Bargain (Not Met) (JungHope)

Interlude - Progress

When the song ended, Hoseok pulled away from Jungkook. He felt embarrassment wash over him as he reflected back on his behavior for the past few days, and he couldn't bring himself to meet Jungkook's gentle gaze.

"Did you want to talk to Yoongi-hyung today?" Jungkook asked, voice soft and flowing with the new track the stereo had begun playing.

Hoseok nodded his head tersely as he moved to pause the CD from playing. "It was...irresponsible of us to leave a mourning person alone," he said after a moment. "Demon or not, there's no telling what a person could do to get rid of their grief."

"Like shun the world away by hiding underneath a blanket?"

Hoseok laughed, though it lacked humor and was held tight in his chest. "Yeah. But he seems like the type of person to drink his problems away."

"Should we visit the bar first, then?"

Hoseok shook his head. "I don't want to be too presumptuous. Plus," he continued as he lifted his head to face Jungkook with a wry grin, "I don't think I can handle that much unwanted company."

Jungkook returned a small smile of his own. "You don't have to force yourself, you know. Grief isn't something you can shake off within a matter of days."

"For Yoongi-ssi, I'll be willing to get rid of it the second we enter his apartment."

Jungkook's eyes went gooey soft at Hoseok's confession. "You're kind, Hoseok-hyung."

Hoseok turned away from Jungkook and marched determinedly toward the door. "I'm just cleaning up after my mistakes."

They walked wordlessly toward Yoongi's apartment. It was reminiscent of just a few days ago—when Hoseok's new reality hadn't settled into his frenzied mind—when he hadn't fallen into despair. It had been such a gloomy and dark day, yet Hell's sky mirrored itself perfectly as Hoseok gazed up at the midnight chasm that kept Hell and the surface world apart. It never changed, forever shrouded in shadows without the merciful presence of the sun.

God, Hoseok missed the sun.

Hoseok averted his gaze from Hell's sky and felt his breath catch in his throat when Yoongi's apartment suddenly loomed over him.

"Want me to go first?" Jungkook asked quietly.

Hoseok shook his head and resolved himself. "It was my idea. I should take responsibility."

Because everything—every single step leading up to this very moment—had been the result of Hoseok's decision a mere month ago.

With a thrumming heart, Hoseok crept up the steps and faltered in front of Yoongi's door. His fist, poised to knock, froze and wavered in the oppressed air.

It was terrifying, taking the initiative.

But the image of Yoongi, sobbing desperately against Taehyung's lifeless body, won over his nerves, and he rapped his knuckles against the door.

Hoseok waited, Jungkook by his side, for something—anything. Shuffling footsteps, a shuddering breath, a shout of annoyance, a sign of life.

Silence met his quiet approach, and panic instantly seized Hoseok. He twisted the doorknob and felt his heart drop when he found it unlocked, smoothly giving way and yawning open the door.

"Yoongi-ssi?" Hoseok called out as he edged into the entryway. He paused as he replaced his shoes for slippers and motioned for Jungkook to shut and lock the door, just in case.

"Hyung!" Jungkook shouted as he followed in behind Hoseok.

"We're here to check up on you," Hoseok said as he peered into the living room, swallowing down his dread when he saw that it was empty. "To...to see how you're doing."