Bound by Darkness(Sope)

38~ Fragmented Realities

Authors pov

The silence between Hoseok and Yoongi was deafening. They stood opposite each other, the tension palpable as they exchanged looks that conveyed everything and nothing all at once. Yoongi’s gaze pierced into Hoseok’s soul, searching for something, anything, that might give him a clue to what Hoseok was thinking. But all he found was a cold, judgmental stare, one that made him feel as if Hoseok wished he had left him to die in that barn months ago.

Suddenly, Hoseok flinched. A voice whispered in his ear, a voice that wasn’t his own, telling him that’s exactly what he should have done. "You should have let him die. You should have ended it then."

Hoseok’s breath hitched as another voice emerged, gentler, pleading with him to understand. "No, Hoseok, try to see him differently. There’s still good in him. You can change him, help him become better."

The first voice scoffed, filled with disdain. "Stupid! You think you can change him? Everything can be solved with evil. Embrace it."

"That’s not true!" the gentler voice countered, the argument escalating rapidly in Hoseok’s mind.

The conflicting voices grew louder, their bickering relentless. Hoseok whimpered, his ears going numb from the overwhelming noise. He shook his head, his hands flying up to cover his ears as he whispered, "Please… stop… stop talking."

Yoongi noticed the change in Hoseok immediately. He sat up, concern etching his features as he watched Hoseok fight with something unseen. It was as if Hoseok was battling his own mind, muttering to someone—or something—to stop talking.

"Hoseok, what’s going on?" Yoongi asked, his voice laced with worry.

But Hoseok didn’t respond. The voices were too loud, too consuming. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. "STOP!" Hoseok screamed, the sound echoing off the walls of the throne room.

Instantly, the voices ceased. Hoseok’s hands slowly fell from his ears, the blessed silence returning, but his ears rang, a residual echo of the chaos that had just occurred. He furrowed his brows in confusion, his mind racing to make sense of what had just happened. Those voices—those hadn’t been his own thoughts. They were real, tangible, and he could still feel the lingering emotions they had left behind.

One voice had been cruel, relentless in its desire for blood and revenge. It was heartless, manipulative, and unforgiving—a darkness that chilled him to his core. The other voice had been kind, forgiving, and understanding, but also naïve, easily manipulated, though somehow always finding a way out through sheer wit and optimism.

Hoseok’s thoughts were interrupted by Yoongi’s presence as the demon stood up from his seat and walked toward him. Yoongi’s eyes narrowed in concern as he clicked his fingers near Hoseok’s ear, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Hoseok, are you alright?" Yoongi asked, his voice softer now, almost cautious.

Hoseok looked up at Yoongi, his vision blurred by a sudden surge of hatred so intense it nearly knocked the breath out of him. Yoongi’s eyes widened, and he gasped. He swore on his mother’s life that he saw Hoseok’s eyes flash black—completely black for a brief moment.

Yoongi blinked, trying to make sense of what he’d just seen, but the moment was gone. Hoseok’s eyes were back to their normal color, and the coldness that had overtaken him seemed to have vanished.

Before Yoongi could speak, Hoseok suddenly smiled up at him, a shy, almost innocent smile that sent alarm bells ringing in Yoongi’s mind.

"What the…" Yoongi whispered, more to himself than to Hoseok, as he tried to understand what was happening.

Hoseok stood on his tiptoes, his eyes wide and childlike as he looked up at Yoongi. "Your wings are beautiful," Hoseok said, his voice soft, admiring.

Yoongi’s eyes widened further as he glanced behind Hoseok, trying to see if this was really the same person he had violated, the same person who now held nothing but hatred for him. Was this the same Hoseok?

Yoongi gently cupped Hoseok’s cheeks, his thumb brushing over the soft skin as he searched Hoseok’s eyes for any sign of what was going on. "Hoseok… are you okay? What’s happening?"

Hoseok blinked up at Yoongi, his eyes still wide and innocent. "Why did you force yourself on me?" he asked, his voice small, almost childlike. "It hurt my heart." He pointed a finger to his chest, a pout forming on his lips.

Yoongi’s heart clenched, and for the first time in a long while, he felt genuine guilt. "I’m… I’m sorry," Yoongi whispered, his voice sincere. "I didn’t mean to hurt you like that."

Tears welled up in Hoseok’s eyes, and he sighed softly. "I forgive you, Yoongi. But don’t do that again, okay?"

Yoongi stepped back, his heart racing. This… this was too good to be true. Hoseok had just forgiven him? Just like that? It didn’t make sense.

"Hoseok… are you sure you’re alright?" Yoongi asked again, his voice laced with doubt.

Hoseok nodded timidly before leaning in and pecking Yoongi’s lips. Yoongi gasped in shock, his mind whirling with confusion but also a strange sense of satisfaction. Hoseok had forgiven him. Hoseok had kissed him. It was all so sudden, but Yoongi couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips.

As Yoongi pulled Hoseok closer, he gently booped Hoseok’s nose, a playful gesture that he had never imagined doing before. But something shifted in Hoseok again, a darkness clouding his eyes. Hoseok’s expression changed in an instant, and he shoved Yoongi away with surprising force.

"Don’t touch me!" Hoseok hissed, his voice venomous, eyes glaring daggers at Yoongi. "Never touch me again!"

Without waiting for a response, Hoseok turned on his heel and stormed out of the throne room, leaving Yoongi standing there, utterly dumbfounded.

"What the actual fuck just happened?" Yoongi muttered to himself, still reeling from the whiplash of emotions Hoseok had just displayed. One thing was certain—something was very, very wrong.