...

10💜

One week.

An entire week passed by since the day of their fight and Taehyung hadn't looked in his direction not once. He hadn't hardly talked to Hoseok - except to voice his anger at the other - and it was killing the elder. He loved Taehyung so much, and to see him hurting - to know the cause of the younger's pain held the same name as he - it was worse than any other outcome.

It was immensely awkward in the group as of late. Namjoon and the others had picked up quickly that something was undoubtedly wrong now, and it didn't just have to do with Hoseok - but now their suspicions about Taehyung being involved were correct. To make matters worse, their work and the energy of rest of the group was beginning to be affected as well.

Twice within this week Taehyung had yelled at his hyung, dropping honorifics, and storming off after spitting anger at him. Both times Hoseok had tried to approach him to apologize and to explain himself further, but he was beginning to lose hope. Both times the other members stood witness, shocked at the younger's behavior but unable to voice their concerns or disapproval.

Practice was tense, especially in the dance studio. Hoseok wasn't his normal, confident, and strict teaching-self. Instead, he was timid - barely commenting on anyone's forms or missteps - and was even missing moves and blocking himself. Taehyung once missed a blocking cue and rammed right into Seokjin, the older falling flat on his ass with a surprised yell. When Hoseok had tried to remind Taehyung of the beat the transition move was on, the younger cut him off sharply -

"I know what I'm doing Hoseok, even if you don't. I don't need you to tell me how to dance."

The elder shrunk in on himself.

"Taehyung!"

Said member turned and acknowledged his name being called, coming face to face with the eldest hyung of the group, who had dusted himself off and was now standing a few feet away.

"You need to apologize to Hoseokkie right now. You're being completely disrespectful, what has gotten into you lately?" Seokjin's arms were crossed in displeasure and his expression was pinched in irritation.

"I'm sorry, Seokjin-hyung."

The eldest shook his head, "Not to me," he pointed, Taehyung's eyes following the direction to Hoseok. "Apologize to him."

Tae heaved a sigh and clenched his fists by his sides.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry that you think what you did was acceptable. That you thought it was okay to hurt me like that. That you continue to think that I will ever forgive you for what you said. I'm sorry, hyung." After taking a short breath, he turned to Seokjin and bowed then quickly took his leave.

The other members were at a loss. Taehyung was being mean and disrespectful to Hoseok, Hoseok himself had turned into a quieter, more detached version of himself - and they didn't even know what had caused both of their behaviors in the first place. There was only one thing they could think of to even try and fix this mess that had been made.

A group meeting was called, and they all sat down at a big round table together, Hoseok and Taehyung on complete opposite sides.

"Hoseok-hyung, Taehyung. Both of you need to talk to one another. The fans are beginning to notice that something is off. And practices are becoming difficult because the both of you aren't talking." Namjoon had waited for five minutes in silence - they all did - hoping one of them would say something. But neither wanted to budge; Taehyung still angry at the other, and Hoseok feeling so guilty, wanting to explain himself - wanting to tell Tae that he wasn't disgusted, that he had no idea where the younger got that from - but not wanting to make things worse.

However, Hoseok took a breath - not really wanting to open this can of worms in front of others, but knowing they weren't leaving the table until something had been said.

"Taehyungie.." the elder glance over at the other.

"No." The younger's voice was stiff and irritated. "No, you don't get to call me that." The whole table gaped in shock, except Hoseok who shrunk in his seat. "You don't get to speak to me until I have calmed down - which I haven't - and you certainly don't get to call me 'Taehyungie.'" His words were spat with malice. "You know what you said Hoseok-hyung. I don't care to listen to you any further, but.."

Hoseok couldn't stop his heart from leaping just a tiny bit at the end of his Taehyung's words, hoping there would be a softer sentence to follow.

However, all that followed were calculated, angry, and hostile words that broke Hoseok into pieces.

"But we're still band members. We have to work together. I don't like it very much at the moment, but I will have to deal. Only speak to me about our job. Anything else is off-limits." The room was dead silent.

"There. Problem solved. Group meeting adjourned." Taehyung stood and stormed off, Namjoon and Jimin calling after him, the latter actually getting up to track him down.

Hoseok held it in as best he could, waiting until the other was barricaded in his room. Only then did he go to heave a sigh - though was came out was a pitiful sob, his body shaking and curling in on itself in his seat.

***

[Tenth chapter done!]