Before You Go • VHOPE [On Hold]

Chapter 17: Birthday

Ever since Hoseok held Taehyung while he cried on his shoulder, he had been feeling a bit different. There was always a pang in his chest whenever he recalled it.

Seeing the always smiling Taehyung being so vulnerable and crying without regard to anything, even if out of his happiness— that really surprised Hoseok.

He couldn't get the unease out of himself for days, and especially not on the day of Taehyung's birthday. He was super nervous while preparing his backpack.

Someone knocked on his already open bedroom door, "You sure you're going to be fine?"

"Yeah, of course." He said hesitantly as he zipped his bag and held it in his arms sideways. "Ready to go?" His father asked to which he nodded.

He went downstairs and kept his bag in the car carefully, and as he was about to step inside, he remembered something. "Where are you going?" His father asked but he ran upstairs. As he reached his room, he panted and looked around. His focus fell on the jacket that he had been holding onto for quite a while now. He bit his lip and took it, not wanting to return it but he had to, afterall.

It also reminded him of the nose bleed he had that night. His father is still unaware. But since it didn't happen after that, he thought it was probably just a fluke and decided to not bother his already anxious dad with it. Nothing good comes out of worrying too much.

He went downstairs and his father escorted him to their car and drove to Taehyung's house. On their way, while Hoseok stared out of the window, he father took a few curious glances at him.

"Wouldn't it have been better if I dropped you off at school everyday?"

"No, I don't want anyone paying too much attention to the fact that I'm coming through car everyday."

"Gosh, no one is going to be suspicious about it. You're too critical, son." He chuckled dryly.

Hoseok pouted, "Well.." He didn't have anything particularly to defend himself with. "You didn't really have to drop me off at Taehyung's place either, you know?"

"Let your old man have some peace of mind," He said in his kind tone. And Hoseok hated himself again momentarily for being the constant source of pain to his father.

After reaching their destination in like just five minutes, thanks to the slow cautious driving abilities of his father, he got out. His father walked him to the door.

"It's okay, dad.. you can go now.." Hoseok furrowed his brows.

"It'd be rude not to greet his mother." He reprimanded. Hoseok pouted, which soon vanished when someone opened the door. His expressions softened to see Taehyung with a blissful smile on his lips.

"Happy Birthday.." Hoseok found himself smiling with an involuntary smile, his voice soft and breathless and his whole body numb at the sight of him. He hated whatever was happening to him in the moment, but also, it brought him some pleasant feeling.

"You too!" Taehyung squealed before stammering, knowing he messed up. Everyone laughed at that. "I'm sorry, I meant to say— thank you!" He grinned.

Hoseok's father wished him too, alongwith good blessings and Taehyung bowed a bit in gratitude and gave his thanks.

"Where's Ms. Kim?"

Taehyung's smile fell a bit at that, "Ah.. something important came up so she had to leave for the weekend.." He gave a suppressed smile.

"She won't be home for New Year's Eve?" Mr. Jung raised his eyebrows in surprise. Taehyung gave an awkward pressed smile again as he shook his head and said softly, "She won't.."