Between Blood and Desire ~ YoonMinSeok

Torn Threads.

Authors pov

Jimin entered the house, a deep frown etched onto his delicate features. His luggage dragged noisily across the tiled floor before he stopped to close the door, the sound of laughter drifting faintly from the kitchen. It was warm and cheerful—completely out of sync with the ache in his heart.

He paused, tightening his grip on the handle of his bag, and left it in the living room. Slowly, he walked toward the source of the noise, only to see Hoseok cooking at the stove while Yoongi sat on the counter, an apple lazily held in his hand. They looked so... comfortable.

Jimin muttered under his breath, "They've gotten close," the words tinged with a sadness he couldn’t suppress.

Clearing his throat, he announced his presence. The lively conversation came to an abrupt halt.

Yoongi turned his head toward Jimin, the ghost of his usual smugness flitting across his face. Sliding off the counter, he forced a smile and walked toward his younger brother, pulling him into a loose hug. “Welcome home,” he said lightly, but his tone held no real warmth. Jimin's gaze was fully on his beloved as Yoongi pulled away from the hug.

Meanwhile, Hoseok stood frozen at the stove, the ladle in his hand motionless as if time had stopped. He couldn’t look at Jimin—not with Yoongi's lingering presence and the guilt burning in his chest like acid.

“Hubby,” Jimin’s soft voice broke the tension as he addressed Hoseok.

The word sent a pang straight to Hoseok's heart, making him flinch. He turned with a forced smile that didn’t reach his eyes, swallowing the urge to cry. Slowly, he approached Jimin and pulled him into a gentle hug.

But Jimin didn’t hug him back.

He just stood there, shoulders slumped, looking so heartbreakingly sad that Hoseok’s heart cracked a little more.

Yoongi, watching the scene unfold, rolled his eyes and turned away. He left the kitchen without a word, his footsteps sharp as they echoed down the hall.

Hoseok is mine, Yoongi thought bitterly. But was Hoseok ever really his to begin with?

Hoseok glanced up at Jimin, his heart sinking when he saw the tears shimmering in his lover’s eyes. He gasped softly, reaching up to cup Jimin’s cheeks with trembling hands. “Baby,” he whispered, his voice low and urgent. “What’s wrong? Tell me.”

Jimin’s lips wobbled as he looked down, trying to hide the tears spilling onto his cheeks. “It’s nothing,” he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Hoseok bent down slightly, lowering his head to meet Jimin’s eyes. “No, love,” he said gently. “Look at me. Please.” He raised Jimin’s chin, his thumb brushing away a tear. “Tell me. What is it?”

Jimin sniffled, shrugging weakly. “You never called me while I was away,” he said, his voice trembling. “And when I called, you didn’t pick up. Not once. For three whole days, Hobi.”

Hoseok winced, guilt twisting his gut like a knife.

Jimin looked down again, his cheeks puffing up as he fought to hold back a sob. “And now I’m back, and it feels like... like you’re not even happy to see me.” His voice cracked. “Before, you’d wait for me with open arms and a bag of cheese balls. But now...”

Hoseok closed his eyes, a single tear slipping down his cheek. He opened them again, filled with regret and pain. “No, love,” he said, shaking his head emphatically. “No. You’re wrong. You are my everything, Jimin. The man of my dreams, my safe place. I—” His voice broke, and he swallowed thickly before continuing. “I have flaws, I know. And sometimes I mess up, and I hurt you without meaning to. But I love you, Jimin. With every single piece of me, I love you.”

But Jimin looked down, his shoulders shaking as he cried softly.

Hoseok gulped, his heart shattering. The guilt clawed at him mercilessly. Gosh, he loved Jimin—this man who stood before him, broken and vulnerable. He loved him with every fiber of his being. But Yoongi… Yoongi was intoxicating. Tempting in a way Hoseok couldn’t resist.

Jimin’s voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Do you even love me anymore? I feel like we’ve been drifting apart, and it hurts, Hoseok. It hurts so much.”

Hoseok’s world tilted. “No, love, no,” he said immediately, shaking his head. “Don’t say that. You’re my beginning and end. My everything. I have flaws—I know that—and I’ve hurt you with them, but I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

Jimin didn’t look convinced. His cheeks puffed slightly as he looked down, his tears threatening to spill.

Hoseok sighed, his gaze softening as he reached out, gently tilting Jimin’s head back up.

“Baby, listen to me,” Hoseok began, his voice trembling but earnest. “I know I’ve been distant, and I hate myself for making you feel like this. But you need to know… you are my heart. You’re the reason I smile, the reason I breathe. I know I’ve let you down, but I swear to you, Jimin, there’s no one else. No one else who could ever make me feel the way you do. You’re my sun, my moon, my everything. Please believe me.”

Jimin’s face crumpled as his resolve shattered. He threw his arms around Hoseok, clutching him tightly as tears streamed down his face. “I missed you so much,” he murmured, his voice muffled against Hoseok’s neck. “I was so lonely there, Hobi. I just wanted to hear your voice. But you never answered, and I was starting to get worried...”

Hoseok closed his eyes, tears spilling freely now. He held Jimin close, his hands shaking as he rubbed soothing circles into his back. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, over and over, like a mantra. “I’m so, so sorry, love. Please forgive me.”

As Jimin sniffled and buried his face in Hoseok’s shoulder, Hoseok’s mind raced with fear and shame.

This man—this pure, beautiful soul—didn’t deserve the lies, the betrayal, the mess that Hoseok had foolishly entered with Yoongi. If Jimin was this heartbroken over missed calls, how would he react when he found out about the affair?

Hoseok’s chest tightened, his breath hitching as dread settled deep in his bones.

He held Jimin even closer, guilt clawing at him like a beast. "I love you," he whispered, though the words felt hollow in the shadow of his deceit.

How could Jimin ever forgive him when the truth came out?

Hoseok gulped, his heart pounding as a single, terrifying thought echoed in his mind.

What have I done?

And for the first time, Hoseok realized he was truly terrified of losing Jimin.