Hoseok: That's why they call me Master, sweetheart. Now it's your turn. Say it.
Yoongi: If you want my help that badly, you need to give me something in return. Something I can't get anywhere else...
Namjoon: If they want to take you back, they have...
"If you pack me in this blanket any tighter," Hoseok said, eyes still shut, "I'm going to turn into a butterfly in three days."
He opened one eye, then the other. A smile flashed across his face before he sat up and removed the blanket and threw it over your head.
"Rest, Y/N," he said. "You're not in any better shape than I am."
You lowered your head under the blanket. "Forgive me."
"What did you say?"
"...Forgive me."
He chuckled. "Forgive you for what?"
"For disobeying you."
"And why should I forgive that?"
You didn't answer.
The blanket was ripped from your head, and all you saw was Hoseok's playful grin.
"You know, you're starting to become the most complicated burden I've ever given myself," he said, sighing.
Burden.
That's what I am, isn't it?
A burden to my family. A burden to my brother. A burden to myself. To everyone.
Weak and helpless. Nothing else.
You couldn't stop yourself from crying. Sobs struck your chest and fell from your lips mercilessly. Hoseok grabbed your arms, and you collapsed on his torso, burying your head in his robe. His hands stroked your back and hair as you sobbed.
"It's alright," he whispered. "It's alright."
"You're hurt because of me."
"I made my own decisions."
"If I had only followed your orders, then..."
You sat up, sniffling. He brushed your hair from your face.
"Are you ready to follow my orders, then?" he asked. "You have to give up complete control to me. If you want to be equal to my men, then you have to sacrifice the same things they have. Are you willing to do that?"
You traced your fingers over the wrap on his neck, careful not to apply any pressure.
"You're the only one in the last five years who's helped me," you said. "I had to fight alone to keep Jungkook and me alive. There was no one else... I had to be the strongest. If I submitted, then..."
You couldn't finish, sobs threatening to take over again. Hoseok's eyes never left yours as he took your hand from his wound and held it. His fingers traced yours, the touch making you feel both comforted and weak.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"But I wasn't strong enough," you whispered. "He's going to die because of me."
"If he dies, it won't be because of you."
"It's all my fault. I could have stopped it."
"How, sweetheart?" he asked, the nickname lacking its usual condescending edge. "There's nothing you could have done. This guilt will drain your life faster than a cut from any sword."
He grabbed your face between his hands and made you look at him.
"If he dies," he said, "it's not my fault. I want you to say that. I want you to say it every hour until you believe it."
Your jaw trembled between his hands as you continued to keep sniffling. You tried so hard to hold the sobs back, but your gut felt like it would rip apart if you kept it down any longer.
"Say it," he commanded.
You tried to steady your breath.
"It's not... if he dies..."
You couldn't get through the sentence. Hoseok brought you back to his chest, the fabric of his robe brushing against your tears. He stroked your back, holding your hand in his.
"He's all I have left," you whispered.
"I told you. You have me now. I wouldn't leave a stray like us out in the cold to wander. What kind of master would I be?"
His chin grazed against your forehead as he leaned in to reach your ear.
"Let me be your master, Y/N," he whispered, "You trust me more than you want to admit. Submit to my command. I'll keep you safe."
Safe.
You couldn't remember the last time you felt that emotion.
You didn't answer, but your fingers gripped onto his robe as you leaned against his chest. He chuckled softly into your ear.
"Alright then, my pet," he said, "I think it's time for you to take your place in the pack."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SOUNDTRACK: Don't Leave Me (piano cover) by Smyang Piano
"Heol" is a Korean phrase that's used to express shock, if you didn't know. I never heard it until I moved to Korea. But it seemed like the best word for the scene.
Hoseok is taking over this story more than I anticipated, but I'm not complaining. He's also taking over my bias list more than I anticipated, so I guess it's appropriate...
