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Guk always knew he and Tae had feelings for each other, of course they never did anything to change their current status as “friends”. After the passing Guk couldn’t deal with the small little town he and Tae grew up in, he couldn’t deal with the fact that everyone knew everyone, how your mother would know where you were at all times. He couldn’t deal with the fact that one of his best friends was gone. The one friend that knew everything, the only other person that knew he liked Tae, the only other person that knew why he doesn’t like to talk about his family life, how his mom and dad got divorced. He couldn’t handle it, he couldn’t get the thought to absorb in his brain, he wasn’t going to wake up and say it was all some sick prank.
The day of his funeral Jeongguk didn’t cry, he didn’t cry because Tae was crying, he didn’t cry because his mother was crying. He didn’t cry because he knew he had to be strong, he knew after this he was going to say goodbye to everyone, find some shabby little car and just go. He didn’t know where exactly he was going but he knew he had to get away, get out of the little town. He had smashed his piggy bank, opened his rainy day jar, took all the money out of his bank account, he was ready to leave. But, he wasn’t going to go alone. Tae had always said growing up that he hated how small the town was, he needed to go somewhere bigger. Somewhere he could be himself, somewhere where everyone looked different, somewhere new, somewhere he didn’t know everyone.
“Tae?” Guk whispered to the smaller boy who was currently sobbing into his neck.
“Yeah?” Tae whispered back.
“We should leave” Guk responded as he played with the blonde hair on Tae’s head.
Tae looked up at Guk. To him he seemed so small at that moment, he had tear streaks on his cheeks, his usual big shiny brown eyes had seemed to have lost their shimmer, his cheeks were flushed a vibrant shade of pink. All Guk wanted to do was hold him and tell him that everything is okay, but everything isn’t okay.
“Why do you want to leave so early?” Tae questioned.
“I don’t mean leave and go home, Tae. I mean leave this place go explore, get out of the town and go see the city. I know that’s a dream of yours” Guk explained gently.
“But why now, Guk? Isn’t it selfish?” Tae questioned once again, some stray tears falling down his cheeks.
“I know that this is what he would’ve wanted, he would’ve wanted us to finally get out. If he were here standing with us right now he would’ve jumped at the opportunity. So I think we should take this as not only a journey for us, but also as a journey to honour him. What do you say? If we don’t leave right now we might not make it out” Guk said.
Tae only nodded in response, giving Guk one last squeeze before letting Guk lead the way out. They walked around town for a couple of hours before they finally found a car decent enough to get them to where they were going. Jeongguk walked up the front door of the house and knocked, hoping the seller of the car was home.
“Hello? Is there something you need?” The man who answered the door asked.
Guk wrapped his arm protectively around Tae’s waist. “Uh, yeah actually. I’m interested in buying that car that’s for sale in your driveway. How much do you want for it?”
“$3000 would do it. I just got her inspected so everything should be fine, lemme just go get the papers for you to sign then she’s all yours, man” the guy said before he walked away leaving Tae and Guk at his front door.
“That was so much easier than I thought it’d be” Tae said quietly.
Guk looked down at the small boy and just smiled and nodded. The man quickly came back, handed Guk the papers and explained some more things about the car. When Guk handed the guy the pen back and his copies of the papers the guy handed him the keys with a big smile. He walked the two younger boys to the car, took the for sale sign out of the window, and happily took the money Guk handed to him. That was it off the two boys went.
“So where are we going?” Tae finally spoke up after about 35 minutes of being in the car, they were finally on the highway.
“Where do you wanna go?” Guk asked.
“I’ve always wanted to see the New York City lights” Tae said with bright eyes.
“New York City it is then, baby” Guk replied, giving Tae’s thigh a good slap.
Out of the corner of his eye he could see the small blush on Tae’s ear, he smiled to himself knowing he did that.
The drive from Sedona to New York was 35 hours, Guk had already filled the gas tank up all the way that should hold them until they get to Santa Rosa in New Mexico. But, they were still in their suits from the funeral, before they got any further Guk pulled into a small thrift store parking lot, put the car in park and looked at Tae.
“Pick whatever you want, I’m paying” Guk said
Tae nodded quickly “Guk?” he asked quietly
“Yeah?”
“I love you” Tae said, fiddling with his fingers
“I love you too” Guk said whilst he leaned over the centre console to kiss Tae’s forehead
They spent about 2 hours in the store looking at all the different things they had in there. Guk ended up spending close to $200 on clothes, he can’t resist Tae’s puppy eyes. They got changed in the car then got back on the highway. Finally beginning their journey to the big apple.