BTS Oneshot ( Book 1 )

Candle in the Darkest Room (Sope)

Yoongi sat in the corner of his dimly lit apartment, staring at the peeling wallpaper. A mug of cold coffee sat untouched on the table beside him. He didn't care about the time anymore. Days blurred into nights, nights into days. Nothing mattered.

"Yoongi, you can't keep living like this," his friend Namjoon had said the last time they spoke. Namjoon’s voice had been full of concern, but Yoongi just shrugged.

"I'm fine," Yoongi had replied, his tone flat.

Namjoon sighed heavily, frustrated but knowing Yoongi too well to push further.

Yoongi wasn’t fine, and he knew it. Joy felt like a distant memory, hope a cruel joke. He existed, nothing more.

One rainy evening, while Yoongi walked home from the convenience store, his umbrella flipped inside out from a sudden gust of wind. He muttered a curse under his breath and pressed forward, rain soaking him to the bone.

"Hey! Need some help with that?"

Yoongi turned to see a man with a dazzling smile holding an extra umbrella. His energy seemed almost too bright for the gloomy atmosphere.

"I'm fine," Yoongi mumbled, trying to walk past him.

The man stepped in front of him. "You don’t look fine. Come on, take it. I have another one."

Yoongi hesitated before reluctantly accepting the umbrella.

"Thanks," he said quietly.

"I'm Hoseok," the man introduced himself, extending a hand.

"Yoongi."

"Nice to meet you, Yoongi. Why don't I walk you home? You look like you could use some company."

Yoongi wanted to protest, but something about Hoseok's warmth was disarming. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he found himself nodding.

The walk was silent at first, but Hoseok's chatter soon filled the air.

"So, do you live around here? I just moved into the neighborhood. It's such a nice area, but wow, the rain today is something else!"

Yoongi found himself listening, occasionally grunting in response. Hoseok didn’t seem to mind his lack of enthusiasm.

When they reached Yoongi’s building, Hoseok beamed.

"Well, this is me," Yoongi said, gesturing vaguely.

"Cool. Thanks for letting me tag along." Hoseok handed him a card. "If you ever want to talk or need an umbrella again, call me."

Yoongi stared at the card after Hoseok left. Who was this guy, and why was he so... sunny?

Over the next few weeks, Hoseok kept appearing in Yoongi's life. At the coffee shop, in the park, even at the grocery store.

"Are you stalking me?" Yoongi asked one day, half-joking.

"Maybe," Hoseok replied with a mischievous grin. "Or maybe fate keeps bringing us together."

Despite himself, Yoongi started to look forward to their encounters. Hoseok’s laughter was infectious, his energy boundless. He was everything Yoongi wasn’t, and yet, Yoongi didn’t feel out of place around him.

One evening, Hoseok showed up at Yoongi's door with takeout.

"I figured you probably haven’t eaten anything decent today," Hoseok said, brushing past Yoongi and setting the food on the table.

"You’re awfully presumptuous," Yoongi remarked, though he didn’t stop Hoseok.

"And you’re awfully predictable," Hoseok shot back with a wink.

As they ate, Hoseok started talking about his dreams.

"I want to open a dance studio someday," he said, his eyes sparkling. "A place where people can express themselves and find joy, no matter what they’re going through."

"Sounds nice," Yoongi said, though he couldn’t imagine feeling that kind of passion for anything anymore.

"What about you?" Hoseok asked. "What do you want?"

Yoongi shrugged. "I don’t know. I guess I just want to get through each day."

Hoseok’s expression softened. "That’s okay, too. Some days, just surviving is enough."

For the first time in a long time, Yoongi felt understood.

As weeks turned into months, their bond deepened. Hoseok had a way of drawing Yoongi out of his shell, of making him feel things he thought he’d forgotten.

One day, they were sitting on a park bench, watching the sunset.

"You know," Hoseok began, "I’ve been told I’m too optimistic. Too bright."

"By who?" Yoongi asked, genuinely curious.

"People who don’t like being around someone happy all the time, I guess."

Yoongi smirked. "I can see how that might be annoying."

Hoseok laughed. "And yet, here you are, putting up with me."

"You’re not as annoying as you think," Yoongi admitted, his voice softer than usual.

Hoseok looked at him, his expression serious for once. "I’m glad I met you, Yoongi. You’re stronger than you think."

Yoongi didn’t know how to respond, so he just nodded.

A few days later, Yoongi found himself in the middle of one of Hoseok's impromptu dance sessions.

"Come on, Yoongi! Just try it!" Hoseok urged, pulling Yoongi to his feet.

"I don’t dance," Yoongi protested.

"Everyone can dance. Just move however you feel."

Yoongi sighed but let Hoseok guide him. To his surprise, it wasn’t as bad as he’d expected.

"See? You’re a natural!" Hoseok exclaimed.

"Don’t get carried away," Yoongi replied, though he couldn’t hide the small smile on his face.

Later that night, as they sat on Yoongi's couch, Hoseok turned to him.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Yoongi said.

"Why were you so closed off when we first met?"

Yoongi hesitated. "I guess... I just didn’t see the point in getting close to anyone. It felt easier to be alone."

"And now?"

Yoongi looked at Hoseok, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Now, I think maybe I was wrong."

Hoseok reached out and took Yoongi’s hand. "I’m glad you let me in."

Yoongi squeezed his hand in return. "Me too."

For the first time in years, Yoongi felt a flicker of hope. Hoseok was his candle in the darkest room, and for that, he would always be grateful.

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TBC