COLOURS ✓

TWENTY THREE

Winter break was coming up, and Hoseok was spending as much time as he could with Taehyung.

Taehyung was going home for the break to see his family. Taehyung had even invited Hoseok, saying that his family would love to meet him—to which Hoseok declined. His mother wouldn't like that. He couldn't just disappear for 2 weeks and not raise suspicion.

Seokjin was also planning to visit Hoseok during the break. He was excited about getting to meet Hoseok now that he was a "taken man", even though Hoseok was fairly sure that didn't make too much of a difference.

While Hoseok was excited for the break, he also felt a little sad at separating from Taehyung. But Taehyung had said that they would text and video call almost everyday.

Though this separation would be temporary, the mere thought of it made Hoseok spiral into a state of overthinking. He wondered how he would break up with Taehyung once he had to become King. He dreaded the thought of making Taehyung upset, as well as having to separate from him.

Hoseok had never been as happy as he was now that he was with Taehyung. At first, he was worried it was becoming some sort of dependence on Taehyung, but then he realized that wasn't what it was at all.

Even without Taehyung near him, Hoseok felt whole. Of course, he was extremely happy whenever Taehyung was around, but even when he wasn't, Hoseok found himself thinking of things differently. He saw more beauty in things like sunlight and rain and clouds. Sometimes he felt so overwhelmed with love, it was like he was living in one of Taehyung's paintings.

Hoseok would see pretty things that reminded him of Taehyung even when Taehyung wasn't there. Hoseok took a piece of Taehyung with him wherever he went. He wasn't fully dependent on Taehyung, and Taehyung wasn't dependent on him—they bettered each other. Hoseok knew that.

That was why the thought of breaking up with Taehyung was so terrifying.

Winter break arrived and Hoseok was saying goodbye to Taehyung as Taehyung got onto the bus which would take him to the train station. Hoseok had already bid farewell to Jeongguk, who seemed to be getting out of that slump he was in before. He actually seemed more cheery as he left for home.

Taehyung stood in line to get on the bus, and Hoseok felt panicked. He knew one day they would part and never see each other again. That day wasn't today, he reminded himself. But still. . .

"Tae?"

Taehyung turned around as the people in front of him loaded onto the bus. "Yes?"

"I love you."

Hoseok didn't hesitate, which surprised him. He knew it deep down, that he'd never wanted to be with anyone more than he'd wanted to be with Taehyung. He didn't want to be loved by anyone but Taehyung. He wanted to know every inch of Taehyung's soul.

Taehyung looked surprised, his mouth forming a subtle 'o' shape. But as the bus driver called him to get on, he said, "I love you, too." He gave Hoseok a quick kiss on the cheek before getting onto the bus. Taehyung waved at him through the window as the bus drove off, and Hoseok waved back until he was out of sight.

Hoseok dropped his hand and headed back inside the school. He was allowed to stay for winter break, because Mrs. Kim knew Seokjin wanted to see him.

As he headed back inside, he wondered if he'd said 'I love you' too early. People always worried about it in TV shows and movies. Hoseok wondered why—if you love someone, why not just say it? And Hoseok loved Taehyung, and although Taehyung knew, Hoseok had to say it outloud. He wanted to set it in stone, make it irreversible. Hoseok's cursed fate of ascending the throne may drive him away from Taehyung, but what was that saying? The heart wants what it wants? Hoseok decided that was true, for him at least.