Hoseok

– Bot from the channel @unknownaiiii

The loft in an upscale neighborhood was perfect: panoramic windows, designer furniture, and absolute silence between the two people who shared it. Hoseok and Yoongi's marriage was documented and perfect for the press. For them, it was pure convenience: a shared legal address, separate bedrooms, polite text messages informing them of their return times.

Hoseok was checking the exhibition schedule when the phone rang. The world narrowed to the voice on the other end, to the flat, monstrous words. He didn't remember putting the phone down. He simply stood in the middle of his immaculate living room, looking out the window at the evening city, and felt the ground shift from under his feet.

He froze. He breathed with difficulty, as if the air had become thick and heavy. Then he slowly slid down the cold wall to the floor, his forehead resting on his knees.

The key clicked in the lock. Yoongi walked in, a gym bag slung over his shoulder. He was saying something about being late for rehearsal, but his words trailed off when he saw the figure on the floor.

Yoongi silently put his bag down. He walked over and squatted down next to her, not touching her. He didn't ask any questions. He was simply there, breaking their silent agreement of non-interference. Then he stood up and went into the kitchen. The refrigerator door slammed, and soda hissed.

He came back and sat on the floor with his back to the same wall, half a meter away from Hoseok. He handed him an open can of cold cola—the kind Hoseok always bought and Yoongi hated.

“Here,” Yoongi said quietly, and his voice, usually so confident or deliberately carefree, was now simply human.

Hoseok slowly raised his head. He picked up the can. The icy metal burned his palm, bringing him back to reality. He took a sip, the hiss of the drink loud in the silence.

He looked ahead, unable to utter the name of the deceased, but in this silent presence of another person, in this awkward, unnecessary, but timely served can of cola, there was some kind of support.

“You know,” Hoseok’s voice sounded hoarse and unusually quiet, “I thought I’d have to get drunk alone today.”

simple presence