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If Jimin wasn't an A+ competitive perfectionist student, he wouldn't be struggling right now.
At this point, he just wants to punch himself till he reconsiders how he lead his life to dedicate academic bullshits than his well being.
Looking at a pile of questionnaires answered by his peers sprawled in his cramped desk, Jimin just wanted to burn all this crap and reward himself some sleep. It was already an ungodly hour for all he cares but Jimin haven't reviewed half of the survey results and he wants this finished as soon as possible.
You fucking decided this kind of shit, deal with it. - Jimin peptalked himself.
Nobody asked him to trouble himself too much to decide a research topic about fears and phobias. Nobody told him to take his whole batch as his population. Nobody forced him to do a solo research. Jimin brought the trouble himself and he has no right to complain about it.
So Jimin just sighed for the 10th time now, cracked his neck and slouched going back to tallying the result data.
He's getting sick and tired of reading the same fears of snakes, spiders, darkness, heights, closed space and some had the audacity to put dogs and cats in the list (c'mon people, they're the most adorable creatures ever made). If not for some of the creative batch mates who scribbled far interesting answers of going to school, peanut butter getting stuck on the roof of your mouth, numbers, teachers, etc., Jimin could've passed out already.
It was impossible that Jimin is quite enjoying how vast his peers' imaginations are but all good things have it's bad side so Jimin was back being sulky as he sort some questionnaires that aren't helpful to his study. There is this fine line between sane and insane kind of answers Jimin gets from this research and sometimes he doesn't know what category should the paper belong.
Like that one paper that was interesting that it captured Jimin's attention: the fear of sleeping. (Who the hell hates sleeping when it's all that we have at the end of the day?)
Jimin clearly stated on everyone who answered his survey that the questionnaires are for educational purposes only and are confidential; no informations will be spoiled or held against them. Not that he'll tell someone about this, he's just curious about the answer of this student who feared sleeping so he scanned the paper again.
It was answered by Kim Taehyung. Jimin doesn't know him but he have heard his name somewhere, maybe having some class with him in some subjects but he's he's not in the same class as him. He scrutinized the paper again only getting a: "sleep is for the weak" reason why he feared sleeping.
Now Jimin thought he's been trolled and he's stupid for believing such fear existed. It's not like some of the answers were helping him if a blank paper or a fear of dick and 'you' is considered legit help for this research.
Jimin brushes his hair back and groaned as he stack Taehyung's paper together with the troll answers. He might not take this research seriously (he is, he wants that A+ again) but finishing this study is all he needs to finish this school year. Jimin wished that everything will be fine but the amount of trash answers adds up a margin of error that would cause him to trade his sleep just for this paper.
The school year ended well and Jimin got all his A+ except for that research paper (he only got an A). He convinces himself that it doesn't bother him that much even if it does, but since he topped the last school year, the slight grade difference does not matter anymore.
Jimin is number 1 during last year he might as well be on the same throne this senior year. If being elected as president on the class helps, Jimin's starting the year right.
He wasn't strict on his position and believes in democracy so Jimin let his classmates to choose wherever they like to sit. He also wasn't a nerd that sits in front rows so he settled down at the very back where he could see everyone.
He gazed around and saw quite the same faces and some new, like the kid that just arrived. He took the seat beside Jimin and smiled at him when he was caught looking, a boxy smile that Jimin first seen that looks adorable on someone.
He was actually unreasonably really good looking in close proximity. He was like an epitome of perfect face proportions and good genes that Jimin couldn't help but stare more than he should. The latter was fine with it only smiling back and stared back at Jimin with those intimidating and piercing eyes that just makes Jimin look at him more.
"Park Jimin, right?" his seat mate suddenly asked and Jimin keeps his chills down after hearing such low husky voice.
"Yep, and you are?" Jimin replies wanting to give himself a pat in the back because that was smooth (he's dreading to know his name).
"Kim Taehyung." the latter immediately replies but the teacher suddenly came and hushed down the class.
As much as Jimin wants to listen to the teacher right now, he still his glance at Taehyung as a whirlwind of thoughts rushed through him.
That name sounds familiar. Where have I heard his name again?'
It took too much thought and effort for Jimin to remember where have he seen Taehyung's name until he actually remembered it and suddenly pointed Taehyung who looked at him with his eyebrow raised.
"You were the one who wrote a fear of sleeping in my survey form, right?" Jimin asked, whispering.
Taehyung looked at Jimin as if saying 'what the hell is he talking about' but soon it sinked in and Tae nods.
"That mandatory survey research?" he retorted and Jimin glared at him, Tae just shrugged back.
It's not like Jimin really forced his fellow students to answer the papers (if actually glaring at each of them and watches them to write down their answers wasn't forcing them, Jimin doesn't know what it is).
"What about it?" Tae asked again, resting his chin on his palm as he just diverts his full attention to Jimin now.
"What is your reason?" Jimin curiously asked again and for a moment Tae just stared at him.
But he then smirked and looked in front.
"Sleep is for the weak."
And like last time, Jimin has been trolled, but this time Kim Taehyung says it in his face.
In a span of few weeks and the perks of being his seat mate, Jimin learned that Taehyung is quirky, nonchalant, unbothered and lives by the adjective of happy go lucky.
It's a stark contrast to Jimin's hardworking, busy, stern persona. For once, Jimin thought how can someone be so laid back and still have his grades higher than average. He isn't considering Tae as his competition though, his seat mate never considered studying.
"Hey, President! Do you still have some extra pillows?" Hoseok approached Jimin, already proud and confident in his floral pajamas. Talk about self expression.
Unfortunately, there is an overnight activity in the school and lets the students sleep in the vicinity. Boys were separated from girls and Jimin, as the class president, has the authority and responsibilities of watching over his boy classmates (pain in the ass) while their homeroom teacher watches over the girls.
"I think there's still enough pillows in Mrs. Choi's office." Jimin retorts and his hyung thanked him and left their room.
"Pres, I think these are all the beddings that's left on the office." Namjoon, his academic rival, enters the room with shit ton of sleeping bags on his hand and not in a day that he trips over his own feet. Good thing this time the bags saved his face from bleeding.
"Thanks, hyung. You should sleep already." Jimin mutters to Namjoon. It was already midnight and half of the boys are already asleep.
"I will. You should rest too." his hyung replies and pats his head, dragging himself to his sleeping bag.
"After everyone and everything's settled." Jimin reassures Namjoon who's looking at him like a concerned dad.
Namjoon then just sighed and smiled, dimples poking deeply into his cheeks and suddenly the night wasn't too stressful for Jimin anymore.
"You shouldn't be too tight on yourself, Jimin. I'll save this spot for you when you want to sleep." Joon points at the yellow sleeping bag beside him and Jimin nods, very much thankful to his hyung's concern.
The elder decided to sleep peacefully and few minutes after, Hoseok went back with a couple of pillows on his hand and settled on the other side beside Namjoon. An arm laced across the sleeping Namjoon and Jimin doesn't miss how Hobi pressed a gentle kiss on Joon's forehead.
Jimin felt like he shouldn't be staring at such domestic moment so he left the room and decided to roam around the hallways.
Everyone is now asleep and he'll go back and sleep when he knows Hoseok is already sleeping. He doesn't want to be a third wheel to those sleeping couple.
He was walking aimlessly just to kill time and also tire himself so that sleeping would be easy later (trying to sleep with a choir of snoring boys is a battle). He glanced at the sky peeking from the windows, it was already darker and speck of stars starts dusting brightly than ever. It'll be nice stargazing at this hour, perhaps.
Jimin then looked for a great spot to view the stars but his preferred place was already taken, the lone window at the very end of the hallway was occupied by a tall brunette guy that seemed too familiar to him. The nearer Jimin gets the clearer he sees who it is.
Kim Taehyung.
His shoulders seemed to be broader, his hair disheveled from the gust of crisp night breeze and he looked so ethereal with the moonlight reflecting on his face. Jimin could stare at him forever if he's allowed to.
Before Jimin could think of irrational things, he stands beside him and his seat mate already seemed to acknowledge his presence.
"You aren't gonna sleep tonight, won't you?"
Tae stared at him and Jimin sees stars in his eyes, or it's just the effect of the sky. Or Jimin just feels drowsy now. Yep that's it. He's just sleepy right now.
"I will if I go home." he simply retorts and Jimin raised his eyebrow.
"Will you sleep if I'll let you?"
"I will."
And Jimin hesitates. Tae doesn't have dark circles below his eyes and that just indicates Tae is having a proper sleep than he does. He wasn't sleep deprived, rather Jimin was. For what reason why Taehyung rather sleep in his house, it's none of his business.
He sighed. Good thing Jimin isn't strict despite his high position and he believes in democracy, it isn't as if Taehyung was this good looking that Jimin would let him bail out. No that's not the reason.
"Just be here early because our classmates will surely rant on me about favoritism and injustice." Jimin will also think about something legit for their teacher to believe on.
Taehyung immediately had his boxy smile on his lips and leaned forward to Jimin, for a moment he was expecting something. Something that isn't petting his hair like a puppy, like what he's doing right now.
Tae's smile radiates and it's blinding but Jimin isn't gonna complain.
"Thank you so much. You're a lifesaver."
"Go home safely, see you tom-- " there were strong and big arms wrapping around Jimin that cuts him from speaking and he felt brain dead for a second.
Until he realize Kim fucking Taehyung is hugging him.
Before he can even react, Tae untangled his arms and waves his hand still with his smile on his face, already sprinting his way out of the hallways.
The night felt hot all of a sudden despite the biting breeze tonight. And Jungkook, the youngest of the class sees that well when he went back to their classroom.
"Are you okay, Jiminie? You're literally red in the face."
No need to fucking remind me, kid.
Taehyung did keep his words and goes to school before everyone wakes up. Jimin did make a reasonable excuse of "there's an emergency in their house that he has no time to inform you," to the teacher when she was finding Taehyung.
Everything was fine and sunny like how Taehyung always smiles when Jimin's around now.
It felt like everything changed between them after that night. Taehyung starts to notice Jimin more, interact with him as much as possible, and gives his boxy smile when Jimin stares at him. Taehyung is really chill about it, Jimin is not.
Jimin can't contain himself from all the attention Tae is giving him. Jimin can't handle himself to feel red with every stare that lingers on him. Jimin can't stop his heart from beating too fast and it's gonna cause him a heart attack.
"Taehyung might melt if you stare too hard, hyung." Jungkook simply implies while subtly glancing at Taehyung who's few seat apart and to Jimin who's been eyeing the latter since free time started.
"I'm not looking at him." Jimin replies, Jungkook just snorts.
"That's what everyone says when they get caught." the kid counters and Jimin musters not to hit him on the face.
"Shut up, Kook."
The younger just laughed at him like the elder was a big fat joke and Jimin doesn't see the humor in it. The kid might have a busted screw on his head.
"Just go tell him you like him already. I've been seeing you ogling eyes on him since day 1."
"I don't like him, okay? I'm just too dumbstruck on how come a face of a guy could that be handsome and his voice is damn low and his personality and—"
"To simply put it, you're liking him already. Come on, hyung. Just admit it already." Jungkook still pressing the subject while suggestively wiggling his eyebrows.
"I do not."
Jimin diverts his eyes off the teasing brat and suddenly his eyes lands to Tae. Jimin wasn't expecting his seatmate to caught him staring but like always, he smiled at the flustered Jimin who immediately looked away because his face is gonna combust if he stared longer. Jungkook snorts again beside him. The audacity.
"Sure, hyung." the brat commented, sarcasm in full offense.
"He's not my business to meddle with and I do not want to get involve in whatever he does."
It was for the first time Jungkook didn't say anything but his doe eyes are judging him that whatever bullshit he have said today, he'll eat it eventually. Good thing the brat decided not to say it out loud.
---
Jimin didn't thought he'll be eating his words after some week. Sure, Jungkook is jumping for joy now.
Taehyung haven't been to school for a week and 3 days. Jimin kept staring at the empty seat beside him everyday hoping that Tae will finally show up, he's not really that concerned about Tae. He's just not used that the seat beside him is vacant. Their homeroom teacher is beginning to get worried sick about her missing student so she called Jimin for help.
"We haven't heard anything from Taehyung for the past 10 days now and I can't contact him or anyone from his home." their teacher immediately said soon as Jimin arrived her office, stress already resonating on her voice.
"As much as I want to check him out myself, work is pretty hectic so I want you to see him yourself." Mrs. Choi adds and shove some piece of paper in Jimin direction.
A pass slip and a paper scribbled with Tae's address.
"Why me, Mrs. Choi?" as much as Jimin is confused why of all people the teacher called for him, his teacher was also as confused on his question.
"Aren't you the class president, Jimin?"
Oh.
Right. Class President, responsibilities. Nothing more.
That's why Jimin was now standing in front of his seatmate's house, heart pounding erratically for no particular reason. Visiting a classmate isn't that bad for all he know and pushing the doorbell isn't that hard to do too.
Jimin hits his chest and heavily sighed. Man up, Jimin.
It took him a minute or two before finally pushing the doorbell. It wasn't long enough that a stunning tall, broad shouldered blonde man greets Jimin.
"Good morning. I'm from Taehyung's class." Jimin immediately greets, the handsome man smiled as he opened their gate and let Jimin get in their premises.
"It's pretty rare for someone to visit my brother." he casually comments, glancing at Jimin.
So this is Taehyung's brother. They resemble a lot. Tall, stunningly handsome, have all the good proportions. They basically share the same good genes that looks unrealistically ethereal in all angles possible.
"Our teacher can't come to see Taehyung personally so she let me check Tae instead." Jimin politely replies and the man knowingly nods.
"About that. Please relay my apologies to your teacher for my brother's absence. I'll surely write her a letter." the handsome man retorts, smile plastered on his face. Jimin is in awe.
"I'll tell her right away, sir." the man immediately giggled at Jimin's reply and he's confused.
"Oh geez, drop the formalities. Just call me Jin-hyung." he enthusiastically smiled at Jimin and leaned towards him a little. "What's your name?"
"Park Jimin." Jimin promptly replies, avoiding the gazes that Jin gives at close proximity. His eyes are damn blessed looking at this too good looking man in such proximity.
"Jiminie, as much as I'd like to chat with you isn't more comfortable talking to you inside, right?" Jimin nods while Jin led the way and docilely followed the elder inside their home.
With Jin's friendly and outgoing vibe, their house was more cozy like a warm home calling for him. Jimin could stay here if he can.
"I hear you a lot from Tae." Jin said after they take their seats on the living room and Jimin's face automatically flushes.
"I'm his seat mate anyway. I hope he told you good things about me." Jimin wants to mentally slap himself. What the fuck was that last statement?
"He did." Jin promptly answers and smiled. Jimin doesn't know how to stop himself from being too flustered. He can hear his hyung already giggling at his red face.
"By the way, he's recovering now and he said he's doing fine. Probably I'll let him go back to school next week." Jin comments, in attempt to change the topic and Jimin is grateful and he's been back on track on what his purpose in the first place. Thanks, Jin-hyung.
"That's a relief. Mrs. Choi will be glad to see him again." Jimin might have been said that too happily and good thing his hyung doesn't notice it, if ever he just let it slip, still he was smiling at Jimin for the entire time.
Those words from Tae's brother were already enough for Jimin to hear and over staying isn't in his plan. So he stands up and gets his bag.
"Thank you, hyung. I'll be taking my leave—"
"Can you stay for lunch?" his hyung suddenly blurts out and with Jin's pleading eyes when he glaced at him, Jimin doesn't have the heart to decline his offer. And the idea of having free food adds up the reason to stay.
"Okay," Jimin answers after a few seconds of thinking and Jin's smile widens as he bolts to his huge pristine kitchen.
"It'll be ready in 5 minutes. Go and check Tae upstairs, Jiminie." he shouts from his workplace.
Jimin was hesitant to actually see Tae. For all Jimin believed Tae is now doing fine, he'll see him again next week and that's already enough.
"Tae haven't seen any other people for 10 days now except me and my boyfriend, Yoongi. Paying him a visit to his room will make his day." Jin urges when he sees Jimin hesitating to take a step on the staircase.
That enough makes Jimin go upstairs in no time. Despite not knowing what room he should go, Jimin slowly turns the knob of the door with a wooden sign on the door written 'tae's' scribbled in Taehyung's messy handwriting.
"Hyung why are you talking to yourself again— oh."
All jimin taught Tae was having a bad fever, a severe flu, a contagious chicken pox or he was just to lazy to go to school anymore, Jimin wished it was just like that.
Jimin wished it was as simple as that.
Jimin felt dumbstruck and doesn't know what to say or what to feel. He feels his eyes sting, his throat constricting like there's a lump stuck in there. There's pain throbing in his chest and Jimin feels like his heart breaking.
"Jimin," and like rain, Jimin's tears poured.
Tae gently gets up from his bed, the sight of him with a nasal cannula attached to his nose, the tubes tucked behind his ear breaks Jimin into pieces. There is a portable ventilator beside his bed and a huge oxygen tank towering along with the bookshelves. It pains to see how worse this looks like.
Seeing Taehyung up close after 10 days and seeing his current state, Jimin wants to hug him so tight right now but he can't move, he can't dare himself to move.
"I was supposed to go back to school but I overslept." Tae remarked and laughs, attempting to lighten the mood, but it only makes Jimin want to sob and let his tears flow. He tried to speak but his voice cracked along with a drop of tear falling from his eyes.
"I--I just thought you just had a flu or something not like this. I just thought you were trolling me." Jimin stammers, mustering the strength to look at Tae in the eyes.
Tae reached for Jimin and wipes off his tears, his eyes never leaving Jimin's.
"I'm fine, Chim." Tae reassures, his voice earnestly comforting and his endearment makes him cry harder.
Tae slowly pulls away the tube off his nose and Jimin panicked that something bad might happen. But Tae smiled, his signature boxy smile showing he's fine despite the lack of apparatus around him.
"I'll be fine, as long as I don't sleep without these." he says at ease as if it's not a big of a deal.
"Why didn't you go to school for 10 days?"
Tae heavily sighed and looked at Jimin, a small pained smile on his face.
"I have a congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. Remember Ondine's curse from our literature class?"
Jimin remembers it, it's a mythology where Ondine cursed her unfaithful husband that if he sleeps, he'll stop breathing and die.
And there Jimin realized it is Taehyung's dreadful situation. Now he understands why there are ventilation supports around him, because these machine and tubes are his lifeline.
That made Jimin sob harder, Tae's hand on Jimin's cheeks got drenched again with tears. His pain doesn't show and but his strong heart does. He is smiling despite the difficulties he faces.
Jimin thought Tae spending his free time reading books, listening to music, walking around the premises of the school than actually sleeping was a waste of time. Jimin doesn't know that's his way to divert the drowsy feeling that can cause his life.
There was silence until Tae broke it with what happened last week.
"Last week there was a power outage. My ventilator stopped."
And it broke Jimin's heart hearing those words.
"Jin-hyung told me they rushed me to the hospital, there weren't enough backups for me to breathe at that time but good thing I still reached the hospital alive. Doctors admitted me there for 3 days making sure I'll be okay when I go out of the hospital and on the remaining days, they make me breathe with this cannula."
All Jimin hears after Tae spoke is his sobs.
Jimin doesn't know Taehyung have been through a lot for the past 10 days. It's tough for his family and especially him. Going to bed with tubes attached to you, a possibility that the machine might stop at the middle of the night and an uncertainty that you might never wake up to another day, Jimin can't fathom how Taehyung still manages to stay positive, smile and hide it from everyone.
"Why did you keep this from us?" Jimin asked looking up to Tae, the latter only did was to show how much he's fine through his smile but his eyes tells otherwise.
"It's not for everyone to worry about."
"But it worries me a lot." he whispered as he can't control his endless tears.
Jimin rested his head on Tae's chest, shoulders humping as he cried his eyes out.
Tae wrapped his arms around him, engulfing him into a warm comforting embrace as he gently hushes Jimin, muttering sweet nothings to calm him down.
"Keep me awake, Chim. Be strong for me."
And Jimin nods, hugging him back because it's what the least he can do for Taehyung right now.
Monday came and Taehyung showed up in class.
He was bombarded by tons of questions, everyone missed him so much. He doesn't tell them what really happened though, but their homeroom teacher now knows and Jimin knows.
Their teacher provided a ventilator on her office for Tae when emergency strikes, she said it's better to be prepared this time. Taehyung was really grateful for the gesture and also for not telling everyone about his condition.
After knowing what Tae is hiding from them, seeing him now genuinely happy like nothing happens, he sure looks like someone that doesn't have any problems in life. He sure makes Jimin adore him even more.
When times get bored and drowsy, Jimin talks a lot with Tae during free time while most of the class sleeps.
"Chim, just sleep if you feel drowsy." Tae suggests, looking at Jimin who's eyelids are threatening to close.
"Who said I'm sleepy." Jimin still denies and the latter snorts.
"Your eyes. They tell me they need to rest." Tae comments, flicking Jimin in his forehead.
"I won't sleep, Chim. Looking at you makes me awake already." Tae reassured with matching boxy smile on his face and that doesn't help to lessen Jimin's flustered cheeks.
"You should be awake when I wake up." he declares and slumped his head on his desk, hands covering his red face. Tae is happily giggling beside him and he doesn't miss him whispered, "how cute".
"You'll see me still hadsome and alive when you wake up." it's now Jimin's time to snort at Tae, how cocky and honest.
"Sure, Tae."
Tae reached for his small hands, his long slender fingers giving warmth. Jimin doesn't mind and let's him play with it for his own entertainment, commenting like how small it is on Tae's hand. His gentle hand caressing his chubby fingers calms him until it lulled Jimin to sleep.
It was always as stomach fluttering and cheek blushing everyday since then. They both went to Jungkook's birthday together, they both enjoy parties such as Namjoon's party a week after the brat's day, and they spent the entire day of Jimin's birthday together, just the two of them. They eventually become closer as days progress.
Jimin's friends noticed that already.
"I guess things are going great for the both of you, Jiminie." Joon comments one day.
"Have you confessed already, hyung?" Jungkook barged in the conversation and Hoseok then adds up.
"You haven't told us about Taehyung! Spill the tea, Jiminie~"
Things are going great, in fact Jimin feels like he's dreaming everyday when he's with Taehyung.
Have he confessed? Not yet. He doesn't have the courage to actually blurt out what's on his heart. Jimin thinks, it's fine this way. He'll see where this eventually will lead them.
And to be honest Jimin haven't said anything about Tae on his small group of friends. He noticed that the 3 are aching to ask Jimin about the sudden change and finally on this day they mustered to ask him personally.
Jimin doesn't actually have something to say about Taehyung to them. They know him already since they're all in the same classroom everyday. Jungkook plays video games with Taehyung at times. Namjoon and Tae shares the same philosophical rants on life so Jimin sometimes sees them having a serious conversation about the vast universe beyond space exploration and even politics. Hoseok is also friends with everyone and he shared some time with Taehyung on some class activities and group works. So what else is there for Jimin to tell them?
"What's your relationship with the handsome Kim Taehyung right now?"
It's really easy to tell them they're friends.
Jimin has always been there for Taehyung starting when Jimin knew about the latter's condition. They hang out a lot more. They talk a lot more. Jimin learned a lot of new things from Tae like how he likes purple, can only sleep if there's something or someone to hug, invests in cute room decors and jewelries, is very fond of children and animals, believes he's a fashion icon with his eccentric fashion statement (who the hell wears very baggy pants, leather jacket and slippers and still looks fine as hell? Only Kim Taehyung) and is deeply enchanted with arts mostly Basquiat's style right now that Jimin bought them tickets to his art gallery.
It's really easy to tell them they are friends so why is Jimin thinking about it a lot?
What are they really?
Jimin doesn't think about it too much. His friends doesn't pester him anymore about that matter. As what Jimin said, let the tides lead them to wherever they'll be. Just go with the flow and enjoy it till it lasts.
It's weekend already and Jimin decided to spend it everytime at Taehyung's home. Jin-hyung is always glad to see him there every Saturday until dinner even offering him to stay for the night but Jimin still have a younger brother to take care of.
Going back at Tae's residence like it's Jimin's second home and hanging out with Taehyung most of the time, he successfully doesn't cry now when he sees the apparatus on Tae's room or even Tae using his nasal prong.
Right now, it's past Christmas day and they are idly laying on Tae's bed. Jin-hyung gave his brother a cute pomeranian pup for Christmas that Tae quickly called him Yeontan because the cute puppy reminds Tae of briquettes.
Yeontan is also on the bed, resting on top of Jimin while Taehyung fondly runs his hand on the puppy's fur.
"It sounds fun if we walk Yeontan and Poly some time after winter." Tae suddenly suggested out of the blue.
Since Jimin takes care of Poly, a golden retriever, more that the real owner which is his younger brother, he can make it happen.
"Let's go when spring starts. I'm sure our dogs will enjoy that season more." Tae grinned, excitement written all over his face and nodded in approval.
They spent the entire year end with a new addition to the family. It became merrier inside Tae's home as the little pup lightens up their winter blues.
It wasn't long enough that Tae's birthday came and it's this time that Jimin stays for the whole day in the Kim's house. As Jin prepares for their feast, the two settled on the living room both sprawled lazily on the sofa.
Jimin is fidgeting on the small box hidden on his pocket since he arrived at the Kim's. It's not a big of a deal gift. Jimin just bought it in impulse when he saw it on a store because it reminded him of Tae. Jimin is finding the right moment to give him the box before it's too late and Tae seemed to notice how Jimin felt uneasy.
"Is something bothering you, Chim?" Tae worriedly asked when Jimin doesn't respond to Tae's story.
"Well..." Jimin scratches his nape. This might be the chance to give it to Tae, here goes nothing.
"Happy birthday, Tae."
Jimin fishes out the black matte box hiding on his pocket and finally gave it to Tae. Taehyung wasn't expecting a gift in the first place, Jimin being here is enough gift.
He was more surprised to see a silver ring with a small moon and star at each end of the silver band.
Jimin fondly smiled at Tae's genuine reaction.
"I bought it because you liked seeing the moon and the stars and it reminds me on how your eyes were filled with stars way back when I let you bail out." it was the time when Jimin thinks he liked Tae even more.
"Why are you doing these all for me?"
Jimin stares at him, he doesn't know why Tae is suddenly asking such question.
"Is it out of pity?" Tae asked again but there's no venom in it.
Jimin hides the hurt in his eyes, if anything, that's the last thing that will urge Jimin to do things for Taehyung. He just plastered his small smile and directly looked into Tae's eyes.
"I don't think a strong guy like you needs some pitying from me."
"Then why do you do these things for me?" this time Taehyung stared back at Jimin, his eyes are unreadable and dark. He looked like he wanted to hear something, something that Jimin doesn't intend to say sooner.
Jimin heavily sighed and reached for the silver ring inside the box. He gentle hold onto Tae's hand and gently slid the silver band to his ring finger. It fits perfectly on Tae's hand.
Jimin fondly smiled at Tae; the man Jimin liked since the first time he saw him.
"Because that's what my heart wants to do." Jimin finally said, sincerity is evident from every word.
"I'll stay with you for as long as you want. And I always want you to look forward to another day, Taetae."
It's all Jimin could say right now. He doesn't want to end the year with a broken heart so he saved the 8 letters for himself. What Jimin doesn't know after Tae leaned forward and pressed his lips on Jimin's forehead,
Taehyung was ready to risk whatever they have right now as Jimin heard a faint "I love you," from Tae's lips.
New year will be in few hours. Since Yoongi will stay with them for the entire day, Tae and Jimin decided that they'll do the grocery shopping for Jin to let him be with his lover longer today.
Jin was hesitant about the two's offer but they already took off before Jin can even stop them.
Taehyung wasn't helping at all on the task, he just keeps adding stuffs that isn't needed or foods that he liked to eat but isn't really essential. Jimin is strict with the budget so really, Tae isn't helping.
"I swear to God, Tae I won't let you join me in grocery shopping from now on." Jimin was stressed but the latter just snorts.
It unbelievably took them 3 hours in the supermarket just buying Jin's needed ingredients and some items that Tae have managed to put on the cart when Jimin isn't looking.
Despite Taehyung already on legal age and have his driver's license, unfortunately he wasn't allowed to drive Jin's car let alone have Jimin on the passenger seat so it's a struggle to go back home right now.
They hail a cab instead despite the heavy traffic at this busy day because they can't even manage to walk to Tae's house with a lot of heavy paper bags held on each hand.
"Safety first, Chimchim." Taehyung insisted as he buckled Jimin's seatbelt and then his own.
He was always like that even though it's unlikely for them to have an accident. He snorts.
It was a smooth ride, per se, like a usual ride home. It was just afternoon, snow was getting thick and the air was biting. It's not a bad day nor a good one to begin with. But being with Tae makes it better.
Suddenly he doesn't know why he felt nervous and his heart suddenly beats erratically. Tae worriedly glanced at him and held his hand, calming him. It didn't stop, it makes him held on Tae's hand tighter and feels his heart escaping off his chest.
"It'll be fine, Jiminie." Tae said as he squeezed Jimin's hand.
Next thing he heard were deafening screeches and was a strong impact felt through his bones. Jimin doesn't know what happened next but he felt so much pain in his body. All around him were shattered glasses and some pierced through his skin. A strong sickening scent of iron covers the place. He saw pool of vile blood dripping from his head and realized that the car's position was upside down. The car was completely crushed on the front and the driver was unfortunately thorn between scrapped metals. Jimin flinched at the thought of their driver being dead.
It's just a dream. Please let this be a dream.
But it wasn't. The pain from his jammed foot from the protruding driver's seat was real. He screamed from the excruciating pain when he tried to move his foot. He can't die. He can't die without saying how much he loved Tae— Where's Taehyung?!
"Taehyung!"
Despite the pain and blood gushing down to the car's roof and a sight of the dreadful driver few inches from him, Jimin immediately scanned his eyes, grope his hand for signs of Taehyung.
"Tae! Taetae!" he shouted and Jimin felt a hand so he grabbed for it.
Taehyung is beside him, seatbelt strapped him tightly on his seat as blood rushed down from his forehead, eyelids closed and covered with blood.
Taehyung can't be unconscious right now.
"Tae wake up. You can't sleep right now!" Jimin called out repeating Taehyung's name as he gather his strength to shake his shoulder, the pain from his crashed foot thumping as he screamed.
"J--jimin..." Taehyung's faint voice calls out and Jimin grabbed Taehyung's wandering hand, intertwining it.
Thank God he's alive.
"Tae don't sleep on me, okay? We'll get out of this." he reassures squeezing their hands, gulping down the lump forming on his throat.
Tae tried to get out from his seat, unbuckling his seat belt, flinching everytime he moved but successfully came closer to Jimin who couldn't move.
"Don't move a lot, you might get worse."Jimin warned but Taehyung doesn't seemed like he's listening when he rested his head on Jimin's shoulder. Jimin wrapped his arm around the latter and felt dampness on Tae's back. It was drenched in blood.
"T-tae your back is—"
"I think I should let you know that you're the most beautiful man I've ever seen." Jimin suddenly felt a tear escaped from his eye and squeezed Taehyung's hand.
"This is not a time for this, Tae." but the latter doesn't listen as he held onto Jimin tighter.
"The time when I was at the hospital I've always wanted to get discharged just to see you again."
"T--tae..." Jimin broke down, his voice already breaking. His heart is also breaking at the same time.
"That time when you let me slid from the overnight activity, I was the happiest because finally we had a decent conversation but it was hard to leave you alone."
"Tae why are you doing this,"
"Times with you is worth to see another day from an uncertain night if I'll wake up again, Jimin."
Tae smiled while still holding Jimin's hand and Tae was getting paler and paler. Jimin doesn't stop from crying as he tried again to free himself from the metal enveloping his foot.
"Tae don't sleep on me please..."
"I won't. I'll still go out with you, walk our pets and tell you I love you everyday."
"Tae I love you too. Please don't sleep. We'll still go on a lot of dates, adopt a cat, hold hands while we go home, and kiss each other goodnight..." Jimin broke out into sob again, holding Tae for dear life.
"I like that. I'll kiss you when we get out of here." Tae promised as he wiped Jimin's tears. His stare lingers fondly at Jimin.
"I'll wait for that."
Jimin doesn't know how long they stayed like that, but as the seconds passed by, the weaker they get and soon enough, Jimin passed out.
Jimin stands in front of a stone tomb, wind blowing his hair as he placed a bouquet of flowers down.
He sighed. It was already a year after the accident. Some car driving speedily slipped from the ice and hit their car that time. It made him have a cast on his leg which was thankfully not amputated. Cuts on his skin have healed, memories are still there, the pain lingers sometimes along the dreadful sight of their mishaps that day.
Jimin picked up the stray rose that flew along the wind and puts it back along the others. He doesn't know if Tae like the pink roses that he picked but Jimin knows he will not complain about it.
He looks again at the carved name on the stone, tracing each syllable, whispering the name on his lips over and over again, and he bitterly smiled.
"Chim you've been there for quite too long already."
Jimin smiled at Tae who's pouting at him, shrugging into his jacket as he walked towards Jimin, lacing an arm around his waist. Jimin rested his head on Tae's shoulder.
Jimin read the tomb again, Choi Gangil, the taxi driver that was with them during the accident.
He was claimed dead on arrival while Tae had a broken rib and fractured his wrist, thankfully Tae's spine was fine and there wasn't a concussion despite the amount of blood coming out from Taehyung's head and back that time.
Safe to say they are now healing better and fortunately reached graduation with cast and gauzes on their bodies.
"It's sad how someone needs to be gone just to make others stay."
"You saved me though,"
And Jimin gazed up to see Tae looking back at him. His heart suddenly flushed a warm emotion reminiscing their confessions, the time where he thought everything would crumble down on his own eyes but he never let go, Jimin won't let Taehyung go.
"Why are you looking at me like that." Tae asked eyes lingered longer into Jimin.
"Because seeing you here right now reminds me of a lot of reasons why saving you was the greatest thing I've ever done."
And a smiled grew on Tae's lip. "I remembered, I still owe you something."
Jimin was about to ask when suddenly Taehyung leaned closer, his lips meeting his own. It was what Jimin have waited. A sweet, longing, comforting, gentle kiss.
The kiss Jimin have waited before he finally claimed Tae as his.