Chapter Text
Click.
Taehyung fiddled with his fingers, his tongue escaping his mouth briefly to wet his lips. He watched carefully while Namjoon wrote a quick note on his notepad. He couldn’t help the way his breath hitched when Namjoon tore off the paper and then placed it on the table.
“Congrats Taehyung-ssi! You no longer need to continue with therapy.”
There.
Namjoon had said the last few words he wanted to hear.
“Namjoon-ssi, I don’t know, is this the best course of action? I mean- there must surely be some other option, right? You said that I still needed to come back a few more times !”
God.
He sounded desperate. It was kind of embarrassing.
Namjoon glanced at Taehyung before starting to stand up.
“Taehyung-ssi, I understand if you don’t feel comfortable but we will need to stop for at least a while. You’ve made great progression and, quite frankly, you’re well on your way towards recovery.”
He sent a dimpled smile to the younger one who was currently sulking on the sofa, lips jutting out adorably.
“Maybe, you’re just scared to be lonely. It’s possible since you have been opening up just to me. I was going to recommend this to you in one of the earlier sessions but- maybe you need a pet.”
Taehyung blinked at Namjoon, tilting his head slightly, feeling a little dumb.
A pet?
Why would he need one? Pets were cute and all but was he capable of taking care of another living being? Yeah sure he was financially stable, but animals required love and attention.
Two things he didn't know if he could provide.
“If you’re wondering about your mental condition, I believe you’re more than capable of taking care of a living being. You took care of those bonsai trees and look at where they are now.”
“The first one died, remember?”
Namjoon rolled his eyes at Taehyung’s sulky retort. He began to make his way towards one of the photo albums he had which Taehyung adored. The one which had pictures of tiny kittens and pretty rocks.
The one which convinced him that Namjoon was the therapist he needed.
“Yes, I remember. We needed to have many extra sessions because of that. The second bonsai plant flourished though, so give yourself that. They look quite lovely by the way, I can see the love you give them.”
The younger’s eyes widened at the thought of comparing an animal to a plant. A living thing that was much easier to take care of. How could Namjoon even suggest such a terrible idea!
“Namjoon-ssi! Plants are plants! Animals are like baby humans! I can’t take care of a baby! Let alone a human !”
“You’ll be fine Taehyung-ssi, however, if you really think you can’t do it..”
The younger froze almost immediately, shaking his head vehemently, Namjoon always had a weird tendency of being right about everything. He had mentioned something about having an IQ of 148 or something…
“I’ll do it !”
Who was to say that Namjoon wouldn’t be right about this one as well? He didn’t want Namjoon to look at him like he was a disappointment. He wasn't sure if he could handle it.
“I’ve always wanted a pet anyway! It’s ok! I’ll be fine! You can trust me !”
The elder looked at Taehyung carefully. Truth be told, Taehyung had always been a more special client in his eyes. Always underestimating himself and never giving himself a second chance for anything. This was all normal for Namjoon, especially considering that most of his clients had similar symptoms.
For some reason, he was much fonder of Taehyung. Maybe it was because of his childish behavior or a different way of looking at the world.
“You can say no. You really don’t have to-”
“I know! I want to !”
Namjoon was so much softer for Taehyung than anyone else in the world.
“Alright then. I trust you.”
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Taehyung inhaled deeply.
‘I can do it! Namjoon trusts me! So I’ll be fine! ….right ?’
He shook his head, he didn’t need to doubt himself. Namjoon already told him that he should have more trust in himself. He was capable! He was good enough! He could take care of his second bonsai tree so he could take care of an animal!
He could do it! He just needed to do some research and start making preparations.
He glanced down at the piece of paper that was crushed due to how tightly he had clenched his fist earlier.
‘Hyungie trusts you Taehyung-ah. Fighting !’
It was a bit embarrassing for him to ask Namjoon to give him an encouraging note, but he was glad he did it in the end. To be honest, he knew it was going to happen one of these days.
He could see himself improving. He was no longer a coward. His heart had begun to mend itself and now… now it was almost healthy again. Although he was hesitant to go along with therapy, he was glad that he found the courage to open up to someone after so many years of being ignored and hurt.
A pet.. he could try to take care of a pet. Maybe foster a pet for a while and if they connect, he could adopt it. A win-win situation. All he had to decide on was what kind of pet he wanted. Maybe a cat? Or a hamster! Or maybe even a dog!
But he would decide only after doing research. He didn’t want to hurt the animals. He couldn’t bear to live knowing that he had caused harm to another being.
He sighed. This was so much unnecessary work and trouble for him...Maybe he shouldn’t get a pet.
Maybe he should just stick with bonsai trees. It would be safer anyways… No! He’d be fine! Namjoon trusted him. So he could trust himself as well. He would get a pet no matter what!
He inhaled deeply before raising his chin to face the world.
He wasn’t a coward. Not anymore.
He would be fine. Namjoon had said so too !
First thing’s first. He would go back home and then he’d take a nap before making his to-do list.
He walked briskly towards the bus stop which was, thankfully, nearby. If he got the bus on time, he could reach home in 25 minutes, and then he could write down his mental plan, and then he could visit the pet shop later to see which animal he connected with the most-
Woooshh
He was not going to reach home in 25 minutes.
Today would not be as good of a day as it should have been.