We Run Around With Monsters Under Our Feet [m.y+j.h]

17. POISON.

Hoseok was taught that as one flower blossomed another one died. That saying was used throughout his life to explain different scenarios, For example: a man's greed. As he became more obsessed with the objects surrounding him the less he came in touch with those he cared about. His repugnant flower was thriving taking in all the sunlight and as it grew and grew more people turned away in disgust.

The proverb also held true to relationships- he knew it from a personal encounter- if one person bloomed a friendship or something more with someone else it seemed that they no longer had time for Hoseok. It's happened with his strongest friendship and he hated how the pretty daffodil that ran off nutrients from his blood and soul could so easily die upon him and that gut-wrenching feeling that he couldn't save it at least not on his own. Of course, that relationship was with Jungkook and when the younger boy went off to pursue his crush. Hoseok was selfish, he admits that, but he wasn't going to let their flower die.

At that point in time, he felt it complied with his situation. As his relationship with Yoongi progressed and burst into life he felt himself slowly withering away. As one flower blossomed another one died- and Hoseok was dying. Everything seemed to be going so smoothly. Yoongi was able to control his hunger by developing a large amount of self-restraint and pressing chaste kisses on Hoseok's skin. For once in the human boy's life, he felt alive. Yoongi made him happy and it seemed to no longer bother him that he was a killer, perhaps it was because he now knew something different about the monster. Every second with him made his heart erupt into little butterflies that danced through his veins though he could feel his lungs wilt like winter hitting a bunch of roses.

It was painful, to say the least, to smile at Yoongi when he told a terrible joke or complimented Hoseok and what felt worse was that Hoseok was aware the monster knew. He wasn't stupid. He could see the pitiful glances as he heaved over in excruciating pain from his intestines squeezing on nothing. Yoongi was fully aware of the state Hoseok was in yet you could see that glint in his eyes saying that he hoped it would pass.

It wouldn't pass.

His agony was becoming too frequent like every stab in his chest was another cell dying from starvation and he knew at this rate he'd be dead soon. How long did he have? A week? A day? An hour? He wanted it to stop immediately and the only way that would happen was if Yoongi killed him.

They were sat opposite each other, legs crossed and backs slouched, in what they deemed for label's sake: their bedroom. Blankets were thrown across between them as a mountain between their worlds and they giggled above it, some stupid tale Yoongi had to offer that began from some other ancient tale which was by now forgotten.

It felt as if the Devil himself ripped through Hoseok's chest, taking what he wanted and spearing his chest in fragmented pieces, he groaned, wincing harshly at the sudden over surging feeling before he lowered his head in defeat.

Yoongi was startled the smile that once lined his feature's vanished as if Hoseok took it off him. "Are you alright?" At first, he chastised himself, of course, Hoseok wasn't alright, but he knew he had to ask. If he pretended too long like he didn't notice it could get bad in a time everything was going right. The human would feign a smile, eyes crying for help as he stated I'm fine or maybe he would shake his head and tell Yoongi that he was aching and his bones and soul were weakened.

Hoseok would react either way, that's how humans were. Liars or beggars. But maybe Yoongi should've been more in tact that Jung Hoseok wasn't like any other irrational human.

"Yoongi." The boy panted, clenching his eyes shut, "would you be able to kill me?"

Really Hoseok should come in a package that says 'susceptible to bad timings and irrational phrases' so Yoongi was slightly, only slightly, shocked by the outburst. From his short time with him, Yoongi should've been more aware that Hoseok would come up with something like that, something that was so easy for him to spew out like it meant nothing. As if he meant nothing.

"No." The monster replied blatantly. Eyes flickering away from the boy.

Hoseok lurched forward, leaning so his palms lay flat on Yoongi's thigh, his head millimetres from the monsters own. He begged, "Please... Yoongi. I beg you. I'm in too much pain... I- I can't go on like this."

"No." Yoongi repeated, his tone more assertive and he leaned to press a tender kiss to the boy's forehead. "I can't live with the guilt of killing you."

A stumble of a protest went to leave Hoseok's mouth, already filtered bitterly against his tongue but Yoongi silenced him, encasing the younger in his arms and keeping his lips softly pressed to the other but Hoseok pulled away harshly.

Face contorting horribly into one of pain he whimpered, clutching his chest tightly through the flimsy material of his shirt. "H-help me!" He coughed, wheezing heavily for air.

"I can't help you, you know I can't!" Yoongi cried, placing his hand calmly on top of Hoseok's own and pinching the skin to distract him.

"Yes. Yes you can! You can make this stop!! It hurts so much Yoongi!" As if on cue he lurched forward in another surge of pain, the monster cradling him close to his chest.

"Hoseok," he murmered, almost hissed, right next to the boys ear. "How do you expect me to live when you're dead? I hate seeing you in pain but I can't do anything. I'm sorry."

"I'm going to die." He whimpered and the last Yoongi wanted was another tear fest. "I'm only twenty years old and I'm going to die and then what about you? You're just going to starve as well if you don't kill me so why, why, won't you just end it not for my sake but for yours."

"If only human emotions worked like that."

"You're right because I don't want you to feel anything like I do. So that's why you must eat." He pleaded, his tone becoming lighter as a plan easily formed. It could be simple to guilt trip Yoongi into killing Hoseok. The monster can see that he's dying and surely, surely, Yoongi wouldn't want to suffer that much also.

"I won't eat you Hoseok." He paused, cradling the boy in his arms. "But I do know how we can stop it. For both of us."

Like a moth drawn to a flame, Hoseok pined at Yoongi. Ready for whatever he had.

The elder took his stand. "Poison."