i'm just gonna say it now but like, i think i've done a good job this week

LIKE THE SUN

- in which hoseok explains himself to you; sequel to HERO IN DISGUISE, requested by AmandaHerondale24

"Shit," you hiss, flinching away from Hoseok's hand as he presses the cotton ball to your bleeding—and now stinging—lip, looking apologetic as he grips onto your jaw with his thumb and index finger, angling your head back towards him as he continues treating you silently.

Sniffling childishly, you drop your gaze to the ground of the boy's locker room, desperately trying to blink away your tears of pain as he pulls the stool you sit on closer to him, tucking you safely in between his legs, his gaze focused as his brows furrow together, touch gentle as he finishes wiping at your lip.

It's at this moment that you decide to flick your gaze up to meet his, his eyes noticeably widening as they lock onto your orbs, your body hesitating on your next move as you realise just how close you are to him; his even breaths fanning over your upper lip. His eyes lazily drag themselves to your lips, his tongue dipping out to moisten his own lips as he flinches back with a clear of his throat.

"Can you lift your shirt up, please?" He asks gingerly, thanking you softly when you do as he asks, grimacing at the ugly purple patches that make themselves home on your skin. Hoseok's hand trembles as he runs his fingers over the edge of a bruise, his eyes cast down in guilt when you whimper, a shudder racking through your whole body. Shaking his head, he grabs the bandage from the first aid box and wraps it around your middle, apologising profusely when you complain about the pain, eventually clapping his hands together once he's done.

"There, all finished," he announces in relief, shoving the supplies back into the box as quickly as he can, returning his attention to you in a matter of moments. "Are you okay?"

You want to say yes. You want to nod with confidence and assure him that all this pain is nothing for you and that you'll be as good as new in a few hours. You want to put behind the embarrassment of being so vulnerable in front of him and remind him that you're still the same, smart arsed girl that never shows her weaknesses.

But you're scared.

You're scared of what comes next for you. You're scared of those girls and what might happen the next time they corner you. You're scared of how Hoseok will treat you from now on because of the pathetically vulnerable state you've been in. You're scared that this newfound kindness of his may only be a one-off thing and that he'll leave you to fend for yourself.

Although, there's a part of you that craves his comfort, his warmth, his security.

You shake your head slowly, your tears creating endless streams down your cheeks as you choke out a few sobs, burying your face into your hands. He wastes no time in ushering you into his embrace, his hand rubbing your back slowly as his chin rests on top of your head, his other arm carefully securing itself around your waist.

You hesitantly wrap your own arms around his middle, pressing your cheek into his chest as your sobs vibrate throughout your whole body, your eyes stinging and nose red from all the crying. His heart breaks as you calm yourself into quiet whimpers and sniffles, the tension in your shoulders loosening in his hold.

"They won't hurt you anymore," he whispers when the room is silent, smiling softly as he subtly holds you closer to him. "I promise."

You reluctantly pull away from his embrace, wiping at your eyes as you lamely chuckle, wincing at the dull ache of pain the action brings you. He frowns but shakes it away, softening his features into a more inviting one as he lowers himself so that he's eye to eye with you.

"How about we get out of here?" He asks, his voice climbing in suggestion as mischief weaves its way in between his words, automatically bringing a small smile to your face as you immediately nod, desperate from some fresh air.

Grinning impishly, he grabs onto your hand instinctively and presses a finger to his lips, noticing the sweet pink that softens up your cheeks endearingly, his eyes gleaming with a indecipherable emotion as you notice his gaze on you. Copying his actions, you stay close behind him as he opens the door to the locker room, glancing both ways down the hall before cocking his head towards the entrance. You nod in understanding and follow behind him, taking only light steps as he drags you carefully towards the entrance, his heart pounding against his rib cage in exhilaration.

The two of you burst into giggles as the school doors close quietly behind you, his movements quick as he breaks out into a slow jog, leading you out of the main gates undetected. A smile blooms on your face at the recklessness of your actions, your mind telling you to go back and face the judging looks of your classmates.

However, your heart tells you that for now, it's only you and Hoseok, his hold on your hand enough to remind you that things will be fine as long as you're with him.

You find yourselves catching your breaths in front of an ice cream parlour, gleeful smiles stretching both your lips upwards, his dimples popping out adorably as his eyes glitter cheekily. He suddenly straightens and glances at the shop behind him, his hand releasing yours to reach into his back pocket. You watch curiously as he pulls out his wallet, waving it around in excitement.

"You want ice cream?"

Soon enough, you silently enjoy your ice cream cone on one of the tables situated outside, the combination of the warm sun and the cool breeze doing wonders to your skin as you sigh in contentment, taking another lick at your ice cream.

Hoseok sits across from you, watching your every move with fond amusement, feeling at ease with having you in his company on this more than perfect afternoon, the scene perfectly set for the two of you to talk.

Thankfully, you feel the same.

"Hoseok," you begin, tilting your head when he hums in acknowledgement. "Why help me back there if you don't like me?"

He sighs heavily and nods, finishing up his cone with a final bite, finally putting his undivided attention on you. "That's the thing though. Do I dislike you?"

You furrow your brows in confusion, motioning for him to continue.

"Y/N, I've always been confused about you, us," he admits sheepishly. "I don't know whether you piss me off or make me smile more and...it's been driving me crazy."

You scoff with a playful smile, licking at your ice cream as he continues on with his explanation.

"I've spent a lot of time dwelling on this subject and, I'll be honest, it's gotten me nowhere. In fact, I was considering just letting it go and opting for forever disliking you but I could not bring myself to do it," he chuckles. "But when I saw you getting beaten up by those girls, it kind of switched on a side of me I frankly didn't know existed. You looked so weak, helpless—the complete opposite of who you are—and I just had this sudden urge to protect you from all of the things that can hurt you."

"I wanted to rid you of all the things that can make you cry," He breathlessly mumbles, fiddling with his hands as you gulp, feeling your heart lurch in your chest.

"I realise now that you mean a lot to me, Y/N. More than I've ever given you credit for. You make me smile, laugh, rethink my decisions and remind me that I'm not going to be as perfect as I set myself out to be because that's not reality."

You offer him a warm smile, timidly holding onto the hand that he rests across the table, his thumb immediately beginning to run slow circles upon your knuckles. You find yourself melting at the action, your heart beat picking up its pace in response.

"I'm confused too," you reluctantly admit with a nervous laugh. "And while I know you've figured it all out, I'm still trying."

"And I'll be willing to wait as long as it takes," he immediately responds, flashing you a toothy grin. "I'll also be willing to show you that I'm the right decision. I want to give you only the best, sunshine."

"Sunshine?" You question jokingly, chuckling when he nods excitedly, grinning brightly at you over the ingenuity of his nickname, his fingers slowly interlocking with yours as you lean closer to him across the tiny table, the sunlight casting a heavenly glow upon you as you shyly smile at him.

"It suits you, don't you think?"