Work Text:
Taehyung meet Hoseok in Sheffield, England, when Hoseok was paralyzed near the Paternoster at the Arts Tower in the University of Sheffield.
He wanted to see one of the landmarks in Sheffield and he was told the paternoster lift was something worthy to see, since it was ‘a true marvel of engineering’. Making the most on his brief stay on the city, Taehyung didn’t expect to meet another countryman.
He carefully approached the scared man to his side and said hi.
Hoseok almost jumped out of his skin. Then he laughed quietly. His cheeks tinted red, showing he was ashamed for his extreme reaction.
“Hi, I’m sorry, I... Did I block you up? Y-You can use... I mean, go into... Into this...”
“The Paternoster? A true marvel of engineering? Of course! But wait... you don’t want to enter it?”
Hoseok’s eyes opened wide and he put a hand over his chest, almost like clutching un-existent pearls.
“I... I don’t know...”
“By the way, my name is Kim Taehyung, nice to meet you.”
The other man rushed to take his hand and shook it. “My name is Jung Hoseok, nice to meet you too. I’m vacationing and some people in my hotel told me I should go to see this thing... The Paternoster, yeah.”
Taehyung chuckled amused. “I’m also here taking some vacations.” And he moved his head towards the lift. “It looks scary but I assure you it’s very secure. Of course, you must follow the basic safety rules.”
“R-Really? Have you already hopped in?”
“No, this is the very first time in my life I’m going to.”
Hoseok watched him with his mouth a bit open, displaying disbelief.
Taehyung showed him a cute boxy smile and waited for the perfect moment to just walk in into the lift.
He heard the gasp behind him and when he turned, could see Hoseok pale face looking up to him when he disappeared towards the upper levels.
Really, the paternoster was a fun ride. He went to the 18th floor to look into the impressive city views through the design offices.
He wanted to get back to bring Hoseok up there to see the view but doubt it a bit since he didn’t want to be intrusive or annoying... But hey, life can only be lived once.
So he hopped in again to the lower floors, until he saw Hoseok still waiting for him.
When he walked out the lift, Hoseok lifted a bit his arms, almost as if expecting Taehyung to fall into them. That made him smile. He thought Hoseok was a very considerate person.
“Still can’t decide if you hop in or not?” Taehyung asked with a bit of mischief.
“I... I don’t know... I truly want to... I should since I have to return to Seoul tomorrow... But I just...” Hoseok was watching him almost frantically, his breathing a bit labored.
“Do you mind coming with me? The Paternoster is fit for two people. I’ll take your hand.” And he extended his hand.
Hoseok looked everywhere a bit embarrassed. “Ah... No... It’s not necessary, I mean... I can go alone.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind taking your hand.”
Hoseok watched him a bit incredulously.
“But... People will think we... We are a couple.” And he said the last part whispering.
“Well... I’ll leave for Seoul in three days more. It’s very unlikely I’m going to come back here again. Also, I really don’t care what strangers I’ll never see again will think about me.” And he watched the place. “And I believe people will do the same about me. About us. So, what do you say?” And he extended his hand again.
Hoseok doubted just some seconds and then nodded, his face showing determination. He took Taehyung’s hand and then looked at the Paternoster.
Taehyung held firm Hoseok’s hand and say softly: “If you look carefully, it has a rhythm. I’ll count four times: ‘One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four’ but slower, of course. At four we should enter the lift. Do you think you can do it, Hoseok-sshi?”
“Yes, I can do it, Taehyung-sshi.”
They counted and at four they hopped in. Hoseok let out nervous laugh.
“We did it!! We did it!”
Taehyung noted his lips had a shape of a heart. He thought it was very cute.
When they reached the 18th floor, Taehyung was counting so they could get off at the right time.
Hoseok was ecstatic. “I can’t believe it, we did it, we did it!!”
Taehyung nodded smiling and they watched the amazing city view.
Getting a bit bolder, Hoseok asked if they could go only five floors down.
“We can go up and down all the times you want, Hoseok-sshi.”
That made Hoseok laugh but he covered his mouth with his hand.
“I’m childish, right? Oh, why I can’t act like an adult.” Frustration can be heard on his voice.
“Well... We’re having fun, and fun is not exclusive of children... So, we can also have fun.” And Taehyung wiggled his brows.
Hoseok laughed with his whole body, hunching his shoulders and looking at the floor and then to Taehyung.
“Oh, Taehyung-shii... This is a serendipitous encounter.”
Hoseok took a lot of pictures, and was bold enough to take a small video of one of their rides.
When they got to the lower floor, Hoseok looked at him with bright eyes.
“I’m so thankful, Taehyung-sshi. Without you I would have never went into that machine and I would have missed so much. It was fun!!”
Taehyung nodded amused.
“May I give you my phone number, Hoseok-sshi? In case you want to hang out in Seoul?”
“Of course, of course!”
And they interchanged numbers. They said their farewells with a strong shake of hands and Taehyung saw Hoseok took a cab and go to his hotel. He turned and thought about the luck he had today. He could ride the Paternoster and made a friend. It was an excellent day.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
A week later, Taehyung was feeling a bit under the weather. He couldn’t contact Hoseok as soon as he wanted, since he had to finish first his delayed work.
Today he was going to the studio of his friend Yoongi. The elevator at Yoong’s building was having some problems but the administration said it will be fixed soon. It was an old building so he was sure they will take their sweet time to repair it.
In front of the elevator, Taehyung was considering his odds: he had no problems taking elevators, the problem was when they stopped functioning and he could get at risk to get stuck. And this stupid elevator today was acting up.
He decided to take the lift just for this occasion because he already was running very late. Next time he will take the stairs.
When the doors were going to close, someone put his arm to stop it. Taehyung, amazed and scared, jumped towards the controls to open the door.
Then he saw Hoseok, smiling with his heart shaped smile.
“Hoseok-sshi?? Wow, what are the odds? What are you doing here?”
“I came to collect an envelope from the offices of the 10th floor.”
“Ah! The Genius Lab! Wait, I didn’t know you working in music too.”
They smiled at each other. Taehyung wanted to hug him and it looked like Hoseok wanted it too but they just awkwardly shook their hands. Hoseok blushed.
“You work in music too, Taehyung-sshi?”
“I’m a composer.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! I’m a rapper and I compose my own songs too.”
“Oh, I compose for others but-”
Suddenly, the lights went out and they were left in the dark. They both took out their cellphones and put them in flashlight mode.
“Shit. I knew I shouldn’t have took the elevator.” Said Taehyung, already feeling worse.
“Are you all right, Taehyung-sshi?”
“No... I really, really hate to be trapped in dark cramped places... Oh, fuck...”
“Please don’t lose hope, they will take us out from here... Soon, I hope so...”
The emergency lights turned on and Taehyung tried to push the emergency button on the panel, but couldn’t locate it.
Hoseok took his hand and he pressed the emergency button.
“Tell me what can I do to help you, to make it easier for you, Taehyung-ie.” Said Hoseok with a concerned face, his voice soft.
“Ah... I don’t know, how can I ask...”
“Let’s sit on the floor... Would you like me to hold you?”
Taehyung was distressed.
“Y-Yes, p-please.”
Hoseok accommodated Taehyung so they could be a bit more comfortable and hugged him tightly.
“When we’ll get us out of here? I can’t stand it...”
“Don’t worry, Taehyung-ie, you’re not alone. I’m here for you.”
“Would you sing for me? Something, anything...”
“Of course, Taehyung-ie.”
And Hoseok started singing a soft song he made in the spot. That made Taehyung felt a bit relaxed.
They were stuck in an elevator for 3 hours.
There were moments where Taehyung breaths sounded like he was crying. Hoseok hugged him tighter and rocked him softly, still singing his song.
Hoseok asked gently: “Would you allow me to kiss your forehead?”
Taehyung nodded.
Hoseok kissed his forehead and kept telling him comforting words. He also tried to distract Taehyung by telling him stories about his beginnings as a rapper.
When they finally get them out, there were medical support who checked them both. Once everything was deemed correct, both were to let go. Yoongi was there to offer his support and told Taehyung they could reschedule whenever he wanted. He also brought the envelope Hoseok was sent to collect.
“Thank you, hyung. I’m not feeling very well so I prefer to get back home.”
Hoseok offered him a ride.
Once they were out Taehyung’s apartment, he asked: “W-Would you like to have a cup of coffee, Hoseok-sshi?”
Hoseok smiled. “Of course, Taehyung-ie.”
And that was the start of a beautiful relationship.
END