Twisted Every Way || Vmin/Yoonmin {Complete}

17 -- Awake

"Jimin..." he sighed with tenderness in his voice. "... I love you."

The blond crumbled immediately, no longer able to hold himself together. He sobbed, reaching for Yoongi's hand and lifting it. He gingerly placed the ring in the man's palm, and carefully encouraged his fingers to wrap around it before releasing him and turning around, moving toward the hallway. He feared that if he stayed for even a moment longer, he'd be overcome with guilt and change his mind. Yoongi watched with pain, but remained still, even as Jimin paused, slowly looking over his shoulder, allowing them to meet gazes one last time, and letting out a miserable whimper. Yoongi stared longingly, watching as the tall redhead came into view behind the man he loved, holding out his hand. Jimin slowly turned and, with no further hesitation, threw himself into the comfort of Taehyung's arms.

Yoongi watched in silence as they departed. Yet even after they had disappeared from view once more, he heard the echoing of their voices, uttering words of tender love and affection. He looked down at the ring in his hand and plucked it from his palm, sliding it onto his finger--it still held the warmth of its previous wearer. He wondered how was it possible to feel so alone and yet feel so overwhelmed with love as he turned once more to his keyboard, sitting down at the bench. He ran his fingers over the keys, and closed his eyes. Though he felt alone once more, though he knew he was likely to never see Jimin again, his cold heart had began to thaw and felt as though it was overflowing even now.

Letting the effects of Jimin's kindness overcome him, his fingers moved passionately over the keys; the sound was blissful, desperate, and awestruck. It resounded off the walls, off of the ceiling and floors, and flowed into the hallways, where Taehyung and Jimin could hear it as they found Namjoon. But there was another set of ears that heard the beautifully despairing melody; Hoseok perked up at the sound as he drew in nearer, lowering his phone flashlight and letting the music guide him. He was amazed by how seraphic it sounded, by the profound emotion in every chord. It tugged at his heart in an instant. And then, the music suddenly stopped. Instead, the dancer's ears caught on to the sound of distant weeping, which got louder as he inched forward, closer and closer to a source of light.

Hoseok stepped into the open space with caution, his eyes widening at the sight of the dimly-lit room. He immediately focused in on the slender figure that sat hunched over his keyboard, crying into his hands, unaware that he was no longer in solitude. Hoseok gulped, staring at him with wonder; this, he thought, had to be the man responsible for the beautiful music. All at once, he had forgotten why he had ventured down into these depths; he was mesmerized. He inched closer, his head tilting. At last, Yoongi heard the movement and his head snapped up as he stood, fumbling backward and knocking over his bench. But when he met the dancer's astonished eyes, his own gaze broken and vulnerable, there was complete stillness.

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Taehyung and Jimin found themselves in Seokjin's hospital room the following day. Their previous evening had not been an easy one, considering the emotional trauma they had endured during their time in the phantom's lair. After escaping with Namjoon, they went into a very short lived hiding after deciding that a hotel seemed safer to stay at then either of their residences. While Jimin seemed certain that Yoongi wasn't going to change his mind, Taehyung still thought it best to be cautious. 

Both were anxious to see Seokjin, and then relieved to find that he was well when they arrived. He was still fatigued, but he smiled as they stepped into the room. They, however, were much more somber as they sat down beside his bed. It was clear to Seokjin just from looking at them that they hadn't slept much since he'd last seen them. Taehyung hadn't even touched bases with his family until that morning, not because he wasn't concerned for his brother, but because all of his energy had gone into making sure that he and Jimin really were free from danger. Even now, he felt on paranoid and on edge. Jimin, too, seemed worn and numb.