A Desire for the Moon

24

It had been a long day. The sky was almost turning blue. The horizons shone pink as the sun set at its pace. Seokjin sighed a little as he watched a single bird returning to its nest. His hair blew with the soft breeze. He closed his eyes and just felt the breeze and the sound of the waves crashing on the concrete dock. He could hear the boats at a far distance. Probably, the fishers were returning to their homes. As everyone returned home, he wanted to stay on the dock forever.

He had enjoyed his stay in the village so far. But how much longer could he stay there? His responsibilities were calling for him. His people were calling for him. He wasn't sure who was in charge. They were obviously doing a fantastic job. But can they really hold well under pressure? What would happen when people get to know that he wasn't actually sick? That he was enjoying his time in the village? Would they hate him? What if the current person in charge ran the place better than him? He had a lot of questions that no one could really answer. He was pissed. At himself for not listening to Yoongi and Hoseok when they said it would be dangerous. He was also pissed with Namjoon for not finding a way home. Was he even trying?

His mind was going to a lot of places. His empire, his people, Jimin, Hoseok and Yoongi. He could not believe he was away from the empire for so long. He opened his eyes as he felt someone sit next to him. He turned to the person and smiled, "Did you eat?"

Namjoon nodded, "I did."

"Is that another lie?"

Namjoon turned to Seokjin with wide eyes, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Seokjin sighed and looked at the waters, "Well, you have been lying to me so much that I thought it was a lie, too."

Namjoon tilted his head, "What are you talking about? When have I-"

"I visited your work today. Leng was kind enough to take me there. It was supposed to be a surprise for you." Seokjin leaned back, supporting his body on his palms, "I saw you work there. You told me it wasn't a tough job. It seemed pretty tough to me. You were working in the heat without any machines and protection." Seokjin smiled a little. Namjoon had never seen such a smile on Seokjin. He had no idea about Seokjin's thought process.

Seokjin continued, "You said the pay was good. I asked around. It's not as good as you make it sound."

Namjoon clicked his tongue, "It's enough for me to take care of you."

Seokjin nodded, "You also said that everyone just buys food from the market, and that's why there are a lot of food stalls. But I know now that everyone pretty much makes their own food. After hearing people ridicule me for not caring for my husband." He scoffed as he sat properly.

Namjoon scrunched his eyebrows, "Who said that? Was it Harry? I'll make her take resp-"

"That's not the important part here, Namjoon." Seokjin cut him off again, "The important part is that I trusted you with everything I had. Not because you are the only one who can take me home. But because I genuinely thought that I could trust you. I genuinely thought that we were getting along."

Namjoon licked his lips and shook his head. He could see Seokjin's eyes welling with glimmering tears. He gulped, "Hyung, I-"

"What is the next lie you are going to tell me?" Seokjin turned to Namjoon. No matter how he tried not to but, a tear finally fell on his cheek, "That you contacted Hoseok already? That we are going home tomorrow? Just say it, Namjoon. I will believe all your lies without a second thought. I think I am used to it now. I think I can take it. Tell me we are going home even if it's just another lie."

When Namjoon didn't say anything, Seokjin got up. He wiped the tear off his cheek before going back home. Namjoon just stared into the vast waters. All of the things he did were for Seokjin. How could he not see it? Why was he so hurt that Namjoon lied to him? And why did he have the strongest urge to stop Seokjin and wipe that tear off his cheek? He felt guilty, not for lying but for making Seokjin cry. He still didn't know what he did so wrong that Seokjin cried.