Before You Go • VHOPE [On Hold]

Chapter 23: Eve

"I love you even more than my life.." Hoseok said in the strong embrace.

Taehyung's expression to his words were unreadable, he looked at him blankly before his lips trembled slight. He sighed out, his eyes watering again.

"Idiot.. now if you say that I-" His eyes and long eyelashes moistened with tears, he bit his lip but above all, desperately tried to hide himself but failed. He averted his eyes, sniffling, "Don't say such stuff.."

"Really.. it's true.." Hoseok chuckled, his hands cupped Taehyung's face to make him face Hoseok again. "It really is true." He said while giggling, yet tears never stopped flowing.

Taehyung wasn't laughing back, he didn't even say anything, rather he couldn't. His expression darkened as he started crying more.

"Stupid Tae, why are you crying?" He said through his own sobs, he rested his forehead against Taehyung, "I am being honest.. for the first time in a long time I am opening up about what I really feel,"

Hoseok whispered softly, yet emphasising his words,"I really.. really love you Taehyung."

"Then why are you leaving me?" Taehyung ushered out without realising, but instantly realized it. Regret swarmed over him immediately.

Hoseok paused, "What do you mean..?"

Taehyung bit his lip harshly, rubbing his tears but the heavy drowning feeling in his chest just wouldn't leave. He gazed at Hoseok for a few seconds before tearing his eyes to stare down.

"I'm leaving? What did you mean?" Hoseok's chest was hurdled with a storm, anxiety drying up his tears but fastening his pounding heart.

There was a brief silence in the atmosphere, where the ticking clock's frightening sound grew louder and louder.

"Tae?"

"You're dying.." Taehyung whispered.

It was like a thunderclap. Hoseok's heart skipped a beat and his eyes widened. The only secret that he so desperately hid for so long, was now out in the open. And the person he loves the most, who had no idea about it.. now knows.

"Tae.. how.." How does he know? Hoseok's throat felt tight, voice would barely come out. He sobbed while his reddened puffy eyes looked at Taehyung for an answer.

"So it is true.." Taehyung looked up at his face, "How I so desperately wished it was all just not real.. I didn't want to believe that..that.." He burst out and started crying more, his knees went weak as he leaned in to hug Hoseok and rest his head on his shoulder.

"Please don't cry.." Hoseok murmured amidst his own tears.

"Why did you never tell me?!"

Hoseok sighed out, blinking his eyes and catching short breathes, "How was I supposed to tell you? As more time went by.. and as my feelings grew.. it became more harder for me to reveal my condition."

"Taehyung, I'm sorry if it's selfish of me.. but I didn't want your smile to fade till the day I die. I just wanted to see you keep being.. normal.."

"Normal? Did you think I was going to change if I knew your condition?" Taehyung was a bit agitated, it was obvious his emotions were all over the place but as soon as he realized, he pulled himself together as much as he could. "Sorry.."

He didn't look at Hoseok again, "I've known for a while.. and I didn't want to make you feel burdened either. I kept it a secret that I knew.. but today what I did is just wrong."

"How did you know?" Hoseok rubbed his face, trying to calm himself down too. He saw Taehyung was reluctant to speak, so he held onto his hand and pulled him towards the bed, making him sit. He sat beside him. "You can tell me.."

Taehyung stared down at their hands for a brief second, he licked his bottom lip, seemingly lost in thought. He gulped before hesitantly speaking, "Christmas Night."

"What?"

"When your dad and I went to his room to get the Guitar.. He told me everything."

Hoseok was dumbfounded once again. He stared in surprise, while anger was simmering insider him slowly.

"But he asked me to keep it to myself.. he felt I should know because.."

"Because?" Hoseok asked sternly.

Taehyung looked into his eyes, "Because he knew you would feel guilty till the end if you never tell me."

"Oh."

Taehyung knew Hoseok was definitely a bit upset, so now he was the one to hold onto Hoseok's hand. "I know you didn't want to disclose it.. your father told me. So I understand if you feel upset. But," He tilted his head a bit to look Hoseok in the eye, "Do you know he cries when you do not see?"

Hoseok's vision was turning foggy from overwhelming tears.

"More than anything, it hurts him to see you like this. Believe it or not, parents try to protect us in their own way. I'm sure he wanted you to be truly happy.."

"By telling you this? That I'll probably not even live to wish you on your next birthday? Or graduate high school or see the summer fireworks with you. How is it going to make me happy if I know you will be heartbroken?" Hoseok's rage caused him to cry again.

Taehyung gulped, trying to hold in his own tears, he chuckled sadly, "Because Hoseok.. Wouldn't I have been heartbroken either way in the end? With or without knowing the truth? There's no changing it, is there?"

"But it's not fair!" Hoseok screamed. Taehyung hugged him, caressing his hair while Hoseok cried, "I never wanted it this way.. I-I-"

"Hoseok. One can truly love only when they know everything, and still want to stay. " He leaned back and cupped his face, "I want to stay. I can't say I'm not heartbroken at all.. because.. it hurts so bad I can't even put it in words. But it was already too late for me, I was so happy whenever I was with you," He smiled, "I was so fucking whipped for you already. And I don't think I can stop now. I love you, and I want to be with you till the end."

"But.."

Taehyung shushed him and leaned his head in, kissing Hoseok's forehead. Hoseok had closed his eyes, the kiss calmed him a bit and Taehyung's warmth brought him a subtle peace. Suddenly, the memory of Christmas Night hit him. Taehyung was crying that night too.. So he knew even then..?

After a few very long seconds, as both had calmed down, they faced each other. Taehyung smiled as he brushed his fingers through Hoseok's hair before softly resting his palm on his face, making him a bit shy.

"For however long we have, can we enjoy our life together? You're the best thing that happened to me, you're my best memory and I want us to be happy as long as our time allows."

"Yeah.. we can." Hoseok smiled, though sadly, but Taehyung's warm comforting words was the best that could be done at that moment.

Taehyung smiled back.

"So, Jung Hoseok.. Will you go out with me and be my boyfriend?"

Hoseok nodded, smiling more brightly than before. "Yes, I will."

Taehyung laughed before pulling him in and kissing him.

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A/N: ಥ‿ಥ ✌🏻💔