Facade - BTS Superhero AU

Chapter 12 - Choices and Memories

   "Okay, what about this one. Would you rather be stung by the insect with the most painful sting on earth, or be forced to eat ghost peppers and only ghosts peppers for three days?"

   Jin was smiling like a crazy person, the other three eyeing him warily.

   "Jin... why are your scenarios always so violent?" Namjoon asked from across the circle they had made on the floor of Hoseok's living room.

   Hoseok had been discharged from the hospital three days ago, deemed perfectly healthy and, due to Namjoon's aid, able to walk again. Now, with nothing else eventful taking up their time, he, his roommate, and his best friend were clustered on the floor with Seongmin in a small circle, playing a game of would you rather after their last five UNO rounds had been won by Jin.

   "Human suffering is fun when it's not happening to you," Jin stated, still smiling maniacally. After a brief hesitation, Namjoon and Hoseok looking at each other in obvious concern, Seongmin stepped up.

   "I think I'd rather go through with the insect sting. I hate bugs with a passion and I wouldn't really want to endure the pain, but that's a few hours tops of agony rather than being forced to suffer the ghost pepper for three days."

   "Huh. I would've gone for the pepper just because I hate bugs. Plus it's still food, how bad of a punishment could that be?" Jin's crazy smile had melted into an innocent look that Seongmin couldn't help but laugh at.

   "You've never had a ghost pepper, have you?"

   "Nope."

   "Word of advice: don't."

   Hoseok laughed across the circle. "Okay okay, my turn. Would you rather... have your best friend kiss you and it not be awkward, or kiss someone you really want to kiss but it be awkward for a few days after?"

   Namjoon shifted in his seat, apparently thinking, but Jin said his answer first. "Definitely best friend. I'd rather have a memory to laugh over with someone I love rather than have the person I want to be with not want to be around me."

   "Huh," said Seongmin. "I didn't really think about it like that. I would've taken the other option just to know what it would be like to kiss someone I loved, rather than share something like that with a person I don't have feelings for."

   Jin chuckled. "Your point makes sense too, though." He looked across the circle. "What about you, Namjoon?"

   "I... I have to agree with Jin on this one," Namjoon said, shifting again. "I'd want to kiss my best friend more than someone I loved if the awkwardness would be a part of the latter. I'd rather it not be awkward with a friend rather than potentially lose someone who I want to be with more."

   Hoseok laughed. "What, you saying you want to kiss me?"

   Namjoon turned the bright red of a fire engine. The other three all laughed.

   "Tha- wait no, I didn't- Hoseok I-"

   Hoseok pressed his finger to Namjoon's lips in a shush gesture, gently silencing the babble coming from his friend. "We're just messing with you, Joon. No need to be embarrassed," Hoseok said, laughing softly.

   "Y- yeah," Namjoon stuttered, looking at the floor, the walls, anywhere except the eyes of the other three.

   "Hey, Jin, you got that box of pocky still?"

   Namjoon choked.

   Hoseok was howling with laughter at this point, and so was Jin. Seongmin couldn't help but join in, though she placed a hand on Namjoon's shoulder.