THE SUN AND HIS STARS ✓

12.

"I'm going for a walk," Hoseok said to no one in particular the next morning during breakfast, pushing back his chair and standing up.

"All of a sudden?" Jimin asked. "Why?"

"Gotta get enough happiness for the day," Hoseok said.

"I have a question," Seokjin said, putting his fork down. "Have you ever taken happiness from us? It's alright if you—"

"I haven't, and I never will."

-

Hoseok was done collecting happiness and was strolling through the park to pass time, when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

He pulled it out and looked at the caller ID. Unknown number. He accepted the call and pressed his phone to his ear.

"Hoseok," Seokjin's voice rang through the phone. "Taehyung is up. And, well, he's asking for you."

"I'll be right there." Hoseok saved the number as 'Seokjin'  before practically running home.

-

"Be gentle," said Seokjin as he and Hoseok stood in front of the door to the room Taehyung was in. "He's still weak."

"I'm not going to break him, Seokjin hyung," Hoseok said, looking at up Seokjin, slightly offended.

"I know— sorry." Heat rose to Seokjin's cheeks. "He's very tired, so if he just nods off all of a sudden, don't worry."

"Got it. Thank you, Seokjin hyung."

Seokjin smiled. "I think you've earned the right to call me Jin, hm?"

Seokjin left, and Hoseok swallowed nervously before opening the door. He had considered knocking, but, well, this was his house.

Taehyung was sitting up in bed, a blanket pulled lazily up to his waist. Hoseok closed the door behind him and they stood in silence, before both of them spoke at the same time.

"I'm sorry."

They looked at each other in surprise.

"What are you sorry for?" Hoseok asked, baffled that Taehyung could find something to apologize for when this was all Hoseok's fault.

"For yelling at you," Taehyung said quietly. His voice was weak. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left like that, either. Hyung, I didn't mean any of what I said—"

"It's okay," Hoseok said, leaning against the door. "You weren't wrong."

"I was," Taehyung insisted. "What are you sorry for?"

"Unintentionally using you, not telling you about the curse, being distant while you were trying your hardest to be a good friend," Hoseok listed, counting on his fingers. "I'm not exactly the easiest to be around."

"You're doing pretty well now, hyung," Taehyung said, offering a small smile. "So... are we— are we good?"

"Yeah," Hoseok breathed, relieved. "We're good."

"Good." Taehyung nodded. There was another silence, less awkward this time. Hoseok was trying to find something else to say (because god, he had missed talking to Taehyung the past week), when Taehyung cleared his throat.

"Can we..." Taehyung trailed off awkwardly, blushing. "Never mind. It's weird."

"No, what were you going to say?" Hoseok asked, curiosity getting the best of him.

"Can... can we cuddle?"

Hoseok paused, processing. "Cuddle?"

Taehyung's red cheeks stood out against his pale skin. "To fall asleep, I have to hug something, and pillows just aren't the same. It's dumb. Sorry, hyung, I know you're not comfortable with that stuff. Shouldn't have asked."

But Taehyung looked so guilty about it, that Hoseok said, "Sure."

Taehyung looked up, surprised. "Really?" He was beginning to sound tired, so Hoseok had to make sure he got a good rest.

As Hoseok got on the bed, Taehyung scooched over and kicked the blanket off. Hoseok laid awkwardly, stiff as a board, next to Taehyung.

"Hyung," said Taehyung, attempting to stop his giggles. "This isn't cuddling."

Hoseok rolled his eyes. "I'm new to this, alright? What am I supposed to—"

Taehyung threw an arm over Hoseok's torso, snuggling into his side and resting his head on his chest.

Hoseok, surprising himself, reached a hand up and began carding his fingers through Taehyung's hair.

"Is this too uncomfortable, hyung?" Taehyung asked, and by the sound of his voice, Hoseok could tell he was half asleep.

"No," Hoseok breathed. "Not at all."

Taehyung hummed. "Thanks for helping me. If you hadn't—"

"Don't talk about that," Hoseok said. "I did, and now you're healing. You're okay."

"I dunno how to repay you, hyung."

"You don't have to. That's what friends do, right?"

Taehyung gave a small nod against Hoseok's chest. "'m sorry 'bout the past week, too."

"So am I," Hoseok replied, keeping his voice low in hopes that Taehyung would fall asleep. "We're on the same page."

"'m really lucky to have a friend like you, hyung..."

"Go to sleep, Tae."

Taehyung gave him a slurred "goodnight" before falling silent, his breaths becoming slow and even. Hoseok pressed a kiss to Taehyung's head.

They stayed like that for a while, and Hoseok found himself drifting off, too, until the door opened and Jungkook poked his head in curiously, his hair falling over his eyes. He tiptoed in, whispering, "Sorry, hyung, I didn't wake you, did I?"

Hoseok shook his head. He realized he was still brushing his fingers through Taehyung's hair, and Jungkook gave him a knowing look. Before Hoseok could say anything, he had pulled out his phone and taken a picture.

"Jungkook—" Hoseok started. Taehyung stirred for a second before giving a deep sigh and hugging Hoseok tighter.

Jungkook giggled. "He's finally made you his pillow, huh? We've all been there before, Hoseok hyung." He grinned at his phone. "I'm totally making a group chat with the seven of us and sending this to it."

Hoseok gave him a wavering glare that only caused Jungkook to grin wider. 

"So," Jungkook said quietly, "are you guys gonna be okay?"

Hoseok looked down at the sleeping boy in his arms.

"Yeah. I think we will be."