"Taehyung, do you want to hang out?"

"Why me?" 

"Why not you?" I sighed. He doesn't sound happy. He's back to being his usual self, isn't he? 

"I don't want to." He hung up. 

I sighed and called again, surprised when he actually answered again. 

"What?" 

"Let's hang out." 

He went silent a while and then sighed, shifting in his bed, or so it sounded. "And do what?" 

"I want to buy Christmas gifts. You're going to help me." 

He groaned and shifted again, his voice very muffled, like how it would sound if a pillow was over his face, as he spoke again. "Why? It's so cold." 

"I'll never reach the milestone if you keep ignoring me." 

"Who said I was ignoring you?" 

"Can you remove the pillow from your face? I can't hear you." 

He shifted again. "I said, who said I was ignoring you?" His voice was loud and clear, a tad bit mocking. 

"Let's just go out and shop." 

"Yoongi and Hobi are better at picking gifts than I am." He complained again. "I'm tired." 

"Taehyung-ah.." I pouted. "Please?" 

"Hana, can you stop?" He pouted as well. 

"Hey. Just say yes." 

"Yes." 

"Wow, that was easy. Come get me." 

"No. You come get me." 

"I don't have a car." 

He went silent and then threw a fit. "Why is it always me?" 

"Stop pouting and come get me." 

"Fine." He hung up and I couldn't help but get all excited. 

For once, he agreed to meet with me on my own time and not his. 

--

"Hey, isn't that my scarf?" I asked as we got out of his car and started to wander the mall. 

"Yup." 

"Okay then." I smirked a little. "What do you want from me?" 

"I want a car. A new one from America. I want it black with tinted windows and I want it here tomorrow." 

I smacked his arm. "Okay, sure." 

His mouth spread into a rectangular smile and a low yet childish giggle left him. Oh my god... That was adorable... I wish he would giggle and smile more often. "I don't want much. You shouldn't get us anything since you're already wasting 6 months of your life with us." 

"But I'm going to so tell me before I buy you socks." 

He wrinkled his nose in distaste and shoved his hands in his pockets, thinking a moment. "Cartoons." 

"Can't you watch those on TV?" 

"No! They took them off TV cause they were too old." He frowned. "I want to be able to watch them again." 

"I can do that..." I nodded slowly. "What kind?" This big jerk really just asked me for cartoons for Christmas? He's a child...

"The old ones." He shrugged. "Surprise me." 

"You're with me though..." I shook my head. "Whatever. What about Namjoon?" 

"He's smart so he'd like smart things." 

"Smart things? Like what?" 

"I dunno." 

"What about the stars?" I sighed. "Does he like stars?" 

"I guess so. He looks at them all the time." Taehyung cast a glance up. "I like stars." 

"I'll buy him a book on stars then. What about Jin?" 

"He likes video games. You could get him the new Mario game for his wii." 

"He has a wii?" I chuckled a bit. "Cute. What about Jimin and Jungkook? They're both sporty." 

"Just buy them sports clothes then." 

"Simple enough. What about Yoongi?" 

"He's hard..." Taehyung looked a bit flustered, leading me into a clothing store. "I'll let you pick out Jungkook and Jimin's gifts while I think." 

"Okay."

I glanced over the entire store, feeling slightly anxious. I don't know what they'd like.. 

I ended up just buying both of them basketball shirts with the help from Taehyung for their sizes. "I didn't know what else to give them." I sighed as I stared at the bag, both of us going back into the cold. "Have you thought of anything?" 

"Uhm... What if you get him a gift card so he can buy music for his phone? He likes music a lot." Taehyung rubbed his neck a bit and sighed. "I don't know anything else he'd like." 

"That could work. I also have candy for him." 

"I want candy." 

"Too bad." I laughed a bit. "And what about Hobi?" 

"You could buy him a feather and he's love it." Taehyung relaxed a bit. "He's easy." 

"So..?" I urged him on as we stopped in at a book store, searching for the science section for Namjoon. They should have cartoons here as well. Usually they have them in the kids' section.

"You like him a lot, don't you?" He began to mock me a bit, tensing back up. "You should think of something for him yourself."

"Why do you get angry when we talk about Hobi? Aren't you over the spat?" I got a bit frustrated as I glanced through some of the books.

"Yah.. Guys can hold grudges too." He grumbled.

"It wasn't even that much of a fight if you ask me." I sighed, picking the book for Namjoon and then glancing over the kids' section. No cartoons. 

I purchased the book and slipped it into the bag with Jungkook and Jimin's present. 

"Let's find a video store so we can knock out 3 in one place." I picked up the pace as the air grew chillier and we wandered a bit, looking for a small video store somewhere, hoping it was closer rather than further. Driving in this place would be hell, that's why we were stuck walking. 

We wandered in silence a while before a video store came into view and then we hurried into it. "So warm.." Taehyung sighed with relief, sticking close to my side as I went to find a gift card I could buy Yoongi. 

I found one and grabbed it immediately before heading to the video portion to find cartoons. "Pick one out, Taehyung. I'll buy it for you now and give it to you." 

He froze and threw his hands over his eyes. "No. It's a gift. Go buy it and hide it from me." 

"Taehyung." I protested but he didn't budge so I just shook my head and went to the cartoon section, picking out one that had a combination of many cartoons into one. 

Taehyung still remained where he was, casting his gaze at other things so he wouldn't see while I picked out a wii game for Jin, a cheap one. All the boys' gifts were rather cheap but when you put them altogether, it's a lot. 

I purchased the gifts and put them into the bag with the clothes as well before collecting Taehyung. "I only have Hobi left now." 

"Did you already buy your family gifts?" 

I nodded. "What should I get Hobi?" 

He clenched his jaw a bit and glanced around, pointing across the street. "Buy him a flower." 

"Huh? What kind of gift is that?" I wrinkled my nose a little. 

Taehyung glanced at me with blank eyes. "He's always happy, like a flower. The flower would be a mini Hobi." 

"Are you in love with Hobi?" I joked, liking the idea. "His favorite flower is a sun flower... But would they stock them? It's winter." 

"They always have flowers." He followed as we made our way across the street. 

"But this gift won't last long." I pouted. And I really want to get something that will last long for Hobi..

He shrugged, dragging my inside anyways. "See? They're fully stocked." 

I sighed and looked for sun flowers, smiling when I saw only one left. I went to go look at it but someone else picked it up. No, that's Hobi's favorite flower. I watched helplessly as she walked away with it and decided to just find something similar. 

As hard as I looked, I couldn't find anything similar to a sun flower. I'll just have to get something else for him. Just as I was about to give up, Taehyung stepped in front of me and handed the sun flower to me with a slight scowl. 

"Where'd you find another one?" I got excited and took the potted plant. 

"I negotiated." He heaved another large sigh and shoved his hands in his pockets. "You owe me." 

"Like what?" 

"I'll think on it." He hummed a bit and waited near the door while I finished my purchase. 

They gave me something to shield the flower from the cold. I thanked them and left quickly, Taehyung and I making our way back to his car. 

"Let's drop these off and do something fun." I suggested, still smiling down at the flower. 

Taehyung glanced at me and gave a grunt of disapproval. "Why is a flower making you so happy?" 

"Cause it is like Hobi. He's always bright and cheerful. I just hope this flower last a while." 

"Well it was one of the only ones still potted in there so I have a feeling it isn't completely grown yet." 

"Oh, of course it isn't. These things get big." I laughed a bit. "It's only a baby. It'll bloom when it's warmer. Hopefully just like Hobi will if his auditions go well with his new scouts." 

He ignored my comments the entire way to the car and we got in, driving off to my house immediately. 

"Are you really still angry with Hobi?" I frowned. "You guys need to forgive each other some day." 

He his lips and clenched his jaw again. "It's difficult lately." 

"Okay." I shrugged, holding the flower tightly in my lap. 

Eventually, we arrived at my house and I quickly ran in and placed the gifts in my room, uncovered the sunflower, gave it a tad bit of water, shut my door, and ran back to Taehyung, jumping in the car. 

"Let's go."

He stared at me with a grumpy face and then smiled a little, driving off quickly. "Where to, princess?" 

"Princess?" I shot a glare at him immediately.

"I'm kidding. Jin hyung gave you a nickname and I wanted to try it. But I don't like it so never mind." 

"Good." I bit my lip, my ears hot regardless of him wanting to take back what he said. "Don't give me a nicknam. Only Jin." 

He mocked me a bit but agreed regardless. "Where to?" 

"Let's get some hot chocolate." 

"Okay." 

We rode in silence for a while until my phone went off, scaring poor Taehyung half to death. 

"Sorry.." I bit my lip to hide the creeping smile and answered. "Hello? 

"Hey Hana! Are you busy? My parents want to have lunch." 

Of course Hobi would call now. "I'm with Taehyung." I sighed. 

"Taehyung? Isn't that one of your friends?" His mother's voice sounded a little in the background and Hoseok gave a nervous laugh. , was I on speaker? "Why is she with him?" 

"Why are you with Taehyung?" Hoseok asked, a bit hesitantly now. 

"I'm buying Christmas gifts." I replied smoothly. Should I buy their parents little gifts as well? They think I'm apart of the family after all... "Taehyung is just here for help." 

"Yah." Taehyung got offended. "She's on a date with me." 

"What?" His mom's voice came again. 

Hoseok sighed, probably regretting his decisions. I sent a glare at Taehyung and put the phone on speaker so he could hear the situation. He went a little pale and mouthed an apology. 

"He's just kidding." I laughed a bit, keeping it on speaker. 

Hoseok spoke to his parents and then I heard him move around. "You're off speaker." 

I took Hoseok off speaker as well, recieving a glare from Taehyung. "Why was I on?" 

"My parents were going to talk to you about the details." Hoseok chuckled. "You're with Taehyung then?" 

"Yeah." 

He went silent a while and then chuckled again. "I'll call again later. Have fun~!" 

I was about to say something in return but he hung up and I sighed with frustration. Ever since the day he tried coming to my house, he's been off. He didn't even mention anything about his auditions to me like I thought he would. I wonder if I did something wrong.. 

"So are you ditching me for Hobi?" He clicked his tongue a bit. 

"Who said that? He's calling later." 

"Tch." He couldn't hide a slight smile. "I did something bad last night." 

"What?" I raised an eyebrow. 

"I went and saw Dae Young." 

"Why?" I rubbed my temples, already feeling the drama pile on. 

"I don't know." 

"What did you do?" 

"I acted like a child... I was slightly intoxicated and begged her to come back to me.. I didn't mean it." 

"That must be what you want deep inside though since your drunk self did it on his own." I mumbled. "Dae Young will never leave you alone if you keep doing this. She's going to be married as well." 

He bit his lip and pulled over. "Can you not talk about her getting married?" 

"Well, it's true." 

"I know it is!" He raised his voice slightly, trying to keep from showing how hurt he really was about it. "She moved on so quickly and to be already engaged..." 

"She knew him when she was with you." I glanced at him, my heart feeling awful for him but could not compare to how his must be feeling right now. 

He opened his mouth a little, his eyebrows wrinkling with frustration. But before he could even try to form words, his mouth closed again and he stared out the window, leaving me to stare at the back of his head in regret. I shouldn't have pressed on about what he did bad. This day won't go well now. 

"Don't get upset now.. Why did you bring it up if you were going to get upset?" I panicked a little, not wanting him to get too upset. 

He didn't answer can kept watching out the window for a while. I thought of many things I could say but I just couldn't bring myself to actually say them. 

With a pathetic sigh once more, I unbuckled myself and turned towards Taehyung. My heart quickened but I reached over and put a hand on his shoulder anyways. I don't know what to do. 

"T-Taehyung-ah. It's going to be okay. If she was seeing someone else when she was with you, then she truly isn't worth getting upset over." I spoke softly, afraid I'd only anger him more. 

But to my surprise he turned, staring at me with a blank expression and watery eyes but no signs of tears. "Do you know what hurts most in this world? Having someone you control you for so long so that I didn't veer away from them only to find out they were already far from me." 

I removed my hand from his shoulder and glanced down a bit. "I don't know what pain, because I was never in such a relationship before." 

"Do you want to know what it feels like?" 

"Huh?" 

"Don't go to Hobi." His expression turned sharp and his voice grew more stern. "Don't go on a date with Hobi. Don't talk to Hobi. Don't even think about Hobi. Hobi won't care about you after this contract. None of us will care about you after this. So during this period, you can only talk to me. Just me. You can only look at me. No one else." 

"Huh?" I repeated, completely dazed and panicked. 

"No one cares about you after this, Hana." He mocked a little. "We're just using you. We'll never care about you." 

My heart ached a bit at his words. "Taeh--" 

"I'll never care about you but.." He glared at me and then grabbed my shoulders, pulling me closer to him so that our faces were only inches apart. I completely froze and my heart was pounding out of control. What's happening? "Your heart is still pounding, right?" Can he hear it? My heart is beating like this because of him.. Is he going to kiss me? But I don't want to kiss him... Do I? "I just told you that I'll never care about you so why is your heart pounding? Why is your face heating up? Why are you so tense?" 

"Taehyung-ah..." I uttered, trying to pull away. 

His sharp eyes bore right into mine, making me tremble a bit with fear. What is he doing? "Hana.. I'm controlling your thoughts, aren't I? When I call your name with us this close, you get more flustered. If I get closer," He moved his face even closer, panic rising throughout my body, "You get even more tense. I'm fooling you. You don't care for me. I'm just making you think you do. But yet, you notice every small thing I do, you're confused on why I'm telling you to stay away from Hobi, even now you're still wondering what I will do." He shoved me away, the breath that I didn't even realize I was holding left me instantly. "But I won't do anything. I will never care for you, but I will force you to care about me." 

I stared at him in utter astonishment and fear. He controlled me... He really did.. And it only took one action. Now that I'm away, I can't even begin to think of acting like that.. But when he had pulled me close like that and talked to me like that, I couldn't help but sense that he had gotten to me. 

His face softened a tiny bit and he sighed. "That's what it feels like to be controlled. You knew that I have no feelings towards you, you knew that you had no feelings towards me, Hobi was just a victim in the innocent conversation you two just had, but I still turned him around on you. That's what Dae Young has done to me all this time... She held me so close like that and said all of those things... But she was just seeing another man." 

All of that was for show... I knew that but he still got to me... What a scary thing... To be controlled like that, I mean. 

"Uhm... Taehyung.." I hesitated, completely unsure of what to make of the situation. "How... How did you control me like that?" 

"It's all in the actions." He turned to face back out the window. "I'm sorry. I didn't say any of that seriously." 

I sat there, still a bit dazed and trying to collect myself. "So... You're someone who's use to being controlled, then.." He only nodded. "You just need a longer chain, if you understand what I mean." 

"Of course I do." He sighed. 

"Then do it." 

"I can't go to a longer chain if she still has the shorter one." 

"Ah..." I lowered my head again. It's not like I can just go and talk to her. 

"What if.." Taehyung started talking again. "Never mind. It's dumb." 

"What?" 

"Well.." He hesitated. "We're already in a contract to be together but she knows it is fake. My first original task was to introduce you as a real lover, remember? But that was blown out. I was thinking that if we pretended like we... You know, fell for each other, it might get her to leave me be." 

"I see what you mean but she wouldn't believe it." 

"Not right away but we could convince her over time... But do you think she'd let me go if it were to work? I don't want to start something pointless." 

"It might. Depends on how good we can act." 

"I'm confident in myself, but are you?" 

"I've done good so far." I shrugged. "Hey Taehyung. Do you remember when I asked you what you wanted to be and you didn't know?" 

"Yeah." 

"You should be an actor." 

"Why?" 

"You said you were confident in your acting abilites just now, plus, the little thing you just did to me a second ago, that was all an act, wasn't it? You could really make it big if you come an actor, you know." 

"Maybe." He shrugged, pulling back onto the road now that he was calmed down a bit. 

I'm glad. But I don't think his idea will work, we'd have to be pretty close to Dae Young all the time. It might just end up tearing him apart more than trying to be freed from her. But he seems pretty desperate so why not give it a shot? 

--

Hot chocolate went fine with Taehyung that day. We were mostly stuck on talking about plans to get Dae Young to believe us but it was still quite enjoyable. 

It was Christmas and I was guiding Yoongi to my family's house as he drove. I could tell he was a bit uneasy and he had tried to get out of it multiple times but I convinced him that once they got to know him, they'd be more accepting of this whole thing. I could also tell he was uneasy just at the thought of being around someone else's family. Which made sense, he never really was around his anymore. 

"It's here." I pointed to the small, gated-in house. "You can just park on the side of the road." 

He did as I told and we got out. "I'll get some of the gifts so you don't carry them all." 

I let him even though they were small. I had bought Ji Ae a necklace and Hyun Ki a new tie, my mother got a bracelet and my father got a watch. They were all small. I just decided to give Yoongi his later when we weren't around my family. 

I paused and turned to him as he held the two small gifts for my siblings. "You look really good today." 

"What?" He raised an eyebrow, not getting bashful in even the slightest. 

"You're hard to impress." I joked and continued my way inside, guiding Yoongi to take his shoes off and tuck them away in the correct spot. 

"Goodmorning, Hana~" My mom sang, knowing it was me before she saw me and came to greet me, freezing a bit. "Who's this?" 

Yoongi glanced up as I spoke. "This is Min Yoongi. He's one of the seven. Due to certain circumstances, he's here with us instead." 

Yoongi bowed his head a bit and smiled a tiny bit. "Hello, I'm Min Yoongi." 

"Hello.." My mom greeted in turn, still quite surprised.

I took the gifts from his hands and guided him into the living room, placing the gifts under the tree. I never put a tree up at my house but my parents loved to do it here. 

Yoongi glanced around a bit timidly and sighed. "I feel like this was a bad idea." 

"Of course not." I scolded a bit. "I want you here." 

I guided him to take a seat down on the couch and then sat beside him. 

"My siblings are always the last ones to show up. They'll probably be pretty annoying so ignore them." I warned. "Do you want something to drink?" 

He shook his head. "Hey Hana.. Do you want to do my first task sometime soon?" 

I nodded. "Yes." I want to meet the jerks who kicked out their son so harshly. 

"Okay. Soon then." 

"Look, it's my baby sister~" Hyun Ki barged through the door and pointed at me as he shouted. He stopped when he noticed Yoongi and turned to look at Ji Ae. 

Ji Ae stared at Yoongi and I and then smirked. "Is he one of the seven?" 

I didn't respond but instead spoke to Yoongi quietly. "Ignore her. She'll mock you if you pay attention to her." 

"I don't care." He laughed a bit. "I expected it when I came here." 

Aww... Now my family sounds like a bunch of jerks to him. 

My mom shooed Ji Ae and Hyun Ki into the kitchen with dad before sitting down in the living room with us. 

"Ah, Yoongi, do you mind telling me a bit more about this contract? Hana is quiet secluded about it." 

Yoongi shifted a bit and nodded. I expected him to get all hesitant but he actually pulled it off quite well. "We all just need personal help with ourselves or our families and we sought out Hana's friend first but she pointed us to Hana. Hana was apparently more caring and willing than her friend, or at least that was what we were told by Hana's friend." 

"Oh so Hyejin met these guys first?" Mom looked to me and I nodded. "You guys... Aren't using her for anything bad are you?" 

"Of course not." Yoongi answered easily. "Like I said, it's just to help the majority of us get back on our feet. We thought Hana was capable enough to do so. We only signed a contract so that none of us would back out half way through and waste the time spent." 

She seemed to relax a bit. "Are the others nice to Hana?" 

"Of course." Yoongi nodded again. "Hana usually goes along with our plans but she's more than welcome to order us around as well." 

If you say so. I'll order you to hang out with me every day so I can keep you from being lonely. 

"That's good. Hana always makes friends quickly." What the heck is she saying, what a lie. "What is your reason for needing Hana?" 

Yoongi, for the first time in the conversation, started to falter and hesitate so I decided to join back into the conversation. "He has his circumstances." 

"Like what kind?" She got a bit nosy. 

"Don't worry about it, mom. His reasons are on the very important side of things." 

"Then I should really know!" 

"Mom, you'll be fine." I laughed. "He's uneasy talking about it." 

"Mm.. Okay." She seemed unconvinced and got up as Hyun Ki came out and sat where she just left. 

"Hello." He pointed at Yoongi. "Which are you?" 

"Min Yoongi." He answered a bit lazily, relaxing now that my mom was out of the equation. 

"Yoongi, huh?" 

"Hyun Ki, don't drop honorifics with him so fast." I chided. 

"I don't care." Yoongi shrugged. 

I bit my lip and stared at Hyun Ki. "Brat." 

"Brat." He mocked right back at me and then looked back to Yoongi. "So, do you like Hana?" 

"No." He answered flatly. "Do you like me?" 

"What?" Hyun Ki got flustered. 

"You seem to be curious so now I'm curious." Yoongi smiled a bit. 

"How old are you?" Hyun Ki countered, ignoring the comments Yoongi made. 

"24." 

"Ha! I'm 25. I'm older." Hyun Ki smirked. "I'm your hyung." 

"You're only my hyung if I respect you. I just met you and so far I have no reason to respect you." 

Damn. Yoongi knows how fire insults... I wonder if he's rude to Hyun Ki cause I told him about my siblings taunting me and calling me names. 

"Wow. This guy is mean." Hyun Ki stood up, pretending to be offended. "Ji Ae~" He whined and ran into the kitchen. 

I prodded Yoongi's shoulder and smiled widely. "You have quite a quick mouth." 

He shrugged a little and gave a small smile but didn't say anything. 

"I don't want to sound like I'm pestering too much but how do you feel lately?" 

"I'm fine." He ruffled my hair, lingering his hand on top of my head. "You'll be the first to know if I start to go the other way." 

"Really?" I felt my heart warm up with his words. Removing his hand from my head, I giggled a bit. "I'm glad." 

He chuckled as well and both our attention was stolen from my mom as she called for a late breakfast, early lunch. I stood up and nodding for Yoongi to join and the both of us made our way to the table. 

Yoongi sat beside me and across from my dad. Hyun Ki moved spots so he sat beside me and Ji Ae in front of me, my mom on Ji Ae's other side. 

"Thank you for cooking for Yoongi too." I smiled at my parents.

"What about your family, Yoongi?" My dad asked as he put some food on Yoongi's plate for him. 

Yoongi bowed a little in thanks before speaking. "My family lives a bit far." 

"You couldn't travel?" My mom frowned. "It's a shame to be away from your family." 

Yoongi shook his head slightly and lowered his eyes. I decided to change the subject. "That's why he's here with me. I didn't want him being alone today." 

"Aw, so sweet I think I just felt my heart melt." Hyun Ki grabbed onto his shirt as he spoke. 

I smacked his arm and he let go, digging into the meal. "Whatever you brat." I sighed, digging in as well. 

"Oh, Hana, have you heard from Hyejin? She's supposed to start job training to be an accountant." Mom smiled a bit. "I'm so proud of her! When will you get a good job?" 

Yoongi sniffled a laugh as he ate. "You talk to Hyejin more than your own daughter." I grumbled. "I'm still looking."

"At this rate she'll be looking until she's 60." Dad grunted. 

"I make good money so I'm not in a rush!" I defended myself. 

"At a night club. What if you get ?" Hyun Ki added. 

Yoongi choked a bit and looked up. "You work at a night club?" 

"Didn't I tell you?" 

"Did you?" 

"I don't know." 

"Me either." He laughed. 

"Well anyways, I won't get ." I sighed. 

"That's what people say and then they do." Ji Ae rolled her eyes a bit. 

"Ji Ae, that's enough." Mom chided. "Hana, I do wish you'd quit soon." 

"If I quit now, I'll really go broke." I picked at my food before eating it. 

"I can get you a job." Yoongi looked back over to me. 

"Yoongi, what do you do?" My dad interrupted and stole Yoongi's attention. 

"I'm an on-call musician." 

"Huh?" My mom looked impressed at his words. 

"A pianist, mom." I explained. "He plays for big events and parties. He gets paid good money and he's really good at it." 

"You have to be the best of the best in industries like that." Dad nodded approvingly at Yoongi. "It's too bad that you two met under thes circumstances. I would love to have as a son-in-law." 

Yoongi and I both froze, my face heating up but Yoongi remaining cool and collected. If I had met Yoongi differently... Would he have even given me a chance to talk to him? He was a jerk at first so I feel like we wouldn't even have had a chance to exchange names before he closed the option. 

"Anyways." I cleared my throat, collecting myself again after a sip from my glass. "Yoongi makes good money and he loves what he does, that is what I wish to do in life." 

"Then do it." Hyun Ki poked my sides. 

"Shut up." I glared at him and finished my meal. "Yoongi and I will be leaving early, by the way. Once you guys open your presents then we're leaving." 

"Where to?" Mom looked a bit sad. 

"Just to hang out at my house." 

"Hana, the guys invited you to our get-together at the end of the day. I forgot to tell you." Yoongi mumbled. 

"And we'll be doing that." I nodded. "I have gifts for all of you anyways." 

"Okay, I'm glad you have people to spend time with." Mom sighed. "I just wish they were friends." 

"They are friends for me now. I enjoy their company." 

Ji Ae mouthed the word '' again but I ignored it and waited for everyone to finish before we collected in the living room to open gifts. 

I sat beside Yoongi on the floor and everyone else squished onto the couches. "I hate this part most." I whispered into his ear. 

"Why?" He turned slighly. "Isn't this everyone's favorite part?"

"Watch." I shook my head. 

Hyun Ki passed out my gifts first and then circled from there. Everyone had a present from everyone, obviously except Yoongi, but he didn't mind of course. 

I stared at Ji Ae and Hyun Ki's presents, shaking my head again. "Ji Ae doesn't give gifts to me, she gives empty boxes with some money but not a lot. Hyun Ki sometimes gives gifts but not all the time." 

"Ah." Yoongi laughed. "Is that why you don't like it? You don't get anything?" 

"Yeah." I chuckled too, unwrapping Ji Ae's first. "See? Only 5000 ($4-ish) won from Ji Ae." I opened Hyun Ki's and was taken aback. "Huh?" 

Yoongi looked at it, hesitating, and then smiled a little. "That's cute." 

It was a little necklace with a small silver, shining pendant. "He actually got me something... And it's not money..." I it, actually happy about this gift, and looked over to Hyun Ki. 

He was busy messing around Ji Ae to notice though so I just focused back to the note at the bottom of the necklace box. I'll read it later.. 

"Your brother seems to be nicer than he appears." 

"I told you he's only mean when Ji Ae is around." I sighed, a smile creeping onto my face. "This is the first gift he's actually gotten me." 

I opened my parent's gifts, receiving a collar and tag for Chico and a large sum of money.

"See, look, my dad is now doing that money thing as well." I chuckled. "This is a lot though." 

"Are you rich?" 

"Not even close." I shook my head. "Everyone has opened their gifts, are you ready?" 

Yoongi nodded and we stood up. 

"Goodbye." I hugged both my parents and waved to Ji Ae. I made a bold move and attacked Hyun Ki with a hug, receiving a lot of kicks from him in protest but I still clung on. "Thank you Hyun Ki-ah, maybe you actually love me." 

"Shut up you brat." He couldn't help but laugh and finally kicked me off of him. "Wear it well." 

I nodded, grabbed my gifts off the ground, and left with Yoongi at my heals after he had said his goodbyes to my family. 

Now.. Time for my lame gift to Yoongi. I wish it were better. 

--

Yoongi and I had spent the rest of the day just watching movies and listening to music at my house before we left for the get-together at Jimin's personal place, which was a lot bigger than I thought. 

We were all in the living room, just chatting and having fun, when Hoseok and Jungkook brought in some gifts. I was surprised that I wasn't the only one to bring gifts and watched as they added them to mine. 

"We all got you something too, Hana." Namjoon laughed a bit at my surprise. "You didn't think you would get nothing, did you?" 

"Eh." I shrugged. "Mine was a mutual thing so." 

Hoseok delivered presents, there being a lot since there was 8 of us and everyone bought the other something. 

"Hobi-ah," I stopped him a moment and he looked up at me. "Your present is at my house. You'll get it later." 

He nodded and continued his work. "What'd you get him?" Jungkook leaned into my space a bit. "Hm?" 

"Yah, mind the space." I joked a bit and pushed on his shoulder. "I got him something cute." 

"What'd you get me?" He asked as Hoseok tossed him the gift. "Oh." 

I stuck my tongue out and in the end when all the gifts were passed out, everyone had 7 gifts, everyone but Hoseok of course. The boys began opening their own gifts so I did the same, starting with Namjoon's. 

It was small and wrapped neatly and when I unwrapped it, it was also boxed neatly. Opening it a bit to peak, I realized they were a pair of earrings with the pain jewel being a shining star. Star, huh? How ironic.. It's cute though. I smiled and closed the box, setting it nearly down beside me as I picked up another one. Jungkook. 

I noticed Jungkook taking little interest in the gifts he was unwrapping the second he noticed I picked his up. I tried not to make it obvious that I knew he was watching and for the most part, I feel like I succeeded. 

The gift I had gotten from Jungkook was another ring. It was of many small hearts linked together to form the ring. I glanced at him and he flushed a bit. 

"Do you like it?" 

"It's cute." I nodded. "I like it." 

"Good." He focused back on his gifts with a smile. 

Jewelry must be a go-to for them since they don't know all of what I'd like. I closed the ring box and placed it next to Namjoon's gift and reached for the other. Taehyung. 

A stupid smile stuck on my face as I tried to imagine that jerk trying to buy me a gift. This one wasn't small at all though and when I unwrapped it and took off the box lid, I realized they were a pair of silver strapped heals that glimmered under the lights at certain angles. Oh my god... How expensive were these? These look so expensive... 

Jungkook gaped at Taehyung's present. "Taehyung one-upped everyone..." 

I giggled a little and put the lid back on, sitting it down on the floor and placing the other small gifts on top. Taehyung.. You did one-up everyone... 

I picked up Jimin's next and giggled again when I unwrapped it, revealing a few squeaky dog toys for Chico and Nova when I had her. Even my dog gets gifts. I was about to put it with the others when I noticed a small box sitting underneath one of the toys. I opened it slowly and saw that it was earrings as well. Nothing special, just white studs. But they were pretty and I was greatful nonetheless. 

I moved onto Jin's gift next and reached into the bag since his wasn't wrapped. I pulled out a pair of winter gloves and some chocolates. These gloves are really soft, wow... 

I reached for another and ended up with Yoongi's. Yoongi got me a gift as well.. I'm glad he chose to give it here rather than at my parent's house. I opened the unwrapped box and noticed it was a necklace.

The necklace had just a simple music note pendant but it glimmered in any light. This is beautiful... Oh my god.. How much effort did these boys put into gifts for me? I feel kind of bad for not putting that much into theirs now... 

Slowly, I put away the necklance and grabbed Hoseok's. A dog plushy sat inside a cute bag and underneath the dog was a shoe box. I carefully pulled the box out after feeling how soft the plushy was and peeked inside to see a pair of light pink converse shoes. I glanced them over and noticed something sketched permanently on the inside of the shoes on the side. "I'm Your Hope." 

I blushed at it and my smile wouldn't go away even when I put the shoes away. I carefully placed each of the gifts into the largest bag I got from Hoseok and glanced around as everyone finished up their parts. 

"You guys are sweet..." I grinned. "I didn't expect you to put so much thought into a gift." 

Taehyung avoided my eyes completely but I could tell he was happy with how content I was. 

"We owe you a lot." Jin winked. "Now you can be cute all the time with your new items. I got you sweets so you stay sweet." 

"Jin." I laughed. "Thanks though, guys, really." 

We all settled back down into conversations and I took the time to seek out Hoseok, who oddly enough for someone has cheerful as him, was positioned away from everyone and just observing. 

"Hobi." I smiled, prodding his shoulder a bit. "Thank you. What does it mean though? 'I'm Your Hope'." 

A smile grew on his face and he blushed a bit. "I was scouted by an agency that said they would take me into training for a while and I'll be able to debut with a few other guys in a matter of months if I'm as good as he thinks I am." 

"That's really good!" I got excited for him. "Aren't you happy?" 

He nodded. "He told me to think of a stage name. I want to make people happy and make people smile when they hear my name.. And I wanted to be a sense of hope to people." He sighed a bit. "I want to be your hope as well. So I came up with J-Hope." 

"My hope?" I grew flustered all over again. "Is that why you put it on the shoes?" 

"Do you have your ring with you?" Hoseok glanced at my hand. "I wouldn't assume you would." 

"Mm, actually, I put all of the rings I've gotten from you guys on a chain. I wear it around my neck. That way if we come into an emergency situation, I have all the rings." I pulled the tiny chain out from being hidden in my shirt and showed him. "Still no ring from Taehyung though." 

He sought out his ring immediately and held it up to eye level. "Look on the inside." 

I narrowed my eyes a bit and noticed the words that were engraved into the ring. "I will be your hope." 

I gaped a little and held it for myself. "You had this sketched in before you even knew me?"

He nodded. "I wanted to give you hope for any troubles you might have with us 7. I want to be a sense of hope to everyone." 

"You're so sweet..." I hid the necklace back into my clothing and embraced him tighly. "J-Hope fits you perfectly. You're going to become such a talented person and I'll always watch you." 

He hesitated and froze a bit. "T-thanks... Hana." He embraced me back a little and then I pulled away, his face almost completely red. 

"Aw, you're cute.." I poked his nose and giggled a bit. "You got flustered over and action?" 

"Shut up." He laughed as well. 

"Also.. Why are you just observing people? Is something bothering you lately? You've been distant since that night." 

He knew immediately which night I meant, I could tell by his nervous reaction. "I'm just stressed recently. A lot of things are going so well but my family relations are only getting worse." 

I patted his shoulder a bit. "You'll pull through. In order to be someone else's hope, you need to give hope to yourself." 

He nodded and smiled again. "Go have fun." 

I gave one last smile and made my way back over to the boys, frowning a bit when Hoseok made no move to join anyone and just remained distant. I sat down beside Taehyung next, he was still refusing to look at me. 

"Taehyung-ah.." I poked his shoulder. "Thank you for the gift. Those looked expensive though.. You don't have to spend so much." 

"They weren't." He blatantly lied.

"Mhm." I mocked a bit and then smiled. "Thank you. They are pretty." 

"Wear them well." He muttered. 

"Hey.. Can I call you Tae?" I peered at him a bit. 

He gave me a dirty look before responding. "Why?" 

"What was that look for? I just find it cute." 

"No."

"Too bad." I stood up and hurried over to Yoongi before he could protest again. "Yoongi~! Do you like candy? I didn't know what type of music you'd want so that's why I got you a gift card." 

He just nodded. "Thank you." 

"I really like your necklace. It's very pretty." I sat down in between him and Jimin. 

"I was worried you wouldn't since your bother got you such a nice necklace beforehand." 

"Ah, is that why you were uneasy when you saw his gift?" I smiled to reassure him. "I love it. I'll wear them both every day. I promise." 

"Don't promise things, you never know when you have to break them." He glanced at me, a hint of pain flashing very briefly into his eyes before it was gone. 

Promises must be a no go for him. I turned to Jimin and patted his shoulder. "Thanks, Jimin." 

He nodded and chuckled a bit nervously. "I hope they like toys." 

"They'll love them." I nodded along with and looked over to Namjoon. 

Eventually, I made my rounds and thanked everyone before it was time to go. I motioned at Hoseok and we bid goodbye as we left together. 

"Your present is so lame compared to what you got me." 

"I'll like it anyways." 

"You have to take care of it or else it'll die." I warned, both of us carrying gifts to his car. 

"Is it an animal?" He looked a bit scared. 

"No, no." I laughed. "You'll see." 

We got in his car and spent the entire time singing along really badly to the songs on the radio, pulling in front of my complex in no time. 

I jumped out and we both hurried inside, being greeted happily by Chico. I placed my gifts in the living room quickly. 

"No Nova?" Hoseok looked around as he patted Chico's head. "He's getting bigger." 

"He'll be a big one." I nodded and returned to the door to slip off my shoes, hurrying into my bedroom to get the plant that I had taken care of for Hoseok. But only to find it was knocked off the dresser and scattered across my floor. 

My heart dropped immediately and I stood there, frowning at it a while. What do I do now? How did Chico even get to this? I swore I shut him out of my room. Hobi won't have a present now... 

Hoseok came up behind me and glanced at the mess. 

"That.. Was your present.." I pointed to it, defeated. 

Hoseok thought a moment and then broke into a smile, turning me to face him. "I like it anyways." 

"But its all over the floor." I frowned, hanging my head a bit. "Buying for you was the hardest since I like you a bit more than the rest.. I thought the flower would've been cute but now it's all over the ground." 

"It still is cute." He smiled even wider, which I didn't think was possible, and squished my cheeks a little, making the both of us giggle. "I like the thought." 

I pushed away his hands with a small smile. "I'll buy you something else.." I turned to the mess. "After I clean it up." 

"No, I'll do it. There's broken pieces of the pot all over the place, I don't want you to hurt yourself."

"It's fine, I got it." I shook my head, grabbing the broom and dust pan from the closet in the hall only to have it snatched from my hands. 

"No, I got it." He winked at me and started to clean it up, placing his feet carefully so he didn't step on any shards. 

My smile grew as I leaned against the archway of the door, watching him. I wish he'd just let me do it.. But he's cute, nonetheless. And sweet. Hobi is really good to me.

"What if I buy you... A necklace? I know guys don't really wear them like women but..." 

"I will like anything you give me." He answered easily. "You don't even have to get me anything, I already can see the thought you put in." 

"But I want to and I will." I huffed, taking the pan from him to dump it in the trash. 

He carefully picked up the bigger pot shards and threw them out as well. "I think I got it all. I'd be careful in case I didn't." 

"Should we go out and buy your gift now?" I turned to him. "I can clean up the rest of the floor later." 

But to my surprise, he shook his head. "It's Christmas, stores will be packed and you saw the traffic earlier. It would just be too hard. Take your time, Christmas time is always the most dangerous for being out and about." 

I frowned a bit but nodded anyways. "Sorry about your original gift.. It was lame anyways." 

He shook his head again. "I liked it." 

I walked him to the door and waited for him to slip his shoes back on. "Drive safely, Hobi. You said so yourself, it's dangerous around this time to be out and about." 

He chuckled and pulled me into a hug, my body stiffening in surprise but relaxing easily. "You're a good person, Hana." 

"So are you.." I embraced him in return. "What's with the sudden hug?" 

"I felt like hugging you." He sighed. 

I rubbed his back a bit and then pulled away with another big smile. "Drive safe." 

He stared at me a moment before chuckled and opening the door. "Sleep well, I'll call you soon, I promise." 

I nodded and watched him go before shutting the door and turning to Chico, cupping my face. 

My heart was beating so hard when he hugged me... I couldn't even think straight... 

What's with the sudden hug though? That's so unexpected... 

Hobi, you always seem to surprise me. 

Thank you so much for upvoting this story, by the way! I really appreciate it! Hope you enjoyed~! ~PandaBiscuit~