𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 | VMINKOOK

Their Own Beautiful World

I'd finished my homework for the week in exactly two days. 

Maths, Economics, Geography, History, English, Chemistry. I was interested in each, and they all came easy to me, but my favorite subject to study had to be English. To dissect books and learn about new and exciting feelings and ideas through the art of writing... few things were as fun to me as that. It was a way for me to meet people across different times and dimensions, all from the comfort of my own library, and since I wasn't at liberty to drop by the local high-school and make proper friends my age there, books had become something of a lifesaver.

I slammed my history book shut, and the sound echoed through the empty library, only reinforcing my sense of loneliness. I supposed my father knew what he was doing, letting me educate myself without the help of a teacher. I guessed the man was somehow both a liberal and a conservative at the same time, which was often confusing. I liked studying by myself, though, despite the silence. It was easier.

If only my father would allow me to study alone when it came to taking over the family-business...

I looked out the tall windows, and noticed that it was already dusk outside. I sighed at the fact that I'd spent the entire day studying, but at least I was done now.

I cleaned up my writing-desk and left the library to head downstairs, as for the past two weeks, I'd been having my breakfast, luncheon, and dinner down below with the servants. The first few times I'd eaten with them had been a little uncomfortable, but now I couldn't even imagine eating a meal by myself again. I probably wouldn't be able to swallow a single bite, sitting all alone and isolated in my bedroom. I had grown used to having company around, and I didn't see myself returning to a life in solitary confinement ever again.

"I don't want to go to the Jolly Corner this Friday. Can't we just stay in and play cards or something?"

"Sugar, you sound like an old man."

"Perhaps I am an old man, you sod."

"I would hardly categorize twenty-three as old, Sugar."

"What's that?" I asked, sneaking up on Hoseok and Yoongi, who'd been preparing dinner in the kitchen together. "The Jolly Corner, I mean. Is it a new club?"

Hoseok shot Yoongi a panicked look, while Yoongi simply continued mashing the potatoes for the stew I presumed we'd be having tonight.

"It's not very new..." Hoseok tried, giving me a sour-sweet smile that I didn't trust.

There was a strange silence after that, but I wouldn't leave until I'd been given a proper answer to my question. "I didn't know you went to clubs."

"It's a gay club," Yoongi finally answered, only to be poked in the side by Hoseok when he did.

"A 'gay' club?" I asked, hopping onto the kitchen-counter. "What's that?"

Yoongi glared up at Hoseok while he answered. "A club for queers, obviously.

I furrowed my brows. "You mean--"

"A club where only faggots go, yes."

I took a sharp breath at Yoongi's language, though I tried to be just as unbothered by the word as he was being. I'd never heard of a gay club in my life, but of course. Of course there had to be a place like that. A place offering peace and safety for a group in society that had never known such a thing. I could already imagine it. People like my beloved servants, feeling free enough to dance and laugh together. What a sight that had to be... what a wonderful atmosphere such a place had to have.

"Is it only for adults?" I inquired, rhythmically tapping my fingers against the counter to seem bored.

Yoongi shook his head. "They don't check ages. You show up, you show up. It's open for all."