22 After Sunset Comes the Light

Miauuuuu

Yoongi POV

Yoongi looked at the empty desk, sighing heavily. It was weird to be in the office without Jimin. He had never called in sick. Not once, even when he had dragged himself in here looking like a zombie. And now...It was the fifth day.

And at home, no matter how hard he and the others had tried, Jimin had locked himself in his room and hadn't come out. Yesterday, they had to drag away a crying Taehyung from Jimin's door while the young boy begged his brother to come out and talk to them. Even though it wasn't hard to figure out what had happened.

Jungkook had come to work, looking as he always did- nicely dressed in a suit, his hair styled back from his forehead and his shoes polished. But he was different too. Distant, cold. He hadn't seen Jungkook smile once, mostly pent up in his office and the one time Yoongi had sought him out, the young boy had only said there was nothing to talk about and thrown him out.

Yoongi hadn't tried again. He'd seen what he'd needed to see. Jungkook wasn't doing any better than Jimin. He was only better at hiding it. But his eyes- there had been nothing but pain and devastation in his young bosses eyes. It hurt to see him like this. To see them both like this.It hurt even more as he saw the beautiful girl walk in this morning, stalking right for Jungkook's office and Yoongi had immediately known who she was. Lee Ji-Eun.

She was absolutely gorgeous, walked with an aura of confidence and arrogance, straight to her fiancé's office. Yoongi had felt like punching something as the two of them crossed him in the hallway afew minutes later, walking hand in hand. Jungkook hadn't been able to meet his eyes, but he'd paled visibly, the flash in his eyes the only sign of how much he hated this. That he loathed the woman smiling brightly while holding his hand.

He had a pretty good idea what had gone down between Jimin and Jungkook. The younger must have told him. Told him what his father would do if Jungkook would break off this engagement. It wasn't fair. To know they loved each other but because of one stupid, albeit powerful man, they couldn't. He wished he had an idea how to help them- but he didn't.And feeling so useless made him sleep fitfully and uneasy these days.

Yoongi glanced at the watch, and sighed. It was already seven again. He should head home or Hoseok would be pretty annoyed about missing dinner again. He stumbled at this sudden thought, blinking a few times, the decided he found it... adorable.

He didn't know when or how it changed, but Hoseok caring about him no longer felt like charity. Maybe because there was no more paying for clothes or buying him expensive dinner. And maybe because it felt... different now. But he couldn't put a finger on it. He only knew that he was already hurriedly packing away his stuff so he could be home in time.

That was new too. Different. To have someone waiting for him when he left work. Someone who cared whether he ate or slept enough. But he hadn't taken one step outside the office and onto the street the sun giving it's last strength over to the day, when his phone vibrated. His heartbeat picked up when he saw the caller ID.

"Hey Kitten!" Hoseok shouted the moment he picked up. A smile grew on his face, even as he said: "Hoseok, we talked about this. I'm not a cat!"

"But you like it when I call you that," the boy on the other end only said and he could practically see his cheeky smile on his face. His own smile grew.

"No, I don't.""Oh, yes you do, kitten. I can see it. That's the widest smile I've ever seen on you."

His face slackened at the words, looking around. Then he groaned, loud and embarrassed as he caught sight of a boy across the street, phone against his ear and waving excitedly.

"Please tell me you haven't been waiting until I finished work," he le out, already making his way towards Hoseok while trying to get the stupid blush off of his face. "And what would you do if I did?"A dangerous question, because his heart was doing very, very strange things in his chest.

"I would say you have way too much time on your hands and no hobbies.""Maybe I like having you as my hobby."He nearly stumbled as he crossed the street and could have sworn there was a chuckle from the other end of the line. He made it to the other side and took in the grinning boy. His soft brown hair was blowing softly in the wind, his all black style somehow doing nothing to make him look less...giddy and beaming with energy.

"Hey there, kitten," Hoseok beamed, speaking into the phone even though Yoongi was standing right in front of him. He was fighting his grin as he lowered the phone and hung up.

"Hi, Hoseok. Now please tell me you haven't been waiting here since five."The boy chuckled, then lowered his phone as well. "Don't worry, Yoongi, I was around and since I knew you wouldn't finish before at least six, I decided to stop by and see if you were still here."

Yoongi nodded and felt- a little disappointed. It had only been convenience then. He quickly shook that ridiculous feeling off and smiled up at Hoseok. "That's good then. But you really don't have to bother. I'm fine taking the bus." "Hmhm," Hoseok murmured, looking at him dubiously. Yoongi held his gaze, then groaned: "Fine. I hate taking the bus."Hoseok beamed. "Knew it. So... you hungry?""Starving.""Perfect. I know just the place."

Yoongi gulped, having a hard time meeting the taller's eyes, doing so slowly."We're not going home?"There was a twinkle in Hoseok's eyes and Yoongi suddenly found it hard to look anywhere else."I don't feel like going home just yet."

And before Yoongi had a chance to protests, Hoseok had already grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards the car, even opened the door for him. Yoongi said nothing, but rolled his eyes. "Get in and shut up," Hoseok said with a chuckle and Yoongi obliged, while the other boy walked around the front and sat in the drivers seat, beaming at him as he started the car.

They listened to music and Hoseok downright bullied him into singing along. And for some reason, the bubbly boy just had a way of making Yoongi do things he wouldn't normally do- and even enjoy them.

Yoongi's singing... well, it actually sounded all right when he tried, which he didn't often, because hearing Hoseok's laughter at his shrill tones was better than any music. But his voice now ebbed away as he stared out the window and took in the landscape, the earth flattening out, trees and farmland coming into view. They had driven out of the city.

"Where are we going? I don't think there are any restaurants around here, are there?" Hoseok avoided his gaze, staring at the road ahead and he could have sworn his voice sounded a little unsure. "No. I... I got us a bit of food earlier. I thought it would be a shame to ignore the beautiful weather. So... we're picnicking."

Yoongi gaped, then threw his head back and laughed. "I don't even know why I'm surprised. This is such a Hoesok thing to do.""A Hosoek thing? I hope that's enthusiasm I hear. So... do you like the idea?"Doubt. So unlike him.

"Of course. I haven't been on a picnic-" his voice drifted off, the tinge of bitterness coating his tongue. "Ever. I don't think I've ever been picnicking."Hoseok was silent for longer than usual before putting on a smile, no doubt solely for him. "Well, then I'll be honored to be the first to show you."

He smiled too and the bitterness vanished, like a sun ray had filtered right through the thicket of his past. Hoseok kept driving for another ten minutes, before pulling into a narrow side-road. The terrain became a little more uneven until- Yoongi gawked at the little lake coming into view, glowing in red and orange from the setting sun like a sea of glittering fire.

Beautiful. He didn't even realize Hoseok had parked the car and was no longer watching the road- but him. Yoongi, able to rip his eye away from the amazing landscape folding out in front of them, met the dark brown eyes of the boy next to him. And saw something even more beautiful.

The moment stretched, too long to be written of as a normal while they were caught in each other's eyes before Hoseok quietly asked: "You like it?" He had a hard time finding his voice before he managed to whisper coarsely:"It's- It's amazing."Hoseok smiled, wider than the sun, and broke their gaze.

It was like waking up, and Yoongi blinked several times, trying to figure out what just happened. And why he was suddenly feeling so... warm. Like his skin was too tight, his heart racing. But Hoseok didn't mention it, acting his usual as he got out, and then once again walked all the way to his side to open the door for him. "Careful, or I'll get spoiled," Yoongi warned, trying to take the edge off, but his voice still sounded a little jittery.

But the other only laughed, then dramatically bowed to lead him out the car like a servant would a king.Yoongi tsked under his breath but took the outstretched hand, the touch searing through him and he released it the moment his feet hit the ground. If Hoseok noticed, he didn't let on.

They settled down close to the river bank and Hoseok spread the massive blanket, then took out all the dishes he'd prepared. Yoongi glanced up with a raised eyebrow. "Just happened to be around hmm?"Hoseok, for once, turned red and glanced away. "Maybe I waited a bit longer than I let on."

Yoongi chuckled while shaking his head but said nothing else as he slowly sat, little loops happening in his stomach. He must be hungry from seeing all this food.Hoseok joined him a second later and they ate, watched the scenery, talked about their day. Yoongi began to relax more than he probably ever had. He had leaned back on his elbows, his stomach full and a deep calm settling into him while he listened to the birds above and felt the sun dip down the horizon, throwing everything into a deep red and orange before giving away to the night.

Hoseok had been quiet for a while, which was very unlike him. Yoongi opened his eyes which had closed to enjoy the last bit of sunshine on his skin and turned his head to the side. His heart set out a beat when he found Hoseok staring at him- and didn't look away. The space between them went taut, the air, even without the sun, crackling with heat. And yet Hoseok's voice when he spoke was quiet, almost like a whisper. "Close your eyes again."

Yoongi stared for a second longer, his breath growing heavier, more uneven but he obeyed, closing his eyes once more. Darkness. The sound of slight shuffling until he felt Hoseok's breath on his cheeks. So close, his scent wrapping around him like a blanket and the heat of his body driving away the chill that had come with the setting sun. He kept his eyes shut though. Kept still save for the violent beating of his heart and his heaving chest. And then, nothing more than a breath of wind, Hoseok kissed him, his lips softer than anything Yoongi had a comparison to.

His eyes flew open, landing on the boy only millimeters away, staring at him still. Several emotions flickered in his eyes- uncertainty, wonder, fear and hope. "I wanted to do that for a while. I just wasn't sure-" his voice broke and he watched him swallow thickly. "I- I didn't know if you wanted me to. If it would be weird or-"Yoongi shut him up as he leaned in and kissed him back.

He didn't know where it came from. He had never kissed anyone. Had never really had the chance to since he had always been way too busy. And there had been no one like Hoseok in his life. Someone who made his heart flutter and his skin tingle like it did now. No one had ever caught his attention the way this boy had the moment he had set his eyes on him. He met him when he had been at his lowest and yet Hoseok, for a moment, had made him feel like everything would be all right.

But he had never thought he would make him feel like this. Like a man starving for water. Like someone who'd been waiting for this moment all his life. And Hoseok- he tasted amazing, his tongue a sweet caress against his. But Yoongi- it was like something had erupted in him the moment Hoseok's lips had touched his. And there was a hunger in him. A hunger for Hoseok and.. more.

He kissed him harder, one of his arms lifting from the floor to grab the back of his head, his fingers twisting in the soft brown hair and pulled him down. Hoseok, as if some barrier had been broken, moaned deeply, the sound undoing Yoongi- remaking him and able to chase away all the shadows of his past.And then Hoseok kissed him for real, exploring his mouth, like Yoongi's permission had snapped some tether in him.

He was pushed back as Hoseok leaned forward, his back hitting the blanket and the younger rolling until he was on top of him. His world exploded in a thousand tiny fireworks, feeling Hoseok so close. And then it was Yoongi who let out a sound- so dangerously close to a purr as Hoseok let his hands wander over his body, down his chest on his waist, then grabbed his thighs and lifted them to allow him to settle closer against him. Yoongi let out a rough rasping sound. He had never let anyone so close before- hadn't been prepared for it to feel so- intimate. So all consuming. So explosive.

Hoseok practically drunk his sound, kissing him even deeper, forcing his mouth to open wider as he moved above him.Yoongi's mind splintered and he moaned again, caught up in the heat, the feeling of being kissed, touched, of knowing this was Hoseok doing it. His own hands were buried in the youngers hair, pulling him closer too.

It was like being trapped in a roller-coaster, his heart racing, his breathing rapid and his stomach was filled with a thousand butterflies set loose in excited flight. Hoseok moaned and moved closer, pulling Yoongi up against him with a hand on his thighs. Yoongi's thought ebbed out completely as he felt Hoseok hard against him.

First there was heat and need- and then the flicker of fear. He had no idea what to do. What to expect. And Hoseok...He was experienced, Yoongi knew that and his own lack of it left Yoongi feeling like a toddler learning to walk- unsteady and unsure.

But before he could utter a single word, he felt a hand slip under his shirt, skin touching skin and Yoongi was lost again, little gasps leaving him as Hoseok took his time, rolling up his shirt while exploring his stomach, his ribs, his chest, still kissing him. His back arched off the blanket as he felt his knuckles graze his nipples. Pleasure shot through him, fast and blinding like he'd never known.

And then it got more intense as Hoseok's lips left his, sending hot trails of kisses down his neck. And then- Oh sweet Lord... A rough, deep moan exploded out of him since Hoseok had leaned down to one of his nipples and sucked at them, sweet and slow but with enough force to rob him off his breath.

"Hoseok..." he stuttered, his voice like a failing motor, trembling and trying to deal with this sensual overload. Hoseok slowed at hearing it, his mouth slowly leaving his nipple, his weight shifting as he came back up to meet Yoongi's eyes. The heat in them left the smaller gaping. He hadn't known what this would be like either. To have someone want him.

"Yes, kitten?" His voice was rough and edged with desire and Yoongi couldn't find the words. Couldn't look anywhere but his eyes. He'd never noticed before- they were rich, dark brown, like the color of dark, melted chocolate, but there were golden flecks in it too, like sunlight peaking through the canopy of trees. Yoongi felt like he was falling- right into that world of melting chocolate and sunlight.

And when Hoseok started smiling, his face turned into something so painfully beautiful, his heart squeezed in his chest. "You look like you've just realized something."

Yoongi, despite it all, felt a smile tug at his lips too. "More like I found something. Something I'd been searching for a long time, I think." Hoseok dipped his lips down to graze his. Not a kiss per say, but a sweeter gesture even. "And what is that?"

Slowly, Yoongi reached out and gently placed a hand on his cheek."Hope," he whispered. "Hope that the world might not always have to be so hard. That even in dark times, there is light. Hope that I... that maybe I finally found my happiness."

Hoseok's lips parted in surprise, the smile gone from his lips and replaced with something... more. Something fragile and yet oh so precious. Something he wanted and wasn't afraid to ask for. This once, he wasn't afraid to accept a gift, more precious even than money. "Will you be that for me? My hope?"

Hoseok stared down at him, his breathing uneven as he searched Yoongi's face, for what, he didn't know. And then, ever so slightly, he nodded and placed a hand over Yoongi's still against his cheek, closing his eyes for a second.When he opened them again, there was a shimmer in them."I'll be everything you'll need me to be, Yoongi. You only have to ask."And there was no joke or tease or lightness in his voice. He said it seriously. Without a doubt. A promise. A gift. And Yoongi leaned up to kiss him, accepting it.

They kissed for a long time after that, the heat and mindlessness replaced by something sweet and loving. Hoseok lay beside him in the grass, their legs tangled and their heartbeats one and that hope bloomed and blossomed into a beautiful flower.

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