Chapter Text
It was a bright sunny day, the look on little Jimin's face showed glee as he ran around the playground with his newly bought toy car. He wanted to look cool and brag about it yet he was surprised when he saw no kids playing in the area, a small pout formed on his face as he crouched down and played with his toy alone, moving the car back and forth as he make engine sounds with his mouth. Doing things alone has always been a normal thing for the little boy, his parents were never around much and he really had no real friends but himself, the kids he plays with at the park were different and some had always bullied him, he never really cared about it that much. To him, what's important is he gets to be around people that would hang with him, even if it meant feeling like an outcast sometimes
Jimin was excitedly having fun alone with his toy car when he heard a noise not far from where he is. With his eyebrows furrowed, he turned his attention to where it was coming from before standing up, his car in his small hands as he walked towards the noise, he then saw another kid sitting down the grass while talking to himself, as if he was playing two roles. The latter had this gray-ish hair with fair skin, wearing an oversized blue shirt and khaki shorts but he had no shoes on, Jimin looked at him as if he was some kind of crazy person. "What kind of creature is that?" he asked himself as he continued to watch the other talk to himself.
A butterfly emerged from behind the other kid and that had stopped him from talking, "Butterfly!!! he he..." an innocent laugh came out of his lips as he reached for the beautiful insect, he had stood up and chased it. The butterfly made its way towards Jimin, the boy had a fear for insects may it be pretty or not, it made him scream and fall back on his bottom, making him wince as he used his hand to support all his weight, his toy car flew to a distance, crashing on the cement and broke. The other stopped and curiously stared at him, "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, lending his hand to help him up. Jimin opened up his eyes and saw the other smiling faintly at him. He reached for his hand and got up, "You're afraid of butterflies?" he nodded his head at the kid's question, "Eh, you're weird, why would you be afraid of them? They're really pretty.".
"I'm not weird. You're weird! Why were you talking to yourself?" Jimin spitefully answered as he crossed his arms, taking the comment as an insult, the kid laughed at his action, only making him more irritated. "I'm out of here.." he had said before turning his back at the other.
"No don't go! I'm Taehyung. I'm new in the neighborhood, I live at the house with a white gate just near here, if you want to play just come see me! We can be best friends!" Taehyung went after Jimin, talking nonstop towards him even if the other wasn't giving any attention to him. "Hey, why are you so grumpy? Come on, talk to me. What's your name? How old are you? Do you live near here? What does your house look like? Do you know anyone else around here? How come you're around here at this hour? Don't you have school?" More questions escaped the little kid's mouth as he tailed Jimin, pestering him, not planning to stop anytime soon.
Jimin stopped and looked back at Taehyung with a frowned face, "No one goes to school on a weekend. Will you stop bothering me? You're such a weird creature, what kid has white hair and purple eyes?!" he pointed at the other's unique hair color. Taehyung blinked his eyes twice, touching his hair before smiling.
"I don't know. I was born with this. My parents says it’s a mela- uhm mela-something… thing. And my eyes? they’re naturally like that, my dad says it’s because my mother loves purple." he shrugged his shoulders, laughing slightly, his hand then stretched towards Jimin, "Again, my name is Taehyung. Kim Taehyung. You are?" the little boy hesitated on taking the new kid's hand but he did, and shook it gently.
"Jimin. Park Jimin. I live just across the street, the house with the wooden gate." Jimin tried smiling at the other, even if it was awkward and he really didn't want to be talking to this weird boy. Thoughts of Taehyung being an alien didn't leave his mind, he feels like this was some kind of trap, him befriending this white haired boy with a striking purple eye color that walked around barefooted, Jimin kept thinking that he might get abducted by some scary species that can transform into humans and lure them towards their lair and make him one of them, or worse, he might get eaten alive. Or maybe he should just lessen his addiction to sci-fi movies.
"I like your name! So how old are you Jimin?" Taehyung felt delighted that the other returned the smile, he didn't notice how uncomfortable his new friend is, he doesn't really have any sense. "Oh and you mentioned that you do go to school, where's your school? Maybe I know where it is."
"I'm eight. I study at the academy a few blocks away and---" Jimin had walked but came to a halt when he saw his broken toy, he had just bought that and now it's parts have been divided. He bent down to pick it up, a sigh managed to escape his lips before turning back to his acquaintance, "I'm going home. Don't follow me, got that?" he said before walking away. Taehyung was about to utter something but Jimin had already left him.
Taehyung just stared at the other's back as he gradually went out of his sight, his bright smile now gone, now replaced with a faint amused one, he looked down at his dirty feet. He had been out with no shoes for quite a while now, his feet kind of hurts yet he didn't really care, he loves being barefoot, he feels free whenever he runs around, having to feel the ground with his own skin definitely gives him a feeling of delight. The latter had decided to go home just a few moments after, he was then greeted by his mother's tight embrace and worried face.
"Tae! Where were you? Don't you know how worried I was that I didn't see you in your room?!" she cried while hugging her son, his father stood behind looking at him with a relieved face, as if something bad will happen to him if he goes out of the house for a good two hours. His mother released him from the hug and looked at him, checking every inch of his face and body for any scratch or wounds. "Oh my goodness, why are you not wearing any shoes or slippers?"
"Mommy, I'm okay. Stop worrying, I just went out for some air. I met a new friend too! His name is Jimin, he lives a few houses away." the little boy happily informed his mother, she stared at him with a glimpse of relief and melancholy, Taehyung is her precious son and he has always been fragile for both of them. The child then went inside to go to the bathroom and clean his feet before crashing on the couch. He grabbed his favorite pillow and lay down comfortably in the leather couch. Both his parents watched him as he try to relax, "Mom? Dad?" He looked up at them with begging eyes, "Can I attend school?"
They were both shocked at his request, this is the first time in years that Taehyung had mentioned going to school, "But Tae--"
"Please? I want to experience what it's like to be a normal kid... I promise, I'll be okay. I'm a big boy now, you both said so." Taehyung pleaded, his eyes filling with tears threatening to fall from his eyes as he looked at the two people that brought him up.
All his life, the young boy had never experience school with many kids, he has always been homeschooled because of the fact that he is weak and he needs attention every minute of every hour. Unlike other kids, Taehyung was born with a lack of melanin at some parts of his body thus the gray hair, and slightly paler skin, his lungs are weak and his body is sensitive to a lot of things. Doctors have also explained that the young one has a rare condition called Alexandria Genesis, a genetic mutation causing the eyes to be of a violet shade; this however is not much of a big deal, as Taehyung’s vision is totally fine, just like any other human being’s vision, but there were a lot of other people not so open into the idea of an unusual looking eight year old boy, resulting to a severe case of discrimination. His parents are expected to be skeptical about his request, even though he showed no sign of any complications for the past few months, they still wouldn't risk his safety.
--
Jimin had been sitting on the bench at his school's playground while looking at the other kids that would play tag and have fun. He had brought that toy car his father bought for him just days ago, now covered with tape just to keep it together. He blames that weird kid he met for the damage and he was glad that he hadn't seen him these days. Jimin wanted to join the other children but they picked him last then decided to just push him to the side since they were at odd number, he frowned at the thought of earlier. "I would have ran faster than that kid, why didn't they pick me instead?!" he whined under his breath.
"Well I don't know about that..." A voice from behind him said, Jimin's small body jolted up as he heard that voice, turning around to see a very familiar kid. "Hi! Remember me? Haha... It's Taehyung!" The gray haired little boy raised his hand at the mention of his name with that excited grin upon his face, immediately sitting beside the other.
"What are you doing here?" Jimin blurted, annoyed by the fact that he met Taehyung again.
"Oh I enrolled here... I'm so glad my parents agreed, this way we can be together. You and I are friends, right?" Taehyung laughed happily, putting an arm around Jimin before pulling him closer. Jimin, on the other hand, wasn't too happy, he doesn’t exactly hate the other, but that doesn’t mean he likes him either, he’s just not used to how the other kid is acting towards him. As a response, he shrugged Taehyung's arm off his shoulders and turned his gaze away from him.
"Why did you enroll here? This place is hell on earth, I’m telling you that now.” Jimin sighed, remembering that he was only here in Busan with his grandmother because his parents are working in Seoul and they don’t have time to take care of him except every weekends when he gets to go back to the big city. He doesn’t mind staying with his grandmother though, in fact, he loves his grandmother, he just doesn’t like this academy, then again, it’s the only place near his grandma’s house and his parents wanted him here. “Stop giving me that stare, you’re creeping me out.”
Taehyung has been smiling really wide as he listens to Jimin, he’s just really delighted that the other has been talking to him, even if he is kind of sassy and a little rude to begin with. He finds Jimin cool for that matter though, at the same time very amusing. He figures it’s because he hasn’t had friends in a while since he’s always at home. “I’m just happy, can’t I be happy?”
Jimin scoffed as he gave him a look before showing him what happened to his toy the other day, “See this? This is your fault. You drove that butterfly towards me now my toy is broken.” He pouted a little before scrunching his nose, looking at how the tape surrounding the toy car is slightly taking off the paint on the plastic. “It’s ugly now.”
The small hands of the gray haired kid took it from his, “I’m sorry, the butterfly seemed to like you though. Oh and it’s not ugly, it just needs to be fixed” he said, pausing for a moment as he touch the wheel, “My dad is—“
“Jimin!” A teacher calls, telling Jimin that his grandmother was there to pick him up. Excitedly, Jimin grabs his bag pack and runs towards the pick up area, forgetting his toy in Taehyung’s hands and the little boy with his mouth slightly open in the middle of his sentence.
“—a toy maker. He can fix your toy.” He said under his breathe as he fiddled with the small car as he looks down at it. He smiled a little before putting it inside his bag to take to his dad. It would be a nice thing to do for his new friend.
The teacher approached him moments after to tell him that his parents have come to pick him up. Taehyung bows at her as he slings his bag on his shoulder, following the older woman out to the pick up area where he was greeted by a happy smile and open arms.
“Mommy!” his little feet ran towards her, giving her a big hug. “Dad!” He calls out as he makes eye contact with his father. Both glad to see him after almost six hours of being away, the most time that Taehyung has been out of their sight.
“How was school, little one?” His mother had let go of him as his father asked, the three of them walking home. “You didn’t feel anything bad right?”
“Nope! I actually enjoyed it. I met Jimin again, oh dad, can you fix his toy for me please? I kinda broke it.” He takes off one strap of his bag to get the toy out of it, reaching it out to his father.
“Sure Tae, I’ll get to it tonight.”
“Thanks dad!”
--
Everywhere Jimin went. Taehyung would be there, it kind of creeped out the kid. He was surprised that the other had been assigned to be in the same class as him, and worse, he was pointed to the seat behind him. Taehyung had no sense when it comes to these things sometimes, and this was one of those times, he really liked being around Jimin. He feels this certain connection with him, he knows to himself that Jimin could be the person he knew he could trust. Though he feels that Jimin would also see him the way others view him, he wants to believe that his new found friend is not like others. He saw it in his eyes that Jimin wasn't afraid of him, that he wasn’t the type to make fun of other people. That somehow beneath that strong exterior that he kept putting on, there's a kid that may also share the same pain he feels.
All the kids in school would avoid him because of his unusually colored eyes and hair, and out of this world behavior. It was also rumored around that he had this virus that could kill people which is obviously not true, truthfully, the young boy didn't give any attention to those who would just see him as a monster. Though it made him sad sometimes, he just reminds himself to smile and be happy, it works most of the time.
--
It was a Saturday morning, the ash colored hair boy jumped up from his bed with the biggest smile on his face. No school. It was a very odd feeling for him to wake up and be thankful of the day, all his life, he’s always been so disinterested of his day, but ever since he started going to school, everyday felt like a new thing. Though he does kind of not like school besides Jimin and coloring time during breaks.
As his little feet touched the floor, he shouted a big ‘good morning’ that almost sounded like a yelp of a lady. His father comes rushing in his door with a face of distress and disheveled hair, tie loosely wrapped around his neck, and a half shaven face.
“Taehyung!?”
The little boy jumped then laughed loudly at the sight of his father, “Daddy you look silly!” he rolled around his bed, his stomach aching, if kids could develop bigger muscles at his age, he would have had the abs of someone who exercise daily. The older male sighed in relief, he thought something had happened and he’d find his son in pain again, but the only pain his son is feeling is the ache of his abdomen from laughing too much.
And that’s better than needles and medications in hospital beds.
“Dad! Dad! Can I go to Grandma Park’s house today? She told me she’d make pancakes for me.” Taehyung jumped up and down, clinging onto his father’s dress shirt. Using that same sparkling begging eyes he always does to get his parents to say yes.
His dad chuckled and ruffled his son’s hair before nodding in approval. “Fine, but, you need to be home early okay? Also, I fixed your friend’s toy. Make sure to take it with you so you can return it. He’s probably looking for it now. It’s downstairs, at the living room table—”
Taehyung nods as he dash out of his room, ignoring his father’s reminder to be careful. He’s excited to go to the old lady’s house, he knows she’s Jimin’s grandmother but only after three visits to her house. He figured it out when Grandma Park was talking about his grandson who was the same age as him and was named ‘Jimin’. Kind of self explanatory.
“Taehyung! Take a shower first and have breakfast before heading to grandma’s house. You can’t go out like that!” His mother peaks out of the kitchen as he takes the toy from the table. “Kim Taehyung, I know you’re excited but please be presentable. And how many times do we have to tell you to be careful when going down the stairs?” She frowns a little, still worried.
“I’m fine mom. Oh, good morning, I love you!” Taehyung smiles widely, walking up to her to give her a hug before taking a shower to dress up to get to the old lady’s house. It was a short walk there, apparently, Jimin doesn’t stay there during weekends, so his grandmother feels lonely but Taehyung is there to keep her company, which she enjoys because, in her words, he is such a ball of sunshine.
Taehyung never really got to give the toy back to Jimin that day. After he took a shower, he forgot to take it from his desk as soon as he finished changing; He kept saying he would but he’s always forgotten it whenever he goes out.
--
It has been a month since he entered primary school, Taehyung could swear it felt like a year, Jimin was still a little avoidant of him, but he really can’t blame him. There would be days where Jimin would allow him to sit next to him at the playground or at lunch, other days Jimin would tell him to ‘go away’ but would let him loiter around. He thinks Jimin likes his company because of the fact that the other could really just tell him he doesn’t like him, or could leave him, but he would sometimes sit next to him during lunch without Taehyung asking, Jimin is mostly quiet but that’s okay with him.
The bullying however did not die down. It only went worse. The kid wondered if it was really a good idea to go back to school, but he felt kind of at home when Jimin’s around, there’s a sense of comfort in the silence they share during lunch or breaks at play time.
Jimin didn’t mind having him around that much anymore. It was better than having to be picked last during a game of tag, or be left at the corner because no one wanted to play with him. Even if he stayed quiet and Taehyung would do all the talking, he likes it, somehow. The ‘noise’ Taehyung makes wasn’t much of a noise anymore, it was more like teacher telling them a story at the library when it’s reading week. It was interesting, and… fun.
--
“Jimin, son, come help grandma with these.” A frail old lady carrying a bag of trash came out of the house as Jimin comes home from school, a warm loving smile on her face as she spots her grandson enter the gate of their small home. It was a traditional house, old but still sturdy, it wasn’t much, but Jimin loved going home to his grandma than the big mansion his parents have at the city.
“Grandma, I told you, you shouldn’t carry those!” The little boy dropped his bag and hat to the floor, running towards his grandmother to take the trash bags from her hands, “Sheesh granny, I told you this morning I’d take care of it once I get home. You should be resting.”. Jimin spoke like an old man scolding his grandmother, the old lady could only laugh as she ruffled the soft hair of the eight-year-old boy, fascinated and grateful for him.
“I rested well enough Jimin." A pause, she turns her head to the side. "Your things are dirty now.” She walked over to his bag and hat, crouching down slowly to reach for them as Jimin puts the trash bag outside for the collector to take in an hour. “How was school today?”
Jimin scrunched his face for a second before taking his things from his grandmother, he looked up at her with an innocent face before taking her hand to guide her inside the house. He really didn’t like talking about his day at school, it would only remind him of things he didn’t exactly like. “Grandma, I’d rather listen to what happened to that soap opera you were watching earlier.”
And that’s how his days with his grandmother goes, he’d come home and listen to her talk about that popular eight o’clock soap opera with lots of drama that she would rant about every morning while he prepares to go to school. He stays with his grandmother during school days as the academy he attends in is only a fifteen minute walk. Actually, he prefers staying here even if it was summer, his parents were always busy and never had time to tend for him. Maybe that’s why he grew up quiet and reserved, he liked being alone but he craved for attention just as much. That’s why he liked his grandma, his grandma would always give him love and would talk to him about fascinating things, like her childhood or her favorite shows.
“Ah! Jimin… There’s this little boy that comes over during weekends, he’s about the same age as you, he’s really sweet. He talks a lot too.” Grandma laughed, remembering the boy that always visits her during the weekends while Jimin is back with his parents at Seoul. He would always keep her company, he reminded her of Jimin’s dad when he was their age. “You should meet him, he lives just two houses away from us. His name is Taehyung.”
Jimin stopped. He turned his head to his grandmother who’s enjoying her game of cards, “Taehyung? Kim Taehyung? Kid with gray hair?” he blinked for a moment, he really did not know how to react, Taehyung never mentioned that he comes over to his house during weekends. Well, Jimin never asks and Taehyung only blabbers about random things, maybe he’s mentioned it before while he’s not listening.
“Oh you know him! Are you friends? He’s a nice kid, you should invite him over after school, I’d make you guys rice cakes. You should play with him, I don’t see you going out and playing with your friends.” She looked back at him with a bright smile, Taehyung has never mentioned knowing her grandson, he would just randomly knock on her door and bring her flowers or snacks. Sometimes Taehyung would help with the cleaning and would play cards with her. “I know you’ve been lonely, only playing with grandma, Taehyung might become your best friend.”
Jimin gave her a weak smile before she turned back to her cards, “I’d bring him over some time.” He said quietly, going back to his math homework that was due tomorrow. He heard a happy remark from the old lady, laying out all her plans when her grandson brings Taehyung over.
Honestly, it made Jimin happy that his grandmother is happy, maybe Taehyung ain’t so much of a weird kid after all—though he still thinks he’s an alien that’s sent to abduct him soon.
--
Other children were poking fun at Taehyung for his unusual appearance and old clothes that didn't seem to fit school. They all kept on calling him an alien, an oddball or even going far as to throwing paper balls at him, words like 'monster', 'witch' and 'freak' were written inside. The young boy could only stay quiet and look down at his desk, he wasn’t allowed to feel too angry or too excited, his parents never really informed him why, they just told him that it might lead him to go back to the boring room.
His hospital room.
“He’s really weird. He might be a monster” Taehyung overheard one of the older kids, but kept his focus on the coloring book that the teacher assigned as a homework. His head hung low, arms moving closer towards the paper as if hiding his work, though the truth is he’s hiding his discomfort.
‘Smile. Keep smiling.’
“My dad saw him when he picked me up the other day, he said that I should stay away from him because he carries a deadly disease.”
‘No. That’s not true…’
Taehyung sat up straight before taking the book with him, turning around to face the group of kids that did not stop making fun of him. A small happy smile plastered on his face as he got up and walked towards them, eventually making them quiet and stare at the young boy with a rather disgusted and scared look.
“I’m not a monster. I don’t carry a deadly disease. I hope you stop talking like that, that’s bad. My mother said that you should be nice to everybody so, I forgive you guys, even if you say bad things towards me. We can still be friends.. wanna color with me?” Taehyung calmly exclaimed, not losing his smile, offering the cartoon coloring book and his 16 pieces of crayons inside the old blue Pororo pencil case.
One of the taller kids gave a smug face before scoffing, walking up to Taehyung to knock down what was on his hands before pushing the gray haired kid to the ground. Screaming “freak” right on his face, before laughing with the group of friends he had with him.
Tears filled the young one’s eyes, the brim enduring to hold the fluid. ‘No, no crying. It’s bad for you.’ But too late. His tears flowed continuously, there was stinging just by the lower part of his palm, and he could feel the grains and small stones on the cement cling onto his thin skin.
“Get away from us, monster.”
They all left, but Taehyung is still on the ground— crying, broken, and he can’t feel his chest. Maybe public school is too much for him. Maybe he should have stayed at home with his mother as a teacher.
Small hands gave back his pencil case and coloring book, his blurry vision could only comprehend that the objects were floating but the realization had hit him as he looked up to find Jimin returning his things. A concerned yet angry look painted on the latter’s face as he spoke.
“Weakling. Get up, I told you to not follow me. Now look at what happened, you’re stuck in this ant hole like I am.” Jimin’s ambiguous words and actions left Taehyung more confused and wrecked as he already is. “I still think you’re an alien sent to abduct me, but then you’re the only friend around here that isn’t fake.” His bruised hands received his belongings before his friend took his arm to help him up.
‘Only friend…? Me?’
Jimin reached for his pocket to take out a black bandana that his uncle gave him. Wrapping it around Taehyung’s bruised palm, “My uncle told me this bandana is magic, it’ll heal your bruise.”
‘Mommy, Jimin said we’re friends.’
Taehyung smiled, wiping his tears away as he looked back at Jimin, who gave him an equally bright smile. The first genuine smile he’s seen his friend in since day one. They both felt something warm at the core of their stomachs, a connection, and ever since that day, they’ve always hung around each other. Jimin started to open up more to Taehyung, and they swore to be friends till the end of time. And finally, Jimin no longer felt alone, and so did Taehyung.
--
A week after that incident, Jimin would stand up for his best friend, the bullying and name calling slowly died down. It wasn’t completely gone, sometimes they would still hear demeaning words thrown at them but whenever Jimin would boil inside, Taehyung would hold him down and smile at him to calm him down. The little boy developed such a soft spot for the other and it was like having a brother that he never had, there was a need to protect Taehyung at all cost.
Taehyung, on the other hand, felt the strong sense to always keep Jimin happy. He likes it whenever he sees him smile, a genuine one; Jimin’s grandmother would always tell him about his parents and how they don’t have time for their own son. So he’d always invite Jimin and his grandmother to dinner at his house where they’d be a happy family. His parents have grown accustomed to Jimin, treating him as their own son and allowing him to have breakfast in their home even if Taehyung was still asleep.
Special days were spent together, and this was one of those days. Jimin’s busy parents have made friends with Taehyung’s, they were celebrating their grandmother’s birthday at Jimin’s place. The Kim family had already prepared gifts and food to share, Taehyung held onto his father’s sleeve as they walk two houses down to Grandma Park’s place. Jimin happily welcomed them from the gate, immediately holding Taehyung’s hand as soon as they see each other.
The latter ran, dragging the other behind him, happily greeting the old lady in her red dress accessorized with her beautiful smile. “Happy Birthday grandma!!” Taehyung exclaimed energetically, arms wrapping around her small frame. The woman laughed softly at his cute gesture, leaning down to kiss the crown of his head with a silent thank you.
He turned towards Jimin’s parents and bowed at them politely, “Good evening auntie and uncle!” a bright smile on his face as he lifts his head up to the two adults who in return gave him a loving smile. They have been fond of Taehyung ever since he became friends with their son. All Jimin has ever talked about while he stays in Seoul is him and how he’s always there to keep him happy. For the first time in such a long time, they saw Jimin become very energetic and smiling at almost everything. He’s also become talkative, which is new for his parents, because ever since Jimin was a little smaller than he is, he has always been very quiet like his mother.
After the singing for the celebrant and small feast between the two families, Jimin dragged Taehyung out to the backyard as the adults talk about, well, adult stuff. It was a bit past dinner, their fathers having a drink themselves and discussing things the two kids never really found relevant, the ladies having their own chat about memories and other motherly topics.
Summer was nearing, it was slightly getting hotter day by day but each night it would be as cold as an autumn morning. The next few weeks, Jimin would not be able to be with Taehyung as he spends his summer holiday in Seoul, and there’s also a possibility that he wouldn’t be able to get back for the next school year. The former hasn’t told the latter of this matter, and he doesn’t know if
he should.
“I was watching this show with my grandma the other day when school got cancelled because of the storm, the guy there was talking about having his brother be the best man in his wedding.” Jimin opened, remembering the day he woke up in panic that he was running late for school, only to see his grandmother by the living room drinking tea and eating snacks while watching her favorite soap opera. Rain almost too loud, overpowering the audio from the small television his grandmother cherished since who knows what year. “I’m not exactly sure what a best man is, but I want you to be one for my wedding when we grow up.” The little boy’s gaze fixated on the full moon as they both sat on a piece of log.
Taehyung chuckled at his friend’s request, as he too does not know what a best man is, but it does sound like fun. “Only if you become the best man in mine.” There was a long pause before he looks back at Jimin. “What are your plans for the summer? You’re staying in Seoul, right? I wonder what that looks like, is it fun there?” His curiosity arising once more, the kid has a bit of a habit of bombarding questions, Jimin doesn’t mind at all though, there really isn’t any boring conversations between him and Taehyung.
“Yeah, I might stay in Seoul, though I’d rather spend my summer here with you and grandma.” He looks down, “Seoul is... loud. Full of buildings, cars, and boring people.” He sighs.
“Then why won’t you spend your summer here then? It would be lonely without you here.” The both nod in unison, a month or two without seeing each other, that would feel like forever. Jimin can’t help but think about not seeing Taehyung even after summer, he inwardly shudders as he bit his lower lip to prevent himself from saying anything. He’s never really thought about the whole moving away thing. He almost forgot about it if it weren’t for his father constantly asking him if he wanted to go to an international school at Yongsan.
“He will be.” They hear Jimin’s mother behind them, the two boys turned around to see the beautiful woman who resembled Jimin a lot with a big smile on her face as she delivers the good news to the boys. Jimin will be spending his summer in Busan instead.
“Really?!” The jumped from their seat, the kid ran to his mother’s embrace, an action to say he’s thankful for the change of decision. His mother reasoned that her and her husband would be out of the country for a business trip and it wouldn’t be a good idea to leave Jimin with a babysitter for a long time. And it would be more favorable to have him stay with his grandmother and Taehyung for the rest of Summer.
--
Both young males sat down by the park where they first met, as usual Taehyung has been barefoot since the day started for both of them, Jimin doesn’t understand what his friend meant by how the grass feels good underneath their feet but he too took off his shoes to feel the soft kisses of the tip of the grass. The feeling made him scrunch up his face in disgust, he doesn’t like how wet it was and he can’t comprehend how it could be wet when it didn’t even look that way. Taehyung laughs at his reaction, “You’ve never felt grass on your feet?” he asks, rubbing his own pair happily on the damp surface. “Doesn’t it feel like tiny kisses?” he continued, giggling as he does.
Jimin gave him a look of horror, “It does not! Why is it wet?” he lifts his feet up, revealing a few dirt with pieces of small grass on his soles. He proceeded to rub them off with his hand but inevitably got the dirt on his palms as well. He freaks out even more, his parents never let him go out and get dirty, he was always properly dressed to look more than presentable, whenever he got dirt on his clothes, he gets scolded for ruining his outfit. He was sheltered most of his life, and seeing how carefree Taehyung was made it feel like he’s the one that’s out of this world.
“It’s just dirt Chim, you can wash it off.” Taehyung dusts Jimin’s palms to rid of the debris of the ground, before cleaning his on his own shirt. “Do you think we’ll be like this next summer too?” that question made Jimin stop, he has one more month of summer left with Taehyung before he moves back to Seoul and study there. It has always been what he wanted since he doesn’t like the people at the academy, well- since Taehyung arrived, he’s the only reason besides his grandmother that he likes staying here in Busan. If only he could bring his friend to Seoul to study with him there, but he heard that the other has to stay here because his doctors say that it’s the best environment for him to grow up in due to the healthy air and fairly accessible facilities that would be beneficial for both Taehyung and his parents. Something he overheard from a dinner conversation between their parents and his grandmother while the two of them were playing in Jimin’s room.
It took a lot more silence in Jimin’s part before he decided to speak up, but when he opened his mouth, a gummy bear flew in it, surprising him, apparently Taehyung had been eating the gummy bears they bought earlier and had been chattering about what he wanted to do all summer and other summers after that. It was too much for Jimin to admit he’s not gonna come back, for the first time he has a friend, a genuine one at that, and he didn’t want to see Taehyung sad, ever.
“Do you think you could teach me how to ride a bike?” Taehyung looks at him, gobbling the last piece of gummy bear unintentionally. The other snatches the empty packet that was once filled with bear shaped jellies and glares at Taehyung. “Oh- sorry.” The latter laughs, scratching the back of his head. “I didn’t know you wanted the last one.”
“I hate you, we bought that to share!” Jimin sighed, that was the last of his allowance that his parents left for him. The two of them have been going to the arcade, spending most of their money there, and when they get hungry they’d would stop by each others’ houses to get food. Today, the arcade was closed and so they decided to buy snacks and stay at the park instead.
“I’ll ask my dad if he could give me some spare change to buy gummy bears tomorrow, then you could have the last piece.” Taehyung smiled, nudging at Jimin playfully in hopes that the other could loosen up. They really complemented each other, they would have little arguments that would be absolved sooner than expected and they end up just forgetting about it, Taehyung brings out the more sincere and playful side in Jimin, while the other keeps him happy and well, normal.
Nothing in Taehyung’s life was ever normal for a kid, he would be friends with everyone he met in the hospital, it was a miracle that the doctors let him go home after going through so much medical procedures. He does believe that he’s better now, there hasn’t been any sickness or attacks in the last few months he’s been out, although he doesn’t understand why his parents would still treat him the same way as they did back then when he was contained in a sterilized room. In a way, he’s making up for that by dousing himself with things his parents would have fainted if they saw him doing, like dirt or junk foods.
By the distance, they could see children near their age playing with a ball, they paid no mind to the two as they continue on with their activity. In this moment, it felt like the two of them were invisible, the world was big around them, and yet, their world consisted of only them. It was peaceful. There’s a certain security in their own world, it wasn’t perfect, it’s just them.
Jimin and Taehyung.
And it was okay.