As Jin approached the door, he prayed that the apartment was empty.

He and Hoseok had gotten into a heated argument that morning before he left to meet Jungkook, and it had been the reason he had kept Jungkook waiting.

Flashback

After hanging up the call with Jungkook, Jin looked around the living room. It was empty. To his greatest happiness, he had come back from his short vacation to an empty apartment. Hoseok had been away.

He didn't think he would be able to look at him if he had been around. Hoseok was giving him more and more reasons to not love him. More reasons for his heart to flutter for someone else.

All along he had condoned Hoseok's behavior, received every and any insult and hits from Hoseok because of his love; because he believed if he loved Hoseok, he had to be patient, he had to be understanding. That it would all be fine in no time.

He could remember and almost feel the aura of the former Hoseok; the one whom he had fallen recklessly in love with. The one he had fantasized spending the rest of his life with- that his mother loved and sister adored.

But that Hoseok was gone. Jin had seen it in his eyes. Hoseok couldn't be repaired, or helped. At least, not by him. He had tried his best to be the best boyfriend anyone could ask for, to love and be there for Hoseok. But Hoseok didn't love him. Hoseok hated him. Hoseok would easily beat up someone who was ready to do anything for him. He didn't love Jin and Jin was coming to that painful, yet relieving realization, one that he had dreaded.

His Hoseok was gone, leaving him with what was left; what he would call a possessed sad psychopath. That was whom Hoseok had become. Someone who had changed like a light switch, and was capable of drastically changing others too.

If not for the vacation Jin had taken, he wouldn't have realised so fast that he too was changing. That he too had become different. More and more vulnerable, fragile and weak. He had become a punching bag to Hoseok causing him to appear drained physically and psychologically, he was unhappy. His mother had made him realise that. She had seen through the mask he had subconsciously disguised himself with.

He was unhappy yet always pretending to be happy whenever he went outside, yet he didn't realise he hadn't always been like that. That a while ago, he had been genuinely happy with the same person that had stripped him of that happiness.

Jin had realised during the short vacation that he couldn't continue to live that way, to constantly be unhappy. Although he couldn't also help but see himself- his heart fluttering for the raven haired boy who always clinged to his side.

Jungkook was the only one he was truly happy with. With his family, they would always bring up Hoseok, unknown to the fact that Hoseok was a devil who caused pain to their precious Jin. But with Jungkook, any and every thought of Hoseok disappeared like a sudden light in a dark room.

Every moment with Jungkook, he cherished with every drop of blood in his body. He was willing to do anything for the boy. Willing to take up his burden and bare it, just so his choco Kookie would be happy. And even if Jungkook was constantly unhappy because of his jerkface exes, Jin knew the boy was happy in his company, so he always hung out with him.

He had expected to have a hyung-dongsaeng relationship with Jungkook in the beginning. But saying that that was what they were in that moment, was like denying that the sun never came up in the morning.

Jin couldn't deny the obvious anymore, not more than he could deny his feelings for the 16 years old. He didn't love Hoseok. Not anymore.

Jin shook himself out of his thoughts. He was wallowing again in sorrow and sadness, just like he was constantly doing recently. He couldn't allow himself waste away because of Hoseok. He had a whole lot of responsibility to carry in the nearest future, and that responsibility required a strong hearted person.

He moved away from the window and proceeded to keep himself busy until it was time to meet Jungkook. He was already excited about seeing his choco Kookie after such a long time since their date in that very dorm room.

Date.

He had just said date in his head.

Jin rubbed his face tiredly. Was he falling in love with Jungkook? That wouldn't be a surprise to him. He wasn't one to deny his feelings. If he felt something for someone he would accept it and see how things went.

So, to say he was beginning to hate Hosoek wasn't a lie. The thought of Hoseok repulsed him, and the sight of him made Jin's insides burn with hurt.

But with Jungkook, Jin could feel his heart beat double it's pace. The thought of Jungkook always left him daydreaming, visualizing a time when the both of them would be happy with nothing to fear. Maybe, a time together.

He would be lying if he said he hadn't imagined a time with Jungkook, when he would be able to freely hold the younger boy in his arms and not feel like a child abuser. A time where he didn't have to pretend just to be Jungkook's nice hyung whom he can always run to. A time when he could stare lovingly at Jungkook without being afraid of getting caught.

That time Jin hadn't stopped wondering if would ever come. What gave him jitters was the sad realization of; If he would ever have a happy ending. If Jungkook would ever open up his heart to his broken hyung. If he would survive to see that day. If Hoseok would ever let him go without a fight. If everyone found out just what happened between he and Jungkook; the embarrassment and shame he would have to feel for the rest of his life.

Jin was scared. He was afraid of what would be his fate in the future.

He had shrugged off his thoughts and tried to do things to pass time.

Though the house was already clean, Jin went on to clean the place again. Then he began to tidy up his room quickly. He knew if he decided to settle down to tidy his room it could take more than 6 hours because of the amount of clothes he possessed.

At 8:45 that morning, Jin got dressed. He grabbed his phone, wallet and keys, and headed to the door-

The door opened before he got there and Jin's heart hitched as he halted.

Hoseok walked in, shutting the door behind. A huge grin formed on his lips as he looked up to see Jin.

"Baby," Hoseok called and rushed to engulf Jin in a big hug. "When did you get back? You should have called me."

Jin's hands fell limply by his side as Hoseok hugged him tighter, rocking him from side to side.

"I missed you so much! You look so good," Hoseok said, planting a kiss on his neck.

He pulled away, smiling at Jin.

"How's your mum and sister?"

Jin mustered a smile. "Fine. How're you?"

Hoseok pulled him into a hug again. "I don't know," He chuckled. "I just missed you too much."

Jin nodded.

Hoseok pulled away, but held his waist, looking into Jin's eyes. "Are you okay?"

Jin nodded. "I'm fine." He wasn't. He wanted to get as far away from Hoseok as possible.

"You sure?" Hoseok raised a brow.

"Yeah," Jin said, trying to keep his faltering smile. He was feeling uneasy.

Hoseok's hand grazed his face, running down his jawline and to his lips. His eyes flickered to Jin's lips.

Jin cleared his throat. "Um... I.. Uh..." He began to pull away.

Hoseok sighed.

"Um.. I'm going out," Jin said.

"Where to?"

"Uh.." Jin bit his lower lip. "For a walk."

Hoseok frowned. "But you just go back.. I haven't spent time with you yet. Didn't you miss me? Don't you want to spend time with me?"

"No, I just.. I have to do something." His lies were getting weaker and weaker too.

"Then do it with me," Hoseok said, snaking his hand around Jin's waist again. "Let's stay together."

Jin would rather chew rock.

He had to find a way, to think of a better excuse. He couldn't stay with Hoseok. He wanted to see Jungkook, to be with Jungkook.

"I have to meet with my professor. I've already kept her waiting for so long because I was waiting for you to get back."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were back. I'm here now."

Jin shrugged. "It's okay. I still have to leave. I'll see you when I get back."

"I don't care about your stupid professor. I haven't seen my boyfriend in 3 days, and I missed him," Hoseok insisted stubbornly.

"Hoseok, please don't start. I'm late."

Hoseok's hand fell and his expression was replaced with anger.

"I shouldn't start? Because I want to spend time with you? What exactly shouldn't I start, Jin? Are you trying to say that I'm a troublemaker now?"

The devil had surfaced, Jin thought as his heart tugged nervously.

"Hoseok, please-"

"Didn't you even miss me? You were away from your beloved boyfriend for 3 days and the day you get back you're in a hurry to go out with your stupid professor?! Who the hell is the professor?! Tell me. Is she more important to you than me, huh!? Is she more important than your loving boyfriend."

Jin shook his head, waving his hand. Hoseok's outburst wasn't a surprise but Jin was never ready or prepared to be pummeled. It still hurt every time.

"Or.." Hoseok's eyes widened with realisation. "Are you cheating on me? Is that what it's about? Are you having an affair with your professor?"

"No!" Jin waved frantically. "Oh, God. Hoseok, I swear, no."

"You are, aren't you?"

Jin took shaky steps back as Hoseok approached him.

"Don't I love you enough? Haven't I given you my whole heart, Jin?"

Jin's whole body shook feverishly, as tears burned his eyes, blurring his vision. He feared for when Hoseok would send a slap flying to his face.

"Answer me, Jin!" Hoseok reached and snatched Jin's arm.

Jin felt like his hand was about to be detached.

"Hoseok..." He cried, his tears falling nonstop.

"Kim Seokjin!"

In fear, Jin jumped into Hoseok's arms.

"I'm sorry," He cried. "I won't leave anymore. I'll stay with you. Please don't hurt me, Hoseok. Please."

Jin sobbed carelessly in Hoseok's arms.

"Please. I'm sorry."

Hoseok wrapped his arms around Jin's body. "I'm sorry, baby." Hoseok apologized. "I'm so sorry. Please don't cry. I'm sorry."

Hoseok walked them to the couch and didn't stop hugging Jin, who remained in his hold, crying and hating Hoseok the more.

When Jin stopped crying, Hoseok held him more, rocking him and apologizing. It was about an hour later when Hoseok stopped talking and apologizing that Jin looked up and saw Hoseok was asleep.

Jin waited 3 minutes before stealthily disentangling Hoseok's arms from around his body and leaving the position on the couch.

Jin escaped the dorm without getting caught. He rushed out like a nervous thief, and walked a great distance from the building. He turned off his phone and shoved it into his back pocket. Then entered a convenient store where he got a bottle of water to wash his face with.

He knew he was already late and Jungkook might be worried about him, but he didn't leave immediately. He sat on a stool at the back of the store, trying as hard as he can to watch what was playing on the tv which was hanging from the ceiling, so as to get his composure back. He couldn't afford to appear broken to Jungkook.

After sitting for 15 minutes, Jin felt himself come back to normal and his heartbeat steady. He thanked the store attendant and left to catch a bus to meet Jungkook.

He tried to fill his head with sweet memories of his choco Kookie while pushing to the back of his head that coming back to the dorm was going to be World War III with Hoseok.

End of Flashback

Jin turned the handle of the door and his heart sank into his stomach when the door opened ajar.

Jin shut his eyes and tried to muster the courage and will to enter the house, but by the passing second he got more nervous.

Hoseok was going to kill him, he feared. That morning he had managed to escape the beating by jumping in his arms. It was something he had never done before. He had been so scared he had sought comfort from the same person inflicting the fear and heartbreak.

Once Jin entered the room, a cold shiver washed up his spine. It felt like there was a demonic presence which caused the temperature to drop drastically, but Jin knew it was just his fear sending shivers through his body.

The living room was silent, empty. Jin swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He shut the door quietly and took slow shaky steps to his room.

Once he got to the door and entered his room, Jin sighed in relief, locking all the bolts on it. He switched on the door, and turned only to jump and let out a yelp.

His heart thudded against his chest like a marathon as his body collapsed against the door.

Hoseok stood next to his window, looking outside. He was shirtless, and only in his briefs.

"Welcome," He said, in a not so welcoming voice. More like a challenging tone.

Jin backed up against the door, but he couldn't walk through it. Why didn't he have powers to walk through things? It would have come in really handy for him in that moment.

"Where did you go?"

Jin's eyes darted everywhere in a split second.

"Your phone was switched off. I couldn't reach you," Hoseok said. "And don't say you went to see your professor."

"I-I did.."

"You're lying to me?" Hoseok turned around and then, Jin saw he was holding a belt.

"No, I'm- I'm not, Hoseok."

"Liar!" Hosoek thundered. "Because I called all your professors! Every single one of them in the faculty! None of them met with you!"

Jin gasped in horror. What had he gotten himself into with Hoseok? Pain washed through him as he regretted the day he had fallen in love with Hoseok.

"Where did you go to, Jin?" Hoseok slapped the belt against his other hand. "And this time, don't lie to me."

Jin stuttered about for words, but nothing came out. Fear ate his reasoning and he wasn't able to make any sense from anything.

He wanted to disappear into thin air and never come back again.

"Seokjin!"

Jin jumped in fright. "Please, I'm sorry!" He couldn't mention Jungkook. Not ever!

Hoseok nodded. "Strip."

Jin swallowed, staring at Hoseok in horror. Hoseok's eyes had darkened, intensified and was now covered with angst and hate.

"I said strip. Don't make me repeat myself," Hoseok said, stepping out of his own briefs while slapping the belt against his hand, glaring at Jin.