A Night-Long Lament

cumbersome

(3rd POV)

The 4 of them enter a small house a walk from the town. The tiny cottage is covered with weeds and vines, almost completely shielding it from the outside world. A single yellow sunflower springs out of the dirt and covers the broken window of the house. It somehow... felt familiar. As they enter, Y/N walks around a corner of the house to escape the tension while Jin and Jimin's faces contort into disgust. 

"Why here?" Jimin spits.

Jin looks up tiredly and sets Sehun down carefully. Jin approaches Jimin and punches him heavily across the face. "I can't believe you had the audacity to create such a scene in front of everyone. You realize how much this could've tainted our image? We've had this talk a million times, yet there's still no result. You're still as immature as you were back then." 

Jimin looks up with fiery eyes. "He... He was taunting me. I was only defending our title--" 

"You have no right! You haven't done anything for us! Now you're trying? For what? Your so-called "honor"?! I... I really can't believe..." Jin lashes out but then sits down in frustration. "And bringing Y/N out in public? You know how much that could've hurt her? I thought you'd just bring her to the gardens or something! Not this..." Jin buries his face in his hands. 

Y/N watches from the side with a very worried expression. She understands how much Jin tries to help everyone, and how stressed he probably is. Y/N momentarily forgets that Jin abandoned her that night and sympathizes him. 

Jin abruptly stands up and approaches the same hallway Y/N is in. Panic coursed through her as he comes closer. He then passes by without a second look. In a quick action of clouded reason, Y/N reaches out to grab Jin's hand. 

As quickly as she touches him, he looks around with glassy eyes. "Y...Y/N?" 

Without a word, Y/N goes on her tippy toes and hugs him tightly. Jin's tensed muscles relax as he melts into her warm atmosphere. He begins to hug her back tightly as he rests his head on her shoulder. 

"I'm... I'm sorry I left that night. I was overwhelmed with anger and rage... I didn't want to show that side of me to you. I wasn't strong enough to hold those emotions back... I'm sorry."  Jin sobs into her shoulder as he breaks down to his knees.

"It's ok." Y/N calmly says, rubbing the back of his head.

~~~~~~~~

The next day, Jin doesn't come out of his room. Jimin quietly tends to Sehun. Y/N watches the day calmly pass. Time progresses slowly. Soon, evening befell. Jin silently steps outside of his room and is quickly met by Y/N. 

"...Good Evening, Prince. Are you doing better?" Y/N says with a bit of embarrassment in her voice.

Jin smiles and pats her head softly. "I'm doing fine. I think we should go out to get some dinner, will you accompany me?" 

Y/N nods as they both walk out the door. They walk silently next to each other down the dark path that stretches in front of them, but they are soon met with the rustling of the townspeople. 

Right as they make it in, Jin stops Y/N and gently pushes them behind a tree. Alarm is seen in Jin's eyes and his face breaks into a sweat. 

"Jin, what's--" Y/N begins to question, but Jin shushes her. 

"He's here." is all that he says.

Y/N begins to panic as well when she realizes exactly who he's talking about. She moves more behind Jin and latches onto his shirt with sweaty hands. 

"J-" He quickly shushes her. 

It feels like an hour passed behind that tree. The sun shines hotly onto their backs and dripping foreheads. Jin finally relents and pulls Y/N to the ground with him. He looks up to Y/N and gives a tired, but relieved smile. 

"It's ok. He's gone, but we have to go back to the cottage with haste." Jin breathes. 

"A-Alright." Y/N utters.

The walk back to the cottage didn't take as long as Y/N anticipated. They make it back to the cottage in no time, only to see Jimin waiting in the window. He runs out the door and grabs onto Y/N's shoulders. 

"Are you ok? I... I saw..." Jimin's eyes flicker with fear as he tries to explain himself.

"Yes, we're fine. Did he see you?" Jin answers for her.

Jimin blinks at his response but shakes his head. "No, he didn't. We have to get Y/N back today." 

Jin nods and brings all of them inside. "First, we have to solve... Sehun. Is he awake?" 

Jimin nods and shows them to a pouting Sehun. 

His face lights up as soon as he sees Y/N. "Y/N! Does my face still look somewhat appealing?" He cries.

"...Yes, it looks fine." Y/N's curiosity bites away at her mind. 

What is the tension between them? What happened between them in the past? No. Not the time for this Y/N. Focus.

Jin and Jimin exchange looks, but blow it off. They walk into another room with hushed voices. Sehun gingerly touches his cheeks in pain and mourn. 

Y/N pities him. The only good aspect about him was taken so suddenly. She laughs quietly to herself, but quickly composes herself, giving a  reminder that she needs answers.

"Sehun. I need some--" 

"I know what you're going to ask. Why am I so handsome?" he runs a hand through his hair and winks.

Y/N rolls her eyes. "No--"

"I'm kidding. But seriously, I don't think you should be asking me about this... personal... matter. ask Jin or Hoseok." Sehun's sudden change in persona shocks Y/N to silence. "All I have to say is: they all have an amazing amount of patience... ahem... except that Jimin... and I suggest that once that patience is run out, you take cover. I've learned the hard way. Now, and in the past. Don't try opening doors that can't be closed." 

Y/N ponders on his words. Patience? Jungkook?