A few days had passed since Yoongi was arrested. Jin had shorter sentences, Jungkook had begun a pacing habit in the middle of the night, and Jimin even stopped flirting.

But no one was more affected than Hoseok.

You had seen two sides of Hoseok: the domineering, arrogant dance instructor; and the competitive, game-playing Hoseok. Both versions were confident, loud, and bold.

But now...?

You walked into the ballroom during your normal class time. You caught Hoseok sitting at the piano, hitting random keys with one finger. At the sound of your footsteps, he turned to greet you with a slight nod.

"I'm afraid I don't have a pianist for our lesson today." he said. "A new hire should be coming in tomorrow. Maybe he won't –"

He stopped himself. You hesitated, but put your hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault, Hoseok."

He glanced at your hand, but didn't move away from it. "Four years. We've worked together four years. I knew that he made some bad decisions in the past, but I didn't think..."

His fingers traced over the keys.

"I should have protected you." he whispered to himself. 

Your stomach clenched. You didn't even know he cared that much.

"I'm okay." you said, shaking his shoulder a bit. "I wish it wasn't Yoongi either, but he made his own choices."  

He turned away from you. "There are too many people ready to turn their backs on you. I just can't get it right, can I?"

"Hoseok?"

He stood from the piano bench and left the ballroom. At the entrance he crossed paths with Jimin.

"Hey, Hoseok –"

But Hoseok ignored him and walked past. Jimin's shoulders dropped. He looked over at you.

"He's having a hard time." you said.

Jimin nodded. "Understandable."

"Do you think he'll be okay?"

"I hope so."

Jimin sat next to you on the piano bench. "How are you doing with all this?"

You shrugged. "I don't know. I'm glad it's over, but I don't like the ending."

Jimin took your hand in his. His hands trickled over yours, then clasped them tight. "There are worse alternatives."

"Jimin..."

He patted your hands. "I know, I know. I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you. I shouldn't have walked away from you like that. You're right. I know that Nara cares about me. All of us know that I don't care about her in the same way. She shouldn't be forced to marry me. I kept pushing her away so she would change her mind and go marry someone else. Like maybe –" He cut himself off. "Well, it didn't work anyhow. Now we're both stuck."

The waterfall of words at simply saying his name told you how much everything had been ripping him apart. You heart hurt for him, knowing his desire to marry for love. He must have felt so trapped and conflicted. You had been thinking of Nara's feelings this entire time. You didn't even think about Jimin's feelings.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" you asked.

He smiled and shook his head. Then, after a pause, he cocked his head to the side. A mischievous grin crept up his face.

"Actually..." he said, "there is."

His eyes glittered as he looked at you.

"Come to my bachelor party."

-----------------------------------------------

A/N: In case you're wondering, there's still plenty more chapters to come! Plus deleted scenes at milestones. Thanks to everyone who has viewed, voted, and commented! 

-----------------------------------------------