Wings

Interlude: Wings

Three days later after repairing both themselves and the apartment, Taehyung stands behind Hoseok as they hover near the front door, thanking Yoongi for the help as he leaves. Taehyung keeps his gaze downcast in nervousness and as soon as the front door clicks closed he mumbles "Hoseok can we talk?" The older nods, oblivious to Tae's serious expression and plops down on the couch "what's up? Taehyung sits beside him, staring down at his hands as he fidgets "I... think we should take some time off from each other...." Hoseok's eyes widen, turning his body sideways and tucking his legs under him as he sits sideways on the couch "why would you even suggest that? I almost lost you once damn it... how could you think that?" Taehyung turns to sit cross legged across from the dancer as well, frowning "I know it's sudden, and I don't want to break up.. that's not what I'm saying.. Hoseok it's just- I have done horrible, awful things to innocent people. I can't expect you to earnestly forgive me for all of it. I haven't been human... in a lifetime." Hoseok looks down at the cushion, refusing to cry and mumbles "I thought you loved me.." Taehyung sighs heavily, quickly grasping both of the dancers smaller hands in his own "I do. But I'm afraid you won't love the real me, the human me. The person you fell in love with was a character. Not me. I don't know who I am, I've spent centuries pretending to be someone I'm not. I need time.. time to forgive myself for the things that I've done. And time to find out who I really am." Hoseok sniffles, nodding slowly "I get it.." Taehyung frowns deeply, moving the older man's arms out of the way and climbs into his lap to straddle his hips softly "Hoseok look at me.." Hoseok slowly looks up at him with teary eyes and a frown. Taehyung holds his face between his hands "this is not the end for us I swear Hobi. I lost you once a lifetime ago, I don't plan on letting you go in this one. I just need time to figure everything out. Okay? Don't be sad.... think of it as a new start. Well take some time off and then we can start from square one. We can go on an actual first date, and you can walk me home, it will be normal.." Hoseok grasps the youngest waist, thumbs rubbing small circles "I don't like normal. But if that's what you really want.. I'll wait for you. I love you." Taehyung swallows thickly at the unfamiliar words but he feels himself say them without hesitation or doubt "I love you to. I always will." Hoseok smiles a little at that, leaning in to kiss the younger. Taehyung can feel the love burning his tongue, longing to drown in the promise and sincerity Hoseok's lips always provide. The kiss is drawn out, slow and meaningful and so full of love that Taehyung suddenly jerks away with his eyes screwed shut, a silent tear escaping "sorry.. I just- thank you. Thank you Hoseok." He opens his eyes to cry quietly, it's the first time he's ever openly and honestly cried in front of a human, he feels so emotional and so full of love that it overwhelms him. Hoseok cups his jaw, thumbs brushing the tears away "shhh... why are you thanking me? You're the one who saved me from Jin..." Taehyung shakes his head gently and letting a sob "n-not that. You sacrificed yourself for me I-in your last life. I'm thanking you... because you made me human. You made my heart beat again, you loved me even after you found what a monster I was... you took me in off the street without a doubt, you.. you really did save me again. You saved me from a miserable life full of death a-and-" He shuts his eyes tightly and cries harder "I love you..." Hoseok pulls him into a hug, amazed by the sudden flood of emotions from the younger and rubs his back "shh shh, it's okay. Maybe I trusted you that night at the studio because subconsciously I knew that you were my other half all those years ago. But the past doesn't matter Taehyung, our futures do. If you need to take time to figure out who you are and how to live with your mistakes then I'll wait as long as it takes. I'll wait another lifetime if I have to." Taehyung sniffles, calming down and nodding slightly with a quiet "ok.."

The new apartment is nicer then their last one, and the completely white walls, ceiling and furniture remind Jimin of home. Huh, home, it can't really be called that now that he's run away. Heaven won't be the same without Jin, he might've gone mad with the idea of revenge, but he was still Jimin's closest friend. Jimin lays down on the new couch, staring up at the ceiling in longing and sadness. There's no doubt that Jin died. He didn't see it happen but Taehyung had told Jungkook about the attack yesterday. Jimin frowns and closes his eyes, he was always brave but he's sure that at the end, Jin was probably terrified. Jimin knows he would've been. He's afraid even now, that judgment will hit him at any moment. He's not sure if he'll be obliterated, banished, imprisoned, have his wings and powers ripped out or turn to stone. He's heard of all sorts of punishments of angels who strayed from the light. Their father in heaven might be praised as a loving god but Jimin has known far too many of his friends to disappear for their transgressions to believe that he is without fault. Suddenly the bathroom door opens and Jungkook strolls out in sweatpants, brushing his teeth, and without wearing a shirt of course. Jimin peeks over the back of the couch at him, smiling "where were you earlier?" Jungkook shrugs, returning to the bathroom to rinse his mouth out before joining his lover on the couch and resting Jimin's feet in his lap and rubbing them absentmindedly "I went back to hell. He kicked me out, same thing he did to Taehyung. Cursed me to roam the world as a mortal. Guess I'm human now..." Jimin smiles at how casual his tone is, shaking his head "how normal. Good thing he didn't like kill you or something, right?" Jungkook laughs "I guess so. He really doesn't care what happens to us. He's got more than enough souls to work for him. Most people end up in his lap. Not many make it to heaven.." Jimin nods, frowning "I'm scared." Jungkook rolls his eyes, but his eyes soften when he realizes that Jimin is pulling away from him and hugging his knees to his chest while staring away "why Jiminie?" Jimin sighs "I'm afraid of what my punishment will be. What f I end up like Jin?" Jungkook shakes his head "you won't. He killed a human, what is your crime?" Jimin closed his eyes "straying from the light and giving in to worldly or other temptations." Jungkook shrugs "see? I'm sure it won't be that bad-" just as he's sad it, a bright white light shines down on Jimin followed by a flash of lightening. Jimin stands up, paralyzed, wether it's from fear or heaven he's not sure, his back burns and he's openly crying from fear "no, please!! Don't- don't kill me, please!!" He's trembling with fear, sobbing and trying to break free of the invisible force holding him in place. Jungkook tries to reach for him, but the light burns his skin, causing him to flinch away and Jimin cries out "Jungkook don't!" Suddenly Jimin's cries stop as he hears his voice echo from the heavens "you are no longer pure." Just then, Jimin feels his toes, finger tips, eyes, ears and his back burning immensely, like fire trying to escape from his veins. He screams in agony and soon enough the firey sensation shoots out of him, followed by the bones in his back popping snapping as his wings spread. That feeling is familiar. What he doesn't expect is for his wings to be completely ripped out of his body, bones and all. He howls in pain, and just as soon as the pain began, it disappears and he's suddenly dropped to the ground. He lands face down, barely conscious as he registers the feeling of blood dripping down his back. He barely makes out Jungkook's blurry figure nearing before he passes out.