too scared to be afraid

chapter five: hyung

"I want to go home, but where's home?"

005: hyung

xxxx

He wasn't really sure what had happened last Saturday in the car.

Jimin and Seokjin came out of the car together, both wearing smiles so it mustn't have been a bad talk. The day ended quite nicely for Hoseok. Everyone went to lunch and had a fun time getting to know each other. Sadly, he wasn't allowed to pay, Seokjin had insisted on treating everyone since "he was the hyung." Nontheless, Hoseok had left the restaurant with Taehyung's phone number and a full stomach.

It was Monday again now, the weekend flew by in a snap. Here he was, once again, in front of the bathroom mirror.

Somehow this mirror had become the main place where thoughts bubbled in his mind.

He had class and work today so he had to be his usual self and pretend he had energy. Last night he had gotten no sleep at all. Well, only an hour. At ten he went to sleep but a nightmare that had struck a cord in him woke him up. It really hit home and all night, Hoseok's eyes were wide as he rocked himself back and forth. The past had to be forgotton eventually.

Throwing on his usual outfit, an oversized sweatshirt and ripped jeans, he was out of his apartment in a hurry to get to his first class on time.

xxxx

Class had been easy today and of course, Hoseok was in a good mood as always.

I mean, why be sad when you can force yourself to be happy?

His shift at Persona always started at 4 and since his classes ended at 3:30, he couldn't afford to go home after class anymore. Now, instead of going home and resting, Hoseok went straight to work and did homework for the fifteen minutes he had before his shift. Not that he had homework often, Hoseok liked to rest after dance since it was his last class so he did all of his homework during lunch or study hall.

He arrived at 3:45, fifteen minutes before his shift as always.

Quickly, he slipped on one of the aprons that were hanging from hooks on the wall. After putting all of his belongings in his locker, he sat down on the floor. It was always just Seokjin and him on the shift so he didn't need to worry about anyone claiming that he was in their way. Seokjin's locker was across from his so it was easily accessible even if Hoseok was sitting on the cold concrete floor, blocking half of the walkway.

Seokjin's shift usually began at 3:40, twenty minutes before his. Hoseok never got to greet the staff that worked the shift before him since Seokjin always exchanged places with them.

"Hi Hoseok! How was your day?" It was a surprise when Seokjin entered the room, but it wasn't totally unexpected. Sometimes when it wasn't busy, he went to say hi to Hoseok before his shift starts. Either way, the bell at the door alerted them when someone came in so it was alright.

"Good, hyung. How was yours? You're way busier than me. Don't you have classes even after work?"

"Yeah I do, but I'm okay. You didn't seem sick on Saturday, did you sleep off your cold?"

Hoseok smiled, Seokjin was so caring. It was almost amazing how attentive his hyung really was. He did actually sleep off the cold.