Cursed Vows(BTS X Hobi)

Among Strangers.

Authors pov

Hoseok stepped onto the red carpet, his head bowed, trying to keep his eyes off the cameras flashing around him. He kept his steps brisk, moving as quickly as possible, his breathing shallow and uneven as he waded through the sea of people who barely took note of him. Finally, he reached the entrance of the grand hall, the sound of the crowd fading as the doors closed behind him.

Inside, the room was opulent, filled with wealthy guests laughing and conversing, glittering in fine attire that spoke of privilege. Hoseok’s stomach tightened as he took it all in—these people were in a world entirely different from his own. He felt small, out of place, the weight of inadequacy pressing down on him.

A sudden arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him back into the moment. Hoseok flinched, looking up to see Namjoon standing beside him, smiling broadly—but the smile wasn’t for him. Namjoon leaned down, his voice a quiet warning.

“Don’t mess this up. Just act normal, blend in,” he murmured, his tone cold, indifferent. “You wouldn’t want people to know you’re from… a different class.”

Namjoon straightened, keeping the smile plastered on his face as his gaze drifted back to the crowd. Hoseok said nothing, feeling a sting from the words, and carefully pulled himself away from Namjoon’s grip, retreating into the crowd. He watched as the brothers separated, each mingling effortlessly with the guests.

Hoseok’s throat felt tight. He scanned the room, looking for anything familiar, anything to ground him, but everyone around him felt distant and unapproachable. His gaze drifted to a waiter passing by with a tray of water. Desperate for something to ease his discomfort, he stopped the waiter politely, taking a glass and drinking deeply to swallow the lump in his throat.

“Thank you,” he mumbled, handing the glass back to the waiter, who nodded and continued on.

Hoseok glanced around, feeling even more lost than before. Mr. Kim was across the room, chatting with guests, his wife by his side, both occupied. Mr. Kim had been the only person to show him any semblance of kindness, but Hoseok knew he couldn’t interrupt. As for Mrs. Kim… her dislike for him was painfully clear. He wasn’t welcome near her.

Hoseok sighed, feeling the loneliness creep in. He stood awkwardly, the sounds of laughter and conversation filling his ears as he tried to ignore the aching sense of being out of place. Just then, a waiter with a tray of wine passed by, and Hoseok’s eyes lit up with a momentary glimmer of interest. The other guests held glasses of wine—it seemed fitting to try it too, if only to feel like he belonged.

He picked up a glass, the waiter nodding politely as he moved away. Hoseok took a cautious sip, but his face immediately scrunched up in surprise. The taste was bitter, sharp, nothing like he’d expected. He’d thought wine was supposed to be sweet, made from grapes—yet this tasted like something else entirely.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, he turned around, deciding to return the glass. In his haste, he wasn’t watching where he was going, and he bumped into someone. His grip loosened, and before he could react, the glass slipped from his hand, the dark liquid spilling out and splashing onto the person’s pristine white floral gown. The glass hit the floor with a sharp clink, breaking the hum of the room’s chatter.

Hoseok gasped, his cheeks burning as he looked up to meet the woman’s furious gaze. She glanced down at the red stain spreading across her dress, then back up at him, her expression twisting with rage.

“You… you bitch!” she shrieked, her voice cutting through the crowd as she glared at him with disdain.

Hoseok’s heart sank, his mind racing as he stumbled over his words, unable to respond, feeling the weight of every eye in the room turning toward him.