Fall (Bangtan Sonyeondan BTS Alternate Universe)

56. A Lover's Strength

**** Set In The Past ****

Jimin sighed contentedly as his body slumped in exhaustion.

Despite the dull pain resonating from his left ear from leaning his head down on Hoseok's slender shoulder, he hadn't felt this comfortable in a long time.

They were sitting on the motel bed, their backs pressed against the headboard. Their legs were tangled together, disappearing under the covers, and their bare chests were covered in a sheen of sweat from their previous activities.

Hoseok's hand was steadily rubbing circles against Jimin's hip, every so often pulling the younger closer whenever he began slipping too far away.

"Do you think that they know?"

Hoseok looked down at Jimin's sudden question, confused as to why his relaxed nature had suddenly turned south.

Jimin's breath felt strained, and worry filled his organs to the brim.

"Do you think that they know? About us."

"Oh. Well, Sin definitely suspects us. Why? Do you want us to tell them?"

"I'm scared." Jimin felt very small when he admitted this. He leaned forward, escaping Hoseok's comfortable hold and pulling his legs free so that he could rest his chin on his knees.

He felt so very small in a world full of malicious hate.

He was shivering, as the sweat had now dried into a chilling cover on his fragile skin.

Hoseok moved behind him, slipping his hands between Jimin's stomach and his legs to hug him, and he nuzzled his head into Jimin's neck.

"Why are you scared? They won't care, you know they love us."

Jimin shrugged, still not truly convinced.

He could think of nothing but his parents yelling at him that homosexuality was worse than being a murderer.

Lucky them, their son turned out to be a homosexual murderer.

"I mean, I want to think so. But it's dangerous. And, if other people knew...."

Hoseok felt bad when he realized that Jimin had thought a great deal about this, and he hadn't even known.

But he knew now, and he was going to fix it.

"What do you mean?"

"You're my weakness. Others, they could exploit that."

"No, I'm your hope!"

"You're everyone's hope. I need you to be something really special. Something only from you to me."

Hoseok pressed a gentle kiss to Jimin's neck, treating him with such care that Jimin could feel his heart racing.

But then, he should be used to that by now. Hoseok always treated him like an angel.

"Then, I'm your strength."

"Okay, yeah." Jimin smiled at his lover's words, leaning his head to the side to lay on top of Hoseok's.

"I love you, no matter what Jimin. You can trust that, more than the Sun's constant cycle."

Jimin nodded, his heart once again at ease. "I trust you, Hoseok."

"And....."

"And I love you, Hoseok."