Info: Namseok, 3rd Person, PG
Genre: Angst
Word Ct: 829
Warnings: None
Summary: Hoseok stood at the shores, a blissful smile on his face and his friends by his side. They stayed with him through it all, until the very end.
Note: Dedicated to @rainbowjoon who loves Namseok and hates that I always write angst for them. Props to @wenotes for always being up for reading my drafts. And obviously this song was inspired by the hidden track Sea. Enjoy all!
For reasons he never really understood, the sea always made Hoseok think. The crashing waves often resembled the tumbling thoughts in his mind, the chilling waters somehow felt warm against his icy skin. He stood at the shore, water splashing up over his toes, and a blissful smile creasing his face. Looking out at the open water he felt strangely at peace, perhaps it was because his friends stood beside him. They each gave him something that he needed. They each left him feeling whole, completely they never left him wanting.
Jeongguk came to him first, tears overflowing from his eyes. He was a bundle of contradictions, he was childish and brash yet he also possessed an uncanny ability to care. Perhaps it was due to their age gap, but Hoseok always felt strong at Jeongguk’s side. Like the strength he needed to protect Jeongguk wasn’t physical, it was mental. Because he gave him strength Hoseok had the courage to smile while he held his weeping brother in his arms.
Next was Taehyung, his expression was cold and reserved. It broke Hoseok’s heart. There was seldom a time when Taehyung didn’t make Hoseok smile. Sometimes all it took was a look and their sides would split from laughter. Looking at him now it wasn’t the Taehyung he knew. The Taehyung that filled him with such joy. Wrapping an arm around his shoulders Hoseok did what he could to ease Taehyung’s suffering. The pain in his eyes was palpable, and Hoseok was to blame.
When Hoseok caught a glimpse of Jimin he almost cracked. The quivering lips, his cherry red nose, Jimin couldn’t pull his emotions like the others. He was the only one who didn’t send him off with a smile. The tears he shed held enough weight to crush his soul, his spirit, but Hoseok couldn’t let that happen. Just like Jimin had offered him comfort so many times before, Hoseok finally returned the gesture. He held Jimin tight to his breast, letting the younger man cry openly and honestly. It was the last comfort Hoseok could offer him.
Yoongi always occupied an odd place in Hoseok’s heart. They were exact opposites, Yoongi the moon and Hoseok the sun, but they relied on each other. Their conflicting personalities ensured everything was in balance. Watching the waves crash in silence he didn’t shed a single tear. Yoongi just reached out and took Hoseok’s hand in his, squeezing it for all it was worth. Hoseok knew that there was a raging tempest behind Yoongi’s eyes, and yet he still felt at peace. Even when he was torn up inside, Yoongi made Hoseok feel calm.
The smile that creased Seokjin’s handsome face didn’t fool Hoseok, but he appreciated it nevertheless. Seokjin could diffuse almost any situation with his presence, he had the innate ability to make anyone feel safe. Including Hoseok. For just a brief moment as they stood on the shore, Hoseok forgot about everything. He wasn’t afraid because he knew that with Seokjin at his side he was safe. How he wished he could remain there a second longer.
Namjoon came to him last, unable to look Hoseok in the eye. Unlike the others, Hoseok met him halfway. He looked up at Namjoon affectionately, caressing his flushed cheeks with a reassuring smile on his face. Taking his hand tightly in his, Namjoon sobbed so hard his shoulders shook. Hoseok never intended to say goodbye to him, he would’ve spent the rest of his life with him if he could. But Fate has its own plans, plans that evidently were going to keep them apart.
Hoseok wanted to remember the good times, the moments when he wished time would’ve stopped so he could savor them just a bit longer. When he first met the others, when Namjoon stumbled into his life, when he first kissed him and knew that he had never been more in love. How his heart ached to know that Namjoon wouldn’t be able to look back on the life they shared together and smile. How he wanted things to be different.
When the pull of the sea grew to be too much, Hoseok felt a stray tear drip from his lashes. He buried his face in Namjoon’s chest, wanting to remember how he never felt more cherished or more at home than in his arms. They whispered their last words to each other, they shared their last moment together before it was too late. It had been too late for far too long.
Hoseok took the first step away from him, his toes sinking in the sand. They said their farewells as he stepped backwards towards the sea. Namjoon watched him helplessly from the shore, reaching out for something he would never hold in his arms ever again. He watched his best friend, his lover, his sun, his everything disappear along the blue horizon. Knowing that would be the last he ever saw of Jung Hoseok.
