Weeks passed, and Suga's strength slowly returned. The bruises faded, but the memories of that night remained vivid and raw. Soon, he could walk again, though each step was a reminder of his vulnerability.
One gray morning, Suga turned to Agust D with a simple request. "Can we go outside? I haven't stepped out of the house for two weeks."
Agust D's response was curt and immediate. "No."
"Please," Suga whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Do you think that pathetic pout will work on me?" Agust D's voice dripped with sarcasm, eyes cold and unyielding.
Suga's shoulders slumped, but he didn't back down. Instead, he reached out and pulled Agust D into a hug. For a moment, Agust D stood rigid, his body tense. But as Suga pulled away, he caught a flicker of something in Agust D's eyes—a hint of conflict, perhaps, or something deeper.
With a reluctant sigh, Agust D finally relented. "Fine, but we're calling that make-up artist friend of yours."
Suga's smile was small but genuine as he picked up his phone to call Jin.
---
When Jin arrived, his presence was like a breath of fresh air. His flawless face and sharp eyes immediately took in the situation. Suga's face lit up at the sight of him, and for a moment, the room felt lighter, the air filled with their easy banter.
Jin's hands moved deftly, expertly covering the scars and bruises that marred Suga and Agust D. His skill was undeniable, and yet, as Agust D watched them, a dark cloud of jealousy began to settle over him. He couldn't help but feel the weight of his own insecurities, the gnawing doubt that he could never be as good as Jin for Suga.
Feeling suffocated, Agust D excused himself and stepped outside. The cool evening air did little to soothe his frayed nerves. He lit a cigarette, the familiar burn of smoke offering a temporary distraction from the jealousy that gnawed at him.
"Perfect!" Jin's excited voice echoed in the stillness. Agust D turned back to find Jin admiring his handiwork. Suga's smile was blinding, but Agust D couldn't shake the darkness that clung to him.
After Jin left, they headed to the park, hand in hand. When Suga asked why Agust D was holding his hand, he replied, "Because I don't want you to get lost."
---
The park was a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere of their apartment. As they strolled along the path, the evening sun casting long shadows, they stumbled upon a tiny kitten, its pitiful cries piercing the night. Agust D picked it up despite Suga's protests, cradling the fragile creature in his hands.
"We need to take it to the vet," Agust D said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
At the nearest vet, they learned the harsh reality of the kitten's condition. "The cat is severely malnourished and has a significant flea infestation," the vet explained. Her tone was clinical, detached, but Agust D listened intently, determined to save the creature.
Leaving the vet, Suga suggested they name the kitten Mochi. Agust D shook his head. "How about Sugar?"
"You're naming it after me?" Suga asked, surprised.
"Why not?" Agust D's voice was hard, unyielding.
---
Weeks later, the kitten had settled into their home, its presence a small comfort in the midst of their chaotic lives. One night, Suga found Agust D in their bedroom, eyes haunted and filled with shadows.
"I can't sleep," Agust D admitted, his voice raw and ragged.
"What can I do?" Suga offered, desperation evident in his voice.
"Sing me a song," Agust D demanded, his tone brooking no refusal.
"Which one?"
"Any," he said simply.
Suga lay beside him and began to sing a song he wrote at fifteen, a tribute to his first love. As the haunting melody filled the room, Agust D's tension slowly ebbed, his rigid posture relaxing.
"I loved it," Agust D whispered when Suga finished, his voice barely audible, almost fragile.
"Thanks," Suga replied softly. "That song... I wrote it for my first love. I was fifteen, and had to choose between my dream and my family."
Agust D listened, his eyes darkening with each word. "What was your first love?" he asked, his voice a dangerous whisper.
"Piano," Suga said, his voice breaking. "I poured everything into that song, but I had to let it go for my family. My father died that night, and my mother still blames me."
Agust D stayed silent, holding Suga close, his kisses a silent promise of understanding.
"I love you," Agust D whispered, his voice rough and filled with emotion. They held each other until dawn, the darkness outside a stark contrast to the fragile light between them.
---
At some point during the night, Suga asked, "Agust D?"
His name was a plea on Suga's lips. "Yes, my prince?" Agust D's voice was softer, a rare moment of vulnerability.
Even in the darkness, Agust D could sense Suga's hesitation, the way he was gathering his thoughts.
"Don't tell anyone about this," Suga said. "I laid my soul bare to you."
Agust D's smile was grim, almost feral. "Don't worry. I'll take it to my grave."
Suga's smile was fleeting, but his kiss was sweet, a brief respite from the darkness that surrounded them. Agust D held him tighter, as if afraid to let go, knowing that in the depths of the night, their shared pain and secrets bound them closer than ever before.
The room was silent, save for the sound of their breathing, and as the first light of dawn crept through the window, they lay entwined, each finding solace in the other's presence. The darkness had not been banished, but together, they faced it, one fragile moment at a time.
