You Are Loved ◦ JungHope

Part 8

Seokjin didn't ask any more until they arrived. More specifically, until the second the door closed to Jungkook's apartment. "Okay, first off. Is Jimin here? Does he know about any of this?"

Jungkook lead Hoseok in, dropping the bag on the floor and motioning for the elder to sit with him on the couch. "Jimin hyung has been staying with Taehyungie hyung. He comes back every once in a while to get new clothes but he hardly sleeps here anymore. Nobody knows about this except you and maybe Yoongi hyung."

Seokjin sat on the chair beside the couch, eyes narrowed and questioning. Sparing a moment to briefly glance at Hoseok and Jungkook's hands, still interlocked. "Okay, well. Don't know why he still pays rent here then but I have more important questions. Like, oh, I don't know. What the fuck is a good place to start."

"Jin hyung." Jungkook's voice was warning.

"Jungkookie saved me hyung." Hoseok was looking down, his voice soft. Barely there.

"He...saved you...?" Seokjin's features softened at that, concern filling his eyes. "What do you...oh." Realization was washing ashore in his eyes. "Oh my god. Hobi-ah...did Sangchul..."

Hoseok's eyes stayed trained onto his and Jungkook's hands. Unable to look up, unable to speak.

Jungkook nodded. "That bastard won't hurt Hobi hyung again. I swear." Jungkook spoke through the lump in his throat as he looked back to Hoseok. "I swear I won't let him touch Hobi hyung ever again. I promised to protect him from now on."

A hand flew up to cover Seokjin's mouth, his own eyes glossing over with tears. "Oh my god. Hobi-ah...Hoseok I'm so sorry...Shit...no I'm so sorry I didn't know...I didn't think that it was this bad. None of us did we thought...we thought...that he was just controlling- not that he was...oh god Hobi-ah are you okay? I'm so sorry-"

Hosoek snapped up at that, shaking his head. "What?! Hyung...no. This isn't your fault. I caused all of this, you have nothing to be sorry for. You didn't know."

"But we did know. I knew. I just...I didn't think that it was this bad but...but that isn't an excuse." heavy tears were rolling down Seokjin's cheeks now. "Did...did he hurt you Hobi-ah?"

Hoseok was walking over to kneel down in front of Seokjin, wiping his tears. "Hyung it doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm here now...and I'm going to fix this. Don't cry...please don't cry..."

Seokjin leaned forward, capturing Hoseok in a warm, wet hug. "Hobi-ah...I'm sorry I was so late. Please forgive me."

Hoseok shook his head, holding his hyung back with just as much warmth. "No. Hyung you have nothing to be forgiven over. I forgive you, if that's what you need to hear but...hyung it's okay. It's not your fault."

Seokjin sniffed, leaning back to fix Hoseok's bangs carefully. "I should have never sent Joon-ah out to talk with you the last time we were all together. I should have done it myself. I'm sorry, hyung will be better. I promise. Hyung will look after you better."

Hoseok chuckled lightly. "You're already the perfect hyung."

"Then why did everyone know about what was going on, yet nobody did anything?" Jungkook asked. Not with anger, but not with kindness either.

Seokjin was about to respond when Hoseok stood up, "Kookie, can I help you take care of your eye? Please?"

Jungkook seemed surprised at the sudden change in topic, but nodded slowly as he got up to join Hoseok.

Seokjin wiped his eyes once more. "Go take care of our Maknae Hobi-ah, I'll make some dinner for the two of you."

The two nodded, Hoseok following Jungkook into the bathroom. Jungkook noticed Hoseok's shoulders tense up slightly as they walked in, but he didn't want to overwhelm his hyung by asking too many questions.