RACERS to RINGS

Chapter 20: Distant yet Close

Third Person POV

The days that followed the chaotic encounter with Hoseok’s father had left an unspoken mark on both Yoongi and Hoseok. Despite the tenderness shared that evening in Yoongi’s office, the familiar awkwardness crept back into their interactions, enveloping them in a cold, silent truce.

Hoseok threw himself into work, burying the confusion and emotions that surfaced every time Yoongi crossed his path. The mansion that once held fleeting warmth now felt larger and emptier, the corridors echoing only the rustle of papers, hurried footsteps, and the occasional clatter of cutlery at their silent breakfasts. Each stolen glance, each half-formed conversation, fell into the void between them.

Yoongi, for his part, tried to maintain composure, keeping himself occupied with the endless details of the upcoming press release. The hours were long, filled with meetings, video conferences, and calls with his two secretaries, Eunji and Siwoo. His phone seemed to buzz every few minutes with updates, questions, or reminders, all pulling him further away from the one thing he couldn’t admit he wanted: a real conversation with Hoseok.

One evening, with the sun dipping below the horizon and painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Hoseok found himself sitting at his office desk, reviewing documents that he had read over a dozen times. His eyes skimmed over the familiar lines, but his mind was elsewhere looping back to the gentle touch of Yoongi’s hand and the whispered reassurance he felt before fainting that day. It was foolish, he thought, to let one moment create so much confusion.

The sound of footsteps outside his office door jolted him back to reality. He looked up, half-expecting Yoongi to walk in, perhaps to say something anything but the steps faded as they moved past his door. Hoseok’s chest tightened, disappointment settling like a stone.

This is ridiculous, he chastised himself, slamming the folder shut and leaning back in his chair. His gaze drifted to the framed picture on his desk, taken years ago during a family trip, his younger self smiling brightly. The boy in that picture wouldn’t have hesitated, wouldn’t have let silence drive a wedge between himself and someone he cared about.

Meanwhile, in Yoongi’s office, stacks of papers and schedules littered the desk. The soft glow from his laptop screen illuminated his tired features. He rubbed his temples, trying to ease the tension that had been building there all day. It didn’t help that Hoseok’s laughter a sound he’d heard once when they were first married kept replaying in his mind, a cruel reminder of what they were missing. The memories felt so distant now, clouded by formality and the weight of their responsibilities.

“Sir?” Eunji’s voice crackled through the intercom, breaking the silence. “A reminder about tomorrow’s meeting with the joint board. The agenda has been sent.”

Yoongi pressed the intercom button. “Got it. Thanks, Eunji.”

He glanced at the clock 10:45 p.m. The day had slipped away, and exhaustion was beginning to settle in. Gathering the scattered papers into a pile, he stood and stretched, his body protesting after hours of being hunched over. His eyes drifted to the hallway that led to Hoseok’s office. The light was still on.

Hesitation warred with resolve as Yoongi debated whether to walk down the hallway, knock on that door, and break the cycle. Just a few words, a simple, “Goodnight, Hoba,” and maybe things would shift. But just as quickly as the thought surfaced, it was buried beneath layers of doubt and the fear of misunderstanding. What if Hoseok didn’t want to see him? What if the silence was preferred?

Unable to decide, Yoongi exhaled sharply and turned away, the decision slipping through his fingers like sand. He picked up his phone, noticing a missed call from Seokjin, and promised himself he’d return it later. Right now, everything felt too tangled.