Wish (Jung Hoseok)

Eleven

"What do you mean?" Riley said, staring at Hoseok like he grew another head. He might as well have, or at least, he wanted it to be that case.
He had woken her up from the best dream, telling her that he was leaving for some music video.

She didn't remember the details. All Riley heard was Hoseok was leaving.

"I have to fly to the UK for a couple weeks... Maybe three? By myself."

"Not even with the band?"

He shook his head. "It's a solo thing. I got a friend to record a music video for me, but he's in England."

Riley stared at him, still. She still couldn't process she'd have to sleep in her own apartment for three weeks.
He'd be gone.

"Don't worry, though! I'm sure the guys will let you stay in my room, and I'm sure they're dying for some time with you, as well... you will be okay, right?" Hoseok bit his lip, watching her nervously.

Then, she smiled. "I'll be perfectly fine. I can take care of myself, Hobi!"

Ah, there it is. That signature line Riley always says when she knows she can't take care of herself.
Hobi thought. He couldn't deny he was going to be a wreck so far from her, but the power of FaceTime was stronger than they gave credit for.

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"What?! And you didn't tell me-"
"Yah! I just found out this morning, Aein! If I had known, I wouldn't have kept it from you, I promise."

Riley whined but plopped on his bed.
Hoseok smiled down at the girl and ruffled her hair, leaving his hand there for much longer than he anticipated.

Riley didn't mind, only closing her eyes and taking in his actual, living presence before she lost it for so long. Why so long.

"I'd take you with me if I could, Aein, but your condition..."
"I know. I'm working on it, I promise."

Hoseok's eyes squinted as he was processing her words.
"Working on it? Your english?"
"Yes. I'm trying to make it where it doesn't hurt so bad... seems like it only hurts worse if I try."

His eyes suddenly hardened, stern and worried all in one go. "Riley. You can't keep hurting yourself just to learn a language you don't need. You're here with us, aren't you?"

Riley instinctively flinched away once his voice grew so ... firm. She would've brushed him off had he not been Hoseok. He was the only one who could actually tell her she wasn't as strong as she thought she was and she'd believe it.

Hoseok held her in place with his firm hand atop her head. There was no escaping Hoseok when he was protective.

"I know, I just want to talk to Dani without a translator. I miss my mom." She said, tears in her eyes.
Hoseok's face softened and he kneeled in front of her. "Look at me."

Riley didn't look up, finding the skin peeling on her cuticles much more interesting than the crescent eyes staring at her.

"Riley."

His hand smoothed her hair, down to Riley's cheek and under her chin. Suddenly, she was forced to look into his eyes.

"I know you miss your friends, and your family. But aein, if it causes you pain, you must find another way. They can learn Korean, right? If they truly wanted to speak with you, they'd do it. I'll even pay for lessons." He smiled softly to her, letting her know he meant it.

Riley's lower lip wobbled, like a damn that was about to break. "I don't want you to go, oppa." She squeaked, hugging around his neck before he even knew what she had just said.

Hoseok coughed in surprise, hugging her back. "Aein, let's get one thing straight."

Riley looked in his eyes, seeing a new expression glinting deep within the chocolate pools that comforted her so much.

"I will never leave you, okay? I'll be there, in your phone, beside you while you sleep and a text message away. No matter what you may think, three weeks will be nothing. Just wait till I go on tour~"

Riley deadpanned.
"I'm kidding! They don't last that long, and if they did you'd be with me. I promise."

"Good. You almost died."

"I think I did for a second."

-

"Three weeks?" Dani's text appeared on Riley's phone after Hobi had left for some food, catching her off guard.

It was in Korean. This whole time Riley had been translating messages through google, and now, Dani had messaged her in Korean.

"HOLD THE PHONE" Riley messaged back, sending a plethora of shock face emojis.

"You learned Korean?!"
"Obviously. So what's this about Hoseok leaving?"
"He has a music video, it's nothing... I have to call him though. Oh never mind he's back."

Riley threw her phone back on the bed when Hoseok opened the door. "What's wrong? Are you hiding some Korean speaking Italian boyfriend?"

Riley snickered. "No. I just got a message from Dani~ in Korean."

Hoseok's eyes widened and a grin spread upon his face. "See! I told you she'd learn... what about your mom?"

"Eh... different story. My mom never has been one to pick up new things, and that's okay."

A smile was still on Riley's face, making a warm feeling spread through Hoseok's chest.
"I'm glad you're still happy about it. Come on, let's go eat so I have some time with you before tomorrow."

Riley jumped up from the bed, holding his arm as he led her downstairs.

"Where are the guys?"
"Studio, they're leaving us alone for the time being."

Riley nodded and plopped on the couch, waiting for him to grab a blanket and get a movie from the cabinet. "What is it today~ maybe..."

Riley smiled at his attempt to sound suspenseful, but the same Barbie movie they had watched when they first started hanging around each other so much flashed in his hand as if he wanted her to see it.

"Really? You'd willingly watch The Dolphin Princess again?"
Hoseok's signature grin broke out on his face as the cutest laugh the boy had ever uttered filled her ears. Riley couldn't help but smile, aside from the fact she'd miss that laugh like hell while he was away.

It's only three weeks. She reminded herself.

Hoseok put the movie on and laid out beside her, covering the girl in the blanket he had pulled down from the closet.

Mostly she was covered, but it didn't matter as she got as close as physically possible without making it weird.

Yeah, I'm gonna miss this.