock intense gaze.

 “We’ll see.” He mumbled too quiet for Aria to hear. She was about to ask him what he had said but he handed the remote to her. “So which movie are you going to make me sit through.”

 “Hey, you were the one who asked me to stay.” she exclaimed in a whisper.

 “I'm kidding, keep your knickers on.” He laughed.

 In the end she had chosen some random action movie on netflix, something she could watch easily without really concentrating. During the movie she noticed two things about Jimin; he twirled his hair around his fingers when he was sleepy and he enjoyed hugging pillows to get comfy. Aria realised there were two sides to him; the strong, tough attitude he showed around campus to people he didn’t know and the soft, cute version he presented when someone was closer to him.

 She hadn’t realised she had been staring at him until his sleepy eyes met hers. “What’s up? Do you need a drink or something to eat?”

 “No, I just realised how comfy you looked and was gonna say you don’t have to stay up with me.” She said softly, she loved that he was trying to keep her company but she didn’t want to keep him awake. “I can just turn off the tv when I'm sleepy.”

 Jimin yawned and rubbed his eyes. “I’ll have you know I’m wide awake and really enjoying this movie.”

 She giggled. “Jimin, please go to bed.” Giving in, he started to kick off the blankets and grabbed for his pillow. “Where are you going?”

 “I’ll go and climb in with Hoseok.” He told her and they both looked over at the sleeping boy. 

 He was laid like a starfish across the whole bed, there was definitely no room for Jimin to sleep. “Just stay here, I don’t mind.”

 “Do you want me to put a wall of pillows in between us so I don't accidentally roll over on your side in my sleep.”

 “I have sharp elbows and know how to use them.” She said holding them up to show him.

 He laughed and laid down again with a satisfied smile and yawned. “Please try and get some sleep, Aria. And if you have any more nightmares wake me up and we can watch more shitty movies.”

 “Thank you,” She really was touched at how nice he had been to her tonight. “Goodnight, Jimin.”

 “Goodnight, pretty girl.”

 

  The boys were in her bedroom at home all of them sat on her bed crowded close to her. In other circumstances Aria would have been annoyed at them taking up all her space but she didn’t have the heart to tell them to move. Taehyung was running a lazy hand up her calf trailing the sun tattoo she had on her leg, leaving goosebumps in his wake.

 “Does this mean anything?” He asked, tapping her tattoo again.

 “It’s a friendship tattoo, I got the sun and Liam got the moon.” she told him with a soft smile recalling the day Liam had brought up the idea of matching tattoos.

 “All that pain for such a tiny thing.” Namjoon mumbled beside her and she suddenly realised she was propped up against him with his arm around her waist.

 “That wasn’t the worst one.” She told him.

 “Our pretty girl has more tattoos?” Jungkook piped up excitedly.

 “A few.”

 “I want to kiss them.” Jimin said, suddenly making her head jerk up in surprise. Jimin grinned amorously and lowered his lips to where Taehyung’s fingers were tracing. “You can kiss mine if I can kiss yours.”

“Jimin.”  She let out a small moan. The double entendre in his words sent electric sparks up her spine. “Don’t be so rude.”

 Yoongi chuckled, he was also very close to her and when she turned to face him they were almost nose to nose. “Jimin’s just excited about where your other tattoos could be hidden.”

 “In very appropriate places where my mother wouldn’t see them.” She told them pointing her voice down to where Jimin was when she heard him laugh softly.  Aria was just about to explain to them how against tattoos her mum was when she felt something warm and wet against her knee. “Jimin.” She squealed looking down at her leg to see Jin’s tongue pressed against her leg.

 “Sorry, pretty girl, your skin just looked so perfect.”

 Aria gasped, she wanted to know what the hell was going on.

 “You know what else looks perfect.” a voice said and her eyes flicked to Hoseok who was moving slowly up the bed towards her. His face was inches away from hers when he lifted a finger to run it across her bottom lip. “Your lips.”

 “Are you going to let Hoseok kiss you, Aria?” Namjoon whispered in her ear sending tingles across her body.

 Her eyes flicked to Hoseok’s and she gave him a small nod and in milliseconds his lips were on hers. Immediately her body jolted a little at the intensity of the electricity that shocked her when their lips met, she grabbed onto Hobi’s shirt to hold herself still and stop trembling. She had never been kissed in the way that Hoseok kissed her then, it was full of hunger as if he was trying to tell her in that kiss how much he had wanted her. His tongue stroked against hers, teeth grazing against her lips in a way that made her core heat.  Hoseok tugged slowly at her hair pulling her head gently backwards until she moaned into his mouth.

 “Hey.” Jungkook’s voice interrupted them. “Do you not want to kiss me too, Aria?”

 She pulled away from Hoseok and ignored his growl of annoyance and her eyes met the maknae’s. Jungkook bit down on his lips and regarded her with a look that was hotter than any other. “Come here Jungkook.”

Jungkook was on her in seconds, pushing her back into the pillows until he was towering over her, fingers playing with the hem of her shirt. She was about to ask him what he was doing when his lips met hers. Like with Hoseok the electricity that passed between them was almost unbearable until his arm wrapped around her waist pulling her to his chest. “I’ve wanted to do this for such a long time.” He told her in between scorching hot kisses. “I’ve wanted you so bad for such a long time.”

 Each and every single word sent heat to her core and she could feel the wetness growing. She hadn’t been this turned on from kissing ever.

 She felt someone’s lips trailing dangerously high up on her thigh just below the leg of her shorts and she squeaked.

 “Let us look after you, pretty girl.” Yoongi said in her ear. “Let us make you feel good.”

 

She awoke suddenly, her thighs were pressed tightly together as if to hide what was happening in her dream. With a start she realised she was still in Jimin’s bed and embarrassment flooded her. She had just had an inappropriate dream in Jimin’s bed about him and his friends. It was way too much to handle.

 “Morning.” She heard Hoseok’s voice from the other bed. “Did you have good dreams?”

Chapter 10: Commencement

Notes:

Hey lovelies, it's been a while! Yet again I was hit with the worst writer's block ever. I feel like I have been rewriting this chapter for at least six months or more. I don't know if it's exactly what I want it to be but I'm finally happy with what I have. It's becoming more and more fun to delve into the relationships with Aria and the boys so hopefully there will be more updates (sooner than they have been in the past). Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this fic, it means the world to me.

T/W: crude language throughout.

 

Chapter 10: Commencement

 

The morning got off to an awkward start; talking normally to Hoseok whilst her mind was still replaying her dream. She couldn’t seem to rip her eyes away from his lips as he was talking to her.it was bad enough thinking about their almost kiss from the bridge, but the memory of her dream had her wondering what it would have been like to kiss him.

 “You seem distracted.” Hobi noticed a small smirk on his face.

 Aria mentally kicked herself, she had to snap  out of it. “I’m just tired. I haven’t slept that way in weeks and it seems like my body is being greedy.”

 He laughed, pulling himself up against the dark pillows. “I’m glad you slept better. Was it the bed or the secret cuddles you were giving Jiminie, that helped?”

 Aria was outraged at the suggestion. “I was not giving Jimin cuddles.”

 “Ask him for yourself, he should be almost finished in the shower.”

 “I can’t believe you would accuse me of such a thing.” She put her hand over her heart wounded.

 “No one would blame you, Jimin is a very cuddly person.”

 “I thought you were meant to be the nice one of the group? You know all sunshine, happiness and daisies? But you’re mean Jung Hoseok.”

 Hobi was giggling now pulling the covers over his face to muffle his laughter. “Winding you up is so easy, pretty girl.”

 “Mean.” Aria told him, sticking her tongue out.

 “I let you sleep in my bedroom last night. I’m practically an angel.”

 “Apart from the fact that you had no idea she was here until an hour ago, hyung.” Jimin interrupted from the doorway of the en-suite. He was just in a towel that was wrapped tightly around his waist. His pink hair was pushed back off his forehead, dripping rivulets down his amazingly toned torso. “You were spread out like a starfish from the minute we entered the room, wasn’t he Aria?”

 Aria’s mouth was slightly open and her brain was finding it very difficult to form a coherent sentence. How did he look that good? “Do you have to walk around half naked?” She asked him before she could stop herself.

 “This is my bedroom, remember?” He told her stepping further into the room. “I didn’t realise that my naked chest would have this much of an effect on you.”

 “I..it doesn’t.” Aria blushed. “It’s just not something I thought I would see this soon after waking up.” She couldn’t keep her eyes off his glistening chest or the dark ink of the tattoo on his ribs. “Nevermind what?”

 Jimin’s eyes flicked to his tattoo and back up to her eyes. “Nevermind anything. Nothing should be powerful enough to bring you down.”

 “I wish my tattoos had better meaning. Now they just seem silly.”

 “Now that we have proof you checked out one of my tattoos, it’s only fair I get to see yours.”

 Aria’s brain was giving her warning signals as it flashed back to her dream and into dangerous territory. “Maybe some other time.” She jumped up off his bed. “Please have a shirt on when I get back or my neighbours will swoon if they see that chest.”

 “Just like you?” Jimin grinned, his voice teasing.

 “You tell yourself whatever you like Park Jimin.” Aria squeezed past him and walked towards the bathroom. 

 “Would it make it worse if I told you he usually sleeps naked?” Hobi asked, matching Jimin’s tone.

 “You two are insufferable.” She told them over her shoulder as she closed the bathroom door on them.

 “You love it really.” Aria heard Jimin call after her.

 Aria was glad that when she returned, Jimin was fully dressed and waiting for her with his car keys in hand. She internally groaned when thinking about the shift she had at work later that day. It wasn’t that she hated her job but recently she had become too tired.

 “I’ll just get an uber.” She told Jimin not wanting to inconvenience him any more. “I’m sure you have better things to do than drop me off.”

 “It’s only a ten minute drive and it’ll save you £10.” He smiled, grabbing a jacket off the top of his drawers. “I hate that you have to leave so early without having breakfast.”

 “I’ll grab something quick before I leave for work later.” Aria assured him, her heart warm at his kindness.

 “You ready?” Jimin asked with a small sigh.

 Aria nodded, straightening her shirt. “Hey Jimin.” He stopped at the door and turned to look at her over his shoulder. “Thank you for letting me stay last night, I really appreciate it. I am embarrassed though, at 21 I should not be this scared of nightmares. So thank you for being so understanding.”

 Jimin’s face lit up with the brightest smile, his eyes turning into beautiful crescent moons. “Don’t be silly, nightmares are scary to anyone no matter how old you are. And you’re always welcome to stay over whenever you like. I would much rather you be with someone than be alone and scared.” Aria didn’t know where Namjoon had found him but Jimin was truly one of the kindest people to grace the planet. “Did you sleep well last night? No nightmares.”

 Aria’s stomach dropped and shivers caressed her spine when she thought back to the dream that she had the night before. “No, no nightmares.”

 “That’s really really good.” He told her and Aria missed his smirk as he turned to the door to head out into the hall.

 

 Liam was lounging on the sofa staring out of the window and down at the street when she walked through the door and threw her keys onto the table. It seemed like the drive with Jimin had flown by; he had spent the journey telling Aria about his job. Apparently, Jimin worked at the local cinema and he was recommending which films were a must see. Aria jotted down the film names in her notes on her phone and thought about asking Liam if he wanted to see one the following weekend. Curiously Aria had asked Jimin whether making popcorn was as hard as it looked. He had laughed at her claiming out of all the jobs he did there, making popcorn was probably the easiest.

 Liam looked up at her breaking into her reverie, his eyebrows were raised and eyes betraying his every thought. Oh no she thought here we go .

 “Was that Park Jimin dropping you off?” He asked in an incredulous tone. 

 “Yeah.” She shrugged her shoulders like it wasn’t a big deal. Which it wasn’t, he was just being a good friend making sure she got home safely. “He offered so I wouldn’t have to get an uber.”

 Liam eyed her suspiciously. “Jimin gave you a lift home,” he checked his watch, eyebrows raised. “At 12 in the afternoon. And you’re wearing the exact same clothes as you were yesterday.”

 “Liam, before you-”

 He jumped off the couch squealing as he flung himself at her. “I need all the details now.”

 “There really aren’t any details, L.”

 “You can’t hold out on me Ari, I have been waiting months for you finally to get laid.”

 “Seriously, Liam, there's nothing to tell.” She tried to cut in but Liam was doing a weird little jig around the coffee table. “Liam, I need you to calm down.”

 He stopped mid dance and looked at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “You totally fucked Park Jimin.”

 Aria sighed, flopping herself down on the couch. She had no idea how to get through to him when he was this excited. “I made an absolute fool of myself because of these stupid nightmares and Jimin wouldn’t let me come home where I was gonna be alone.”

 Liam sat down beside her, his joyous mood now serious. “Nightmares again? Aria, I really think you should talk to someone about these dreams. It doesn’t seem normal for you to have them all the time.”

 “I don’t want to talk to someone about them,” She twisted her fingers in the bottom of her top. She was being stubborn but really didn’t like the thought of pouring her heart out to a total stranger. It made her feel silly. “They’re just stupid nightmares that shouldn’t be affecting me this much. Anyway, last night was the first night in forever that I actually slept well.”

 “Did that happen to be because you were in the arms of a Bangtan hottie?” He grinned, probing her for any little detail she was willing to give him.

 “Not a chance.” She laughed, slapping him on the arm.

 “So you don't have one piece of juicy information?”

 “Sorry not today, L.” Aria hauled herself to her feet, sighing hard. “My life is too boring for anything like that plus I have work soon. No time to chat.”

 “You’re going to deny it but I think one or all of those boys like you.” He told her over the top of the sofa as she walked to her bedroom. “You spend all your time over there now and you’ve spent the night. Just putting that out there.”

 

It was 1:30pm before all the members were awake and gathered in the kitchen. Yoongi was dishing out bibimbap, a tea towel thrown over his shoulder and sleeves rolled right up. Jin was washing the dishes, splashing water at Jungkook who was trying to whip him with a dishcloth. 

 “Dinner is served.” Yoongi said, placing the bowls on the table. “Hurry up  before it gets cold.”

 They all tucked in and there were noises of appreciation from everyone. This was a tradition they had tried to keep from training days; to always eat together at least once a day. It strengthened their bond and always gave them a chance to share their thoughts and feelings.

 “Was Aria okay last night?” Namjoon asked between mouthfuls, his eyes meeting Jimin’s across the table.

 “She had mentioned she was going to be home alone.” Jimin said, pushing his food around his bowl with his chopsticks. “I didn’t like the thought of her alone and having to go through those nightmares. It hurt, hyung.” he pointed to his chest right above his heart. “Like something was breaking inside of me, knowing that she was going through something like that.”

 The others nodded at him, showing that they felt the same way as him. Jungkook was the only one who huffed and pouted slightly. “I wish I had the idea. I really want to get to know Aria more but never seem to get the chance. Namjoon-hyung is her tutor, Yoongi-hyung has been to her house, Hobi-hyung took a walk with her yesterday and now she’s stayed over with Jimin-hyung.”

 “No one’s stopping you Kook.” Jin stated flicking rice at him from over the table. “In fact I think I heard that she has an early finish at work tonight. Do what you will with that information.”

 “I have one question.” Taehyung spoke up, he had been strangely quiet all morning. “I talked it over with Jimin and wanted to check with everyone. Did anyone have an unusual dream last night?”

 Jin almost choked on his mouthful, Namjoon coughed loudly into his elbow and Yoongi blushed. “What kind of dream?” Jungkook asked with a smirk, his tongue flicking out to lick his lips.

 “You know exactly what kind of dream you little shit.” Hobi kicked him playfully underneath the table.

 “I don’t know about the rest of you but that was the fastest I’ve ever cum-” 

 “Tae!” Namjoon said in a warning tone but his eyes were grinning.

 “You should have seen how quick Jimin rushed off to have a shower when he woke up.” Hobi teased grinning when Jimin’s cheeks pinkened.

 “It was hot, okay?” Jimin said, crossing his legs under the table as he thought back to the dream. “And the fact that she was dreaming it right next to me made it even harder to handle.”

 “You think it was her dreaming it?” Yoongi asked with an interested look on his face.

 “It makes sense,” Namjoon agreed. “None of us knew anything about her tattoos so it’s not like we were dreaming and casting it onto each other. Like we know angels can cast their dreams unwillingly to other angels but there’s nothing saying that humans can’t do the same.”

 “Let’s never bring this up to her though.” Jin said, always the voice of reason. “I don’t think she would be very comfortable knowing that she projected a dirty dream that included all of us.”

 “I seriously hope I don’t cast any of my dreams onto her.” Jungkook grinned, bringing his phone out and opening his messages.

 “I pray for the poor girl.” Namjoon groaned, not even wanting to imagine what the maknae's dreams consisted of.

 

Chapter 11: Invitation

Notes:

Finally back with another chapter. Adult life has really been kicking my butt for a while and consequentially my writing and other hobbies have suffered. Hopefully this chapter was worth the wait :)

Contains some crude language.

Chapter 11: Invitation

 

Jungkook: Hey Pretty Girl, I was just wondering if you were busy after you finished work?

 

Aria: I was going to go home and study but you could probably convince me against it. What do you have in mind?

 

Jungkook: I was thinking about going to the cinema later. Do you want to come?

 

Aria: I’m at work until 8, is that too late?

Also if you tell Namjoon I’m slacking, I might have to murder you.

 

Jungkook: Please! Joonie is a teddy bear! There’s a viewing at 8:30. I’ll meet you outside your work at 8 :)

 

Aria: See you then!

 

 After receiving the messages off Jungkook during her break, Aria felt much happier going into the second half of her shift. It was very surprising to her that Jungkook would want her company. A very pleasant surprise.

 “What’s got you smiling so big?” Daniel, her boss, asked, eyeing her over the counter.

 “Nothing.” Aria replied, she hadn’t realised anyone would notice the grin she was wearing. “Aren’t I usually this happy?”

 “Definitely not.” He said suspiciously. “I’m guessing it’s something to do with a boy.”

 “What makes you say that?”

 “Come on Aria, I have four daughters. I know that type of smile.”

 “What’s this?” Isadora asked, popping her head around the pillar that separated the restaurant from the kitchen.

 “I think Aria has a boyfriend.” Daniel replied, grabbing a tea towel to clean the wine glasses. He winked at Isadora as if he was begging her to get involved. “She was grinning like a Cheshire cat a minute ago.”

 “It’s not that handsome guy who couldn’t stop staring at you the other week is it?” Isadora asked, her eyes flashing when Aria frowned.

 “I don’t have a boyfriend. I’m not even talking to anyone, Dan.” She told her boss and then turned to the other waitress. “If you’re talking about Taehyung. He has a girlfriend and we’re just friends.”

 “Hmm.” Isadora clicked her tongue. “I wouldn’t be happy if my boyfriend looked at his friend like that.”

 “You’re reading too much into it, Iz.” Aria laughed. Taehyung was her friend. She had caught him looking at the boys when he thought no one was looking. A soft smile spread over his lips and his dark brown eyes shone with love. It was clear that he enjoyed seeing his friends happy. That was what Isadora had witnessed and if Clarissa was jealous then it was her loss. “We’re just friends.”

 The rest of her shift was uneventful, a slow and quiet evening that she favoured. When it was finally time to clock out she felt her tummy flood with butterflies. She put her hand to her torso as if the movement would settle her nerves. The thought of spending alone time with Jungkook was both exciting and nerve wracking. Of course she wanted to get to know the maknae but had the distinct feeling that she would embarrass herself.

 Her phone pinged:

 

 Jungkook: I’m on the bench outside.

 

 Aria: I’ll be out in two mins.

 

 It was dark outside and Aria had to squint to spot Jungkook sitting on the bench across the street. He was wearing a dark leather jacket, with a black shirt underneath and ripped blue jeans. His blond hair was pushed out of his face. He was blond? Aria’s heart stuttered in her chest. He looked up at her his face breaking out in a huge smile. Suddenly she went too warm and flustered, her coat seemed like too much even though it was freezing outside.

 “Hey.” he said softly when he reached her. The cold had tinged his cheeks and the tip of his nose bright red. Aria licked her lips trying to gather her thoughts. “How was work?”

 “You’re blond?” She blurted out before she could stop herself. Apparently her brain couldn’t process how good he looked.

 He reached up to run his fingers through the blond waves. “Yeah, I wanted a change. What do you think?”

 “I like it.” Aria said truthfully. “But I’m shocked at how good it looks.”

 “What can I say? I have the magic touch.” He wiggled his fingers at her.

 The cinema wasn’t far from Aria’s work; she hadn’t realised her and Jimin worked so close together. She welcomed the warmth as they entered the building, her fingers were almost numb from the November breeze. The smell of buttery popcorn has Aria’s mouth watering. She hadn’t realised how hungry she was.

 As if he read her mind Jungkook said: “You can have anything you want. My treat.”

 “I could never let you pay for the movie and the snacks.” Aria exclaimed, grabbing onto his jacket as he walked towards the counter. “I’ll pay my half.”

 “Do you think I invited you here so you could pay?” he tutted at her, his brown eyes shining. “Plus I always pay on the first date.”

 “D-date?” Aria stuttered, surely she had heard him wrong.

 “Yes.” Jungkook said distractedly, gazing at the menu behind the counter. “Unless you don’t want it to be a date?”

 Before Aria could even open her mouth to reply, Jimin popped up at the counter. His uniform was a simple black shirt tucked into black trousers but somehow Jimin made it look sexy. His eyes flicked from Jungkook to Aria and back again, a smirk on his lips.

 “So it’s a date huh? Dam JK you crept in and swept her up before anyone else had a chance.” His tone seemed serious but his dark eyes were sparkling with amusement.

 “You know what they say, you snooze, you lose.”

 Jimin put his hand to his heart in mock pain. “Aria how could you do this to me? Only last night I was giving you the best Jiminie cuddles.”

 Aria’s face grew hot even though there was no truth to what Jimin was claiming. “You wish Park Jimin.” She grumbled half heartedly with a small smile. “Now please can I have some of that famous popcorn you were telling me about.”

 “Certainly. Now what movie are you two lovebirds going to see? Don’t tell me it's the new romance that was just released?” He waggled his eyebrows at them as he filled Aria’s tub of popcorn.

 Jungkook flushed and played with a plastic menu. “I was thinking more of the new horror. If that’s okay with you Aria?”

 Aria couldn’t get over how cute Jungkook looked when he was flustered. His lips were in a pout enhancing how glossy and plump they were. His eyebrows were pulled down in a frown that was just adorable. “I love horrors. Of course it’s okay!”

 Jungkook perked up again with his brightest bunny smile, his eyes crinkling. He ordered them drinks whilst Aria fished out some notes, hoping to beat him when it came to pay. However, when Jimin ran the total through the till, Jungkook already had his phone out ready.

 “Hey pretty girl.” Jungkook turned to her once they were settled in their seats. “If you get scared at any point you can hold my hand.”

 Aria looked at the tattooed hand he held out and smiled. “I think you’ll be more scared than me, Jungkook.”

 “Is that fighting talk?” His eyes gleamed with delight. “You’re on.”

 

 Aria had to admit, she was terrified. What had started off as a generic horror had quickly turned into scary even for her liking. She glanced over to Jungkook’s hand that was resting on the arm between them. She had contemplated grabbing it more than once during the last ten minutes but really didn’t think she could handle his gloating. Her eyes flicked up to his face to admire him for a second.

 Her eyes followed the line of his neck where it met his jaw, his jawline was so sharp she was convinced that she would cut herself if she reached out and touched it. His nose sloped down towards those plump lips she had noticed at the counter. The bottom lip was pulled into his mouth and he was gently biting down on it. Aria felt heat rush to her core when his tongue popped out to soothe the skin he was just biting. She hurriedly pulled her eyes away from his lips to his eyes. Jungkook’s full attention was on the movie, brown eyes huge and flicking across the screen excitedly.

 Maybe if she just reached out a little closer he would take the hint and grab onto her hand?

 Before she could even think of doing so, the music hit crescendo and a jumpscare flashed onto the screen sending the audience into shocked gasps. Aria’s attention was drawn away from the ever growing gore on the screen when Jungkook reached over and grabbed her hand.

 Electric pulsed from where their palms connected, shocking her right to the very pit of her stomach. Jungkook met her eyes briefly, eyes shining mischievously. She suddenly knew that he wasn’t scared in the slightest and was holding her hand just because he wanted to. After that Aria couldn’t pay attention to the movie, all she could think about was her hand in his.

 

 The waiting room was just as pristine as ever, it was something none of the boys could ever get used to. Namjoon and Jin were sat on the chairs furthest away from the reception desk so they could avoid the never ending glares they were receiving from Clarissa.

 “Have you noticed that she always seems angry?” Jin whispered, trying not to glance in Clarissa’s direction.

 “It could be the job,” Namjoon said fairly. “You know not all guardian angels treat other angels with respect. Clarissa’s job means that she has to deal with their rudeness on a daily basis.” Jin eyed him with his expression proving that he didn’t buy that at all. “Or it could be the fact that Taehyung was seriously upset with her and from what I gathered they’re history again.”

 Jin groaned, pushing his fingers through the long strands of hair that hung in his face. This was not going to go well. “I told him not to go there again. She’s too jealous and she makes him feel bad about himself. He had just got back to his old happy self again before they started dating for the second time.”

 “Unfortunately he’s got to learn these things for himself. You know Tae hates it when we try to wrap him in bubble wrap.”

 When Clarissa rose from her seat they both silenced, guilty expressions on their faces. They probably shouldn’t have discussed that topic with Clarissa sitting on the other side of the room.

 “Scarlet is free, see you now.” she said sharply.

 They scrambled to their feet both silently agreeing to get out of the waiting room as fast as they could. But before they could rush past Clarissa’s desk she stopped them. “Would you please ask Taehyung to answer my calls?” she asked almost too quietly for them to hear.

 “If Taehyung wanted to talk to you, don’t you think he’d return your calls without us asking him to do so?” Namjoon asked her, he didn’t want to upset her but sometimes the truth hurts. He knew from experience it was better to face facts sooner rather than later. 

 “Look, I know I was out of order with the whole Aria business but I really didn’t mean to hurt Tae’s feelings.”

 Jin exhaled through his teeth, he couldn’t control his temper as well as Namjoon could. “There’s something you have to understand, Clarissa. You hurt Tae’s feelings by hurting Aria’s feelings.” Her face fell, eyes flashing with annoyance. Annoyance that only spurred Jin’s words on. “Aria is very special to us as our subject and more importantly our friend. You cannot be in a healthy relationship with Tae whilst being jealous of Aria, it just won’t work.”

 “But I-”

 Namjoon swept in to save what he guessed would be the start of her tears. “We know you care for him, that’s very obvious. But you need to give him space to make his own decisions about this situation.”

 “I-You’re right, I’ll give him space.” Clarissa said her bottom lip wobbling.

 Jin and Namjoon quickly exited so she wouldn’t be embarrassed when she let her tears fall. Taking a deep breath, Jin raised his hand and knocked on their supervisor’s door. No one could ever guarantee what kind of mood Scarlet would be in.

 “Enter.” Scarlet’s voice trailed through the wood. They opened the door and headed towards the two seats set before her desk. “Ah Seokjin and Namjoon, you both look well.”

 They shared a look agreeing that she was definitely in a good mood. “You look well too, like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.” Namjoon observed with a small smile, genuinely happy for her.

 Scarlet smiled back and picked up the teapot to fill the teacups in front of them. “We finally have the EXO guardians on Earth and in pursuit of their subjects.”

 “That's wonderful news.” Jin exclaimed, there have been quite a few problems with getting the right subjects lined up for the nine guardians. “I’m glad that they finally can go back to some normalcy.”

 “Yes, this place can become a little stuffy.” Scarlet said, eyeing them over the rim of her teacup. “Anyway, what can I help you boys with?”

 “We’d like to discuss something unusual we’ve noticed with Aria, it could be nothing but we just wanted to run it past you.” Namjoon started, taking the lead like usual.

 “Go on.” She told them already intrigued.

 “Last night Aria ended up staying over at ours for the night, specifically in Jimin’s and Hoseok’s room.” They didn’t miss how Scarlet’s eyebrows raised, definitely reading too much into that statement.

 “If you’ve come to share personal details about your sexual approaches with your subject please spare me. You boys are like sons to me and that’s something I just don’t need to hear about.”

 Namjoon spluttered, almost choking on his tea. Jin just grinned and carried on with the explanation. “Nothing quite like that. Aria has been experiencing terrible nightmares and Jimin couldn’t leave her alone just in case she couldn’t deal with them by herself.”

 “Yoongi’s already been to her house once in the early hours because of her nightmares. They’re so bad that they can make her have a panic attack.” Namjoon cut in.

 “So you want something for her nightmares? I’m sure I can have a potion whipped up to get rid of her nightmares.”

 “Although that would be wonderful, I'm not sure Aria would take anything that wasn’t from a pharmacy.” Scarlet hummed, writing something down on the blank piece of card in front of her. Namjoon took that as his cue to carry on. “We thought nothing of the nightmares until we all sat down earlier.”

 “We think that Aria might be able to dream cast.” Jin blurted out, he couldn’t stand the suspense any longer.

 “Really?” Scarlet exclaimed, shock making her mouth hang open. “What gives you that impression?”

 “All seven of us had identical dreams with information about Aria that none of us could have known.” Joon concluded, feeling like a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest. He knew Scarlet would have the information they needed to help Aria.

 “It’s definitely not impossible for Aria to be able to dream cast. Rare, but definitely not impossible.” She was deep in thought pondering everything they told her.

 “So these nightmares, do you think they are a result of the dream casting?” Jin asked worriedly.

 “I couldn't know for sure without sitting down with Aria myself and analysing everything she has dreamt about. It is possible that the nightmares Aria is experiencing are entirely her own and has nothing to do with your bond. On the other hand it could be entirely the bond’s fault. It’s probable that Aria is dreaming about your past.”

 “Our past?” Namjoon shouted, jumping out of his chair. Aria couldn’t dream about their past, she couldn’t know everything they had to go through until they finally met her.

 Scarlet held her hand up to calm him down. “By past I should clarify I mean everything after you became guardians. Your training and your journey to where you are.”

 “But if she knows nothing about what we are, how is she going to understand anything about her dreams?” Jin asked.

 “She’s not going to, that’s perhaps why she’s viewing the casting as nightmares.”

 “That’s why she’s so terrified.” Namjoon deducted sadly. “Is there any way we can stop the nightmares permanently?”

 “Dream casting cannot be controlled as you know but it can be limited to some extent. There is one potion I know of that Aria could try. The trick is to make it look like something from the human world.”

 When their meeting was finally over Jin and Namjoon left feeling more confused about their bond than they had been before they went to Earth.

 

 “You totally lost.” Aria exclaimed when they left the screening. “What do I get for winning our bet?”

“A second date?” Jungkook asked, grinning at her.

 “We haven’t even finished our first date and you’re already planning our second.” She teased but she was actually honoured.

 “Of course! Because I knew you’d have such an amazing time.” He shot back his beautiful brown eyes sparkling.  “For the record, losing the bet was so worth it.”

 Aria flushed, her tummy filling with butterflies. He really was too much to handle. “I-”

 “Let’s zip up your coat, it’ll be freezing out there.” he interrupted, grabbing the bottom of her jacket to fasten it for her. “We don’t want you catching a cold.”

 “Ya Jungkook. You are too smooth.” A voice called from outside the doors in front of them. 

 Jungkook turned and they both spotted Jimin leaning against the wall outside, grinning at them. “Of course I’m smooth, I’m the golden maknae.”

 Before Aria could even question what a golden maknae was, Jimin jingled his keys at them. “It’s late, let me give you both a ride.”

 Jimin was an actual life saver, by the time they had reached his car huge snowflakes had started to fall. Aria would have been drenched by the time she walked all the way home.

 “I’ll let you two lovebirds canoodle in the back.” Jimin teased opening the back door for them. 

 “Please.” Aria burst out. “I don’t canoodle.”

 “Maybe not but our Googie does.” Jimin nudged Jungkook with a grin. 

 Aria leaped into the back before either of them could see her blush. She assumed Jungkook would ignore Jimin and sit in the passenger seat but he climbed in after her.

 They sat in comfortable silence whilst Jimin maneuvered out of the car park. Aria sat awkwardly with her hands on her knees not quite knowing how to act with Jungkook when they were in the presence of Jimin. Jungkook seemed unfazed and reached over to hold one of her hands. Aria guessed at that moment that he was a big fan of physical affection. 

 Jimin eyed them in the mirror. “Ah so the canoodling is already happening.” he smirked looking at their joined hands.

 “You’re the biggest canoodler I know.” Jungkook retaliated by sticking his tongue out.

 “Well if I wasn’t driving I might have jumped in the back to canoodle with you.”

 Aria caught his eye in the mirror as he smiled and surprisingly felt heat coil at the bottom of her stomach. The thought of Jimin being in the back with them was hot. She wasn’t entirely sure if she was allowed to feel that way.

 “Hey, you know this is the first snow of the season, right?” Jimin asked, swerving her mind away from any inappropriate thoughts.

 “First snow?” Aria asked, confused.

 “You don’t know first snow?” Jungkook asked incredulously. “Don’t you watch any K-dramas?”

 “I saw one a long time ago.” She shrugged.

 Jungkook groaned dramatically. “Watching the first snow is very significant, honey.” Jimin explained as he wove in and out of lanes in the busy city centre. “There is a superstition that if you watch the first snow with someone you like, true love will blossom. So it's very significant that the first snow fell when you and JK were on your first date.”

 “But you’re here as well, what does that mean?”

 “Yeah hyung, there’s nothing about that in K-dramas.”

 “It can mean anything you want it to mean, pretty girl.”

 After that they reverted back to the comfortable silence. Before she knew it, they were pulling up outside Aria’s. She could see that all the lights were out meaning that Liam was already asleep. She’d have to be very quiet when she got in.

 “Thank you for taking me home again, Jimin. I’m going to have to start paying you petrol money.”

 “Don’t worry about it.” Jimin grinned over the central console. “Sweet dreams Aria. Hope you’re not plagued with any nightmares.”

 She smiled at him genuinely touched that he was so nice to her. “Thank you, get home safely.”

 Jungkook walked her to her door like the gentleman he was. She turned pulling the bag up to the light so she could find her keys.

 “I had such a good time tonight, thank you for coming to see that movie with me. I don't think I could have sat through it without holding your hand.”

 “Jungkook, don't you think for a second that I believe you were scared of that movie.” Aria grinned, mock punching him in the arm.

 He caught her fist in his hand and brought it gently to his lips leaving the tiniest whisper of a kiss on her knuckles. “Goodnight Aria.”

 “G-goodnight Jungkook.” She stuttered watching as he walked back to the car as if nothing had happened. “Message when you’re home safe.”

 Once the door was locked behind her and Jimin and Jungkook had driven off, Aria broke into a happy little jig in the hallway. This was possibly the best date of her life.

 

Chapter 12: Polyamory

Notes:

hey...it's been a while

Chapter 12: Polyamory 

 

 When Jungkook returned, they were all eager to find out how his date went. For him, more than anything, it was just nice to see Aria being totally comfortable with him. When she was first introduced to them, Jungkook could tell that she often found herself in uncomfortable and embarrassing moments. Realisation came that it was not the fact that Aria was a shy person, but the bond between them fueling feelings she could not start to understand. He hoped with time that would eventually subside and they’d begin to see the real side of Aria. That night felt like the first step in the right direction.

 He also knew that Namjoon would caution taking their relationship slowly. They had known Aria barely a month and there were things that she was not prepared for: mentally or physically. Their leader had stressed in the past that she was not close to being ready to learn about who they were, nevermind what they were.

 “So,” Jin leaned across the table as he slurped his beer. “How did the cinema go, Kook?”

 “It was so much fun. It was nice having some alone time. Being able to see more of Aria’s personality was fun.”

 Jimin met his eye as he passed him a glass of some alcoholic beverage. “And she didn’t deny that it was a date.”

 “Who would have thought our Googie would have been the first one to make a move.” Yoongi grinned, proud as he ruffled Jungkook’s hair.

 “You all realise I’m twenty two and not a baby anymore.”

 “That may be true but you’ll always be our baby.” Hoseok said teasingly, pinching his cheek. “But there better not have been any kissing in the back row.”

 “Namjoon banned kissing.” The youngest pouted at their leader.

 “Why must you all act like I’m the party pooper?” Namjoon groaned, draining his glass. He needed them to see that he was doing this for all of them. Taking that responsibility was difficult especially when he wanted to kiss Aria as much as they did. “I’m trying to wait for the right moment for all of us. Imagine if we did take our instincts further? Kissing her and pushing romantic relationships on her when she has no idea what situation we are all in. That could jeopardise everything we have worked so hard for.”

 “Joonie’s right.” Yoongi agreed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He had been up most of the night before working on his composition assignment. Really all he wanted to do is be sleeping but he desperately wanted to know about Jungkook’s night. “Aria doesn’t even understand her own feelings, we can expect her to understand that the men she may or may not be attracted to are fantastical beings.”

 “Which leads us right to the meeting with Scarlett. We wanted to ask her about the dream.” Namjoon said, twirling his straw thoughtfully around his empty glass.

 Jimin almost choked, coughing whilst Taehyung patted his back hard. “Hyung, I had just forgotten about that.”

 “Can we have one conversation without you getting horny, Jiminie?” Tae giggled trying not to cast his mind back to the night before. That dream was safely tucked away in his brain where it could no longer attack him when he had company.

 Jimin punched him in the arm and Namjoon took that as his cue to continue before they started bickering like children. “Scarlett confirmed that although dreamcasting in humans is incredibly rare it’s not impossible. It is not guaranteed that the dream casting is a result of the bond but again that could be possible.”

 “If Aria can dreamcast onto us then it is also likely that we can do the same to her.” Jin said, eyeing the maknae line. Hoping none of them had inappropriate dreams lately. They all met his stare innocently, as if they couldn’t imagine why they were being targeted. 

 “And we won’t know if we’re casting onto her?” Hobi asked. “Like we don’t when we cast onto each other.”

 “There’s no way of knowing.” Namjoon confirmed. “Unless Aria explicitly told us the content of her dreams. Scarlett is organising for some kind of potion to be made into a medicine to help Aria’s dreams.”

 “Although I am thankful for Scarlett’s help, we can’t exactly force Aria to take medicine that is meant for angelic consumption.” Tae said even though he was quite familiar with the use of the potions. He knew it wasn’t guaranteed how Aria’s human body would react.

 “Scarlett is running tests to make sure it's completely safe for her. But I would never force Aria to take it, after all it will be her decision.” Namjoon reassured him by patting his hand. 

 “You don’t think,” Hoseok said quietly, he had been mulling over the thought of them being able to dreamcast to Aria. “You don’t think I’ve been passing on my nightmares to her, do you?”

 “There’s nothing to prove that you have been, Hobi. So I wouldn’t worry about it.” Jimin told him comfortingly.

 “But that very first night when we met Aria.” Hoseok looked from Yoongi to Jin. “It was four am and we went to the library because I couldn’t sleep. When Aria walked in she looked exhausted and she’s mentioned she’s been having nightmares for a while now.”

 “That may be a coincidence, Hobi,” Namjoon said softly. “Don’t beat yourself up before you know it’s true.”

 Jungkook sensing the mood was lowering decided he knew the only way to bring the atmosphere back on the brighter side. Discuss Aria. “Hyung, Aria really liked the fact that I had dyed my hair blond.” Jungkook told him. Hoseok was the only one home when Jungkook had decided on the drastic change of style and he helped the maknae reach the strands he couldn’t alone. “What do you say to surprising her by dying your hair too?”

 Hobi smiled weakly glad that Jungkook was trying to cheer him up. But he couldn’t help but chew over the fact that he could be one of the roots of Aria’s nightmares. He was convinced that he had finally got them under his control but now he wasn’t so sure.

 

 This time when Aria entered the shared living room of her apartment she couldn’t make any excuses. Liam was almost sat in the same position as he was earlier that day, arms folded across his chest, a solitary eyebrow raised. She busied herself lowering her bag to the floor, pretending to root around in it for something she’d apparently lost. Not convinced Liam cleared his throat loudly making her wince, this was not going to be fun.

 “So first it was Park Jimin dropping you off this morning in the same clothes as the day before and now Jeon Jungkook is walking you to the door and making sure you get in safe?” His voice was sing-song betraying his obvious excitement. “If you’re not already fucking them you will be soon.”

 Aria groaned, straightening ready to face the music. “ Liam. Do you have to be so crude?” She said but she could not hide her childish grin. “At least let me sit down first before you start playing twenty questions.” 

 Flopping down on the couch she covered her eyes with her inner arm trying to fight away the conflicting feelings she had whizzing around in her heart. She had the most amazing time with Jungkook that night and was absolutely floored that the man wanted to go on a date with her. But she was conflicted. What had Jimin meant in the car? “It can mean anything you want it to mean, pretty girl.”. What did she want it to mean?

 “Earth to Aria.” Liam poked her gently in the leg. “The suspense is actually killing me and if I die before I find out whether you’re planning to get laid in the near future I'm going to haunt your ass.”

 “Why must you know whether I'm going to get laid or not?”

 Liam grinned, eyes twinkling conspiratorially, “I know how stressed you’ve been recently and sex is the best stress relief.”

 “You’re insufferable.” She grinned at her friend. She didn’t even want to start imagining sex with any of the boys. That was all too much at once. “You know I can be friends with males without having to sleep with them.”

 “Let’s be real for a second here.” Liam said, leaning forward his elbows resting on his knees. He was staring her down making sure he could see any glint of deception in her eyes. “I’ll ask you this only once, have you ever thought of them in a romantic way?”

 “Them?”

 “Any of them. All of them.” Liam waved his hand in the air. “Hell, they're attractive men. If I wasn’t completely in love with Connor, I’d be trying to gain their attention. And you?” He fixed his best friend with a grin. “You get tutored by one of them, introduced to the other six and suddenly they’re inviting you to their home, letting you stay over, bringing you home late at night. All that in the space of weeks. And there’s nothing romantic involved at all?”

 “It’s uh.” Aria did not know where to start. For days her feelings and thoughts had been all over the place. It had started with Hoseok on the bridge when she had mistakenly thought he was going to kiss her. Then with Jimin caring enough about her to let her stay the night and in his bed. To Jungkook asking her on a date and having one of the best dates of her life. Even she didn’t know how to feel about the whole thing. “It’s complicated.”

 “I’ve got all night Ri, just start at the beginning.”

 Aria told him everything. Everything she had been feeling that last week, all her thoughts which sounded a jumbled mess even to her ears. It felt amazing to finally get everything off her chest even if it would sound premature to Liam’s ears.

 When she finished and collapsed against the arm of the sofa Liam let out the longest sigh and shook his head at her. For someone so smart, Aria was being completely clueless. “So your date with Jungkook was so amazing right?”

 “Right,” She confirmed, smiling when she remembered his cute smile when he had threaded his fingers with hers. “He was the sweetest.”

 “But you have confusing feelings for his friends?” Liam asked to confirm he had everything correctly in place.

 Aria nodded, she closed her eyes and wailed. “I’m such a bad person aren’t I?”

 “It’s not like you have a choice over how you feel about them. Your feelings are understandable, they’ve all helped you out heaps since you met them. They’re all treating you kindly, I’m not surprised you have feelings towards all of them.”

 “But that’s not okay, is it?” Aria asked, she really felt like she was in the wrong. It wasn’t every day when seven different boys had this kind of effect on someone. The worst thing was what would Jungkook think about the whole thing? After voicing her thoughts she felt as if she was leading him on. “I can’t have feelings for all of them.”

 “Of course you can, you silly girl.” He chided her. “Polyamory is totally acceptable and not a new concept by any means.”

 “P-Polyamory?”

 “Only if it is accepted by all the men involved of course. But the way I see it the Bangtan Boys share a lot of things. Why can’t they share you too?”

 “Share me?”

 “Oh shit I've broken her.” Liam exclaimed in mock horror. He hopped up from his seat and joined her on the sofa. “Look Aria, I think you should just follow your heart wherever it leads you. And if that means you end up dating Jungkook in the long run or someone else then that’s the right thing to do.”

 “You don’t think people will think a certain way about the whole thing? What would my parents think? Or Felix? Imagine his little face if I introduced him to seven boyfriends?”

 “Who cares what other people think? This decision is down to you and the boys no one else. As for your parents and Felix they’ll love and support you no matter how many boyfriends you have. And if not you’ll always have Connor and I fighting your corner. All these worries of yours are completely unfounded, give it time at least Ri.”

“This conversation goes no further than this.” She warned her best friend, it was inevitable that Connor would find out about the situation eventually. For now though her best friend's lips must be sealed. “I swear if you tell Connor about this I’ll shave all of your hair off.”

 Shocked, Liam covered his hair protectively. “You would never.”

 “Don’t test me.”

 He grinned at her and nodded his head in assent. “Fine, I promise I won't let anything that was said here slip to anyone until you work out exactly what you want.”

“Thank you for listening to me ramble on and making sense of my chaotic thoughts.”

 “You know you can come to me at any time with any thoughts. I’ll always keep your secrets Aria.” He pulled her into a hug and ruffled her hair like she was a kid. “I do have one burning question though.”

 “If this is anything about sex I will kill you.”

 He grinned a cheeky glint to his eyes. “I’m just wondering, what about Minhyuk?”

 Aria looked at him with a start, she hadn’t realised that recently her childhood crush hadn’t been tormenting her thoughts at all recently. She twirled her hair between her fingers, embarrassed. “I don’t know, I haven’t really been thinking about him.”

 “Whipped!” Liam exclaimed, hitting her with a cushion. “You’re totally whipped.”

 They ended up in a full pillow fight, laughing and giggling and rolling all over the living room. Aria’s sides hurt from laughing so much, she gave one last half hearted swing of her cushion and collapsed on the couch breathing heavily. Liam joined her wheezing through giggles, this was exactly what they had both needed after such a heavy conversation. Aria’s phone buzzed furiously on the coffee table, she groaned, making no effort to try and get it. Liam reached for it blindly and his eyes lit up when he looked at the screen.

 “It’s the sun himself.” He said, handing her the phone.

 Hoseok’s name lit up the screen and Aria grabbed the phone not wanting it to ring off. Her heart was pounding at just the thought of having to call him back. “Hello?”

 “Aria, sorry for calling so late.” Hoseok’s smooth voice traveled through the phone raising goosebumps on her arms. “I just wanted to make sure you got home okay.”

 “Thanks Hobi, Jungkook was kind enough to walk me to my door so i didn't get kidnapped on the short walk from the car.”

 He chuckled softly. The smooth melodic sound almost sounded intimate. Aria could feel a blush rising up her neck. “Sounds like our JK. It sounds like you both had an amazing time.”

 “We did, thank you.” Aria breathed a small smile on her face. It was somehow comforting that Hoseok had rang her to talk about her date with Jungkook.

 “It’s late and I just want to make sure that you know that if you have any bad dreams tonight, I’m only one phone call away. No matter how late it is.”

 “I really really appreciate that, Hobi. More than you could know.” She was breathless, Hoseok truly was an angel. “Goodnight, sleep well.”

 “Good night sweetie, sweet dreams.” 

 The phone dropped into her lap, that was probably one of the most heart pounding phone calls she had and almost nothing had been said. Liam regarded her with a curious look, exploring her clenched hands and the blush high on her cheeks.

 “He called me sweetie.” 

 “Like I said you’re whipped.”

 

 The mock exam had come around quickly and for the first time in a very long while Aria felt prepared. Namjoon was astoundingly amazing at teaching her the syllabus in a simple and cohesive way that was easy to remember. It was an elating feeling to have the exam timer go off and feel confident that everything was in her paper that she needed to pass the test. Of course she was never going to get full marks but just that feeling of finally passing would be enough for Aria.

 “So?” Connor kicked her under the table. “Is it four o’clock yet?”

 Aria checked her phone for the ten millionth time. “3:59.” Her leg was shaking anxiously under the table. Her caramel latte was sitting beside her completely untouched and growing cold. 

 “Refresh the page.” Liam poked her excitedly.

 She had thought it was a good idea to meet her best friends in the library café and share her results but their presence was making her more nervous. What if she had failed? How would she even begin to explain that to her mother and Namjoon? Specifically Namjoon, who had spent all of his free time tutoring her.

 Aria clicked the refresh button and saw her percentage flash up green. “78%.” She squealed, banging her hands against the table.

 Liam flung himself into her, crushing her into the tightest hug. “You did it. I am so proud of you Aria.”

 “I actually did it.” She couldn’t quite believe her luck, now she had to recreate the result after christmas. “Confirmed Namjoon’s got a big brain.”

 Connor chuckled, reaching for her coffee cup. “Was there really any doubt about that in the first place? Big brain and even bigger tiddies.” 

 “Connor!” Aria exclaimed, glancing around the other tables to make sure none of the other students had overheard him. “You can’t objectify him like this.” 

 “I speak only the truth and you know it.” He winked, earning the blush he had set out to achieve. “Anyway, I think this news deserves a fresh coffee.”

 “And a proper celebration.” Liam announced. “Good grades should be rewarded with alcohol and parties.”

 “Good grades?” A familiar voice came from behind them startling Aria so much so that she squeaked.

 Hoseok stood behind her chair smiling at them. The sun was streaming through the window, illuminating his profile and making his eyes shine. Aria realised again just how beautiful he was. He was wearing a soft navy sweater and jeans; this look was what Liam referred to as the boyfriend look. He did look like a boyfriend and that stunned Aria even more. Hoseok’s hair was freshly washed and fell around his eyes in a soft chestnut colour.

 “Your hair.” Aria breathed, it was the only cohesive thought in her brain.

 “Do you like it?” Hoseok grinned in reply, flipping his hair out of his eyes. “Jungkook convinced me to change.”

 She was speechless, his eyes had seemed to flash and she could have sworn his pupils were ringed in gold for a second. “Yeah,” She stammered, shaking herself out of it. “It really suits you.”

 Connor had been watching both Aria and Hoseok very closely, he could see tension there. Tension he could tell that Hoseok was basking in. Liam caught his eye from over the table and shrugged. That was enough for Connor to realise that he was not imagining things. “I think you Bangtan Boys should announce when you dye your hair.” He hummed thoughtfully. Everyone in the café was looking at their table and specifically Hobi. “You’re causing quite a stir with the ladies.”

 “And the men.” Liam added helpfully, noticing the young barista who was mesmerised.

 Hobi chuckled, he had not noticed the attention. He was fully invested in examining the way Aria’s freckles darkened when she blushed. “I didn’t think it would have this reaction.”

 Connor blanched, wondering if he was just being humble. “You guys are like royalty around here.”

 Hoseok shrugged unfazed. “Whose good grades were we talking about earlier?”

 Liam wrapped his arm around Aria’s shoulders giving her a squeeze. “Our girl has only gone and passed her mock test.”

 “Congratulations Aria. We knew you could do it.” Hobi grinned, patting her shoulder in excitement. “You have to come and let Namjoon know the good news. He's gonna hate the fact that I found out first.”

 She smiled at him. “I would but I promised the guys we would celebrate over coffee today. Connor was just about to refill my drink.”

 “Absolutely not.” Connor said firmly, shaking his head. “You have to tell your tutor the good news. He’s put up with your ass for the last couple of weeks and deserves to know as soon as you do.”

 “I could just message him.” Aria replied, narrowing her eyes at Connor. “He does have a phone.”

 “Nope.” Liam shook his head. “I agree with Connor on this one. Namjoon has worked so hard along with his own studies. Hoseok is right, you should go and tell him personally or he’s gonna be pissed.”

 “There’s really no rush if you have plans.” Hoseok said, simply raising his hands to ward off the argument. “I promise I won’t let any of this slip to Joon. Spend time celebrating with your friends and we’ll celebrate another time”

 Aria threw Connor and Liam a look that said ‘see? I know what you’re both trying to do’. She smiled up at Hoseok. “Sure that sounds-”

 “Oh shit, look at the time Liam.” Connor grabbed his boyfriend’s arm. “I totally forgot I told my mum we would go for tea and it’s already getting late, she’ll be wondering where we are.”

 Aria glared at them as Liam rushed up out of his seat also making excuses. Hoseok watched the exchange in amusement, it was also very obvious to him what her friends were trying to do but he couldn’t help but commend them.

 “Sorry Aria, we love you.” Liam said as he was pulled towards the door. “Hoseok please make sure she gets back okay or I will hunt you down.”

 “Understood.” Hobi nodded to Liam with a grin and then turned his attention to a baffled Aria. “Was that a caramel latte to go?”

 “No, no it’s okay. I’ll get going and let you get on, you probably have loads of work to do.” 

 “I’m finished for the day, actually.” He told her. “I was coming here to grab a coffee before I headed home.”

 Aria closed her laptop and started to pack her stuff away. “Once I’m home, I’ll call Namjoon with the news and I’ll try not to tell him you found out first.”

 “I’m under strict orders to make sure you get home safe. So you should come to tell Namjoon in person before I drop you home.”

 “Oh please, Liam? He’s a big softie.”

 “Even so Joonie would really appreciate it.”

 

 

 They arrived at the apartment twenty minutes later both armed with coffees and croissants. Taehyung seemed to be the only one home, he was at the kitchen table doing his own studying. He greeted Hoseok and Aria with a smile and turned back to his work, popping his headphones in.

 “Taehyung is in the zone.” Hoseok explained to Aria. “He doesn’t usually study at home so when he does, he takes it very seriously.”

 Aria studied Taehyung’s profile, eyes flicking over the smooth skin of his face to the soft stubble of his cheeks and chin. It was obvious in his haste he had forgotten to shave that morning. His lower lip was bitten and red from where he kept pulling it in between his teeth. Subconsciously Aria started to wonder what it would be like to kiss it better.

 “Aria?” Hobi waved his hand in front of her face to bring her back into the room. “Are you there?”

 “Yeah sorry, I was in my own little world there.” She giggled awkwardly hoping Hoseok hadn’t noticed the way she was staring at his friend.

 “I think Joon will be in his room. Wait here with Taehyung and I’ll go and fetch him for you.”

 Aria nodded, pulling the seat out opposite Taehyung. She was planning to browse her social media so she did not disturb him but he looked up at her as soon as she was seated and realised he would not let her.

 “So, what brings our study princess here this late in the afternoon?” He pulled out an earphone and raised an eyebrow at her. “Especially with Hoseok so soon after your date with Kook?”

 “I came to see Namjoon.” Aria shrugged off his teasing knowing he badly wanted her to bite at him.

 “Goes on a date with Jungkook, turns up with Hoseok to see Namjoon.” He tapped his chin with a finger thoughtfully. “I have to say I’m feeling a little left out. When will you come here to see me?”

 “I only came to tell Joon about my mock test.” She told him, trying to ignore his cute pout. “So you don’t need to get jealous.”

 “How did your test go?”

 “Ah, that's a secret until I tell Joon.” Aria told him, knowing that if her tutor found out that she had told two people she passed before him, he’d be annoyed.

 “Hmm.” Taehyung leaned over the table to study her. “Your eyes aren’t puffy, your nose is not running and your face isn’t red. I’d say you passed.”

 Aria closed her lips and mimed zipping her lips and throwing away the key. Taehyung grinned darkly at her, Aria would soon learn that teasing Tae was not a good idea.

 “You told Hoseok and you won’t tell me is that it?” He questioned, she tried to shake her head but he saw the panic in her eyes. Aria really was a bad liar. “You did.” Aria pushed out her chair hastily sensing the danger she was in. She needed to get out of the kitchen as quickly as she could. “Oh yes, you better run.”

 She squealed running through the kitchen, slipping on the wooden floor in her socks. The apartment layout meant that there were hardly any hiding places and the only direction she could run in was up the steps and to their bedrooms. Taehyung was hot on her heels, she squealed again making a run for the corridor. Running in socks up wooden stairs really was not her greatest idea. She knew that Taehyung was faster than her and could feel the prickle of realisation that he wasn’t far behind her. There were five doors off the corridor but the only one open was the last room. Aria knew that would be the best shot and that bursting into one of the closed rooms would require so much explanation. Putting on a last spurt of speed she half skidded and half ran towards the open door hoping she would make it before Taehyung inevitably caught up to her. She was almost at the door when the one next to it opened suddenly and someone stepped out into the hall and directly into her way. Aria tried to slow her run in vain, she was traveling too fast on a slippery floor and barrelled into the person's arms.

  She closed her eyes expecting them both to crash into the ground. Instead she felt strong arms steadying her against the wall of the corridor. Aria opened her eyes, breathing heavily when she realised who had saved her. Namjoon was inches away from her, eyes huge with shock and she realised with dismay completely shirtless. Gasping she took in the image of his wet hair, wet naked chest and white towel wrapped tightly around his waist. His body was pushed up against hers keeping her pinned to the wall and she could feel his body heat seeping into her clothes. Her heart was thundering in her chest. This was bad. Very bad.

Chapter 13: Authors Note

So it's been awhile...and really I'm just popping in here to ask if anyone is still curious about this story? I know it's been years lmao.

After Jin enlisted I couldn't bring myself to carry on with the story. I tried multiple times but kinda got stuck in a rut. I hate to be dramatic but it hurt more than I thought it would.

Fast forward two years, they're home. Our boys are back and I've never been as excited. To see them all together again and looking forward to the future was honestly the catalyst I needed to kick my ass into gear. 

Rereading the first couple of chapters of this story had me cringing a little lmao but gave me the motivation to move forward. I have lots planned. A new chapter almost 3/4 written and two more planned out in depth. 

But it seems silly to post it here after so long if no one is bothered lol. So yeah I'm just here to say hi, I'm back! And to see if you all want updates.

Would love to see what you guys think in the comments. Please let me know about your excitement for the boys being home.

Love you all x

Chapter 14: Progress

 

Chapter 13: Progress

 

 “Aria,” Namjoon breathed, face still inches away from hers. She did not want to think about the fact that she could feel all of him pressing against her. Or the fact that he was wet. Wet and naked. “Running on laminate in socks is a sure way to break a leg.”

 “Good job you were there to catch her, hyung. All that working out is really paying off.” Taehyung called over his shoulder.

 Namjoon stepped back taking all of his warmth with him. Aria suddenly felt cold. “Taehyung, you should know better.”

 “It was her fault.” He pouted, his eyes were sparkling. He wasn't going to let Aria win so easily, no matter what Namjoon said. “She was teasing me.”

 With a groan, Namjoon’s eyes slid to hers. She could have sworn there was a slight blush on the top of his cheekbones but it was impossible to tell in the dim light of the hallway. “You really shouldn't tease people who are stronger and faster than you, pretty girl.”

 “I did nothing wrong.” Aria crossed her arms. “Taehyung was being impatient.”

 “Do you both promise not to potentially injure each other if I leave you alone to get dressed?”

 “I wasn't trying to injure anyone.”

 “No, you were just being a brat.” Tae growled, eyes flashing dangerously.

 Aria blanched at the name, her stomach dropped and tingles shot up her spine. Usually terms of degradation made her uncomfortable at the best of times; but there was something in his tone that made her knees go weak. 

 “Taehyung, play nice.” Namjoon's tone was firm. His eyes scanned over Aria’s face with amused interest. She had a habit of showing everything she thought on her face. “You too, pretty girl.”

 Aria eyed Taehyung suspiciously, the playful gleam hadn't quite left his eye. She wasn't sure whether he was going to continue pressing the matter. “Can we call a truce?”

 He pouted and shrugged his shoulders pretending to act dejected. “I get it, I'm not as important as Hoseok and Namjoon. It's fine.” He turned so she wouldn't see his smirk. “I'll just go back to studying…alone.”

 “Oh for goodness sake.” He was actually insufferable. Incredibly handsome but entirely insufferable. “I passed. Seventy Eight percent exactly. I just wanted to tell Joon because it's all down to him. But you had to turn into sulky pants.”

 He turned the smirk still on his face. He had won and she knew he was very proud of himself. “There's something you should know about me, Aria. I always get what I want. One way or another.”

 Her stomach dropped and her cheeks heated. For some reason she didn't think they were talking about him winning the play fight. “I don't think that will work with me, Tae. I don't usually give in to people this easily.”

 Tae hummed heading back towards the kitchen. “We'll see about that.”

 She stood there stunned, trying to work out what he meant by that. The tingles in her body were still whizzing. She wondered if the boys had an idea about what they did to her. First Namjoon’s bare chest sent her wheeling and then Taehyung’s words. It had just solidified the constant arousal she had started to experience anytime she came into contact with them. 

 Being a complete mess was not an option especially with how much time she was starting to spend around them. She couldn't be seen as the complete puddle she felt. Aria needed to pull herself together and figure out her feelings once and for all.

 

 To say Namjoon was proud of Aria would have been an understatement. He had wrapped her up in the biggest hug when she told him the news. She had never felt so accomplished in her university life. It finally all felt worth something.

 “So Liam mentioned a party?” Namjoon’s ears perked up when Hoseok mentioned meeting Aria in the café.

 Hobi nodded, returning from the fridge with a punnet of strawberries in his hand. “We definitely need to celebrate such an achievement.”

 Aria shook her head, she pulled a cushion onto her lap and got comfy on the sofa. “It was just a mock exam. I think a party is too much of a celebration for that”

 “Don't be silly. It's to show how much you've grown in such a short time.” Taehyung said with a soft encouraging smile. He had packed up his work and flopped down into the armchair declaring all studying over. “We definitely need to have a party.”

Namjoon nodded in agreement. He joined Aria on the other side of the sofa, lounging back on the plush cushions in such a way that made her want to cuddle up with him.

 “I don't do parties. I don't do people. And like I told you after last time. I'm never drinking again.” She said firmly. There was no way she was going to put herself into the position of being incredibly drunk in the company of the boys. In light of her new, overwhelming feelings she didn't think it would be a good idea for any of them. “I'm not embarrassing myself like that ever again.”

 “What if this party was just us? With Liam and Connor? And anyone else you would like to have there. No pressure, no random strangers. Just your people.” Hoseok asked, he nudged Namjoon's legs to the side and seated himself next to Aria. Holding out a strawberry. “We could have it here one night. You three are always welcome to stay too.”

 “Stay here?” Aria asked, biting into a strawberry hoping the sweetness of the fruit would chase away the spiciness of her thoughts. Last time she had stayed over she experienced the hottest dream of her entire life. Probably was not a good idea to tempt fate again. “Where would we all stay? This place is huge but I'm pretty sure you don't have a spare two bedrooms.”

 “Who needs a spare two bedrooms?” A voice came from behind them. Jimin had returned from the gym with Jungkook in tow. “You could just sleep with me again, Honey.”

 “Yah,” Jungkook punched his arm. “If Aria is sleeping anywhere, it's with me. Hands off hyung.”

 Aria was speechless, hardly comprehending their words. She was too distracted by how they looked. Both sweaty and in baggy t-shirts that had stuck to their chests in places. She already knew that Jimin was ripped after seeing him half naked but she was floored at what Jungkook was hiding. 

 “Calm down both of you.” Namjoon said with a grin. He knew they were doing this to test Aria's reaction but he had to be the voice of reason. “There's plenty of room. Liam and Connor can have Jungkook's room. He can crash on the couch.”

 “On the couch in my own home?” Jungkook said incredulously. His dark eyes flicking to Aria's hoping she would back him up.

 “You could always join me and Aria in my bed, Kook.” Jimin teased throwing her a wink.

 “I'm going to kill you.” The maknae warned but the grin on his face betrayed his true emotions.

 “Aria is welcome to sleep wherever she wants.” Hoseok came to Aria's rescue sensing her indecision on how to reply to this situation. “If that's with Jimin, with Jungkook or with the both of you. With someone else or completely alone. She can decide.”

 Aria breathed silently thanking him for saving her. “I wouldn't want to push anyone out of their beds and I'm sure Liam and Connor would agree. We can just go home if this party happens.”

 “When.” Taehyung corrected, his eyes gleaming. “We're not letting you get out of this one.”

 Aria looked at Namjoon for help. Hoping her tutor would be the voice of reason and help her out but he just shrugged. “I agree with Taehyung. And I also agree with Hoseok.” He said pointedly at the younger two who were still squabbling. “Aria can sleep wherever and with whoever she wants so zip it the both of you.”

 “Party pooper.” Jimin shot at Namjoon sticking his tongue out. “I'm going for a shower.” He blew a kiss at Aria over his shoulder. “See you later, honey.”

 Aria felt her heart pound even faster in her chest and looked at Jungkook. She didn't want him to think that she was no longer interested in pursuing their new relationship direction even if she was affected by the words of his older friend. To her surprise Jungkook was grinning after Jimin like he approved of his behaviour.

 Maybe Liam was right. Maybe pursuing more than one member wouldn't be a problem for them. Aria’s head spun thinking about it. She needed to sort herself out and fast.

 

 

The heavens decided to open the exact moment Aria made it to the lobby of the boys’ building. She stood in the doorway watching the raindrops bounce off the pavement with dismay. Usually she would call an Uber but there was still a week before payday. Aria sighed stepping out of the building, she hadn't dressed for the weather. Just in a white band T-shirt and her casual jeans, she was going to get soaked.

 The worst thing about Newcastle traffic was that everyone was rude. The cars seemed to speed up when it was raining. Deliberately splashing into the puddles that had accumulated at the side of the road. Soaking any passing pedestrian.

 Aria was soaked through by the time she reached the corner of the street. The walk home would take her at least twenty minutes and she was already drenched. She spied the coffee shop her and Hobi had used on their trip to the Tyne Bridge. Maybe she could wait in there until the rain stopped.

 A beep sounded behind her and an Audi pulled onto the pavement. She glared into the windscreen incredulously, Newcastle drivers were really testing her patience.

 “Hey Aria!!” A dark head popped out of the driver's side window. It was Jin, waving at her maniacally. “Get in.”

 Aria thanked whatever gods were looking down on her and rushed to the car. “You are honestly a lifesaver.” She told the older boy when she was in the passenger seat. “I'm completely soaked through.”

 “I was heading home when Jungkook messaged.” He told her as he manoeuvred back into the early evening traffic. Aria admired the way the muscles in his arm flexed as he moved the steering wheel. She realised he had really pretty fingers, slim and long adorned with one silver ring on the fourth finger of his left hand. “You left before he got out of the shower and he was worried you'd got caught in the rain.”

 Aria’s heart jumped in her chest pulling her eyes away from staring at his hands. Jungkook had seen the rain and thought about her. She couldn't deny the butterflies that statement caused in her tummy.

 “You're blushing, sweetheart.” Jin teased throwing her a grin. “He mentioned he'd tried to call you but there was no answer. So it was Jin-hyung to the rescue.”

 “Thank you, Jin. You're probably very busy and I'm being a nuisance to you.” 

 “Actually if I was home I would just be crashing on the sofa playing video games.” He swerved perfectly in and out of cars heading out of the city centre towards her neighbourhood. “Plus it gives me a chance to actually talk to you. I feel like we've never had a one on one conversation. You're always either studying with Namjoon or one of the maknaes has stolen your attention.”

 Jin was right. Aria didn't really know much about the eldest of the group. She knew he was funny and astoundingly handsome especially in casual wear. She studied his dark hoodie and jeans. Somehow even in comfy clothes he looked like a model. “I feel like Jimin, Tae and Jungkook are so chaotic sometimes that I get swept up in it.” She pulled at the hem of her wet t-shirt immediately feeling bad.

 “I'm not asking you to explain or apologise, sweetheart. I understand what the boys are like more than anyone.” He chuckled fondly. “I'm just hoping you'd like to get to know all seven of us.”

 “Of course.” Aria reassured him. In her mind where one of them was, the other six weren't far behind. She viewed them as a package deal and from what Jin had mentioned she felt that he did too. “I'm always happy to spend some time with you, Jin.”

 He grinned at her, eyes flashing with joy. “See I was going to suggest that we stop off for a coffee before I drop you off at home. But you're absolutely soaked, you probably want to go home and get into your pjs.”

 “I would never turn down a coffee. And if you throw in a croissant I'm totally sold. A bit of water never harmed anyone.”

 “Only if you're sure.” He sounded concerned now, side eyeing her clothes to assess the damage. “I wouldn't want you to catch a cold.”

 “Jin, I'm never ever going to turn down coffee.”

 Jin pulled into a street not far from where she lived and pointed out a tiny coffee shop that Aria had never known existed. It was a cute self owned cafe, with trailing wisteria and a bright purple sign ‘Borahae’.

 “I don't know how you found this place when I've lived here for three years and never noticed it.”

 “Coming from the girl who had never been over the Tyne Bridge until a couple of weeks ago that doesn't surprise me in the slightest.” He teased her, eyes flashing in the gloom of the car.

 Aria punched him in the arm. “Not cool Kim Seokjin.” She reached for the door handle, excited to see what pastries the cafe had to offer. Jin stopped her, his hand on her arm.

 “If you're wanting to go in there you're probably going to need this.” He unclipped his seatbelt and pulled the black hoodie he was wearing over his head. “Because although I'm loving the whole wet white t-shirt and black lace bra look you've got going on, I'm sure you want to protect your modesty.”

 “You are such a pervert.” She accused grabbing the hoodie off him. She was torn between wanting to cover herself or bask in the attention Seokjin was giving her. Aria needed to snap out of it. Her head turned so he wouldn't notice the blush high on her cheeks.

 “In my defence it's kinda hard to miss.” He smirked dangerously, taking in every detail of her flustered face. It was nice to have this kind of effect over her. “I'll go in and order and you can change out of your top into that.”

 “Thanks.”

 “And she calls me a pervert.” He muttered good naturedly as he hopped out of the car into the rain. “I'm practically the perfect gentleman.”

 Jin's hoodie smelled amazing. She knew it was weird but even as she pulled it over her head she was hit with the smell of sandalwood, cinnamon and something very masculine. It was like wrapping herself in his arms. Arms that she knew would be warm and welcoming to her. She had to shake herself out of it, it was embarrassing how just his scent made her want to jump him the next time she saw him.

 

 “So,” Jin eyed her curiously over his half eaten blueberry muffin. He had ordered them both hot coffees, a croissant for her and his muffin. “Your date with Jungkook went amazingly by the sound of it.”

 “It did.” She confirmed feeling slightly guilty for reasons she couldn't quite put her finger on. “Jungkook was so lovely, it was everything I could ask for on a first date.” Aria played with a croissant crumb that had fallen onto the table.

 “Am I sensing a but here?” He asked, studying how her shoulders had raised happily at the start of her sentence but had dropped by the time she finished.

 “No.” She said almost too quickly. “There's no but. Jungkook is amazing and I'm so excited for our second date.”

 It was true, she was beyond ecstatic that Jungkook wanted to move forward with getting to know her. Her stomach filled with butterflies every time she thought of him. And if she let her mind wander she felt her body fill with warmth just imagining what their new relationship could entail. 

 “I don't discredit anything you've just said but I'm still sensing some hesitation.” He cocked his head as if she was a math equation he was trying to solve. “Tell Jinnie your troubles.”

 She snorted, finally raising her eyes to his. Jin probing her for answers was almost identical to the way that Liam had done the night when she had blurted out all her jumbled thoughts. But she couldn't do that here. Not with Jin, it would be too awkward. She could just imagine his face when she explained that she had confusing feelings for his friends. And for him. That would be a disaster.

 “Is it because of Jimin?”

 Aria almost choked on air. “Jimin?” She blanched, she didn't want to think of him or the way he'd taken to calling her ‘Honey’ recently. It was all too much. “What about Jimin?”

 “Are you telling me Jimin’s open flirting with you is having no affect on you whatsoever?” He challenged, raising a solitary eyebrow. “Because you'd be the strongest person I know. Everyone gets caught by the Jimin effect.”

 “I don't know how to answer that question.”

 “That tells me everything I need to know. You really really like Jungkook and want to pursue something further with him. But Park Jimin is working his way into your mind and making you flustered.”

 How could Jin get everything so correct but be so far off the mark at the same time?

 “Jimin isn't the problem.” She told him, shaking her head. “Jin, I really can't talk about all of this right now.”

 He could sense her getting flustered and although he wanted to press her more he knew it would be unfair. “If you do want to talk about it, you can always talk about it with me. I know those boys better than I know myself. And if I can reassure you of one thing: Jungkook won't mind. I'm sure he’d be understanding if you do want to work it out with Jimin but that's something you'll have to discuss with him.”

 She was speechless. What did Jin mean, Jungkook wouldn't mind? How could she explain to the boy she really liked that she may also be interested in his friend? And not only that she could also be interested in the other five boys he lives with?

 “Don't be scared to talk to us, Aria. We're here for you for whatever you want or need.”

 

 

“Okay, spill.” Connor left the small kitchen of Liam and Aria’s apartment holding two steaming bowls of stew. “I've been suffering from the suspense for too long now.”

 “Spill what?” Liam asked, never raising his eyes from his new favourite reality TV show. 

 He accepted his bowl and placed it on the coffee table without blinking. There was too much drama to be distracted. And maybe if he avoided the question Connor would give in before he’d even started.

 Connor huffed and paused the TV so he could have Liam's full attention. “What was that in the café earlier?”

 “I don't know what you're talking about.” His boyfriend replied, his mind still on the argument the TV was paused on.

 “What's going on with Aria and the Bangtan Boys?”

 “I'm not following.” Liam cringed, this was going to be a sticky situation. He had promised Aria he wouldn't say anything but he also couldn't lie to his boyfriend. “You know she's studying with Namjoon.”

 “That doesn't explain the way Jung Hoseok was looking at her. The guy didn't notice anyone else in the place. His eyes never left her once.”

 “Maybe he has a crush?”

 “Are you being deliberately difficult or do you seriously not know what's going on?” Connor grilled, narrowing his eyes. 

 Liam could sense that he did not believe his innocent act.  “I don't know what you want me to tell you, Connor.” There was only so much dodging he could do and he knew that Connor would push him until he gave in. “I don't know why Hoseok was looking at Aria the way he was. I was being serious; he probably does have a crush on her. But I don't know the details.”

 “Hoseok has a crush on her, she stayed over in Park Jimin’s bed, Kim Namjoon is tutoring her and she went on a date with Jeon Jungkook.” He counted all the instances on his fingers. “Something's going on there, I know it.”

 Liam sighed dramatically. “If you really want to know why don't you ask Aria? I'm sure she could explain it better than I ever could.”

 As if by magic, they heard the jingle of keys in the door. Liam almost groaned, Aria was returning at the worst possible moment. He hoped that Aria was prepared for a grilling, Connor would want to talk in detail about every little thing. The poor girl would probably not get to sit down before he started his interrogation.

 “Fine,” Connor smirked, her timing could not have been better. “I'll just ask her now.”

 “Hey guys,” Aria greeted as she came into the living room. “Ji-”

 “Are you sleeping with the Bangtan Boys?” Connor blurted before she could finish her sentence.

 “What?” She blanched, dropping her bag to the floor in horror. Aria wanted to disappear at that moment. Transport herself back in time a few minutes so she was outside, in the rain away from this conversation. Anything to stop the scene that was about to unfold.

 “I've got to say I haven't had the honour of sleeping with Aria.” Jin's head popped around the living room door. His grin was dazzling, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “As for the others I can neither confirm nor deny.”

 Aria whirled, throwing him a glare. This was the worst possible situation, Connor would now assume that there was something between her and the boys. And Jin probably thought she was constantly talking to her friends about them.

  ‘The honour’ Connor mouthed at Liam in shock. To Aria he said: “Maybe that was a little rash. I didn’t mean for it to come out that way.”

 “He did.” Liam provided unhelpfully with a grin. 

 “It’s like you two cannot understand that I can have guys who are just friends. If it was any of your business, which it is not, no I am not sleeping with anyone at the moment. So can we please just drop it?”

 “We do believe you can have guys who are just friends. Look at us, we're your best friends.” Liam said, tugging her onto the couch beside him, whispering a quick ‘sorry’ in her ear. “But gorgeous, heterosexual men who would be lucky to have someone as amazing as you? Of course we’re going to hope you’re getting some really good sex.”

 “Liam.” Aria groaned, this was going from bad to worse. “I’m going to get changed, and I don’t want to talk about this anymore when I come back.”

 She jumped off from the couch and headed to her room, throwing an apologetic glance at Jin as she did so. He had only come into the flat so that she could return his hoodie. At first he’d refused but the rain was still pounding and Aria would never forgive herself if he got sick because of her. She was going to kill Connor for putting her in this situation, especially after she successfully shrugged off Jin’s questions in the café.

 She closed her bedroom door behind her and leaned up against it. It was concerning to think about what the boys would be talking about when she was gone. Sighing she pulled Jin's hoodie over her head strangely sad that she would have to return it. Boys seemed to have the comfiest clothes and Jin’s hoodie was the softest.

Aria changed into the comfiest pjs she owned: an old t-shirt she used to wear at school for P.E that was still two sizes too big for her and some loose shorts. She really didn't want to return to the living room but knew it was better to face the music now rather than later.

 Liam and Connor were on the sofa watching TV, Aria scanned the room looking for Jin but he was nowhere to be seen. Her best friend looked up from his bowl to her confused face.

 “Jin had to run.” He told her with a small shrug. “Something about Namjoon almost setting the kitchen on fire whilst making ramen.”

 Aria cast her eyes heavenward, for someone so clever Namjoon was terribly clumsy. And notoriously bad in the kitchen. “I swear I'm going to get that man cooking lessons.”

 “You could both do them for your first date.” Connor teased biting into a piece of bread. “It would be fun and educational.”

 “I told you to zip it about that.” Aria warned, she headed into the kitchen for a glass of water and to get away from the conversation. “I'm not talking about this any more.”

 “I just thought talking would help.” Connor replied innocently. As if he had not embarrassed her in front of Jin. “You know we're here for you.”

 “Everyone's reminding me of that lately. And I appreciate it I really do but it's something I need to process by myself. I don't know what's going on so I can't talk to you about it.” She explained, gulping the water in the doorway. “And you both asking me if I'm having sex with the guys isn't the way to go about getting information out of me in the first place.”

 “I didn't mean for Jin to hear. You know I was just pulling your leg.”

 Aria narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “I thought you both were going to your mum's for tea?”

 “She had to cancel?” Liam said more like a question than an answer.

 “You two are trying to set me up.” She realised with a start. Her best friends working against her was a new low. “That's why you wanted me to go with Hoseok and it's why you're both so adamant that we have a party to celebrate my mock results.”

 “The party really is to celebrate you.” Liam told her honestly. “And of course the Bangtan Boys have to be there.”

 “Oh don't worry they're already in planning mode.” Aria rolled her eyes, a party and her track record really did not sound like a good idea. “They want it to be at their apartment and suggested we sleep over.”

 “Of course they did.” Connor wiggled his eyebrows at hers. “And exactly where will you be sleeping?”

 “Wherever I like, Connor, and again that's none of your business.” She stuck her tongue out at him and walked to her room. “I'm going to study, enjoy the rest of the night.”

 Connor and Liam shared a knowing look. This was what Aria did when she wanted to avoid something. She either faked studying or jumped in the bath so neither of them would bother her.

 

The smell of bacon was what awoke Aria the next morning. She sniffed appreciatively as she rubbed her hands against her tired eyes. For once her night was not plagued with nightmares but she still did not feel completely rested. She wondered if Connor had made enough bacon for her to have a sandwich. Her tummy grumbled just thinking about it. After hitting the books the night before, she had collapsed into bed without making herself anything to eat and now her body was complaining loudly. She rolled out of bed and left the room without changing.

 “Con, please tell me you’ve made enough bacon for three or I swear I’m going to die on the spot.” She called into the kitchen before grabbing the throw off the sofa. She shivered as she wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. Winter mornings were truly the worst.

 “Good morning.” Jungkook’s head popped around the kitchen door smiling  at her brightly. He took in her messy hair, the blanket wrapped around her shoulders with a grin and allowed his eyes to travel down. Over her shapely thighs and to her toes that were painted a bright pink colour. “No Connor here, just me.”

 “Jungkook” She blanched, pulling the blanket closed suddenly, very aware of the fact that she was not wearing a bra. “What are you doing here?”

 “I woke up early and was bored.” He shrugged, walking back into the kitchen. “You look cute by the way.”

 “You were bored so you turned up at my house to make breakfast?” She questioned following him trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. “Usually people go for walks or play games.”

 He was concentrating on cracking an eye into a frying pan and then looked up at her his smile faltering. “Oh. I thought I would do something nice for you.”

 “I’m not complaining.” She replied hastily, jumping up to sit on the kitchen counter. “You’re just too nice, Jungkook.”

 “I know you said you usually skip breakfast.” He expertly shuffled around her kitchen grabbing plates and cutlery. “I wanted to make sure you had something this morning before you go to work later, Aria. Eating is so important, especially when you have a busy day.”

 She beamed at him, swinging her legs side to side in excitement. He was too good to be true. Aria could not believe how lucky she was to have such a great person in her life. 

 Jungkook’s eyes fell to her legs again as he buttered slices of bread. Her shorts had ridden up higher displaying the pink lace of the bottom of her panties underneath. He gulped, tearing his eyes away and willing himself to think of something, anything else. The eggs were cooking perfectly and the bacon was almost done so Jungkook busied himself by pouring them both glasses of orange juice.

 “Do you need any help?” Aria asked guiltily. It seemed wrong for him to do all the work when it was her kitchen. “I feel bad sitting here doing nothing.”

 “You're just as bad as Namjoon in the kitchen.” Jungkook chuckled, as he pulled the pans off the heat. “I think I'm okay.”

 Aria was scandalised. “I am not as bad as Joon. At least I can boil an egg.”

 “You don't almost set the kitchen on fire doing that?” He asked her, a solitary eyebrow raised.

 “Absolutely not.” She folded her arms across her chest huffing at his bullying. “I actually forgot to ask. How did Namjoon almost burn your apartment down by cooking ramen?”

 “Who knows with Namjoon. For someone so intelligent he has no idea when it comes to cooking.” He handed her a plate with a chuckle. “But Jin and Yoongi have banned him from cooking anything without supervision.”

 Aria giggled back and reached up planting a soft kiss on his cheek before she could chicken out. “Thank you for the breakfast, Kook, I really appreciate it.”

 His cheeks were burning but he couldn’t help grinning at her gleefully. “You haven’t tasted it yet. That kiss on the cheek could be an early payment.” 

 “And if it’s amazing you expect something better?”

 “I’d be happy with anything you give to me, Aria, what’s important is that you’re comfortable. Anyways I’ll be treasuring that cheek kiss forever.”

 “You’re such a dork.” She snorted, pulling him into the living room where they could eat comfortably. “A sweet dork but a dork nonetheless.”

 Jungkook was a really good cook, the egg and bacon sandwiches went down quickly and Aria was soon laid back against the cushions of the couch, eyes closed holding her tummy happily. He loved to see the content expression on her face and was delighted that he had been the one to make her so happy. Swallowing nervously he reached over and took one of her hands in his. It was astonishing how much smaller her hand was, and he traced a thumb over her knuckles, admiringly.

 “There’s actually another reason why I wanted to see you this morning.” He told her quietly, unsure of how to broach the subject.

 Aria opened one eye curiously. “Oh?” was her only reply.

 “I was talking to Jin last night when he came home and he mentioned a discussion he had with you?” Aria's other eye snapped open suddenly alert. “Usually he wouldn’t share what you had discussed in confidence. And he didn’t go into detail.” he reassured her hastily.

 Aria found that she was not mad at Jin for talking to Jungkook, she knew he was just trying to help her find the confidence to talk about her feelings. “What did he say?”

“He mentioned that there was something you wanted to speak to me about but perhaps I needed to help you out a little. So I just wanted to ask you if you would like to share your thoughts with me”

 Aria was glad that Jungkook had taken her hand, it felt like he was grounding her to the sofa so she could not run away from the questions anymore. Maybe it was time to talk about her feelings with someone. She was getting exhausted trying to hold everything in all of the time.

 Jungkook interpreted her hesitation for rejection and slowly swiped his thumb over her hand. “You don’t have to share anything if you’re uncomfortable. I would never want you to feel obliged to tell me anything.”

 “I want to,” she told him slowly. “I just don’t know how to put it into words.”

 “Start anywhere. Beginning, middle or end and we’ll make sense of it together.” He promised her with a gentle smile.

 “Oh god I’m such an idiot.” She complained wanting to bury herself into her blanket.

 “Don’t be silly, beautiful. You’re far from silly.”

 If Aria’s thoughts were not already spinning they flew into second gear at him referring to her as beautiful. “I am. You’re such an amazing guy and I like you so much but I-”

 “Say that part again.” He begged her, suddenly cutting off her train of thought.

 “You’re such an amazing guy?”

 “The other part.”

 “I like you so much.” She repeated her cheeks burning and her heart doing cartwheels.

 “You do?” He asked eagerly, bouncing a little on cushions. She nodded at him with a smile. “I’m so glad. Sorry for cutting you off I just had to make sure I heard you right. Please continue.”

 “I know we have only known each other a couple of months and been on one date but I really do like you and would never want you to think any differently. I’m just feeling so confused at the moment.” She told him, lowering her eyes into her lap so she would not have to meet his intense gaze. “These past couple of months my emotions have been all over the place. I don’t know if it’s a result of my nightmares but I’ve had a hard time understanding how I feel.”

 “I would never question your integrity, Aria, I know that you would never lie to me about your feelings because it takes a lot for you to share them in the first place.” He told her seriously, urging her to continue.

 “It mainly started on the bridge with Hobi, I convinced myself that he was trying to kiss me.” She laughed embarrassed at herself. “And that really started the spiralling.”

 “Aria, he was definitely going to kiss you.” Jungkook said. “If Jiminie and I hadn’t interrupted when we had you two would be in the middle of some serious PDA.”

 Her head shot up and she met his gaze, to know she had not misread the signs was a shock to her. “Oh, I need to reiterate how much of an idiot I am. Then Jimin let me stay over so I wouldn’t have to be alone if I had any nightmares. And our amazing date, where I couldn’t believe how comfortable I was with you. Especially considering we did not know each other very well. There have been other moments with the other boys too and I’m just so confused.”

 Jungkook nodded, probing gently. “What has got you confused?”

 “My feelings for all of you. My head tells me I should feel a certain way only towards you because of how well our date went but my heart is pulling me in all different directions.”

 “Seven different directions?”

 “Exactly. Everyone has been probing me for answers. Everyone being Connor and Liam.” She provided helpfully. “I didn’t know how to answer their questions because I don’t know how to explain how I feel.”

 Jungkook shuffled closer so their knees were now touching and she could not avoid his steady gaze. “You’ve explained to me perfectly how you feel. Thank you for sharing that with me.”

 “I have?”

 He nodded. “You like me but you also have strong feelings towards the others.”

 “God I sound so greedy.” She giggled nervously, this was not a situation she ever thought she would find herself in.

 “You’re not greedy.” Jungkook chastised softly. “It’s not a bad thing to feel this way and I would never want you to think it was. I understand you haven’t shared the way you feel because you’re scared about how it would make you seem.” She nodded. “But to me it doesn’t make a difference. I’m so beyond happy that you want to carry on with our dates, it makes me the luckiest man in the world. And if you want to pursue something with one or all of the others they’ll be just as lucky too. If you’re asking me for permission you don’t need it, you never did and never will.”

 “You think?” She whispered, her eyes prickling. Aria blinked rapidly, she would be so embarrassed if she cried in front of Jungkook right now. “You don’t think I’m being ridiculous.”

 His hand left hers and reached up to slowly caress her cheek, pupils ringing with golden light. “Ridiculous? No. Ridiculously pretty? Definitely.” Their noses were almost touching. Aria could feel tingles overtaking her entire body, spreading from where his hand rested on her cheeks down to her toes. She really wanted him to kiss her, more than she had ever wanted anyone in her life. “And guess what?”

 “What?” She whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Scared if she raised her voice above a murmur he would pull away.

 “I really like you too.”

 He brought his face closer, fingers tangling into the hair behind her ears. Aria’s eyes flicked closed anticipation of his lips on hers sending her ears buzzing. Their lips were about to graze when a smash behind them made them jump apart like they had been caught doing something they shouldn’t.

 “Holy shit,” Liam said from the doorway to his room. “I can’t believe this is the sight I have to deal with first thing in the morning.”

 Aria was horrified, in her excitement to see Jungkook she had completely forgot Connor and Liam were still here. She glanced at Jungkook who was grinning lazily raising a hand in greeting to her friend. He didn’t look embarrassed but she could feel her cheeks burning.

 Connor peaked over his boyfriends shoulder, a grin taking up the entire bottom half of his face. “I told you I heard voices.”

 “You said you could smell bacon.” Liam reminded him with an eye roll

 “Hey.” Jungkook said casually as if he and Aria hadn’t just been milliseconds away from kissing. “I brought bacon, eggs and fresh bread. I would offer to make you both breakfast but I have a personal training session in twenty minutes.”

 “We get it.” Connor told him, his grin never faltering. “We’re just not pretty enough for you to drop in early to surprise us.”

 “Speak for yourself.” Liam huffed, glaring at his boyfriend. “I’m very pretty.”

 “You are.” Connor kissed his cheek lovingly. “But I’m afraid we’re just not Jungkook’s type.”

 Aria rolled her eyes at their dramatic exchange. “I’m sorry about those two. I would say that they’re not usually like this but I would be lying.”

 “You traitor.” Liam accused throwing one of the cushions off the armchair at her. “We’re entirely normal.”

 “If I agreed that would be another lie.”

 “You can’t be normal and be friends with you.” Connor put in sticking his tongue out.

 Jungkook chuckled, it was so nice seeing Aria so comfortably in her element with her friends. He realised this is how she must feel when he was with the others. It was nice to laugh along with them and it made him desperately want to stay. But he really couldn’t miss a training session.

 “I better go.” He said apologetically to Aria. “If I don’t set off now Wonho will kill me.”

 “That’s okay. Thank you for breakfast.” She replied, there was so much more she wanted to say to him but she couldn’t with her two friends in hearing distance. “Have fun at the gym.”

 He kissed her softly on the cheek, lips close to her ear. “I promise we’ll pick up where we left off last time, beautiful.” He whispered, grazing her skin with his lips with every syllable.

 Aria was a mess and couldn’t even look at him as he said his goodbyes to her friends and headed towards the door. It was only when it closed behind him that she finally breathed out. Her body was still tingling from his kiss.

 “I’m sorry for accidentally cock blocking you.” Liam said with a grimace. “If I had known you were seconds away from making out with Jeon Jungkook I would have given you at least an hour.”

 “I’m going in the shower before I have to get ready for work.” She told them. She wasn’t going to reply and add heat to the fire. She needed to be alone with her thoughts, to process everything that had just happened.

 She heard Connor shout after her. “Avoiding us again.” and closed the bathroom door on both of them.

 

Chapter 15: Baby

Summary:

Finally in this chapter we get to some steamy scenes. Hope you all enjoy :))

Notes:

Hey guys, I'm back, twice in one month too. I am equally as shocked as you all are. I thought over this chapter so much these last few weeks and decided to cut it shorter than originally planned. I mainly wanted to explore the boys and the start of their new relationship with Aria. I am so excited to properly get into their story together. Thank you to everyone who commented or left kudos, I really appreciate all your support. Like always, leave your comments below. I love seeing what you guys think <3

Chapter 14: Baby

Yoongi walked into the living room where Namjoon said he had left Aria earlier. With all the new developments happening around them, Joon was routinely called up for meetings with Scarlett. As a result of all the boys finally wanting to take the first major steps with Aria, Scarlett was trying to plan their approach as much as she could. Yoongi did not appreciate the micro management. He agreed that any step toward a romantic relationship with her had to be approached with the utmost care. But to have someone else plan what he was going to do and say to her made the whole thing feel forced. He didn’t want Aria to feel that they were being insincere in any way. It was time they took things into their own hands.

 She wasn’t studying like he thought she would be; books, pens and her (new) laptop were strewn across the table but there was no Aria in sight. He wondered whether she had just popped to the toilet but could hear the faint noise of the tv in the background. Aria’s recent favourite murder tv show was flashing on the tv. Yoongi grinned, somebody was skiving. He crept towards the couch hoping to give her a fright when she realised he had caught her slacking but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her.

 Aria was soundly asleep against one of the velvet couch cushions, her face pressed up against it making her cheeks squish adorably. She had made some kind of effort to throw a blanket over herself, he noticed, eyeing Jungkook’s comforter. He smirked at the thought of the youngest member begging Aria to get comfy with his blanket.

 They had all been doing the same recently. Lending her a t-shirt or a hoodie when she was cold. Yoongi himself made sure that his body wash was in the shower if she ever decided to use it so that she could always have the smell of him around her. In a weird way it was like they were trying to leave their mark on her.

 The comforter was hiked up to around Aria’s waist and had pulled up her t-shirt in the process revealing a small strip of white stomach above her leggings. Yoongi blushed and tore his eyes away, it felt invasive looking at her when she was like this. He pulled the blanket over her, shaking his head at the fact that one tiny showing of skin had got him that flustered. She shifted in her sleep and Yoongi jumped back gritting his teeth, hoping against hope that he hadn’t woken her up.

 Aria’s eyes cracked open, and she regarded him sleepily. “Yoongi.” She smiled groggily, beckoning with a hand that he should come closer. Yoongi grinned and dropped to his knees beside her. 

 “What is it princess?”

 “I really like cuddles.” She smiled almost drunkenly, her eyes closing again. “Mmm, I need something to cuddle.”

 “I can get you one of Jin’s plushies if you like?” He couldn’t believe that anyone could be that cute when they were half asleep. 

 She shook her head vehemently. “No, I need real cuddles.” Aria made grabby hands at him. “Come cuddle with me please?”

 “I don’t know if that will be a good idea, princess.” Yoongi said, even though he was dying to jump under the comforter and pull her into his arms, he didn’t think Namjoon would approve.

 “You cuddle everyone else apart from me. Do you not want to give me cuddles?” She pouted, shifting so her body was facing the back of the sofa. “Here I’ll turn my back so you can’t see who you’re cuddling. Just pretend I’m Jungkook or something.”

 He chuckled darkly and muttered to himself. “That would be very difficult.” 

 “Is that a no?” She whined, and he felt something heat in the bottom of his stomach. She really was going to be the death of him, before they had even kissed. Aria was dangerous territory and Yoongi knew that taking this first step would set into motion huge changes in their relationship. Maybe he should have run it by Scarlett first but Aria erased that budding thought as soon as she said: “Please Yoon, I’m so sleepy and I don’t want my nightmares to come back.”

 He jumped into action, even the thought of Aria having to go through those nightmares again was enough to make him want to do anything in his power to stop them. “You’re going to have to move over a little if you want me on that couch with you.”

 Aria giggled moving closer to the back of the sofa. Yoongi removed his hoodie and slippers and carefully slipped into the comforter behind her. He was lying stifly trying his hardest not to touch her, but that was impossible in a space that small. Her legs were pushed up against his, her feet resting softly on the side of his right calf. Her back was inches away from his arm, he gulped realising that the softness against his thigh was actually the curve of her ass. The one he had caught himself staring at once or twice when she was trying to reach the top shelf of a cupboard, or when she was bent over tying her shoes. Yoongi shook his head violently, he was not going to think about those things when she was lying right next to him. He wasn’t a pervert.

 “That’s not cuddling.” She mumbled grumpily, wiggling her body. Yoongi had to take a deep breath to keep himself under control, she couldn’t be doing this to him. “Please Yoon.”

 “You’re so whiny.” He chuckled, but he turned on his side so he was close enough to cuddle her. “Is it okay if I put my arm around you?”

 “That’s what cuddling consists of, dummy.” She giggled, she reached over and pulled his arm acros her waist so it was resting slightly against her stomach. Yoongi could tell she was content especially when she sighed sleepily and shifted her back closer to him. 

 And, oh god. He was not going to think about her ass being pressed against his crotch. He willed his thoughts away from how soft it felt against him, he needed to think of anything that would stop the sudden hardening of his penis. Immediately he thought of what his mother was doing at that moment, she was probably cooking dinner with his grandma ready to feed his father when he returned from work. He let out a sigh of relief as soon as he felt his penis softening, he needed to stop being a teenager. He was way more experienced than this, spooning really shouldn’t have made him immediately start to get hard.

 

 Aria didn’t know how long she had been sleeping, she also didn’t know how long Yoongi had laid there with her obediently cuddling her just like she asked him to. His arm was still around her, but instead of resting on her t-shirt like it was when they had fallen asleep, his fingers were resting softly against the skin of her stomach. That’s when she became aware of the tingles, they originated from where his fingertips rested and travelled all the way down to her toes and right back up making her nipples harden. She gasped, shocked that her body was reacting this way to the minimal skinship.

 She didn’t have time to get a hold of herself however, at that moment the front door opened and the maknaes announced they were home. Aria felt Yoongi jolt awake behind her, he grumbled angrily and pulled her closer into him. So close that she could feel his breath on her neck. 

 “Honey, I’m home.” Jimin called, walking into the open plan living room. He was the one who spotted them first stopping in his tracks making the younger two bump into him. “Oh.”

 “Yah!” Jungkook exclaimed, looking at them in disbelief. “Aria is spooning without us!”

 Taehyung pouted and leaned over the back of the sofa so he could see Aria’s face. “It’s even worse Kook. They’ve been spooning and napping at the same time.”

 “Will you three either piss off or lower your voices?” Yoongi snapped at them, his voice so deep with sleep it made goosebumps rise across Aria’s skin. 

 “Oooh sorry grump.” Jimin said, not sounding apologetic at all. “We’re just surprised that Aria is cheating on us by giving cuddles to our hyung.”

 “Cheating?” Aria was stunned. “I hug you all.” 

 “But Yoongi-hyung got the first spooning session.” Jungkook pouted.

 “She’s so needy when she’s sleepy. She practically begged me to cuddle her. “ Yoongi protested pulling his arm back so he could stretch the feeling back into his fingers. 

 “Damn Aria, I didn’t realise you were into begging.” Jimin teased, his dark eyes gleaming with humour.

 “I know how to get what I want.” She replied simply.

 Aria had absolutely no idea how much of an affect her words had over the boys. They all shared a heated look silently agreeing that as Aria got more comfortable with them, the harder it was to stop one of them or all of them from making their move. Yoongi wanted to pin her down right there and then and see how much she would beg him to touch her, where she would beg him to touch her. Jungkook was inches away from leaning over the couch to kiss her and see if she would beg him to kiss her everywhere. Jimin wanted to scoop her up there and then and take her up to his room so he could really show her how to beg him, to show her how accommodating he was when his lover begged him for something. Taehyung on the other hand wanted to tease her, to slowly work her up with looks and soft touches until she was dying to get him to kiss her.

 

 It was strange meeting Scarlet in somewhere as mundane as a coffee shop. She stuck out like a sore thumb. Namjoon and Hoseok noticed her instantly, sitting straight back in a pristine white suit, her hair pulled back into a tight bun. She looked as serious as usual, staring down at the pile of papers she had spread across the table.

 “Why do I always feel so intimidated whenever we have to see her?” Hoseok whispered to Namjoon. He was scanning the menu hoping to buy the strongest coffee to get through what would be a very long meeting. “It's as though my brain doesn't realise that I'm not a trainee anymore.”

 “She just screams authority.” Namjoon whispered, grabbing a sandwich from the fridge. “We're still wired to fear her, even if she hasn't done anything to warrant that fear.”

 Scarlet had always been nice to her protégés, but she had a particular soft spot for the seven Bangtan Boys. But as hierarchy dictated she was of higher power than them and could punish them in any way she felt was fit. Even if she didn't use that power very often. Other leaders were not as nice to their trainees and both Namjoon and Hoseok had heard horror stories about how bad their experience could have been.

 “Boys,” Scarlet gathered her papers onto one side of the table when they joined her, gesturing for them to take a seat. “You're late.”

 “The metro was delayed,” Hoseok replied, flipping into the seat on the left. “Someone decided it would be fun to press the emergency stop.”

 Scarlet raised a solitary eyebrow. “I'm just going to pretend I know what you're talking about.” 

 Namjoon and Hoseok eyed each other thoughtfully, both wondering how Scarlet could possibly help them if she had no idea how their lives worked.

 “I know what you're both thinking.” She said her mouth set in a straight line. “And the insolence is not appreciated. You both have to realise that the last time I was placed on Earth was 1813. That being said, I'm not completely stupid.”

 Scarlet had a wistful look on her face, her eyes seemed almost sad. The boys shared a look. They had never heard about Scarlet’s placement on Earth. Neither of them had been brave enough to ask. It seemed to be a sore spot that Scarlet wouldn’t appreciate being prodded. Many angels had successful missions with their subjects but there was usually a problem even with the most triumphant placements. Angels were immortal and humans were not.

 She turned her eyes to Namjoon. “Anything of interest to report?”

 He thought over the events that had happened in the three weeks since he had seen her last and smiled softly. He decided it best to start chronologically.“Jungkook and Aria have had a date.”

 “Oh really?” Scarlet’s eyes sparkled. “And how did that affect the rest of you?”

 “We were happy for Jungkook.” Hoseok told her honestly. “He was the first one who mustered up the courage to ask her so he had a right to take her out.”

 Scarlet nodded in understanding, sipping her tea encouraging Namjoon to continue. “I think that’s really when the confusion started to set in for Aria. Although she loved her time with Jungkook, she has told us that it was when she started to doubt what her heart wanted.”

 “The bond between all of you is strong. The strongest I’ve seeen in my entire time of being a leader.” She told them. What they were experiencing was too rare to even predict. “For Aria, it seems like the conflict happened because she was only focusing romantically on one of you. When the bond dictates that it  has to be all of you.”

 “All or nothing, huh?” Hoseok put in thoughtfully, it was baffling to him that something foretold could have such an impact on them.

 “She was brave enough to open up to Jungkook first and tell him honestly how she felt. And has since been comfortably spending time with all of us.” Namjoon summarised, he felt like he would be betraying Aria if he exposed everything she had said to them in private. “I’ve cautioned against too much physical touch, I wouldn’t want to overwhelm her.”

 Scarlet eyed the younger boy with fondness of a mother. He was always so sensitive towards how others felt. Always so concerned with how his actions would affect the boys. He was sensible and careful, at times too careful. “I know I cautioned against taking things too fast but there’s also a problem of taking things too slow. As Aria spends more time with you, the bond strengthens and with it your need to be close to each other. You should let things progress naturally in your separate relationships as well as your collective one. Do not hold yourself back too much or you could cause pain that you don’t want to inflict.”

 “I’m worried that if we become too intimate before she knows the truth it’ll break everything.” Namjoon played with his straw in his iced coffee. He didn’t even want to imagine how badly it would end if she found out how untruthful they had been.

 “You’re right, I would caution against sexual intercourse just yet.” Scarlet looked as uncomfortable as the boys felt. It was a mother giving her children the sex talk. “But there’s other ways relationships can get intimate.”

 “Yoongi will be relieved, recently he’s been the biggest advocate of doing what feels right.” Hoseok said, trying to keep his own excitement out of his voice. With a green flag from Scarlet, there was no need for him to constantly keep his guard up around Aria. “And Jungkook can finally start planning his second date.”

 Scarlet smiled, it was wonderful to see Hoseok so happy for the other members as well as for himself. “I must ask about the dreamcasting and nightmares.”

 “From what Aria has shared with us, the nightmares seem to be less frequent. She joked that it’s our positive effect on her.” Namjoon grinned, feeling warmth flood his body at the thought of their relationship having a positive effect on her. “Usually she cannot remember exactly what she has dreamed of, just that they were bad dreams.”

 “And the dreamcasting?”

 “It has not happened again.” Hoseok said relieved. “Is it possible it was just a one off?”

 “It’s possible but not probable. You did mention the first time Aria was sleeping with Jimin? Maybe proximity is a key factor.” Scarlet thought aloud. “This brings me to why I asked you both to meet me here. I think I have found a way to help Aria with her nightmares.”

 

 The kitchen of the penthouse apartment was for once only filled with the tapping of two keyboards. Aria and Taehyung were both in the middle of serious studying. The former had felt guilty taking a nap earlier whereas the latter had wanted to be in her company regardless of what they were doing. Aria glanced over the top of her laptop at him: he was scribbling notes furiously, the pen looked tiny wrapped in his long fingers. Aria tongue swiped her bottom lip as she thought of them against her throat pressing down lightly. She knew it was not the time or place to have such thoughts but recently she couldn’t help herself. Tearing her eyes away from his hand she let them drift up his arm to his face. There was one word to describe Kim Taehyung: gorgeous. His dark eyes were cast down, long eyelashes flicking as he read his textbook. Aria marvelled at how smooth his skin looked and wondered whether it would be soft to touch.

 “Can I help you?” He asked, eyes never leaving his book.

“Uh.” Aria blanched, her cheeks scorching. “I’m bored.”

 He looked at her then, dark eyes flashing with amusement and lips turning up in a smirk. Aria willed herself not to look at his lips when he was making eye contact with her. “I thought you were making up for not studying earlier?” 

 “I was, but I’ve been staring at this page for almost an hour and it’s driving me insane.” She told him flicking at the screen of her laptop. There was only so much of Shakespeare she could take, and she was at her limit. “Do you know how annoying it is to not be able to understand concepts without having Namjoon explain them to you? I'm seriously regretting all of my life choices at the moment.”

  Taehyung leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his freshly dyed brown-blond hair. “Namjoon just has a way of teaching things. But I think you need to give yourself more credit, you got so far without his help.”

 Aria laughed without any humour.  “I was failing miserably until Namjoon swooped in and saved me. He breaks it down into idiot terms so I can understand.”

 “Not all of us can be geniuses.”

 Aria was scandalised, caught off guard. “Are you calling me an idiot?”

 “I didn’t call you anything.”

 “You insinuated that I was stupid.”

 “Insinuating is different to actually calling you out about it.”

 “You’re so rude.”

 “Says the person who’s just been staring at me.” He teased, folding his arms across his chest. “Isn’t that the height of impoliteness?”

 “You’re pretty.” She decided to be bold. “I like looking at pretty things.”

 Taehyung leaned forward then, elbows resting on his books and eyes fixed on her face. “Me too but I stare at you when it’s not quite so obvious that I’m doing so.”

 “What?”

 “What?”

 “Kim Taehyung you are so annoying.” She rolled her eyes at him and decided to pack away her stuff. It was about time she was heading home for the night. She had taken over their apartment all day and had promised Connor and Liam a movie night. “Entirely unbearable.”

 “And yet you’re still here talking to me.” He picked up his pen and twiddled it around his fingers. “And you were happy to study with me.”

 “My patience has just run out.”

 “Is that so?” A solitary eyebrow raise had her going weak at the knees. She needed to get out of there.

 “Yes actually, I should be heading home. I think I'm starting to overstay my welcome.” She closed her laptop with a shrug. “I should remember that I do also have my own home.”

 “But I like having you here.” He pouted childishly.

 “You like my company so you can bully me.” She told him, grabbing her bag and stuffing her books inside. “And you're distracting me from studying.”

 “You were staring at me?” Taehyung countered incredulously. 

 “Exactly. You're very distracting.”

 “If I wanted to distract you, I would have tried much harder than just sitting here writing.”

 Aria was the one to raise her eyebrow at him this time. This was very dangerous territory. Territory she probably shouldn't enter but for once she was feeling brave. Bravery that made her almost reckless. “Oh really? And how exactly would you distract me?”

 Taehyung's eyes widened at her boldness, something he was not prepared for. Usually Aria avoided his attempts to flirt, not challenge him head on. And Taehyung couldn't deny that it turned him on. “You really want to know?” He leaned over the table, eyes challenging hers. “Are you sure you can handle me?”

 Aria realised at that moment that she wasn't sure. She had no idea just what Taehyung was hinting at, and the fact that just eye contact made her weak at the knees. She wasn't sure openly flirting would be good for her health.

 “You're being awfully quiet.” He murmured, shifting his seat back scraping against the tiles in his haste to stand up. “Perhaps I need to be closer to hear your reply?”

 “T-Taehyung.” She stuttered, cursing her brain for its inability to control her mouth. He was almost directly in front of her, imposing on her space as he had never done before. This was definitely dangerous territory. “What are you doing?”

 “Nothing.” He drawled, his eyes flashing. “Nothing…yet anyway.”

 “I don't think-”

 “Have I ever told you how pretty your eyes are?” He interrupted, completely cutting off her train of thought. He was leaning closer and staring deeply into her eyes as if he could see her soul. “They're the most interesting shade of blue, almost green but yet also flecked with brown.”

 “What?” She was shaking now. His proximity and words sent electrical shocks down her spine. 

 “They're gorgeous.” Taehyung whispered wickedly, his nose so close to hers that they almost brushed. “You're gorgeous, baby.”

 Aria melted right then, he was truly wicked being that close to her and calling her ‘baby’. She knew he was doing it to prove that he could but she could still feel herself growing aroused. The sensation of his skin against hers was enough to send her weak at the knees. If she hadn't already sat down she was sure that she would have fallen over. “I-uh.”

 “You what? Use your words baby.” He whispered again, nose brushing against her cheek sending her thoughts wheeling again. 

 “I-I can't think.” She trembled, her senses were completely overwhelmed. Her brain had completely short circuited and couldn't form a complete, logical sentence. Her entire body was on fire, there were electrical currents spreading from where Taehyung touched her down to the very core of her being. Aria had never felt anything like it before, it was overwhelming but she didn't want him to stop. 

 Taehyung chuckled deeply and nipped the bottom of her earlobe with his teeth. “It's okay baby, I'll stop.” He pulled away from her leaving her shaking in her seat.

 Aria was completely dumbfounded, she had never felt anything as deeply as she had felt her arousal for Taehyung. It was almost as if she was feeling that her soul was connecting with his. Which was in itself such an absurd thought.

 “Take a deep breath.” Taehyung said gently. He grabbed her a glass and filled it with cold water. “Drink this.”

 When Aria felt some kind of return to normalcy she finally met Taehyung's curious gaze. “Kim Taehyung, what the hell was that?”

 “That was how I would distract you.” He grinned proud of himself. “And I have to say it worked perfectly, baby .”

 “You're teasing me.” She grumbled even as she clenched around nothing. She pressed her thighs together, he was really testing her limits. 

 “This is not teasing, baby.” He grinned, eyes challenging her again. She groaned and crossed her legs tighter, trying to relieve herself even if it was just a little bit. “Okay, okay I promise I'll stop.”

 The room didn't stop spinning for at least a few minutes after Taehyung created space between them. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply as he busied himself, tidying away his own revision material. She wondered if her body would ever feel the same again. The closer she got to the boys, the more intense her feelings seemed to get. It was as if every little nerve ending was incredibly sensitised whenever she was around them. One little touch sent her brain spiralling and her body buzzing. It was hard to believe she would ever get used to all the feelings all at once.

 The boys had been very patient with her. They had talked at length about their expectations and how they would never force her to do anything against her will. According to them, she was in control and they would take as little or as much as she wanted to give them. Even more pleasing was that they never asked her to put a label on what they were. To them, they were just friends testing the waters of what could be. And for that Aria couldn't have been more grateful.

 It wasn't often that she got to spend time alone with Taehyung, they didn't really get the chance to speak in depth to one another. Aria opened her eyes and found herself regarding him with curiosity. Although her mind was just so recently reeling from his open flirtation, she couldn't help but doubt the situation.

 “Taehyung, can I ask you something?” She asked slowly, unsure of how to broach the subject.

 He placed his bag on the table and retook his seat, eyes flicking over her face taking in her suddenly serious expression. “Anything. For you I'll try to answer any questions.”

 “What happened with you and Clarissa?” She picked at her nails feeling suddenly stupid. To openly ask him about a relationship she wasn't even sure was serious felt like an overstep. “You don't have to go into detail, of course. I'm just curious after…well-”

 “After I called you baby?” An eyebrow quirked again. Kim Taehyung and his expressive eyebrows were going to be the death of her. Aria's face heated and she nodded, not trusting herself to reply. “Clarissa and I weren't really official. The second time around, anyway.”

 “I remember you saying you wanted to give you two a second try.” Aria admitted casting her mind back to a McDonalds they had shared. Taehyung hadn't relayed many details but she remembered how happy he'd seemed. “I wasn't sure if you two were still figuring it out.”

 He reached across the table then, took one of her hands firmly, to reassure her or to stop her from picking at her nails she wasn't sure. “Aria, I would have never acted the way I did if there was anything still going on with me and Clarissa.Remember that night when you came over and stayed to watch a movie with us?” Aria nodded remembering the awful frosty tension between her and Clarissa. “We left early and I ended it with her.”

 Her eyes flicked up to gauge his feelings. She was met with a reassuring gaze that did not portray any sign of sadness, just finality. Her traitorous mind betrayed her, suddenly replaying a dream she’d experienced about the both of them. One where it seemed they were laughing at her. She mentally flicked the thought away. “I'm sorry it didn't work out for you both. You really were a beautiful couple.”

 “It may have seemed that way from the outside but things were strained between us.” Taehyung paused for a moment as if he was pondering his words. “Clarissa became controlling towards the end of our first relationship. She suddenly was suspicious of everything I did and everyone I met. It was exhausting and painful. To have one of the people I trusted most in the world question my every move broke my heart. But I loved her.”

 Aria squeezed his hand in reassurance and stroked her thumb over his knuckles, hoping she provided him with a small sense of comfort. “That's why you wanted to try again.” She realised. “Because you loved her.”

 “Yes and no.” Taehyung smiled. “You were the other reason.”

 “Me?” She was incredulous. “What did I do?”

 “What didn't you do?” He sighed, deepening Aria’s confusion. “You strode in here with your textbooks and hesitant smile. You took over our kitchen with your study session, spreading your pens and colourful tabs all over as if the place was already yours.”

 “So I took over your home? And that made you want to date Clarissa again?” Aria was even more confused because Taehyung wasn't making any sense.

 “No. God, for once I wish I had Namjoon's way of explaining himself.” He frowned, pausing to find the words. “What I mean is. You came here just to study with Namjoon but treated us all fairly. Whenever we talked about something, you always seemed invested, whether it was something you were interested in or not. You played Xbox with Jungkook and Jimin. Helped Hobi with the dishes when Yoongi cooked. You made us all feel so special as individuals and it floored me.”

 Aria’s heart swelled at his words but she was still not following his train of thought. Taehyung sighed, seeming to read her confusion and continued: “Every one of us felt immediately attached to you in our own special ways and it was overwhelming. The fact that all seven of us felt something towards you was terrifying to me. So I sought out Clarissa to try and have some kind of normalcy in my brain.”

 “Oh.”

 He squeezed her hand this time. “But it didn't work. However unconventional our feelings are, I couldn't deny them. What had been there with Clarissa in the past was just not the same the second time around. We were just not right for each other.” Taehyung was gazing into her eyes then, making sure she had no doubts. “The jealousy reeled its head once again when Clarissa met you. This time with reason, she sensed that I was different in your presence even when I tried hard not to be. And she took that out on you. That was honestly that last straw.”

 “I wondered why she hated me so much.” Aria replied quietly, trying to take everything he'd just told her. “Part of me feels weirdly sorry for her.”

 “You shouldn't. I tried to explain everything to her afterwards and unfortunately she doesn't see me as the fault but you.” Taehyung grimaced, a regretful expression on his face. “She feels like you tried to steal me away from her.”

 “Oblivious little old me?” Aria laughed, it was insane to think that anyone could have that opinion of her. “I've been struggling with my own feelings for too long to even comprehend what you guys were feeling.”

 “The dangerous thing about you, Aria, is the fact that you don't see your own worth.” He told her firmly, holding her gaze steadily so she could not look away. “You're so interested in going above and beyond making others feel good about themselves that you don't realise that you just being yourself is enough.”

 “Damn Kim Taehyung you're head over heels.” She teased, suddenly terribly overwhelmed by the conversation. She and compliments were not meant to mix.

 “I wouldn't say I'm head over heels in love with you quite yet.” He teased lifting her hand up to lay a gentle kiss on her knuckles. “But I'd very much like to have the chance to find out if I can be?”

 “You would?”

 “Jesus Aria, have you not been listening to anything I've been saying?” He was exasperated. “For someone so smart you're a little slow sometimes.”

 “Sorry,” She blushes with embarrassment. “This whole thing is still baffling to me. At times it feels like I'm living in a dream.”

 “Not one of your nightmares, I hope.”

 She grinned. “Thankfully not.”

 “So what would you say to having me on your next date?” 

 “After that speech I doubt I could say anything but yes.”

 

  She was on her knees legs apart glancing at him over her shoulder, her eyes sparkling with mischief and undeniable lust. She was almost naked, if it wasn't for the bright pink lace thong that was hiding nothing from his view, and her matching bra. He wondered if those panties were the same ones he saw just the other day when her shorts had ridden too high. Jungkook groaned, he could already feel the almost unbearable tightness of his jeans against his crotch. He hadn't meant to walk in on her getting changed, he had thought she would have been horrified that he saw her in that state of undress but instead Jungkook realised she was horny. Terribly horny.

 "What's the matter, Googie? You don't like what you see?" Aria teased him leaning further forward so her ass was higher in the air. Jungkook was itching to touch her, to spread his hands across her ass cheeks and pull her knickers slowly down her thighs. "Hmm if that's the case I'll call Joon. I'm sure he'll touch me."

 "Aria." He started his voice cracking as she spread her legs impossibly wider. Jungkook could see the material turning darker with her arousal. He wondered just how wet she was. "If we do this, there's no going back. Once I touch you I'm not going to stop."

 He saw her thighs flex at his words and could tell how much she wanted to rub them together in hopes to create some kind of friction . "Jungkook, I need you so bad. Isn't that obvious?"

 He stalked over to the bed, Jungkook could barely take any more of it. He had to touch her, taste her, fuck her. "I mean it Aria, once we start, I'll be wanting you seven days a week, Monday to Friday."

 She moaned then, fingers grasping the sheets like a vice. "Instead of making empty promises come and show me."

 He didn't need to be told twice. He was behind her like a shot, soft warm hands caressing her ass. Squeezing appreciatively, his finger nails digging into the muscle. Fluttering his fingers over the top of her thong, his callouses softly scratching against her skin, he heard her moan deep in her throat.

 "Can I take this off?" Jungkook asked huskily. He placed a kiss on her lower back just above the material. "Can I see what I have dreamed of for months now?"

 She nodded so rigorously, pushing her hips back in excitement. This Aria was too wound up to have any inhibitions and he couldn't deny how much he liked it.

 He grabbed the thin material in his hands and pulled once, ripping the fabric in two pieces. Exposing her to his wanting eyes.

 

Jungkook shot up in bed, heart pounding and head spinning. He groaned, reaching down to fix himself in his shorts. This was a reoccurring dream he'd been having every night since that morning in her kitchen. Waking every day, hard and desperate for her. It was just enough to close his eyes and picture her in his mind. Groaning, he slipped his hands into his sweatpants. Remembering every little detail of his dream, he wondered if she would be as responsive to him in reality. More than anything he wished it was her hand wrapped around him, slowly learning the pace he liked, eyes sparkling as she took in every inch of him. It was almost unbearable to picture her knowing that she couldn't be the one to bring him to his peak. He imagined her biting her lip as she watched him and his hips thrusted up off the bed. The thought of her hand picking up speed, moaning as she brought him closer to his orgasm made his eyes roll back in his head. He needed her badly. Her hand, her mouth, anything she would give him. Jungkook stroked himself faster, desperate to moan her name as he came. He knew he couldn't be loud where the others could overhear him but he couldn’t help himself. With a few extra pumps of his wrist he came hard, hot white rivulets coating the bottom of his bare stomach, splashing up onto his pyjama top.

 He laid back on the pillows, completely spent, waiting for his heart rate to return back to normal. Although this had been part of his routine for days his brain still couldn’t get enough of her pink panties underneath her sleep shorts. Jungkook was well and truly done for. Someone needed to shake him out of it.

 His saving grace was a sharp knock on his door. “Jungkook, did you forget that you’re supposed to be meeting with your study group at nine?” Jin’s voice travelled through the wood, slighting muffled. 

 Jungkook glanced at the clock on his bedside table, it was already eight-fifteen. He was going to be late. “Thanks, hyung, I’m getting up now.”

 “And Jungkook?”

 “Yeah?”

 “A pillow over the mouth works wonders to muffle any sounds you don’t want overheard.”

 Jungkook’s cheeks burned, he was sure he was quiet. Apparently not quiet enough. “Thanks for the advice.”

 “It must have been some wet dream.” Jin chuckled in reply.

 “Goodbye hyung.”