Work Text:
Kim Taehyung could still clearly remember how it all started, it was if everything happened just an hour ago but in fact seven years had gone by already since that happened.
✩
He and his family had decided to visit his grandfather that time, that one summer and there his accident happened. He loves bugs, everyone knows that, that’s why while he was hunting for a big stag beetle near the pond found behind the house of his grandfather � he slipped and fell in it. His family had often reminded him not to play anywhere near it because it’s obviously dangerous. The pond seems to be shallow but in fact it is very deep. It was too deceiving and people had believed that there is something in that pond that’s why children are off limits. But Taehyung is Taehyung, and he’s a child that time going through rebellion of not listening to his parents or anyone who’s older than him. He was struggling for him to be able to grasp out from the water but it feels like something was pulling him deeper. His lungs were failing to function already due to his lack of oxygen and he was sure he’s ready to die that time but then all of a sudden he was up. He was already holding on the muddy ground, half of his body out of the water. He wasn’t sure what happened but his mind had told him to get out already, and that’s what he did. He sucked on his breath as if every single bit of the air he sucked were the last on earth. And there he turned his head to the rippling water of the pond, seeing there a glimpse of something.
“Taehyung!” he was fussed about and it took his hours to settle down both his parents about what happened. And because of that, that summer was his last visit to the place.
He could have forgotten what happened but ever since then, he started having a dream he couldn’t really get rid. It doesn’t come often but it will just be there when he least expects it. A dream about the pond where he fell in. For seven years, Taehyung had never managed to get rid of it.
Even though he believes that that dream means something.
“I know” Taehyung muttered as he stood in front of his mirror. “I know you are there” he said clear enough but wasn’t loud to make his parents go and check what is happening to him.
He was jerked awake from his sleep a while ago because of the same dream. He simply of course just got up as his usual routine whenever the dream disturbs him. He planned to get a glass of water but then something made him halt. He slowly turned his head to his full length mirror then and saw something. It startled him because he owns this room and he locks his door so no one could disrupt his slumber. That’s why right as of the moment he’s demanding the material.
“Why don’t you show yourself?” Taehyung asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He already knows that he’s turning an idiot to even talk to his own reflection but something is telling him, he’s going to see something if he waits. “You’ve been there for so long, aren’t you? It’s unfair that you get to see me every day, every night and every time I sleep. Maybe you have seen me naked already. And every night you see me sleep. Isn’t that unfair? Show yourself” he said, tapping his foot as slowly in his mind tells his self that he’s a huge idiot. “This is stupid, why am I doing this? I mean what would be in there, it’s a mirror. Nothing, it just shows my reflection and I’m talking to it like an idiot. Only idiots talk to the mirror as if there is really something in it. So stupid” he then murmured “Okay, maybe I just need to sleep. Okay, I’ll sleep. I’ll stop thinking about this. Ugh~ I feel really stupid now” he shook his head, turning then around to head back to his bed forgetting that he wanted water in the first place.
“You’re not stupid” someone spoke then and Taehyung slowly turned to look back. His eyes then widened and as he took steps back he tripped his self and he fell on his butt with a thud. He scrambled far then until his back had hit his bed.
“Oh my god” Taehyung gasped, covering his mouth in case he screams.
He knows that it is completely impossible to have a reflection in a mirror when there’s no one standing in front of it. Taehyung is alone in his bedroom and yet there’s a reflection in the mirror that doesn’t belong to him or of anything in his room.
“That’s why I don’t want to show myself, you’ll be so scared or shocked or whatever” the one in the mirror sighed turning halfway to leave
“Wait!” Taehyung called for and got on his feet “I didn’t mean to uhm~ yeah disappoint you with my reaction. It’s not every day you see someone standing inside your mirror where in fact it’s near to impossibility unless this is something~” he rambled as he got closer to the mirror “It’s impossible in the first place” he muttered mostly to his self
“Of course” the other one replied, shrugging his shoulders
“Well~ uhm~ then” Taehyung fumbled “What is your name?” he asked, watching the other one face him again
“I’m Jeongguk Jeon”
“I’m~” Taehyung started but stopped as the latter smiled
“You’re Kim Taehyung, you do talk to yourself everyday in front of this mirror and every time you do that you say your whole name. I’ve been like watching you for years already” Jeongguk nodded down “But to what you have said earlier, that if the naked thing or what is included. No, I haven’t seen you in that way because every bath time you decide I’ve been leaving and let you finish” he assured
“Oh~” Taehyung nodded down “So~” he hummed “How come you are in there?” he asked
“It’s history, you wouldn’t want to hear it” Jeongguk shook his head “Besides, shouldn’t you be really afraid of me? It’s not normal for someone to be inside a mirror in the first place” he pointed out
“Well” Taehyung tilted his head, crossing his arms over his chest again. He then looked up to his ceiling then back to Jeongguk, his lips curving into a big smile “How can I be afraid with someone beautiful like you?” he asked and crimson tinted Jeongguk’s cheeks “And cute to add” Taehyung added.
“That’s very flattering” Jeongguk looked down, fiddling with the hem of his white shirt.
And their friendship started.
Normally, Taehyung didn’t really like it when he has to go home early and he’d always be in grudge whenever his mother would remind him to do so. But now having really a reason to go home rather than spending time with his school friends, Taehyung is everyday home early which satisfied his parents. He’d always sit in front of his mirror and wait until Jeongguk shows up.
“Kookie~ can you go into other mirrors? Or only in this one?” Taehyung asked, pouting as he stares at Jeongguk’s brown eyes. He had taken notes on how the other guy looks and all in all he found is self attracted to those brown orbs
“I can” Jeongguk smiled “That’s why I know that you slept in your math class” he added
“Eh?” Taehyung blinked “How did you know that? There’s no mirror in the classroom” he pouted, tilting his head then to think
“You’re seated near the window, I saw you from there” Jeongguk provided
“Eh? Even in that way you can go anywhere you want? How come no one sees you?” Taehyung asked
“Well, the light gives me a lot of help to conceal myself. I at times use too the advantages of a lot of people so I can like go anywhere. I like the city the most. No one notices that no one is really standing there even though there’s reflection” Jeongguk explained
“Is that so?” Taehyung frowned “Then you can join me if we go to the city?” he asked
“Sure” Jeongguk smiled “It’ll be fun and this will be the first time I’ll have company” he added
And thus Taehyung found his self walking amongst the crowd that Sunday with every now and then glimpsing to the windows of the shop. No one is taking notice of the other reflection standing next to him especially that the mob in the city is quite huge for anyone to take notice of something peculiarity.
“You’re lucky you’re in there and not experiencing going through this crowd” Taehyung pouted as he leaned on a post
“Well, you’re lucky that at least you can meddle with them. I’m all alone here with their reflections, with reflections I couldn’t even make use of” Jeongguk sighed
“I was just wondering, why are you even in there in the first place?” Taehyung asked
“It’s because I am simply just a wandering spirit who up until now couldn’t rest” Jeongguk answered
“Really?” Taehyung frowned “Then what are you doing inside a mirror? Shouldn’t you just go wander out here?” he asked
“I have reasons” Jeongguk shook his head “Through this way, I could at least talk to someone” he said “You fell that time in that old pond” he started
“You mean?” Taehyung frowned more “You even know that, that means you’ve been watching me that long already” he said
“I started watching you after you fell” Jeongguk sighed “Yes, and that long already I’ve been watching you” he slightly grimaced
“Then why didn’t you talk to me earlier, suddenly I felt guilty because you’re like waiting there for years” Taehyung pouted
“It’s okay, at least now I am speaking to you” Jeongguk nodded down, lifting his hand to somehow touch Taehyung’s limp hand on side on the reflection
“Woah” Taehyung gasped, pulling away to look at Jeongguk with his eyes wide enough “What was that? It’s so cold and so~” he shook his head “Like it’s so dead” he breathed out
“I am dead” Jeongguk muttered “For so long already” he said looking up to Taehyung to meet the latter’s gaze “It’s just I can’t seem to go to rest even though I have accepted it. Maybe that regret is permanent that I will never ever have the rest I want. It’s tiring to be inside a mirror and wander on my own in this inverse world” he shrugged
“What is that?” Taehyung asked “Your regret?” he tilted his head
“I died in that pond” Jeongguk started and walked as well with Taehyung tailing him “I drowned because I slipped while I was searching for something” he said
“What is that something?” Taehyung asked
“The ring my mother gave to me” Jeongguk replied “I always put it on my necklace. While I was by the pond, the lace broke and it fell” he said
“So, that’s what happened” Taehyung nodded down “Would you like me to search for it too?” he asked, looking at his friend who smiled painfully at his offer “What’s wrong?” he asked
“Taehyung” Jeongguk shook his head “I’m more than seventy years dead already, I have long lost hope on finding the ring” he looked down
“It’s still possible, if it is there waiting to be found then it’ll be found” Taehyung pointed out
“Someone could have picked it up. It could be down the depths of the pond. It could be buried or it could have dissolved from existing. It’s impossible, nothing can be done. Years had gone by, I have been an unrest person. I’ve witnessed all the changes and~” Jeongguk sighed “It’s just impossible” he shook his head
“No it wouldn’t be” Taehyung shook his head “I’ll search for it, for you” he smiled
“Don’t waste your time” Jeongguk said
“I’m not going to waste my time, you’re my friend and I’m going to help you” Taehyung grinned “Besides, time just pass by but it doesn’t end. There’s always time” he nodded down
“That’s a very nice way of seeing things Taehyung, you’re such a wonderful person” Jeongguk smiled back
Taehyung smiled as he stood in front of his grandfather’s house. After ringing the doorbell twice he was then welcomed inside by his grandmother who gave him tight hugs. He turned his head to look at the mirror hanging by the foyer and smiled as he saw Jeongguk walking pass by.
“You’ve grown so much Taehyung” his grandmother started pulling him back to her attention “I’m so excited to have you around during your summer vacation” she added
“Yes, I’ll be enjoying” Taehyung smiled back “Grandmother” he called as they headed further inside the house “Do you by chance know someone by the name of Jeon Jeongguk?” he asked
“Oh” his grandmother blinked turning then to him with a slight frown “No but I heard that this house once belongs to a Jeongguk family” she nodded down “Maybe you can ask your grandfather about it” she suggested
He did ask but unfortunately his grandfather doesn’t know.
“But this house was owned by Jeon’s before” his grandfather said, leaning back on his chair “As far as I can remember, they sold this house because their son had died and it was painful for them to stay here that’s why they sold it” he said
“Is that so?” Taehyung pouted “Then I guess I’ll just have to search” he murmured
“They still have things in the attic. I’ve seen several of it since I’ve been once a curious kid like you, Taehyung” the old man smiled “We haven’t thrown it out, it’s like stagnant memories that no one wants to remember anymore. It’s something sad but you can check it out, if you’re still that curious kid we once have to chase around just to stay put” he chortled
“Sure” Taehyung nodded down “Thanks, Grandpa” he grinned
The attic was cool and it smelled so old that Taehyung almost back out for his search. He then stalked towards the piles at the corner and then to that clothed material. There are several boxes and Taehyung pulled one, feeling the crispness of the material due to its oldness. He gently opened it and saw several books inside with some more papers. He picked one out and shrugged as he settled it aside to grab another one. There are clothes in it and some toys that made him smile. He again reached for the wooden box he found inside one of the boxes and opened the lid, revealing pictures and several jewels. He picked the pictures then and started going through it. He grimaced at the couples seated on the obvious lanai of the house, they faces stiff. And as he moved on he came to a stop, he blinked at the small portrait on his hand and bit his lower lip as he stares at Jeongguk’s expressionless face. He tilted his head then, his fingertips touching the smooth paper. And as he continued on staring he looked at the latter’s neck, finding there a necklace that has a ring as its pendant. He slightly frowned, why does the ring looks rather familiar?
“Look at this” Taehyung smiled as he got inside his bedroom and showed the picture to Jeongguk who seems to be waiting for his return “It’s you in brown” he grinned
“Yes” Jeongguk nodded down
“But I think you look better in colour” Taehyung nodded down, pouting as he looks at the picture “You’re wearing your necklace here and the ring is on it” he said
“Yes” Jeongguk nodded down
“I’m going to find it for you” Taehyung smiled again
“I’ll try my best to help you” Jeongguk smiled as well
But as the time drags, somehow Taehyung started to grow weary on his search. He wants to find it and frustration is slowly eating his patience. He sat by the edge of the pond, his eyes intent to undisturbed water. He titled his head, staring at the lifeless water form and soon he sighed as he got up with his mind telling his that he shouldn’t be wasting his time on spacing out. He has to search and his stay in the house was limited. He knows that time is never ending but somehow it could find a way to make anyone frustrated. If only Taehyung gets to have all the time in his life, he’d find that ring.
“You don’t have to make it hard for yourself, Taehyung” Jeongguk shook his head “It’s alright if you can’t find it” he said
“No” Taehyung bit his lower lip. He was in his room, seated on his bed with his hands laced together. He then felt that startling coldness, this time on his head and when he looked up he saw Jeongguk touching him in his reflection. “I’m sorry, I was just losing patience” he shook sighed “I’ll find it, I promised. I’ll find it for sure” he said
“Do you still remember why you fell in that pond before?” Jeongguk asked making Taehyung frown
“Slightly” Taehyung said “I was playing” he stated
He was fourteen that time, he loves bugs and it’s his hobby to find different species. Every summer his family would visit this place for their vacation. It’s a beautiful place and Taehyung loves it so much. But his accident happened and that’s the reason he wasn’t able to go back anymore.
“Do you know why I’ve been watching you all this time?” Jeongguk asked
“No” Taehyung shook his head
“I can’t show up to you before because I don’t want to scare you. And I can’t tell you the reason before because apparently you have forgotten about it already” Jeongguk sighed “Taehyung” he sighed “That day when you fell in that pond, you found something and that was the reason you slipped and fell in the pond” he said “You found my ring that time” he confessed
“What?” Taehyung blinked, his frown dropping within a second
Yes, back then he was playing by the pond. He was searching for a stag beetle, he wanted to add it to his collection and he’d show it off to his friends. Where among it does he found the ring? When? Taehyung looked down, his mind going back through the events that happened that day. It was clear like how he remembers it but how come that part � he couldn’t put it in the picture.
“Grandpa!” Taehyung called then, standing up as he raced down the stairs “Grandpa” he panted, finding the man in the living room
“Yes?” the man asked, looking at his grandson
“I’m going to ask something” Taehyung swallowed “The day I fell in the pond, do you still remember it?” he asked
“Yes, of course” the man replied
“What was the reason?” Taehyung asked “I can remember that it’s because I’m playing near it” he frowned
“Oh” the man nodded down “Yes, you were playing that time. You love searching for bugs and never listened to us to stay away from the pond. When we saw you fell, we all panicked and then you managed to get out of it” he said
“Do I have a ring with me that time?” Taehyung asked and stared at his grandfather who frowned slightly to as if think if there is really a ring that time
“Ah” the man said “You dropped a ring that time while we were so much worried over you” he nodded down
“Where is it now?” Taehyung asked, his throat tightening. Why can’t he remember that? “Why can’t I remember that?” he asked out loud then
“Anyone would forget something, even I especially if I am too much scared. You even forgot to breathe that time, you always say that you can’t breathe and you even lived through oxygen mask for a day” he said
“Where is the ring now?” Taehyung asked
“Oh, I don’t know” the man shook his head “I gave it to your mother and I don’t know where she had put it” he said
“Oh, okay” Taehyung frowned
“Why, what’s wrong?” the man asked, looking at the man who just simply shook his head and left.
Taehyung touched his neck, his mind trying to reprocess everything. All this time how come he thought that he could remember everything about that day but now it appears so that he had forgotten the most important part? He bit his lower lip and re-enter his bedroom, looking at the mirror where Jeongguk is waiting for him.
“It’s okay that you can’t remember where it is, I’ve been watching you all these years hoping that I’ll find it but I realized slowly that you don’t have it. It’s okay” Jeongguk smiled
“I’ll ask my mother” Taehyung murmured
“No” Jeongguk shook his head “I’ve bothered you enough, it’s meant to be gone and not be found by anyone” he sighed
“I’m sorry” Taehyung looked down
****
Taehyung bit his lower lip, he was back again to the attic and this time he was to return the things he had disturbed. He put Jeongguk’s picture back to the box and once more he sealed everything with the last of the cloth covering it.
“I feel bad” Taehyung muttered, turning then to leave but something caught his eyes. There was a box near the door and it has his name on it. Curious to what its contents are, Taehyung opened it right after he had walked towards it. A small smile appeared on his lips as he saw his old toys inside, he picked one and another then another until everything was out. He sighed and slumped his shoulders but then all of a sudden � too sudden that he was startled � he remembered.
“I’m going home!” Taehyung cried out, not waiting for his grandparent’s reaction or permission. He rushed to the train station his feet impatiently tapping on the platform. “I know where it is” he said as he looked at the tinted window of the wagon, where he saw Jeongguk looking at him “I remembered, it was too sudden” he nodded down
And as he reached their house, with his breath ragged because of his running. Taehyung didn’t bother to announce that he had already returned, he just simply headed to their living room and stood in front of the huge aquarium they own. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the fishes swimming in it.
“There’s this ring I always look at whenever I look at this” Taehyung said, moving his head from side to side to search for the item
“Taehyung” his mother came in “What are you doing?” she asked
“I’m looking for that ring” Taehyung answered “The ring” he repeated and his eyes spotted then something glinting by the corner. He swallowed and opened the lid of the aquarium soon reaching for what he found. “It’s always had been here” he muttered, looking at the silver item on his hand. He looked at the inside of the band and he bit his lower lip as he reads Jeongguk’s name carved inside. It is indeed his ring. “I found it” he said “I found it!” he cried out, running then to his bedroom “Kookie! I found it!” he cried out in joy as he stood in front of his mirror
“Oh Taehyung” Jeongguk sniffed as he showed up. He then reached out, his hand touching Taehyung’s in the reflection. Taehyung didn’t mind the electrifying coldness and he just smiled as Jeongguk sniffed more and tears flowed out of those beautiful eyes
“Are you going to be in peace now?” Taehyung asked, suddenly feeling sad “You’ll be in rest already” he nodded down
“I will be” Jeongguk nodded down “Thank you Taehyung, thank you” he said, smiling then
“Then go on, head to where you have to head. I’m happy to have helped you” Taehyung said, sniffing as well as he felt tears coming to his eyes “I’m going to miss you but hey~ I’m not stopping you. You deserve this and you have to have this! I’m sad that you’re going but I’m happy because you can finally be at rest” he ranted
“Thank you Taehyung for everything and for being my friend” Jeongguk smiled “I’ll be going now, please always take care” he added and then turned around. Half way before he disappeared from Taehyung’s sight he turned and waved a goodbye.
“At least I can say he’s going to watch me from up there” Taehyung sniffled, looking down then to the ring on his hand “Keeping you will be the best” he murmured.
✩
Taehyung chewed his lower lip and started walking out of the bookstore. He was asked to buy a book by his mother and failing to find it in this bookstore, he decided to search in other places. As he stepped to the curb, he stopped and reached for his necklace where he holds the ring precious to him but then his eyes widened after feeling nothing of his familiar thin chain. He looked down and his eyes couldn’t widen any longer as he found nothing of his necklace or even the ring. He was ready to go back inside the bookstore when he halted as he faced the window of the store. He froze to his spot and he swallowed hard.
Taehyung wasn’t sure if it is another reflection or what but there standing in front of him was a man who was exactly the copy of Jeon Jeongguk he knows but with brown slightly wavy hair and was wearing a gray parka, staring at him with a curious look and on his hand was the silver ring Taehyung was looking for. Taehyung blinked and the latter faintly smiled.
“Is this yours?” the other guy asked, grinning then as Taehyung slowly nodded down.
Taehyung could only watch as the latter moved and got out of the store. So he isn’t any reflection, he’s flesh and alive standing there with a smile.
“Here” the guy said, passing the ring to Taehyung “It seems that you broke the chain, buy a leather one it’s better” he suggested “It’s a beautiful ring, it’ll be a waste if you’d lose it. So~ uh yeah~ bye” he said and turned around to leave
“Jeongguk!” Taehyung called then and the man halted turning to him with a frown
“How did you~” the latter frowned
“This ring isn’t mine, it’s yours” Taehyung said, swallowing again as if once more he’s forgetting to breath “Look at it” he nodded down and the latter obeyed so by looking at the carving inside
“How come~” the man frowned “Even my last name” he looked at Taehyung
“It’s meant for you. I told you before that time doesn’t have its end” Taehyung nodded down “But you wouldn’t remember that. I’m Kim Taehyung, it’s great to see you again” he grinned
“Have we met before?” Jeongguk pouted “Because I couldn’t remember at all” he added
“It’s okay, we could make proper memories again and I’m going to make sure it won’t all go stagnant” Taehyung nodded down.