𝐁𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 𝟑 | 𝐅𝐈𝐍

hoseok - request (pt 2)

i'm just gonna say it now but like, i think i've done a good job this week

LIKE THE SUN

- in which hoseok explains himself to you; sequel to HERO IN DISGUISE, requested by AmandaHerondale24

"Shit," you hiss, flinching away from Hoseok's hand as he presses the cotton ball to your bleeding—and now stinging—lip, looking apologetic as he grips onto your jaw with his thumb and index finger, angling your head back towards him as he continues treating you silently.

Sniffling childishly, you drop your gaze to the ground of the boy's locker room, desperately trying to blink away your tears of pain as he pulls the stool you sit on closer to him, tucking you safely in between his legs, his gaze focused as his brows furrow together, touch gentle as he finishes wiping at your lip.

It's at this moment that you decide to flick your gaze up to meet his, his eyes noticeably widening as they lock onto your orbs, your body hesitating on your next move as you realise just how close you are to him; his even breaths fanning over your upper lip. His eyes lazily drag themselves to your lips, his tongue dipping out to moisten his own lips as he flinches back with a clear of his throat.

"Can you lift your shirt up, please?" He asks gingerly, thanking you softly when you do as he asks, grimacing at the ugly purple patches that make themselves home on your skin. Hoseok's hand trembles as he runs his fingers over the edge of a bruise, his eyes cast down in guilt when you whimper, a shudder racking through your whole body. Shaking his head, he grabs the bandage from the first aid box and wraps it around your middle, apologising profusely when you complain about the pain, eventually clapping his hands together once he's done.

"There, all finished," he announces in relief, shoving the supplies back into the box as quickly as he can, returning his attention to you in a matter of moments. "Are you okay?"

You want to say yes. You want to nod with confidence and assure him that all this pain is nothing for you and that you'll be as good as new in a few hours. You want to put behind the embarrassment of being so vulnerable in front of him and remind him that you're still the same, smart arsed girl that never shows her weaknesses.

But you're scared.

You're scared of what comes next for you. You're scared of those girls and what might happen the next time they corner you. You're scared of how Hoseok will treat you from now on because of the pathetically vulnerable state you've been in. You're scared that this newfound kindness of his may only be a one-off thing and that he'll leave you to fend for yourself.

Although, there's a part of you that craves his comfort, his warmth, his security.

You shake your head slowly, your tears creating endless streams down your cheeks as you choke out a few sobs, burying your face into your hands. He wastes no time in ushering you into his embrace, his hand rubbing your back slowly as his chin rests on top of your head, his other arm carefully securing itself around your waist.

You hesitantly wrap your own arms around his middle, pressing your cheek into his chest as your sobs vibrate throughout your whole body, your eyes stinging and nose red from all the crying. His heart breaks as you calm yourself into quiet whimpers and sniffles, the tension in your shoulders loosening in his hold.

"They won't hurt you anymore," he whispers when the room is silent, smiling softly as he subtly holds you closer to him. "I promise."

You reluctantly pull away from his embrace, wiping at your eyes as you lamely chuckle, wincing at the dull ache of pain the action brings you. He frowns but shakes it away, softening his features into a more inviting one as he lowers himself so that he's eye to eye with you.