Work Text:
11pm Tuesday, January 29th.
Taehyung sags against the door of his apartment- no, it's no longer his- of the apartment, he feels exhaustion deep into his bones, loneliness floods his blood, and defeat holds his throat in its tight fist. He honestly has no idea what to do. The memory of what just occurred plays over in his head.
“Kim Taehyung?” the landlord stood at the door, an accusing look on his harsh face.
“That's me, sir,” Taehyung answered, he knew he looked pitiful, he knew what was coming.
“You've been evicted. I need you out before tomorrow evening.” the man stated, his gaze firm.
“Sir, look, I can get you the money soon, just a few more days. Plea-”
“Taehyung I’ve given you enough warning. Either you have the money, or you get out before tomorrow evening.”
Taehyung stood there, he felt his heart drop to his feet, he knew. Of course he knew. He’d thought he could figure it out.
“Of course, sir. I’ll be out by tomorrow evening.”
“Thank you. Have a good night,” and with that the man left.
Taehyung crumbles to the floor as silent, choked sobs overtake his body. He covers his mouth with his hand, slightly biting on it to mask his heavy breathing. To be completely honest, he's not sure how long he stays there on the floor, but he eventually slows his breathing and composes himself. He pushes himself off the ground, and runs his hands through his hair before walking past the kitchen, past the overdue rent notices, and to his bedroom. He changes, pulls on a coat, straightens himself out, then stares into the mirror.
Kim Taehyung, 19 years old, just out of high school. He was top of class, 4.5 weighted GPA, scholarships and acceptance letters left and right. He had everything planned out. However, the dark circles under his eyes tell a different story.
Kim Taehyung, 19 years old, just out of high school. Single father of a 6 week old baby. His girlfriend, Jisoo, passed away in a car crash about 3 weeks ago leaving him to care for their son. They had been already been short on rent for the two months before that. Taehyung had planned to take up an extra part time job once everything settled down after the birth of his son, however, only 3 weeks into that plan… the crash happened.
Kim Taehyung, 19 years old, just out of high school, single father, and homeless.
Taehyung is pulled away from his thoughts as a piercing cry is heard in the apartment. He feels his heart break as he makes his way across his room, peering into the tiny crib against the wall where his son, Taeji, sleeps, or should be sleeping. The 6 week old infant is wailing, probably hungry. He's been disturbed a bit after the loss of his mother, as expected of course, his development progress has been slightly delayed in the past three weeks. The separation of a parent takes a toll on infants, but Taehyung has been doing everything he can to help his son accommodate and feel comfortable, trying to give him the most attention and love that he possibly can. This takes away from work though, and Tae doesn't have maternal leave obviously.
He inhales strongly before leaning down to lift the infant. Taehyung rocks him and soothes him, making various noises as they make their way to the kitchen to get baby formula. Taeji is still wailing when Taehyung slowly puts him down on his baby bouncer to ready the bottle.
“Ah, Taeji, I know, I know appa is taking so long to get the bottle ready, just give me a second, love,” Tae speaks softly to the baby. The bottle is made and heated in less than 5 minutes, and Taehyung soon has the baby cradled in his arms on the couch as he feeds him.
“My baby, what are we gonna do?” he says slowly, sighing and leaning his head back against the couch. “What are we gonna do…”
Taeji falls asleep as he drinks and Taehyung looks down at the sleeping baby, observing him, his dark wispy hair, round baby cheeks, his little baby lips, it pulled at Taehyung’s heart. He can't cry though, not yet, he can't stop yet.
With half a mind and little strength Taehyung stands and brings the baby to his car seat, strapping him in then sets to get a baby bag and some important items he can carry with him. He grabs a backpack of his own clothes and straightens himself out before inhaling loudly. He can do this. He is Kim Taehyung, top of the his graduating class, he's smart enough to figure this out. With that in mind he sets out, a blanket covering the top of the baby seat so the night life wouldn't wake Taeji, or so Taehyung hopes.
x
12:37am Wednesday, January 30th.
It's raining, it's cold, and Taeji woke up about 45 minute back because of a loud car horn. Taehyung is close to breaking as he makes it to the door of a house on the other side of town. It's a small house, one-story with a cute little porch swing in the front yard. Well, it would be cute had it not been raining, cold, and his son finally sleeping from exhaustion with tear stains on his tiny chubby cheeks.
Taehyung knocks on the door, bracing himself for the absolute worse.
However, the worst never comes. Park Jimin opens the door, a confused look on his face as he takes in the sight of his best friend on his doorstep, soaking wet with 2 backpacks, a baby bag, and an umbrella covering an infants car seat.
“Taehyung, good god, you need to get a new car,” Jimin tells him, trying to lighten the mood, yet his voice carried so much concern he doesn't think it worked.
Taehyung lets his head drop in defeat at the statement. Jimin’s brows crease and he drops his hand from the door handle before speaking softly. “Tae…. just…. come inside. Please.”
Taehyung steps inside, setting the car seat on the floor of the room and leans back out the door to shake the umbrella off as he closes it. He's removing his shoes as Yoongi comes into view, a worried expressions shades his face as he observes the younger male.
“Let me get you some dry clothes…” Yoongi mumbles, he lingers for a second longer before calling to Jungkook to get some clean clothes for Taehyung.
“Hyung is here?” He hears Jungkook ask with a surprised lilt.
Jimin smiles at Tae, it's a sad smile, one that you give someone before you tell them they have a life altering disease.
Jungkook comes back with some dry pyjamas that Taehyung takes with a grateful bow of the head, mumbling a thanks. Jimin puts a hand on his shoulder as he tells him to go change in the bathroom and that he’ll take care of the baby.
Taehyung subconsciously notices an extra body in the living room as he scurries past, but he honestly chalks it up to him being exhausted and emotionally drained. He dresses and wrings out his wet clothes in the sink. He stares up at himself in the small circular mirror. It's kind of amusing how he looks so much worse than he did two hours ago. Real amusing.
When he comes back to the living room he sees Yoongi holding Taeji in a white fluffy blanket, the infant sleeping quietly, seemingly content with the slight sway of Yoongi’s body. Taehyung then really notices the fifth body in the room.
He's tall, handsome, his hair is platinum blond, his eyes are dark and piercing, yet holding a softness to them at the same time. Taehyung suddenly feels embarrassed at his appearance. He knows his eyes have dark circles under them and his dark hair a wet mess, and he can't remember the last time he's shaved. He feels awkward, like he's lost some weight, Taehyung definitely feels like absolute shit. Of course he has to meet this incredibly handsome man now of all times.
“Taehyung,” Jimin starts, breaking the silence of the room as the two men observed each other, “This is Namjoon. He works with Yoongi in the studio.”
Namjoon smiles, and if Taehyung wasn’t in the place he is he's sure he would be weak in the knees and preparing a flirty introduction. However, Taehyung lost his girlfriend, his house, and now has the responsibility of the world on his shoulders.
“Nice to meet you. I've heard about you. I’d say I hope you're well…. but you seem to be in a rough place,” Namjoon says softly, his voice deep and calming. Taehyung has half the mind to smile and nod to him, not quite up for the interaction.
“How’d you tell?” Taehyung then grimaces at his choice of words, he tries again. “Sorry. Thank you, it's nice to meet you as well,” he says lowly, voice barely above a whisper.
“Taehyung, sit, please,” Jimin tells him after watching the painful introduction. Taehyung does as he's told, taking a seat on the large couch. Jimin sits across from him in the reclining chair, Yoongi and Jungkook take their respective seats on the couch. Namjoon seems out of place before awkwardly sitting on the couch as well. In the back of his mind he thinks maybe he should ask Namjoon to leave. Sure it would be rude, but it would be completely reasonable for the situation, yet he can't seem to mind his presence all that much.
“What happened?” Jimin asks, pulling Taehyung’s attention back to the pressing matter at hand.
He sighs, his shoulders dropping and his gaze cast down. “I've been evicted. Couldn't make rent. I have until tomorrow evening.”
It's quiet in the room.
Jimin looks down at his hands that are clasped together on his lap. Jungkook and Yoongi eye each other and then look to Jimin.
“I knew it was coming… I'm not sure what i was thinking.” Taehyung says, his voice still not raising any louder than a whisper. He breathed heavily. “I just… i couldn't… i can’t… i can't just let go of…” his voice begins to shake as he feels an invisible hand wrap around his throat. He couldn’t just let go of his son, couldn't give him up.
Jungkook reaches across Yoongi to hold Taehyung's hand. He breathes heavily for a second before composing himself.
He knows he could stay with Jimin, Jungkook, and Yoongi, for a bit until he finds a more stable place. He also knows how busy they are with the twins and he doesn’t want to impose. They aren’t offering for him to stay for a reason, they all know it’s too big of a task for the moment.
“I-” there's an awkward cough as Namjoon clears his throat, “I’ve actually been looking for a roommate recently…”
Taehyung's head snaps up, he stares right at Namjoon, holding actual eye contact with him for the first time.
“I have a baby.” Taehyung states, his voice rough. He doesn’t have time for people to flippantly throw around the idea of a place for him to stay to only kick him out a week later when they realise the responsibility of a baby, even if they don’t have direct responsibility just living with a baby is effort.
“I can see that,” Namjoon replies, not rudely, but with a hint of ‘what the fuck else would you have?’ in his tone.
“This isn't just a decision you can make over a cup of coffee,” Taehyung is eyeing Namjoon. “Also I'm not sure if you caught on, but the whole reason I don't have a place is because I can't make rent.”
Namjoon considers Taehyung for a second, he choices his words carefully.
“Taehyung-ssi, I’m not looking for a roommate for the rent. I’m rarely home because I’m usually working in the studio, and honestly the apartment feels like a waste. It's quite roomy, and when I’m there I’d be more than willing to help out with your son and you-”
Taehyung stops him mid-sentence by opening his mouth, and Namjoon had been watching him closely so he allowed his sentence to falter.
“Namjoon-ssi I-”
“You can call me hyung.”
Taehyung squints a little at him before continuing.
“Namjoon-hyung… I don't need you to take care of me.”
Namjoon smiles slightly down at his hands.
“I think you misunderstand. I can help out, like Yoongi would if he could, I can provide shelter, food, a quiet place for you to adjust and mourn….” he pauses, humming as he thinks. “My sister has a daughter, she's a single mom, so I can empathise how difficult it is for you. I… I want to help you.”
“You don't know me.”
Namjoon shakes his head, “I don't… but I want to.”
Jungkook sniffs causing Taehyung to glance at him. He gives him a look, he knows Taehyung, he knows how badly he wants to accept.
Taehyung drops his head a bit. “Fine, yea, that'd be great.”
“Really?” Taehyung thinks he hears a smile in Namjoon’s voice, but he doesn't look up.
“Okay, fantastic. Thank you Namjoon-hyung!” Jimin claps once and stands. “Let's get Tae into the guest room for tonight… hyung are you okay to stay on the couch for tonight? Tomorrow we can start moving whatever of Tae’s stuff into hyung’s apartment.”
Namjoon agrees, looking over to Taehyung whom still hasn't looked back at him.
x
2am Wednesday January, 30th
Taehyung sits on the edge of the guest bed as Taeji sleeps soundlessly in the middle of the bed. Taehyung set up a little blanket fort around the infant so he couldn't roll off the bed as Taehyung thinks. He's not sure what to think of the whole situation honestly.
Everything had happened so fast after he found out Jisoo was pregnant. At first Taehyung assumed Jisoo had cheated and the baby wasn't his, he swears he had been careful every time, always used protection, but fate didn't care. Jisoo got pregnant near the end of senior year, and thankfully Taehyung had a job and had been saving up for college. He had originally planned to take a semester break before going to college, and it's a good thing he did. Taehyung isn't sure he could handle school and being a dad at the same time, much less a single dad. They moved into a small apartment on the cheap side of town, they built the nursery together and were prepared to start their life together officially. Taehyung wishes he could say he loved her. He really wanted to. He wishes they had been happy together. However, the more time they spent together, living together, the more they fought and argued, the more he saw less of her smile and joy. The hospital bills began to pile up, and his job was becoming less sustainable. Jisoo still had her job, but eventually would have to quit.
One evening he was sat at the dining table reading over some bills they had when Jisoo entered the room, she was about 8 months pregnant at this time. She told Taehyung she didn't want to be here anymore. Taehyung wasn't sure what to make of it, but he held her as she cried that night, holding her as tears raked through her tiny, and very pregnant body. He felt the baby kicking as she sobbed, and he thinks it made her sob even harder. Taehyung felt a weight heavier than before settle into his bones. He's not even 19 yet… not even 19, he had thought to himself. They fell asleep together on their bed, backs facing each other.
Things didn't get better. They never do for Taehyung. The day he held his son in the hospital was the day he knew for sure it was his son. His eyes and nose were undoubtedly his. Taehyung felt so much pride and joy smiling down at the infant, barely bigger than his hands. Days may not be getting better, but he knew he would give the world up for his son, tears welled in his eyes and he felt light curl in his chest. He cried as he kissed his son, Taeji, he held him close to his chest and cried, a huge boxy smile on his tired face.
The following weeks went by extremely slow. The hospital bill added onto the other bills that were already piled up, the landlord was constantly sending notices to pay rent or they'd be evicted, and thankfully he had the heart to not report them to CPS for their lack of financial stability. He's 19, he thinks once more, 19 and the father of a beautiful baby boy. It amazed Taehyung how much a baby develops in such little time, his aimless hand waving, how his tiny dark eyes fuzzily dart around the room. Taeji sleeps almost all the time, and for that Taehyung is grateful. He worked during the morning, spent the evening with Jisoo and Taeji before picking up the graveyard shift at his second job. It worked, not enough money, but it was working.
The night of the car crash Taehyung had been sent home from work early. His manager looked into his eyes and told him to pack up and go rest. He had entered the apartment to find it chillingly quiet. The moment he had set his back down and slipped his shoes off his phone rang, splitting the frozen air of the apartment. He pretended his hands weren't shaking when he answered the phone. He pretended he didn't feel his fit wrench as he caught the first taxi on his way to the hospital. He pretended his body wasn't buzzing, his head wasn't splitting, and his eyes weren't stinging.
He pretended he didn't hear the sob that tore through him as he sat in the hospital room with a crying infant in his arms and his dead girlfriend on the bed next to him.
Taehyung was numb from then. He supposed he was already before, but it was different now. He attended the funeral, it was only him and their small group of friends, Jimin, Jungkook, Yoongi, some of Jisoo’s friends. He wouldn't admit that he knew it was coming. He knew. Jisoo knew. He couldn't hold back the hatred in his gaze as he placed dirt on her casket. She nearly killed his son, she hated this life so much she was going to take Taeji from him. He understood wanting to give up, but he would never give up on Taeji.
Taehyung swore he'd give everything up for his son's life and happiness. He’ll give him everything.
Kim Taehyung is pulled from his thoughts as he heard a knock at the door. He looks up from his hands, his gaze hasn't left them, and mumbles a confirmation to open the door.
He sees a light from the hallway flood the dark room before focussing on a face. Namjoon. He's looking a bit of out place standing in the doorway, and a cozy sweater hangs off his shoulder.
“I figured you'd be awake. I wanted to let you know that… that it's going to be okay,” Namjoon looks to Taehyung, an unreadable expression passed over his face. “You're going to be okay. Just… get some rest okay. We'll get everything sorted in the morning. Please sleep Taehyung-ah.”
He left, closing the door quietly, a soft nod was all Taehyung saw before he was enclosed in darkness once again.
Taehyung sighs and leans back onto the bed, pulling Taeji’s hand from his body and allowing the infant's hand to mindlessly curl around his finger. He pressed a kiss to the tiny forehead and closes his eyes.
“We're gonna be okay baby, you hear that? Maybe we will finally be okay.”