Archive of Our Own

Taehyung has been tired. He overworked himself with university and now he finds waking up in the mornings hard, in fact waking up at all, he just wants to sleep. So when he wakes from a nap on a warm Wednesday evening feeling motivated, he’s excited. He could text someone to hangout but anyone he might have considered a friend has surely faded to acquaintance now, he hadn’t meant to distance himself but has had so few resources. Puts any energy he does have into his studies.

It’s okay though, Taehyung can’t bring himself to mind too much. He enjoys taking himself out, romanticising the mundane, thinking deeply in a way that would not be possible in company.

So instead he puts on his comfiest shoes, picks up his film camera and heads out. The night is hazy but still alive, Seoul is always alive. The hum of convenience stores, the glowing lights and the persistent noise of traffic. All of it, makes Taehyung feel some kind of way.

He sets out with no place in mind, just the knowledge that if he gets lost his phone will guide him back, so that’s what he does, he decides to gets lost. Walking through the city he photographs a woman walking, silhouetted against the golden light of a late-night cafe, a van piled high with oranges, steps out into a quiet road to capture a cyclist under the glowing of street lamps.

The roads get quieter as he ventures off of the main roads, housing getting older and lower. Tall glass fronted buildings with cardboard cutouts of idols advertising pharmacy products turn to concrete apartments with tangles of power lines webbing above the street turn to wooden hanoks dressed in overgrown plants.

That’s Taehyungs favourite part of Seoul, how the old and beautiful is nestled in beside the well used and practical, and then again with the young and bright. You can walk from clean imposing skyscrapers to low traditional buildings nestled in the hilly mountainside well within an hour.

It’s on a quiet street with few streetlights that Taehyung spots a cat, silky and black with big green eyes that are watching him carefully. Quietly excited he slowly approaches with a hand out in an offering, the cat accepts, sniffing his fingers before butting his head against them. Soft soft, the rumble of a purr, the calmness that such an animal brings.

“Hello,” he whispers, splaying his hand across the cats back, tufts of fur escaping between his fingers as he runs them along.

The cat head-butts him once more before turning and slowly walking back down a narrow side street. Taehyung watches him go with a slightly heavy heart, it had been a respite from loneliness. Yea, Taehyungs probably touch starved.
So when the cat looks back at him in a way that feels like he’s being asked to follow, he does just that.

They walk in mutual quiet, turning down narrow street after street until they open onto a larger, brighter road. It’s a striking contrast from anything he’s seen in this residential area. There are no cars, the road itself being brick, people walk freely between street food stalls and shops. Everything is cast in a red glow, above them all are red lights, strings of paper lanterns, even red bulbs in the lampposts.

Staring up at the streetlights Taehyung stills. It’s pretty, smokey and a little unsettling. Not like anywhere in Seoul he has seen, this whole street is unusual. There is no lingering scent of pollution that Taehyung has become begrudgingly fond of in the sense that it feels like ‘home’. All of the buildings are hanoks, pretty enough to rival Bukchon Village, clean but not new in a way that speaks of being well tended to. The people too are lingering, there is no urgency, no bustle that is the signature of nighttime in Seoul.

The scents in the air are heavy with the sweetness of hotteok pancakes to the rich spice of tteokbokki rice cakes. He walks past people eating from sticks and paper cups, past a man roasting chestnuts talking jovially with a man whose dog is sitting patiently by their owners heel. Past bakeries and Cafes, shops and notably, standing proudly in the middle of the street a large old teahouse. The wooden framing polished and windows boasting of warmth, standing there by the doorway Taehyung hears a voice, the sweetest voice, more heady than the scent of any of food and drinks in the air.

Without the restraint to stop them his feet guide him inside, floor to ceiling windows, open out onto a stone courtyard, empty but for potted plants. Across the courtyard you can see that the tea house is really a square ring, tables going the whole way around. Surprisingly full for the time of night, as full as any hot spot cafe in central Seoul. It makes him question whether he’s heard of this area, whether it’s famous, but doesn’t come to mind. And, well, Taehyung loves Seoul, he loves to travel across it, follows blog posts and vlogs, finding each and every sought after location. The people here too don’t seem particularly young and trendy as you would find in popular places. There is a genuine mix of young and old, people in youthful clothing and others going so far as to wear hanboks as though they’ve rented them for a photo op. No one looks staged though, Taehyung cant even see a phone in sight. Just the gentle hum of many people gathering to enjoy tea.

Taehyung takes off his shoes at the door and feels the warmth of the floor beneath him, wiggles his toes at the comforting feeling. There is a counter with a beautiful man standing behind it, beyond that are more low dark wood tables surrounded by floor cushions, dotted around the corridor-like room.

“Hello,” the waiter at the counter calls.

Taehyung smiles timidly, “Hello” he greets back, walking towards him. From further in the room Taehyung can now see a man at the back standing at a microphone singing the slow lilting song.

“Would you like tea? You can choose from the menu behind me or try our signature blend.” The man asks, pulling Taehyungs attention to him again.

“Um, the signature blend would be nice please.” Taehyung says.

So once he has paid he makes his way through the room, weaving through the tables until he’s at a table directly in front of the musician, almost stumbles as he lowers himself onto a cushion when he takes in the singers face. He’s pretty, more than pretty, big big eyes, golden skin and the sweetest pouty lips Taehyung has ever seen. Suddenly feeling shy Taehyung busies himself with settling down, trying not to blatantly stare.

He’s interrupted by the waiter coming over, bending down to place his cup and pour his tea. Taehyung thanks him and receives a kind smile.

When Taehyung looks back up at the musician he finds him watching. Those doe eyes grow impossibly wider and Taehyung swears he audibly hears his breath hitch through the microphone.

Taehyung smiles softly, slightly giddy on the attention, lifts his glass up to his lips. But freezes when while staring Taehyung dead in the eye the boy sings “don’t drink that”. It is completely at odds with the lyrics of a lilting love song.

Bewildered Taehyung looks down at his glass, amber liquid is steaming innocently in gentle swirls that smell sweet and warm. Frown forming as he stares into the depths of the tea he decides to take the advice, putting his cup down.

He’s rewarded with a relieved smile when he looks back to the singer, Taehyung bites his lip and tries not to giggle.

Time passes like that, every time their eyes meet the musicians lips tug up, smiling into the microphone. When the third song finishes the singer reaches behind him to chug a glass of water and moves the microphone stand off to the side. Taehyung tries to focus on other things, gazes out onto the courtyard beside him, taking in the low roof overhanging the windows. He only looks back into the room when he feels a presence beside him. Turning he finds the singer looking down at him with his hands in his pockets, faux casually.

“Hey,” the boy greets, voice nearly as breathy and sweet as it is when singing.

“Er, hi.” Taehyung smiles, feeling uncharacteristically shy.

“Like the show?”

“Yea, you have a beautiful voice.”

The boy visibly preens, smile reaching his eyes.

Taehyung runs his finger around the rim of his cup, frowning lightly as he asks, “did you er, did you tell me not to drink this?” before quickly backtracking, “Oh god, I sound really stupid.”

“I did,” The boy says simply, smile dropping.

“Why?” Taehyung asks, voice full of curiosity.

The boy just stands for a few moments big eyes dark in the low light. When he finally speaks he sounds unsure and apologetic. “I think it’s spiked.”

“But I got it directly for the waiter?” Taehyung tells him.

“Yea, dodgy fella, wouldn’t trust him.”

Taehyung barks out a surprised laugh. He doesn’t know how serious the other is but finds only seriousness in his gaze, though those eyes lighten a little at Taehyungs smile. He looks back to the counter where the fluffy haired smiling waiter is talking animatedly to a pair of men.

“So... I shouldn’t drink it then?” He asks, lifting the cup to smell it again.

Then, the strangest thing happens, as Taehyung brings the cup up to his face the boy lunges forward, swiftly takes the cup from his hands and gulps it down in one go. Taehyung watches indignantly as the boy wipes his mouth with his sleeve, face so deceivingly innocent.

“What the fuck man?”

“How much did you pay for it?”

Taehyung blinks, not taking in the words as a sharp flash of extreme pain courses through the side of his head. It isn’t uncommon for Taehyung to get pain like this, headaches are his normal. Whether they be like this, lasting no more than a minute or long drawn out migraines.

When he looks up and focuses on the boy again he’s met with worried eyes. “Are you okay?”

“Yea, fine, don’t worry. What were you saying?” Taehyung asks.

“I was gonna give you the money you paid for it.”

“Oh! Er, you don’t need to, I’m happy to buy your drink.” Taehyung says, surprising even himself. He’s weak for a cute boy.

The boy lifts his brows at that, “I’m Jeongguk.”

“Taehyung.” He replies.

“Well, thank you for the drink Taehyung-shi.” Jeongguk says cheekily.

“So er, do you perform here often?”

Jeongguk takes the opportunity to sit down at the table, “every Wednesday and Friday.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Taehyung replies.

Jeongguk hums noncommittally in response, “So what is it that you do Taehyung-shi?”

Taehyung smiles, lets himself melt into the cushion a little. “I study fine art.”

Jeongguk raises his eyebrows with a soft smile, “A painter?”

“Yea,” Taehyung hums. “I usually paint people, you’d make a good painting.”

“I would?” Jeongguk asks, smile widening.

“I would title it ‘drink stealer’, sell it for the big won.”

Jeongguk chuckles, a pretty sound, “Can’t convince you to forget that?”

“Oh no, fraid not.” Taehyung says gravely.

“Well um, it’s late, the tea house will be closing soon.”

Taehyung looks around and sure enough their table is one of the only still occupied.

“Right well, it was nice, um, meeting you, maybe I’ll see you again?” Taehyung says hopefully as he gathers himself and lifts himself from the floor.

An odd look passes Jeongguks face but then he smiles and gives a little nod. They make their way out onto the slightly cooler street. There are still people out, the lights are still red, the smell of good food still lingers strong in the air. Nothing has changed but Taehyung feels a little sadder now, not really wanting to leave.

“Which way is the closest subway station?” he asks.

“Er,” Jeongguk looks around them and says with no confidence, “That way.” thumb pointing down the street.

Taehyung mumbles “Thanks”

“Just go the way you came.” Jeongguk says with a small smile, “bye.”

“Bye,” Taehyung says weakly, turning to walk back down the street. Wonders where the cat went, would like to cuddle a cat about now. Getting his phone out to look at the map Taehyung finds that it’s completely dead. Frustrated at his battery considering it’s only been off charge for a handful of hours Taehyung walks the way he came, he’s sure he does but within ten minutes he finds himself back on the red lit street.

Confused Taehyung tries another road in generally the right direction, walks past plant pots lined streets, past a small convenience store, a house covered near entirely in ivy so much so that the door is barely visible, then... red lights, this street again. Feeling oddly unsettled he stands in the middle and stares straight down at the now clear street, vendors have packed up and only a couple people are still out. He feels heavy, his head is starting to hurt and he’s becoming confused and sleepy.

Turning around he stubbornly walks back down a side street, he remembers it, he’s been on it before but he’s not sure how long ago. When he turns yet another corner he sees a dark shape on a high wall, looking closely Taehyung finds the black cat watching him curiously.

“You couldn’t, like, lead me back could you?” Taehyung asks helplessly. “These streets seem to like you better than me.” He huffs.

The cat stands up, gives him one last look and then jumps to the closest roof, running along the tiles and out of sight.

“Okay,” Taehyung smiles ruefully.

Then, just as Taehyung is starting to think curling up and having a nap on the street sounds like a good idea he feels a dot of wet hit his nose. Looking up hesitantly he’s greeted with a heavy dark sky and more drops of water. Sighing he picks up speed. But the rain only gets heavier as Taehyung walks seemingly in circles, becoming more and more upset with each wrong turn.

He’s once again turning off of the red street when a door opens beside him, yellow light falling onto the narrow street. To his surprise he finds Jeongguk staring back at him.

“Hey, what’re you still doing here?” Jeongguk asks, jogging towards him holding an umbrella.

“I, this is stupid but I can’t find my way out of this area.” Taehyung explains, rubbing the rain away from his eyes, wet lashes spiked and gaze betraying his fear.

Jeongguk seems to think for long moments, moving close so that Taehyung is under the shelter of the umbrella. “Okay, okay.” He whispers, pulling Taehyung close and rubbing his arm soothingly.

“You can stay at mine tonight, we’ll get you home in the morning.” Jeongguk finds his hand and envelops it with his own, leads him to the doorway.

“Thank you,” Taehyung whispers, taking his wet shoes off and lining them with others beside the door. Jeongguks floors are warm too, his whole house is warm. Taehyung looks around in poorly concealed awe, is Jeongguk older than he thought? The house is small and traditional but very much... a house, a whole ass house, in Seoul, a whole ass house in Seoul. The room they’re standing in now has bookcases, a low writing desk and floor cushions to relax on that honestly look very inviting right now. It’s cosy, a little cluttered with books, papers, plants and instruments, namely a guitar and violin. Small lamps rest on all of the different surfaces, lighting the room with a gentle glow.

“It’s nice in here,” Taehyung offers quietly.

Jeongguk turns and gives him a bright smile, “thanks! I’ve only lived here for a couple years, everyone else in the area has been here much longer.”

“It seems like a good community.” Taehyung says, then since he feels desperately thirsty asks “could I have a glass of water please?”

Jeongguk stares at him for long moments, breathes out a big breath and walks towards Taehyung. Taking his hands he asks, voice kind, “Would you trust me if I told you not to drink anything here?”

“That kind of makes no sense.” Taehyung says tiredly.

“Come on, lets get you some dry clothes.”

Taehyung follows him into a smaller room, obviously the bedroom, where Jeongguk rummages through a cupboard and pulls out a large tshirt and shorts. “You can change in here.” He says before also handing him a towel.

When Taehyung emerges again he’s half drowning in a huge soft tshirt that nearly covers all of the shorts. Jeongguk smiles, “You look tired, wanna go to bed?”

Leading Taehyung back into the bedroom he gathers blankets and piles them onto the bed “Sleep here Taehyung-shi”

Taehyung crawls onto the bed, sits by the pillows and watches Jeongguk sway uncertainly. “Stay a while?”

“Okay,” Jeongguk says quietly, coming to sit on the edge of the bed.

“Do you go to university?” Taehyung asks, eyeing Jeongguks youthful appearance.

“No,” Jeongguk whispers. “Not anymore, I used to study but... I’m just a -musician now.”

“It suits you well,” Taehyung tells him.

While he assumes Jeongguk thanks him, he feels a sharp pain lash across his head once again. Breathing out hard he tries to refocus.

“Are you okay Taehyung-shi?” Jeongguk asks, eyes wide.

“How old are you?” Taehyung asks cradling his own cheeks in his hands.

“Um, 22.”

“I’m 24, so you can call me hyung if you like.”

“Hyung are you okay?”

“I get migraines a lot,” Taehyung admits, shaking his head. “Hey don’t look so worried,” Taehyung smiles at the concerned man beside him who is looking more like a boy than earlier.

“Can I hug you?” Jeongguk asks in a small voice.

Taehyung leans forward, folding the other in a warm hug. “Hey, you’re not worried are you? I’m really okay.”

When they pull apart Jeongguk doesn’t look very convinced.

“Tired easily though, will you lie down with me?” Taehyung asks, not wanting the beautiful boy leave.

With a nod they lie side by side, Taehyungs towel dried hair still wet against the pillow. He turns to look at Jeongguks side profile, gold in the low light, all prominent swooping nose and pouting lips. “Do you have any dreams Jeongguk?”

“No, I’m happy as I am.” He replies with a suddenly vulnerable look in his eyes. “Do you?”

Taehyung smiles and falls back to stare at the ceiling, “I want to travel, see galleries in Paris, London, New York, Florence, Berlin...” he breathes out a gush of air. “When these headaches go away I’ll get a job and save up.”

“Yea?” Jeongguk says quietly before sounding more sure. “Yes.” He sounds so sure in fact that Taehyung believes him.

“A cat lead me here,” Taehyung says suddenly. “I wanted to go for a walk tonight, thought I’d end up walking down Han river or something but this silky little black thing lead me here, a bit like magic.” Taehyung whispers as though saying it aloud will class him as insane. “Not counting the getting lost and rain thing, I’m glad.”

“You are?” Jeongguk asks, staring determinedly at the ceiling.

“Got to hear you singing didn’t I? Besides it’s charming here, I’m surprised tourism hasn’t taken it over and sucked it dry.”

“Oh no,” Jeongguk giggles. “Our little secret.”

At some point they’ve shuffled closer, Taehyung can now feel the warmth of Jeongguks body against him.

“I’ll keep it a secret,” Taehyung whispers, turning to face him.

Jeongguk turns too so that they’re face to face, shadows falling across their faces and hands laying awkwardly between them.

“Hyung?”

“Yea?”

“You’re kind of really beautiful. When you came up and sat in front of me I almost stopped singing out of shock.” Jeongguk says shamelessly.

Taehyung hides his face against his damp pillow, listening to Jeongguk giggle in delight. Peaking out Taehyung watches him covertly, the light from the window falls across his face, cutting across the scrunched curve of his nose, half of his face laying in shadow. His smile... Taehyung wants to keep it, wants to keep the whole man.

“Stop it, that’s not fair.” Taehyung whines.

Jeongguk attempts to school his expression, eyes still dancing with delight. Taehyung huffs but can’t stop himself from smiling widely back.

“You’re all wet still.” Jeongguk says, taking in the wet seeping across the pillow. Deftly lifting himself up he gets another towel from the cupboard. “Let me?”

Taehyung sits up for him, lets Jeongguk run the towel over his hair, down his neck, behind his ears. Feels a hand carding through his damp hair. “Thank you.” He sighs blissfully.

“Thats okay.” Comes a whisper over his shoulder.

Jeongguk discards the towel and they reposition themselves, Taehyung swaps out his pillow.

“Your camera, what do you photograph?” Jeongguk asks calmly now.

“Normal things, well I mean, I like to photograph really simple daily things and frame them as though they hold importance. Like, someone washing up. Sounds boring right? But what if that person if paying attention, feeling the water pass across their fingers, watching the light reflect across the bubbles, basking in the sunlight that’s falling through their window? Then it’s something else, something worth noting, worth recording.”

“Oh,” Jeongguk breathes, suddenly serious. “That’s cool.”

The street lamps from the windows cast the room a gentle red and Taehyung in this dark space laying close enough to feel another boys body heat, feels his walls coming down, his truest most vulnerable self. In the way that you lay yourself bare knowing the other won’t make you feel it, won’t make you feel that queasy sense of waiting to be judged.

Maybe it’s the time of night, maybe it’s the surreal situation he has found himself in or, maybe, it’s the boy beside him with his doe eyes and warm hands and weird warnings that he can see sincerity in.

“I don’t have many friends,” Taehyung whispers. “Sometimes, I think to myself that places are my friends? Is that weird? I don’t know I spend a lot of time alone and like to explore places. The Han river is my quiet thoughtful friend, for sunny days to ride a bike and feel apart of it in some way. My favourite cafe is my sweet friend who cheers me up with their quiet babble, and glowing lighting.”

Jeongguk is watching him carefully as though he doesn’t want to miss a sound, miss the meaning.

“So I photograph those places, to me they’re like photos of friends smiling or I don’t know, I don’t take it too seriously.”

“I get it I think.” Jeongguk says shuffling slightly closer. “I feel lonely often,” he confesses. “I have all of these friends and, I’m grateful, I love them but... I’m stagnant. Stuck, I can’t reach out for more, can’t look for that thing that I feel like I’m missing.”

“Maybe it’ll come to you, maybe you don’t have to strain so hard.” Taehyung says reaching out and stroking Jeongguks cheek. He feels Jeongguks breath stutter against his arm before he pulls away and cushions his cheek with his hand.

Quiet comes over the room, just the gentle sound of breathing, rustle of sheets as they adjust.

“I hope you know, if no one tells you, that you’re really cool Tae.” Tae.

“If someone like you is telling me that I’ll have to believe it.” Taehyung says, smile obvious in his voice.

“Good.”

“M’sleepy, you’ll stay right?” Taehyung asks around a yawn, eyes falling shut.

He hears Jeongguk whisper. “Yea, couldn’t leave if I wanted to.”

Taehyung wakes up with the sun warming his hair, opens his eyes minutely, gets momentarily blinded and quickly turns to burrow into something warm and soft beside him. Something that moves closer and nestles against him, arm snaking across his waist to hold him. Jeongguk. Taehyung slowly remembers the odd events of the night before. In the light of day they feel even more surreal.

Taehyung feels Jeongguk hum, vibrating against his chest. Shuffles back ever so slightly to look at him and finds the most endearing sight he may have ever seen. A sweet sleep-puffy face with his pouty lips smacking together before his tired eyes open. “Tae.” He breathes.

“Morning Guk,” Taehyung says, voice dark and heavy with sleep.

“Hey,” Jeongguk says softly, expression on his face as though he can’t believe what he’s seeing.

They lay like that for long moments until Jeongguk retracts his arm from around Taehyungs waist and sits up, his pyjamas are rumpled and his hair looks like a soft mess. Taehyung aches to touch him.

“Did you sleep well?” Jeongguk asks, climbing out of bed and opening his wardrobe to find new clothes.

“Yea, slept well, I’m very good at sleeping.” Taehyung tells him with a small smile.

“Good,” Jeongguk says, returning his smile, only gentle this morning, not quite reaching the rest of his face. He leaves the room with a bundle of clothes and Taehyung is left to survey his clothes from last night, he had lain them out to dry and while a little stiff they do seem to be dry. He quickly pulls them on and walks out into the living area. Jeongguks home, all warm colours and inviting atmosphere. He stands awkwardly, trying not to pry until Jeongguk emerges from what must be the bathroom.

Taehyung goes in to wash his face and puts a little toothpaste on his finger to rub the worst off of his teeth.

Jeongguk pulls on a pair of boots and asks, “are you ready?”

“Yea.”

“It’d be best if you grabbed some breakfast on your way home,” Jeongguk says apologetically, “I would give you the nicest breakfast ever if I could.”

“Oh yea, your odd rule. Sure, that’s fine.” Taehyung puts on his shoes slowly, dragging the moments out but soon finds them on the street ready to part again.

“Can we- Can I get your phone number?” Taehyung asks, oddly nervous.

“It’s better if we didn’t” Jeongguk says with a sad smile.

Taehyung feels cold run down his spine, he had thought that they’d bonded, gotten close enough to be something. “Oh, Yea, Okay well I hope you have... a good life, a healthy life.”

Taehyung doesn’t wait for a response instead turns abruptly and walks quickly the way he came from the night before. He feels like kicking himself, he had let himself believe that they had at least become friends. That he could maybe be less alone in this damn city.

After five or so minutes he of course walks back to where all of the roads seem to lead, the street with the tea house and red street lights and Jeongguk. Who he finds still standing there, now with someone else, a boy with light brown hair and a huge almost neon green tshirt.

“Guk,” Taehyung calls, feels stupid to have said his name so informally considering that his friendship had just been rejected.

Jeongguk turns with sad eyes that make Taehyung wonder what the boy has to be sad about, wants to comfort him, wants to worm his way into his life and cheer his days up.

“Hyung,” Jeongguk replies stepping closer, letting the other boys hand fall from where it had been stroking his arm.

“I’m really lost, I really can’t find my way home, could you-“ he hesitates because he doesn’t want to ask anymore of this kind boy who had let him sleep in his bed and towel dried his wet hair. “Could you walk me to the subway station?”

Instead of replying he turns to the other man and asks, “Hoseok hyung do you know where Yoongi is?”

“Curled up at the back by the bookcases,” Hoseok says with a fond smile.

“Thanks hyung.”

Jeongguk strides forward and takes Taehyungs hand, as warm and inviting as it had been the night before. “Come with me.” He says with a soft voice.

He leads them into the Teahouse weaving between tables and customers towards the back where they find a man sitting sipping tea while reading a worn old paperback. The tea house is quieter today, the man looks so tranquil that Taehyung would prefer not to bother him. When he turns however, noticing them, he gives them a dimpled smile.

“Hi,” Jeongguk whispers. Before walking past him to the opposite seat. Taehyung hadn’t noticed until Jeongguk is reaching out to stroke, that the cat, the one he had met the night before, a silky black ball of fur is curled up sleeping on the seat.

“Yoongi, please, I need to talk to you.”

The cat, Yoongi, uncurls, stretching out his legs and looking up with a big yawn. Stares up at Jeongguk with expressive green eyes. Tilts his head when he notices Taehyung standing awkwardly hand still in Jeongguks.

“Please,” Jeongguk says quiet as a breath.

Yoongi merely closes his eyes and curls up once more, tucking his little face under his paw. Taehyung thinks that’s it until his shape starts warping and changing, it makes him furrow his brows in confusion. After no more that a moment the curled up form is considerably larger, a black head of hair, face tucked under black clothing.

“Jeongguk.” Comes a muffled voice before the figure stretches much as the cat had and sits up with tired eyes. A man, a ruffled, soft looking man is now looking up at them in the cats place.

Taehyung grips Jeongguks hand tighter, feels as the other strokes him with his thumb. Lets himself be soothed and decides just to... accept whatever the fuck is happening right now.

“Why can’t Taehyung find his way home?” Jeongguk asks, as though Yoongi could possibly know. Though perhaps, if he can shift from cat to man, perhaps he does.

“It was his time.” The dark haired man, Yoongi says.

“Well it can be not his fucking time can’t it,” Jeongguk says, voice colder than Taehyung imagined it could be.

For his part Yoongi is looking over Jeongguk with deep concern, “Guk, you know it doesn’t work like that.”

“What’s stopping it? What’s stopping him walking back out?”

“He’d just-,” Yoongi sighs deeply and runs his large pale hand down his face. “He’d come back, is it so bad here little one?”

Jeongguks face softens at that. “Can’t he come later?”

“You are talking about me right?” Taehyung interrupts, having not understood anything that they’d said and feeling increasingly unsettled by that.

“They are.” The dimpled man addresses him warmly. “Would you like me to tell you why you’re here?”

“Namjoon.” Jeongguk says strangled.

Taehyung nods, he very much wants to know.

“You, Taehyung, dear Taehyung, are dying.” The man who somehow knows his name tells him very seriously. “This is the place you come to die. The place you come to be a spirit.”

Taehyung believes him. With no reason to he just knows that this man, Namjoon is telling him the truth. He’s dying.

“You stopped him from drinking didn’t you Guk?” Yoongi asks.

“I don’t want him to die!” Jeongguk bursts out. “...I don’t want him to die, I don’t want him to die.” He says increasingly pitifully.

Yoongi lifts himself out of his seat and pulls Jeongguk to him. “This is not your choice, not even your life to make a decision for. Let yourself want him here. You’re allowed to want him here.”

“Jeongguk don’t you think you should take your friend to a table, I think he might need your company right now.” Namjoon tells him calmly.

Jeongguk turns to him, letting go of Yoongi and scans Taehyungs face which is heavy with tears. “Tae,” He whispers.

Taehyung leans towards him, moth to a flame.

They find themselves a tucked away table, Jeongguk sits as close as possible, has pulled his floor cushion flush against Taehyungs. They cry for some time in silence, nestled close.

“It’s true.” Taehyung whispers, exhausted now.

“I’m so sorry Tae, I couldn’t help but want you to live.” Jeongguk replies quietly, lifting his head and searching out Taehyungs eyes.

“It’s okay Jeongguk,” Taehyung says, he thinks he’s telling the truth but isn’t fully sure.

A man approaches them, the waiter from the night before with the big sweet smile.

“I’d offer a comforting hot drink but let’s wait a little yea? You can take your time, you’re welcome here.” The man tells him.

Taehyung finds his voice to say a wet “Thank you.”

“My name is Seokjin, I own this tea house. Would you like me to answer any questions you have?”

Taehyung nods mutely, wiping his eyes and trying to ground himself. His hand finds Jeongguks again.

Seokjin rounds the table and sits opposite them. “Yoongi is death.”

“Death.” Taehyung echoes in a whisper.

Seokjin nods. “He takes whatever form you will trust most, sometimes it’s an animal. Sometimes it’s a sunset that you see and want to get closer to so that you can get a good view, luring you down side streets. Sometimes it’s just him, a handsome stranger.”

“What was he for you?” Taehyung finds himself asking.

“He was a child, with ruffled black hair running down the street on chubby legs. I wanted to find his parents but instead he led me here.” Seokjin tells him with a fond smile.

“oh,” Taehyung says helpfully. Even now in this situation thinks that its like a personality test. He got cat.

“He’s there to lead you gently,” Seokjin says pointedly, looking at Jeongguk.

“What if you die suddenly?”

“No one truly dies suddenly, time will slow, they will forget whatever they were doing and follow a friendly stranger.”

“Did I- how did I die?”

“That I don’t know,” He replies ruefully. “But it will come to you once you take a sip, it always does.”

Taehyung doesn’t get to ask him what he means as a voice from the counter calls Seokjins name, he gives them an apologetic smile, “I’d better go, look after him Guk.”

“Course,” Jeongguk mumbles, leaning his head on Taehyungs shoulder with a deep sigh.

“Guk?”

“Yea?”

“What’s it like living here, or existing I don’t know.”

“It’s- it’s really nice Tae.” He replies, pulling back to look at him. “I want you to know... that there are good people here, people who will welcome you with friendship. You can paint, you can play with dogs, you can eat good food and come to watch me sing.” Jeongguk tells him, eyes wide and sincere.

Taehyung finds his mouth stretching into a smile. “Yea?”

“Yea!” Jeongguk nods, taking Taehyungs other hand and holding them both in front of him. He’s so close that Taehyung can smell his woody boyish scent. “You kind of met Namjoon hyung, he’s a writer, he sometimes holds reading nights here. They send me to sleep with his honey voice, air warm and spiced, room a hush to listen to him weave his stories.”

“That sounds nice Guk, I would like that.” Taehyung tells him softly, endlessly endeared by this warm boy.

“And Jin hyung! He’s funny and so so kind. I always end up coming here, it’s just... nice to be around him. He’s the heart of the community. I think he makes everyone feel safe.”

“Not the kind of dodgy character who would spike someone’s drink then?” Taehyung asks, biting his lip to suppress a smile.

He watches with delight as Jeongguk has the sense to look ashamed, looking away. “Hoseok hyung!” He says suddenly “He was with me outside earlier? Literally the easiest person to get along with ever. He’s a dancer, there’s a little theatre a street over that he performs for but he also likes street dancing. He’ll get everyone out of the shops and crowded around on the street watching him perform. I’ll make sure we watch him together one day.” Jeongguk promises.

Taehyung watches Jeongguks face light up talking about his friends, how it seems to take the weight of the situation off of him, face soft and unmarked.

“And I know Yoongi hyung is death and all but he’s really much more than that. If you’re having a bad day he’ll become a big fluffy dog for you to cuddle, or if you just need some quiet company he’ll always welcome someone to drink tea beside. He’s also secretly really silly, he makes me laugh a lot.” Jeongguk confides.

“Guk, What was Yoongi for you?”

“For me he was a blooming cherry blossom tree in the wrong season, I saw him through the gaps in the houses and made my way towards him, onto this street. No matter where you start he leads you to this street. You see the vendors or the tea house or the bakery and the scent of street foods, or floral tea, or freshly baked bread... it draws you in. Even if you have no money or you’re on a diet, whatever, it’ll draw you in.”

“But for me it was your voice.” Taehyung says in confusion.

Jeongguk blushes at that, just hums in acknowledgement and looks around the room. “Ah! Jimin hyung!” He calls out.

A blonde haired boy turns at the sound of his name being called and breaks into a warm smile. Once he has walked over Jimin looks Taehyung up and down for a moment and then with a warm smile asks softly, “Would you like me to get you some tea?”

Jeongguk suddenly pushes his forehead against Taehyungs shoulder with a groan of frustration. Taehyung smiles sadly and ruffles his black hair, so soft. “That’s okay Jimin, I’m gonna have some in a little bit.”

Jimin looks between them with blatant curiosity but doesn’t press for answers.

“Hyung owns the bakery down the street, but likes to smooch around here flirting with Jin hyung.”

That earns him a slap on the back of his head. Jeongguk whines, them wiggles down to hide himself against Taehyungs tummy, giggling unapologetically. Taehyung feels his face heat and his tummy squirm in a way that tells him very profoundly that he wants Jeongguk to touch him all over.

Taehyung coughs, “nice to meet you Jimin-shi.”

Sobering Jeongguk speaks up from Taehyungs lap, “you’ll give Tae free pastries won’t you?”

Jimin laughs, “you’re a brat.”

Jeongguk sits straight and turns to Taehyung with tender eyes, “he will, anyone cute and he’ll slip them sugary treats. When I first arrived it was like he was trying to fatten me up.”

“I will,” Jimin says with a big sigh. “Wouldn’t be able to help it with those kissable cheeks of yours.” He coos, watching Taehyung shift in his seat.

Jeongguk spends the best part of the next hour telling Taehyung all of the ways he can be happy here, all of the things Jeongguk will do to make sure he is.

“I think I’m ready now hyung.” Taehyung tells Seokjin as they reach the counter.

“You can go into the more private room, I won’t let any customers through.” Seokjin says with a smile. Taehyungs instincts were right, he’s a good person. Wonders for a moment how Seokjin had died but shakes the thought away before he starts crying again.

They walk across the courtyard and slide the doors back to a smaller tea room. Jeongguk sits at a table near the entrance where the soft evening sun is still falling over. Sitting there he looks golden.

“Jeongguk” He says quietly.

“If I’m- when I die, I’ll be with you right?”

“Yea,” Jeongguk says in a hush. “I’m not going anywhere,” he says with a self depreciating smile. “And... you can be as close to me as you like.”

The words hold weight, enough that Taehyung lets himself welcome this new version of a life.

He sits heavily on the floor cushion, knees gently bumping the table. “Okay.” He lifts the cup to his mouth with no hesitation and takes a sip. He’s not sure what he expected but it tastes like spicy chai, he takes big gulps when he realises it won’t burn him. Finally soothing his dry throat.

Taehyung comes to know that he had a brain tumour near the base of his skull. His headaches had been a symptom, as had his drowsiness. He absolutely should have gone to a doctor but finds that he doesn’t regret what happened.

“Good?” Jeongguk asks with an old cross between affection and distress on his face.

“Good.” Taehyung replies before rounding the table on his knees until they’re touching. Jeongguks eyes search across his face, linger on his lips. Taehyung closes the distance, pressing a kiss to Jeongguks pout. In the first moment they just linger close, feather light presses finding a way to mound together until then Jeongguk reaches out and pulls Taehyung flush to him.

“God, wanted you, tried not to want you.” Jeongguk breathes against his lips.

Taehyung pulls back enough to look him in the eye, “You can have me, it’s okay Guk, I’m not sad to be here.” he says, gently brushing Jeongguks fringe away from his face.

Jeongguks gaze tracks across his face, forehead to eyes to cheeks to mouth to jaw, so meticulously watching him, Taehyung feels incredibly seen. Can’t find it in himself to hide from this man.

“Tae,” Jeongguk says, smiling so warmly, sticky sweet, “you should look in the mirror.”

Confused Taehyung looks towards the mirror on the farthest wall, walking over he uselessly asks, “What is it?”

When he does look into it, he finds that he looks healthier than he has in years. His skin golden again, eyes brighter, persistent darkness under his eyes gone. God, he didn’t realise he had looked like he was dying. Jeongguk comes closer, behind him placing his hands on Taehyungs hips and kissing his shoulder where his shirt has fallen down. Taehyung leans back into the touch. Then turns around in his arms to press their lips together again, it’s so gentle and caring how Jeongguk cups his face, giggles against his lips and presses kiss after kiss.

Pulling away between kisses Taehyung giggles, lets himself feel happy regardless of the situation. He isn’t upset over it, not now that it’s settled. To live in a place like this with Jeongguk? With the promise of kind friends and safety?

“When you walked in I noticed that you were still alive.” Jeongguk tells him, looking down at their hands where they’re clasped together, lashes fanning across his cheeks. “And then- then you smiled, a honey smile, the smile of a man who deserves to live.” Jeongguk smiles sadly.

“What if I deserve you?”

Jeongguk scans his face searchingly, must find something there because he says, “Then you can have me.”