ocean eyes

act four

Golden Boy wasn't so golden anymore.

Somehow that was the only thought that had been running around Hoseok's mind since last time he saw him. Vivid. Real. Because he was seeing Taehyung everywhere, whether he's closing his eyes or his lids were wide open.

How ironic, Hoseok nearly laughed, to be haunted by someone alive.

He couldn't decide which one was worse, his imaginary Taehyung or the real one, fresh and bone, the one who's pulling him closer and knocked all the wind in his lungs. Behind his eyelids, Taehyung was a lot... darker. A ravisher, and Hoseok should be afraid, really, but the dread that sat nicely on his shoulders, suddenly decided to make itself unknown.

He was feeling like that man had ruined his life, had turned it upside down and how dare he still smiled like that, showcasing Hoseok that adorable bunny teeth that didn't quite match the scale on his forehead. He was looking ever so gentle while driving Hoseok insane, but often he calmed himself down by the thought of Taehyung being not so perfect at all; that Golden Boy wasn't so golden anymore.

Because just a couple days ago, the almighty Kim Taehyung had asked him for help, suppressing Hoseok's all wildest imagination.

'I need you. You're the only one I have' Taehyung had said to him that day on the arena, his teammates watching. Perhaps exhibition was his kink and somehow that sentence made Hoseok's stomach twisted with a funny feeling.

'Taehyung-ah.'

Hoseok's ear twitched upon the call of the name. It was a high-pitch voice calling out to the younger male, a voice so melodious it wasn't his.

'Hm?' he heard Taehyung hummed, somehow lack of interest. The classroom was half filled, Taehyung was two tables apart from him yet Hoseok could still remember the vague fragrance of mint belonged to the younger.

'Say, what are you doing tonight?'

Hoseok gritted his teeth, instantly watching from the corner of his eyes like an eagle targeting its prey. He hadn't realize he's been tapping his feet against the floor until they stopped at the wrong beat, witnessing a girl lightly leaning over Taehyung's desk, too provoking that Hoseok was boiling.

His knuckles under the table turned white, but he denied it.

'Huh?' Taehyung asked again, seemed to be brought back to reality. 'Sorry?'

The face of the girl changed into something sour, but she maintained the nicest smile. 'What's your plan for tonight, Taehyung-ah?'

She was swiping her auburn hair to the side of her neck, then dangling from her smooth neck was a baby skin accentuated with a Pandora necklace, looking ever so expansive it's making Hoseok anxious, feeling like he wasn't a worthy competitor– and then he remembered it wasn't a competition.

But he's staring, and he knew that.

Half of the class was expecting Taehyung to elaborate his plans for the night, just like what she asked him to, but then–

'Why?' the younger lolled his head to the side, a picture of a cocky boy smeared on his face. Hoseok didn't like how good Taehyung looked when he's confident. 'You're taking me somewhere?'

There was the sound of whispers and murmurs as the face of the girl turned somewhat taken aback and sour, again, but she managed to keep her smile wide and if Hoseok wasn't so busy with the tight feeling in his own stomach, then maybe he could admit that she really did fit the definition of beauty.

'If you want to.' she said. 'I'll take you to this night café. My dad owns it, the drink is on the house. Take it as a good luck charm for your tournament next week? I'll be cheering for you, Tae-ah.'