Work Text:
This is me praying that this was the very first page,
not where the storyline ends, my thoughts will echo your name until I see you again;
these are the words I held back as I was leaving to see I was enchanted to meet you:
please don't be in love with someone else, please don't have somebody waiting on you.
- Enchanted
Summer and a story about friendship.
It isn’t strange. Who the hell doesn't spend his days playing together in the summer? Unless you are old or boring. Except maybe no one wants to befriend you or you have an allergy to ultraviolet.
Taehyung thought about those possibilities when Jimin talked about the goddamn deserted park on Friday afternoon. That kid should be grateful that they can do as they please in that place. And Hoseok is finally able to use his water gun to get revenge on him who had hidden his bike in a tree two days ago. That particular incident is so legendary that Hoseok's mother, when she finds out, shook her head.
So, Hoseok and the water gun. And Taehyung knew he had secretly made an alliance with Jungkook on his way here. Meanwhile, Yoongi sat beside the court and told Taehyung to just give up, let his clothes get wet. Yoongi just wanted to see things that would make him laugh with satisfaction.
"Hyung." Just one word he said, and Seokjin, who is finishing a piece of melon with an arm on his hip while wearing his baseball cap, sighed from his nose. "Save me."
His eyes are illuminated by the shadow of his hat but he tries to avoid Taehyung's gaze. "I did say that I liked Captain America but that doesn't mean you can keep making me your shield, Kim Taehyung."
"No, hyung, of course not." Taehyung glances at the fully formed alliance not far from them: Jungkook holding a bottle of mineral water (a clear proof of ammunition), Hoseok who has his back on him (plotting), and Jimin who likes to go along with them (a.k.a revenge for Taehyung's behavior). "I'm not using you as a shield, hyung, I just want hyung to be by my side."
"That's right, keep clinging to me, hyung," said Namjoon beside him while licking the chocolate ice cream. They had finished shopping for snacks at the grocery store near the incline leading to their school. Namjoon grumbled about the mint choco which took up space in the freezer and there was no room left for green tea. That's why he bought the chocolate flavored one. He really became a very sensitive person when he sees food that he hates, his scolding almost makes Taehyung defend every mint choco lovers.
Back to the feud of the alliance versus Taehyung, and as stupid as Taehyung is, he wouldn't miss the sneer from Namjoon's words. Taehyung immediately grabs onto Seokjin's left arm and glares at Namjoon.
"Yah, it’s getting too hot, you brat!" Seokjin scowls at him but doesn't try to let go.
The alliance realized that Taehyung made a defensive move and it would be quite difficult to penetrate because Seokjin would be a terrible person if anyone dared to smear, let alone wet his clothes. Ruthless.
"You deserve a water spray because of that prank you know," Seokjin tells him.
"At least you all laughed at that — except Hoseok hyung — so I don't think climbing a tree while carrying a bicycle is a waste of an effort."
"I laughed because what you did was really stupid."
"Exactly like my initial intention."
Seokjin rolled his eyes. "They are ready for combat now."
"Hyung wants to know why I pranked him?" Taehyung gestured at Hoseok, who now has the water gun suddenly pulled by Jimin who said something to him in a whispering manner. Meanwhile, there was a squirrel in one of the trees and Yoongi turned towards it. Jungkook and Namjoon also became curious, they moved towards the tree. Jimin and Hoseok got into an argument.
"Why?" Seokjin asked.
"I'll tell you if hyung saved me first."
"Nevermind, I don't care."
But when Taehyung saw his face, Seokjin gave a curious expression, his eyes squinted and his brows knitted together. Taehyung chuckled.
Jimin managed to take over the water gun and Hoseok didn't seem as annoyed as Taehyung thought, he just sighed and put his hands on his hips.
Oh, shit?
Something unexpected happened. In those crucial seconds, there are several things: Seokjin unconsciously stepped back with Taehyung, avoiding movements that would make them soaked; three stunned people huddled under a tree trunk to see a dark brown squirrel eating, and Jimin with his weapon attacked.
Hand in hand, Seokjin and Taehyung had already run away from there. But neither of them heard the footsteps approaching behind them or the signature sound of the spray from the water gun, instead, they heard a scream from afar. Turning around, evidently, the scream came from the only one who didn't realize the danger that was going to befall him, Kim Namjoon. Jimin laughs like a maniac while shooting water at Namjoon's shirt. Next to him, Yoongi barked at the chaos. The squirrel in the tree had disappeared. Then Namjoon grabbed Jungkook's bottle and sprayed back at Jimin, but the kid was agile. Hoseok is the one who is affected. After that, they witnessed a real water battle. Hoseok took his water gun back and attacked whoever in front of him. Looks like they are all becoming wet.
Seokjin laughs and Taehyung laughs too at their foolery.
Then Jimin (already wet) muttered something, looked around, and found the two of them standing innocently. The others also turned to them.
Taehyung sighed. "Oh no."
Escaping again, they come out of the garden. This time five pairs of legs can be heard charging behind their backs. Taehyung was just about to lead the two of them towards a small alley, but Seokjin grabbed his arm. "Come here!" They took a roundabout route and headed back towards the park when it sounded like the others were running out of the park. Behind the court, there is a row of shady trees with a small path. They had stopped running and were just walking carefully, occasionally looking over their shoulders, but luckily no one was following.
"Where is this road headed?" Taehyung has lived here all his life, playing in the neighborhood since his childhood, but he has never been here. He also just realized this path existed.
"You'll see," replied Seokjin.
Deep into the trees, far from their nosy friends, Seokjin takes him to a place where Kim Taehyung at the age of fifteen discovered a new secret.
At the end of the path was a small greenhouse. Slightly wider than the room, with its circular shape and worn glass. But the place still looks quite alive, still looks like a place that someone takes care of every day. Some of the plants were kept outside, the vines decorated them until they rose to the roofs. At the entrance, there are beautifully arranged pots with colorful flowers. There is also a round table and a pair of chairs on the side, where one can spend time enjoying the atmosphere.
"Woah."
"I don't know whose place this is, but I think we can hide here for a bit." Seokjin pulls out a chair and sits down, panting a little.
Taehyung sat in front of him. His eyes were still wandering over the place with awe. To him, it was like a different world than their usual residential hood.
"I wonder why Jimin sprayed Namjoon instead, you know?" Seokjin took off his hat. "Even though it's clear he has more grudges against you than anyone."
"I think it's because Jimin had been hurt because Namjoon called him 'grow less.' He didn't dare to come to you anyway."
"As well as Hoseok," Seokjin says, grinning proudly.
Taehyung got up from there and headed for the greenhouse’s entrance. "It seems so." He was itching to step inside. He pushed the door and it opened easily.
"Hey, Taehyung," called Seokjin.
The place looked empty for now. No one's inside. Seokjin is still calling him from outside, he is afraid that someone else is there and then they get scolded for trespassing the place. But because Taehyung ignored him (more fixated on the rows of succulent that lined up neatly on one of the long tables inside), he joined in. He should control Taehyung who likes to mess things up. The further they walk to the back of the greenhouse, the more unique and bigger the plants are than the bunch in the front. Then they also found a birdcage. Inside it was a green love bird with a reddish neck resting on a trunk hanging between the bars.
Taehyung watched the bird closely, suddenly feeling sorry for him. As far as he knew, this kind of bird should not be alone. Seokjin folds his arms behind him.
Then came a voice from the front. Seokjin grabbed Taehyung's arm and told him to duck.
They’re hiding behind the tables when an old man walked into the greenhouse. Seokjin tinkered carefully while the old man stopped at one of the plants. Taehyung held on to the hem of his shirt. It feels so long until they have a chance to move again, the old man limps towards the back, and Seokjin gestures him to move. They run to the door and out of the greenhouse.
Running again, they arrived at the park a few moments later. Their other friends found them and soon became easy targets for the water spray again.
--
Taehyung retraces the incident the next day when he stopped by Jimin's house and got bored.
The three of them (with Jungkook) are playing video games in Jimin's living room. It's their turn now, and no one has lost since half an hour ago, so Taehyung is a bit disappointed. He sprawled out on the sofa behind them, staring flatly at the TV.
Yesterday, when they were on the trail, Seokjin told Taehyung to not tell anyone about the greenhouse that they found. Taehyung had asked, why should it be a secret , but they were already in the court and were already caught by the others so he didn't get an answer.
He thought about that, and thought of the old man.
Taehyung didn't see his face, but it seemed like he had never met such a person around here.
"You guys," he called. The others didn't answer because they were too focused. "Have you ever seen an old man around the park yesterday?"
After a few seconds, Jimin answered. "Grandpa Jaesuk? The one who often plays with his grandchildren?"
"Not him…"
"I have no idea."
"There’s a lot of old men here, you have to be a bit specific, hyung," Jungkook added. "What kind of old man?"
"I do not know."
"Huh?"
Then the conversation stopped there.
Again, Jimin leveled up with Jungkook. Whereas previously he admitted that he was not good at playing Mortal Kombat. Such a liar.
He picked up one of the packets of chips on the table and walked to the front door. Taehyung opened it. The door led to a large street with several cars parked on the roadside. It's empty. He chewed the chips. Then from the left, he saw a familiar guy wearing a gray hoodie walking with a white retriever.
"Namjoon hyung!" Taehyung exclaimed. The person who he called turned around. "Where are you going?"
"Walk Monie!"
"Did you see Jin hyung?"
Namjoon shrugged. "Perhaps, at his house."
So Taehyung went to his house after Jimin complained about the chips he had stolen and Jungkook reminded them of their promise to get together later in the evening. Today is Saturday night. And Saturday night is the time to watch their favorite movies. Usually at one of their homes. Each week when they have the time, they take turns watching recommended movies. This time it's Jimin's turn, so they'll gather at his house.
He’s barely in front of Seokjin's house, but Taehyung meets his mother who is chatting with Hoseok's mother instead. And he smelled an undeniable misfortune.
His mother glances at him as if she has Taehyung's radar in her head. Their eyes met. Marvelous.
Then she smiles, in response to a bigger smile from Hoseok's mother, Mrs. Jung, who is talking about something to her.
Soon Taehyung found out about his fate: they both accidentally talked about the things that mothers used to talk about, namely, their children; and Mrs. Jung accidentally mentioned the bicycle incident that Mrs. Kim had just found out at that time, so that the clause caused the perpetrator, Taehyung, to be called back to his house and got punishment.
In his mother's talk, it seems that Mrs. Jung doesn't mean to get him scolded or grounded in the house, he thought Mrs. Kim already knows about it and he thought it's just the harmless pranks of teenage kids to spend a long summer day. But Mrs. Kim thought differently, she decided that her son could have damaged his friend's bicycle or he could have caused serious physical harm (even though he didn't), so the rules that came out were 1) Taehyung was punished not to leave the house for three days and 2) he must complete his special summer homework while the sentence is in effect.
Self-defense efforts were made. Taehyung apologized to Mrs. Jung and (would) apologize to Hoseok, even though the kid didn't seem really pissed of about his friend’s behavior. Obviously, they were still playing together until yesterday with no problem. Then he attempted to beg his mother, ‘there’s cinema time tonight, let me go just for the night and let the punishment enforced from tomorrow, please ma'am' . Is it worked? Attempts to stall for a time failed, Taehyung missed the meeting to watch the Jurassic Park trilogy.
--
Three days.
On the first day, he received a call from Jimin (followed by other voices behind him, because they must be staying overnight). On the second day, someone threw pebbles at his bedroom window on the ground floor.
Taehyung was sitting at the table, trying to decide whether he intends to do homework or reading comics stealthily when there was a knock on the window. Several times. He goes to his window looking for a fool with an old trick that catches his eye.
Even from his head hidden behind a tree, the fool can be seen.
"Seokjin hyung!" He exclaimed in a whisper.
His hyung peeked from behind the leaves, wide-eyed. Taehyung raised his hands questioningly. He perched on the windowsill and Seokjin walked over to him. He rubbed the nape of his neck. "I heard you got grounded for three days," he said.
"And I'm bored!" Taehyung smiled.
As if they had the same frequency, they did an operation to get Taehyung out of his confinement. Mrs. Kim also works in the summer, so it's unlikely that she will check up on Taehyung in her room. Unless the younger siblings of him are curious or want to borrow the DVD, but what can they do anyway.
Because the morning had just broken, the humidity isn’t so dense. They walk on a quiet lane halfway to the park. Taehyung listened to Seokjin talking about the chaos at Jimin's house yesterday, about his defeat at a game, about Hoseok's unique sleeping style. He listened behind Seokjin, but inside he wonders how Seokjin knows he intends to go to that place again. Then Seokjin turns around to find him with empty eyes.
"What is it?"
"Hyung, you're handsome."
"What?" Seokjin snorted, stunned to hear that, his ears flushed. "I mean, I am handsome — yes, but so sudden—"
"So what?"
"What about what? I should have asked you that!"
Taehyung laughed. "No, nothing."
Seokjin quickened his pace, leaving Taehyung behind. "You are so weird."
They arrived at the greenhouse. It’s empty like how they found it the first time. At least for Taehyung. Seokjin, it turns out, had been here before. He said that some time ago while they were playing kites, one of his fell around here. That's where he found the greenhouse for the first time.
Entering it now, you can see a burst of morning sunlight that adorns almost all parts of the greenhouse. Bright golden colors envelop the rows of plants. Now he realized that there was a fruit plant on one side; strawberries, mandarins, cherries, and such. Seokjin stands in front of the love birdcage.
"Looks like he hasn't been fed," he commented. Indeed the food container is empty, as is the water container. The bird was jumping impatiently. Afterward, Taehyung found out that the bird hadn't been fed since they were last here, maybe even longer than that. Strangely, he is still alive.
Seokjin looks for packages or anything that can be used as food nearby. Taehyung went outside, under the trees. He scraped the ground with the fallen stalk. Last night it rained for a few hours. Maybe he could find a worm. But he finds nothing, while Seokjin calls out to him from the back. He had found a small package containing bird food. He also filled the water from the existing plant sprinklers.
"According to you, hyung, who owns this place?" Taehyung asked. The two of them watched the bird nimbly peck at its food.
"My mother told me," he said. "There is an old man who bought this area for his wife because she likes gardening. Not long after, his wife left, I don't know what she meant by that, what is certain is that the old man ended up living alone and managing this greenhouse."
"Does he come here every day?"
"Honestly, I don't know. But since the first time I came here, this place looks even more decayed now."
"Maybe he doesn't have the time to take care of it anymore," said Taehyung. He picks one of the strawberries and Seokjin immediately glares at him. "Why? There are a hundred other strawberries here."
"Not even a hundred."
"Yes, okay, around tens. Besides, hyung already informed us of our arrival by feeding it." He picks one more red strawberry and hands it to Seokjin.
With a sigh, Seokjin takes it and they’re back to observe the love bird while eating the strawberry.
They spend time enjoying the morning atmosphere in the greenhouse, sometimes watering the plants, sometimes sitting on the chair in front of it, chatting about random things. Seokjin asks Taehyung about the reason behind the bike prank. What happened was: Taehyung was provoked. Jungkook said that Taehyung did the weirdest things but lately he hasn't done it, he's become humdrum. Then Jimin joined in and with a laugh challenged him to climb a tree with the heaviest object there. Incidentally, Hoseok arrives on his folding bike. What a wonderful coincidence. So the alliance didn’t only defend Hoseok but actually framing Taehyung.
Hearing that story, Seokjin doesn't stop laughing until he got a stomachache.
But noon came and although they were a little bit afraid of being discovered and afraid of what that person would do, the old man was nowhere to be seen either.
"Let’s go home." Seokjin gets up from his chair.
"Ah, hyung~" Taehyung actually didn't want to go back to his homework. And it feels like spending time with Seokjin here is more fun than anything else.
"Aren't you hungry?" Seokjin frowns as the sun shines right into his eyes.
"I am hungry."
"Then come on. There's still tomorrow."
They leave from there. Taehyung doesn't need to ask why they have to keep this secret from his other friends, why does Seokjin indirectly invite him back here. The fact that this became their hideout from the world was something the two agreed to keep.
--
"This one?" He pointed to one with a white cover. From its catchy title, the book seems to contain a lot of information.
"Ah, no," said Seokjin beside him. He pointed to the other. "This one."
Taehyung shrugged. "Okay, whatever. Hyung pays for this anyway."
After picking up the book from the shelf, Seokjin turns to him, noticing the scowl on his face. He smiled, ruffled Taehyung's hair. "We have to find out about the cactus too, Taehyungie, that one doesn't have the cactus catalog."
"But the drawings are cute."
"I know."
But Seokjin still walks to the cashier. Taehyung glanced once more at the book he chose, it was quite unfair if he insisted.
It's been days since they stopped by the greenhouse every day. They finally found out that the old man only came every Friday, the other day he wasn’t there at all. And when they were quietly watching (behind a pile of burlap sacks filled with soil), he just came to stare at the plants. He said a few words to his love bird, whatever it was, then left again. As if he didn't even realize that someone else had come to that place beside him. Because of that, they (Taehyung's idea) decided to find out what plants were there by buying a book (Seokjin's money) and how to take care of them.
"I want to know where his house is," Taehyung had said when they decided to do their homework at that place so they have other activities to do while staying there all morning. He gives up halfway, while Seokjin is still working on solving his essay problem.
"I've been there."
"Seriously?"
Seokjin keeps the pen still. "Yeah. Because mom works in administration, she has a yellow book. His name is Lim Jaehan. But when I got there the house was empty."
"Hyung why didn't you tell me?"
"Sorry," Seokjin wrote again. "I just remembered."
When they came out of the bookstore, impatient, they immediately unpacked the plastic wrap. The scent of printing bursts into their noses, Taehyung takes a deep breath as Seokjin turns the pages. The picture is not as good as the one that Taehyung chose, but as Seokjin had said, this book is more thorough. Seokjin nods his head. "Pretty good, next week we'll bring—"
"Oi!" At that time, Yoongi was passing by on his bicycle. "It's so rare for you two to be here."
"Hey, Yoongi." Seokjin lowered the book, slowly moving it behind his back.
"Where are you going?" Taehyung asked.
"Your house?" Yoongi frowned in confusion. "Don’t tell me you forgot your turn this week?"
"Oh...?"
"Hyung must have forgotten too, huh?" Yoongi narrows his eyes at Seokjin.
"I remember... I remember it!" But his voice wasn’t convincing. "We'll catch up. You can go first. Right, Taehyungie?"
Taehyung just nodded his head. When Yoongi continued pedaling toward his house, he still gave a suspicious look. It was as if it was the only thing that happened on the night of a thousand months when they stood in a bookstore. Seokjin returns to his house before coming to Taehyung's house to drop his book. When they arrived, there were already Jimin, Yoongi, and Namjoon watching TV in the living room with Yeontan, who was sitting on Yoongi's lap sweetly. It's Saturday night, cinema night again. Taehyung truly forgot, because through the week his thoughts were only on the greenhouse (and maybe on Seokjin too, a little bit). And because they stopped by here so often, Taehyung informed the whereabout of the key (at least Jimin knew this), and they are relaxing comfortably like home sweet home.
"Where have you been?" Jimin accusingly scowled at him.
"I told you he was with Seokjin hyung at the bookstore," Yoongi answered. "Surprising, right?"
Jimin glares, but Taehyung is still more worried about Namjoon who raises an eyebrow at him. That one hyung has unpredictable thoughts.
"You never wanted to go to that place unless I drag you to buy comics!" Jimin's protests. "So now you don't consider me your best friend anymore, do you?"
"Hey, Jiminie, that's not it…" Taehyung sat next to Jimin, while the boy scolded him. Not to mention that he brought up the call that he didn’t pick up before (because Taehyung was in the greenhouse with Seokjin) twice, so he concluded that Taehyung didn't care about him anymore. Seokjin just laughs and sits on the sofa next to Namjoon, listening to him mutter something very quietly. Fortunately, the problem was not prolonged, because Jungkook and Hoseok came and they moved on to other conversations, especially what movie they want to watch today.
Taehyung went to the kitchen to get snacks and drinks while the others chose the film. He was picking up the cups when Seokjin entered.
"Did Jimin expel you as his best friend?" He asked.
"No, but he suspends me," he answers, and Seokjin laughs. "He said if I didn't pick up his phone the third time, he wouldn't lend me his notes again."
"Too bad," Seokjin says, but he grins, amused. "I feel guilty."
"Why?"
"It felt like snatching you from Jimin."
He took a tray and set the cups and chips in it. "Hyung no — it's not hyung's fault. Jimin's a sensitive kid, even though lately he's also been playing with Jungkook more often."
"You guys are usually inseparable."
"I guess so."
When Taehyung picks up the tray, Seokjin adds, "Do you want me to help you carry it?"
"I can do it. I do push-ups almost every night, hyung, don’t underestimate me."
"For real?" Suddenly he sneaks up behind Taehyung, embraces him with both hands, and puts his chin on his shoulder. "And if I do this?"
"Hyung!" He focused on the cups on the tray, which were shaking as his hands became unstable. Taehyung doesn't understand what makes Seokjin think he has the right to do that to him, what makes him think he can just hug him from behind and giggle like it's no big deal.
"How about this?"
Before they arrive at the end of the hall, one of the cups fell and hit the other two cups, causing them to fall along. Seokjin mutters, ' oops ' when Taehyung rearranges it. Then he took over the tray from Taehyung's hand. "Well, I toldya," he said, never stop giggling.
"Ish!" Taehyung kicks his heels playfully, and Seokjin goes into the living room carrying a tray laughing. Taehyung froze for a moment in his place, for various reasons trying to calm his heart.
Maybe it's because Taehyung's last few days have been spent with one person, and you could say that it feels like they have become more familiar than Taehyung thought as long as he knew Seokjin. As if he was getting to know Seokjin for the first time. Indeed, Taehyung has often played with Jimin and Jungkook. Sometimes Hoseok joined them because he likes to be mischievous like the three of them. On the other hand, even though when all of them play together they rarely have any boundaries; Seokjin, Namjoon, and Yoongi are more of a Serious Team. Or that’s the name Jimin secretly called them. Taehyung realized that’s perhaps because they were older, more mature, especially since some of them were about to graduate.
What is certain is that he is happy to be able to spend a lot of time with Seokjin and he hopes it’s like that the other way around too.
Because Taehyung likes to watch Seokjin while he is studying and when he helps him study, or sees his the line of his smile when they joke about one of the plants with strange shapes, or when he feeds Ami — the name they give to the female lovebird. In essence, he doesn't want to admit it out loud, but Seokjin is now his favorite hyung out of the rest.
Jimin might hate him for that, but the atoms of the universe did work on their will to incline them. Like now, when they decided to watch Graves Of The Fireflies (initially Yoongi refused but the others knew it was only because he didn't want to be seen in tears), and Taehyung claimed his place on the carpet right in front of the cokes, and coincidentally Seokjin sat on the sofa behind him. In the middle of the movie, all of them start looking for a comfortable position before they soon arrive at the world of dreams. Taehyung stepped back and leaned right on Seokjin's feet. The siblings on-screen started living alone in the cave and he started to sigh deeply so that he wouldn't shed tears. Then he felt his hair gently combed with long fingers. It keeps happening as the film progresses, sometimes stopping, sometimes slowly as if it were calming him in an emotional scene.
When the film ended, the others' attention was luckily more interested in Yoongi hiding behind his wet sleeves (and being constantly teased for it even though the others were crying as well), rather than Taehyung who looked up at Seokjin. And Seokjin gives him a smile while his nose turns red.
"Are you all right?" Seokjin whispers.
"How can I, after all that," Taehyung replied, wiping his eyes dramatically. "Hyung."
"Hm?"
"Scoot over."
Yoongi, avoiding the teasing, ran to the toilet to wash his face so that one of the spots on the sofa was empty. Seokjin gave Taehyung space. Jungkook prepared his next film, Princess Mononoke, to raise the mood. They also started distributing blankets and mostly had stopped eating the snacks. When he came back, Yoongi didn't really grumble about his missing seat, he takes a seat next to Hoseok on the carpet. Namjoon mumbles something next to Seokjin but again Taehyung doesn't hear it, because he's getting sleepy too. Seokjin's reaction to that is laughter. Taehyung just curls up in place and leans on Seokjin, vaguely following the plot. At one point he lost consciousness and then woke up again to a deer that had many horns and sparkling so bright.
"What's happened to it?" He asks Seokjin in a hoarse voice.
"I think you better go to sleep," he said.
"Okay," he complies by squeezing on his left at Seokjin, then Seokjin puts his arm behind Taehyung, embracing him.
--
Before entering, Jimin stood for a second behind the door, motionless. Then he pushed his shoulders. "Move, I want to wash my face too."
"You should go to the second-floor bathroom," said Taehyung in the middle brushing his teeth.
"Yoongi hyung occupying it."
"Then I currently occupy this, Jimin," Taehyung protested.
Jimin didn't answer, just growled, and the water in the sink ran down his face. They should be lazing around today. Sunny morning, they can go to sleep again or have breakfast in bed while watching Sunday morning shows. But Taehyung's dad invited them all to go play baseball, said that anyone who wants to join is welcomed. So they’re rushing to get to the bathroom, except for Namjoon and Hoseok who came back home because they have something else to do.
In the reflection of the mirror, Taehyung laments his messy face.
He remembers sleeping next to Seokjin last night, more precisely in his arms, and hearing the sound of his breath rising and falling faintly. Why did his face turn red when he remembered that he didn't quite understand. Taehyung then remembered waking up in his place, noticing their changed position. Previously he sat on the sofa, but he stretched on the arm of the sofa and embraced Seokjin, Namjoon was cornered on the other side of the sofa. Maybe it's because Taehyung always needs something to hug while sleeping, whether it's a pillow or a bolster or whatever, and Seokjin can't help but becomes the target. Usually, Jimin or Hoseok are willing to be a replacement of the bolster.
When Jimin is drying his face, their eyes met in the mirror. "Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"What?" Taehyung asked while gargling.
"I don't know, maybe you have anything. Something. To tell me."
For a moment, Taehyung thought. "You're getting taller," he decided to say.
Jimin hits his shoulder with a towel. "Not that!"
"Then what? What do you want?" Now he faced Jimin. "Just say what you want, I'll tell you then!"
From the stairs, they heard Yoongi's voice descending and grumbling, ‘ it’s too early for a quarrel' . Then Jimin irritatedly closed the bathroom door, saying that this was a conversation between soulmates. He then folds his arms across his chest and sighed before speaking. "First of all, the calls."
"Why didn't I pick it up? I told you, at that time I was out with Seokjin hyung, then I thought it was not an important call so I didn't call back."
"Well, secondly, why are you two alone? Why is it like almost every day… what are you guys doing? Why don't you invite the others? Or me?"
Taehyung frowned. "Jimin, you’re becoming so overprotective I got goosebumps ..."
"No, I mean–" Jimin shook the air in front of him, impatient. "Forget it. What I want to say is, you and Seokjin hyung," he pointed at Taehyung and gave the thumbs up at the door, "it's like you two are becoming really close. Are you guys keeping something from us?"
Taehyung's first response was rejection. "Of course not, what secret?"
"Liar!" Jimin half screamed. "I saw you two hugging while sleeping, he never did that with anyone."
"Let me get this straight, are you jealous of him?"
Honestly: Taehyung wanted to tell everything that happened to Jimin. The problem: he didn't know where to start. If he talked about the beautiful morning sunshine and the pleasant sound of the tree roaring, Jimin would have been wondering where so he must tell him about the greenhouse and he didn't want to. That place is only his and Seokjin’s. Why is that so? He also doesn't know.
And what is occurred: Jimin bolted out of the bathroom furiously, his voice can be heard from far away, 'as I thought, you wouldn't tell' and Taehyung felt guilty.
On the baseball field, it turns out that it's not only Taehyung's family and his friends, it turns out that there are Jimin's, Yoongi’s (only his father), and Jungkook’s parents. It was like a big family reunion. And lunch jollification. Their mothers immediately gathered on the stadium seats with their sunglasses and the endless gossips. Taehyung's two siblings hang with Jimin's brother as they choose their baseball bat. The fathers are preparing the field. Taehyung sits on the lounger, listening to Jimin's younger brother teaches his own younger brother how to hold the bat properly.
"Why the long face?" Seokjin arrives wearing brown gloves and his favorite hat.
"Nothing," said Taehyung. Actually, it was clear because of what happened before. Jimin avoided him plainly, only chatting with Yoongi, Jungkook, and his older brother. But he also got a little annoyed with Jimin. This whole thing is unfair.
"Hmm." Seokjin sits next to him. "I heard from Yoongi there was a commotion in the bathroom earlier."
"Such ridiculous fuss because we were fighting over the tap," he lied.
Seokjin didn't continue the topic. "I'm not good at this sport."
"Oh, yeah?" Taehyung glanced at his gloves. Seokjin holds it out and Taehyung touches it, tracing his fingers through the stitches of the leather. "Where is your family?"
Taehyung actually knows, his father is still working and his mother is not very delightful with a get-together or playing sports, and his brother went to college far away in Seoul. At first, he thought Seokjin wouldn't come. "They're busy."
Taehyung's father, the most passionate of the crowd, summoned them all to the center of the field to form the team. They both got up from the lounger. "I'll teach you how to play it, hyung," said Taehyung and pulled them both away.
After breakfast that morning, Taehyung went back and forth in front of the phone twice before he dialed his usual go-to number. After a few rings, someone picks up.
"Jimin," Taehyung said.
"Taehyung. What's wrong?" His voice was low, it seemed he had just woken up.
"I have something to say to you."
"Alright, just say it."
Taehyung, still digesting the food his mother made at that time (which could never beat anyone's cooking in the world), still also digesting his mind which at that age was filled with innocence and naivety, decided to say it. But it was thirty seconds too late so Jimin, on the other side, was getting impatient. "Do you think I can understand what you're saying by telepathy?"
"Wait-"
"I'll turn this off—"
"I'm sorry, for earlier," said Taehyung. No answer, but Jimin is clearly listening. "I guess I kind of forgetting you even though you're my best friend. Sorry. Yeah?"
"Apology accepted," replied Jimin, curtly. "Then?"
"The secret, I think I like Seokjin hyung—" "That's obvious." "—When he hugged me from behind and when he touched my hair and every time he taught me patiently about math, it felt like I was nervous like a fool—"
"Just a second here," Jimin interrupted. "Are you being serious?"
"I still haven't fully thought about it, but, I don't know. Maybe. Yes."
"I thought the 'like' that you meant was like when you were playing around teasing Hoseok hyung so he didn't treat you like a toy."
"I guess it is."
"I know you cling to Seokjin hyung a lot, often seeking his attention, but you surprise me now, Kim Taehyung."
"I honestly don't know, Jimin. In the past I just admired him because he was a cool hyung, hey, you are like that to Yoongi hyung too."
"Shut up." Jimin cleared his throat. "Okay, so you guys are dating now."
"No, that is not happening. Yet."
"Okay, so nothing yet."
"Roughly, yes."
"Yes, just go ahead. Seokjin hyung is nice, maybe he reciprocates you." There’s a pause. "Today do you want to see him again?"
They always met in the park. Seokjin usually comes faster than him, sits on the low hedge, his legs dangling and moving back and forth. Usually, Taehyung found him humming a trot song with a quiet voice. Now Taehyung found him looking down at the gardening book they had bought. On his other hand, Seokjin is holding a pen and a small notebook.
Taehyung patted his knee to get his attention. But Seokjin doesn't even need to turn around to know it's him. "I think I get to know a lot of things," he said. "We previously just watered them without knowing anything."
"Anything interesting?"
"Did you know that plants can feel stressed out too? If we give them too much water, or the ambient temperature is too extreme, or lots of insects perching."
"Mhm. I just found out about that. What else?"
"There are plants that don't need sun. That's why they're kept in a corner, hidden."
"Ah, that’s why some of them are beneath the table."
"Yes! Then some cacti live in cold places. The color of the flowers is white, like snow. Later on, they will bloom when spring comes."
"There’s something like that there?"
"But none in the greenhouse. Mostly just ordinary succulent."
He didn't know how interesting it was to hear someone chattering about plants and their quirky facts. Seokjin looks like someone who has found a new hobby, so Taehyung has to remind him that they should have left by then. Once they’re there, they conduct an inspection to identify each plant. Then Seokjin would number them according to the sequence and write them down on his notes. In the back, Ami watches them closely. Midday came, they managed to finish nearly three-quarters of it. Taehyung was already rushing to the chair at the front, taking cover under the patio above it. Seokjin behind him is still counting the plants.
"Sit down hyung," Taehyung pulls his hand. "It’s burning."
"I'm not done yet…" His eyes focused on the lines in his book, the pages filled with descriptions of the contents inside the greenhouse.
Taehyung slowly lowered his grip from his wrist to Seokjin's palm. He touched the smooth creases, then onto his long, masculine crooked knuckles. That managed to divert his attention. Seokjin stares at him for a moment. He moved to the other chair. "Okay, okay."
But Taehyung never stopped playing with his fingers, because Seokjin didn't intend to pull his hand. Seokjin and his notes and his lips that form a straight line. Seokjin, who didn't say anything about it.
Taehyung nonchalantly starts humming the tune of the trot song Seokjin often sings. He noticed a butterfly flying low in front of the door. But he still feels Seokjin's clipped nails and fine hairs on the back of his hand. He kinda wants to pick on it. He didn't do it. He's still singing, the butterfly flies into the greenhouse, and Taehyung glances at Seokjin. He was looking exactly at him, and it almost made his heart jump, that stare.
He was just about to withdraw his hand when Seokjin grasps it with both hands instead.
Either his cheeks were hot from the sun, or for some other reason. "So what's not done yet?"
"Not all plants are written yet." Seokjin's attention is now on their hands on the table, now it's his turn to play with Taehyung's fingers. "I don't know if this is all correct either."
"The first step to becoming a botanist, hyung."
"You're right, this can be an interesting profession. Why are your hands so pretty, by the way?"
"Pretty?"
"If somebody looks only at your hand, they must have thought that you are a girl."
"Because mom has pretty hands. I inherit it well."
"It's pretty and I like to hold it."
"Eh?"
Their eyes met again, and Taehyung clearly felt himself blushing. He wanted to say something but his throat is somehow blocked.
"Taehyung, you're so red," Seokjin laughs. "That’s amusing."
He cleared his throat. "Hyung, this is the first time a guy has said such a thing to me. And I don't understand what you mean by ‘like to hold it.’"
"Yes, I mean as I say. I like to hold it?" He practiced it. Interlacing their two hands. "Like this."
He remembers Jimin's words on the phone that morning, in his hushed voice, telling Taehyung, 'I just hope you’re happy’ and he never felt very grateful to his best friend at that time. "Me too," Taehyung said, quietly, more to himself.
And at that time it was a first for him. A kiss on one blazing afternoon.
First of all, he realized the direction of the gaze. Seokjin, the prince of the fairy tale world, with dark brown eyes reflects a strange sparkle. His eyelids moved like a fan and he licked her lips, looking troubled. Then, Seokjin, under the shade of the patio, amidst the thick humidity, blushes. Taehyung felt his heart beating fast, couldn't hear anything but himself. He grabs Seokjin's hand, tries to get his attention again, feels a little brave. Seems like he muttered ' hyung' softly, whatever that means. But Seokjin seems to understand, come up to him, and all Taehyung knows is his sense of taste. He closed his eyes and felt the brief peck.
--
Almost all the time after that Taehyung muse a lot. Envisioning the repeated scene in his almost innocent perspective. He couldn't help but smile in that evident visualization. When he looked in the mirror, he knew he looked like an idiot.
Now without hesitation in front of the phone, he pressed the number. The one who received first was his older brother, so he needed to wait a while, resting from one foot to the other.
"Taehyung?"
He smiled at that voice. "Seokjin hyung."
The air changed between them, that was what he believed. Talking seemed to become something sacred.
"Why are you calling?" Seokjin asked after a while. Not judging, not blaming, just genuinely curious. Taehyung didn't know when is the last time he contacted him.
"Ah, actually…" He swallowed hard. "... no, uh, I ... nothing."
"Mhm, all right."
"Just wanted to get in touch."
"You managed to."
Taehyung wondered how they had been able to chat before all this. He hesitated. This does not make sense. He has known Seokjin since 4th grade.
"What are you doing right now, Kim Taehyung?" Seokjin asks, perhaps reading his hesitation. "If you please, can I come over?"
There wasn't even one second that Taehyung refused that. Even if it still sounds a little strange that Seokjin wanted to come over to his house, but Taehyung guessed, in his little hopeful heart, maybe Seokjin was thinking about what happened that afternoon all the time too.
He was full of polite smiles when he entered from the front door, greeted his father and mother, caressed Yeontan gently. When Taehyung closed the door to his room, as they lay next to each other, he said, "I can't sleep."
Her cheeks are as red as a tomato, clearly not from the sun, but because of what Taehyung thought.
"Then hyung think coming here can cure that?"
"No, insomnia is a contagious virus. I want you to feel my pain too."
"Is it my fault?"
"If there is a chance to blame you, yes, I will."
Taehyung laughed as he complained 'that's not fair!' and Seokjin laughs too. He embraced Taehyung who tried to get away, but Taehyung immediately gave up because it was useless (because he liked that touch). Now Taehyung is cushioning Seokjin's arm, feeling him breathe up and down. After a while, he turns on his stomach so that he sees Seokjin's face beneath him. Seokjin, and his thick lips.
Seokjin, who knits his brows together and chuckles. "What are you looking at?"
"I just wanted to say," he said. "It's not only hyung who can't sleep."
"Do you want to share the other things that you have in your head, Taehyung?" Seokjin brushed his bangs gently.
"Nah, I think that’s it." To be honest, there’s a lot. But everything melted into nothingness.
"Then can I kiss you again?"
Taehyung perhaps gives a nod. But what is certain is that he, who is looking carefully at Seokjin, catches a pair of sweet lips as Seokjin cupped with his palms on the side of Taehyung's face. He is leaning on the front of Seokjin's shirt, feeling the heat starting to burn on the hot summer night. He felt so resplendent as if his heart had exploded and the explosion filled all parts of him. Unlike their first kiss, it was something like a dream.
Seokjin seems experienced, and he doesn't want to burden his mind with that kind of train of thought, but he guides him well. Their noses touch, Seokjin pulls them closer so that their chests stick together, and Taehyung, in the end, wants more than that.
But first, breathe.
A few seconds after they broke free, they just stared at each other.
Then Seokjin kissed him again, at the corner of his lips. And on the tip of his nose. "This medicine…" he began. "Still won't put me to sleep."
"Then don't sleep, don't go home, stay here."
"Is that an invitation?"
"Yes," he says, but he huddles back next to Seokjin, embarrassed. "Whatever it is, yes."
However, Seokjin, putting his finger under Taehyung's chin, asks him to look up. He pursed his lips at Taehyung, which made him feel challenged. Taehyung tried to catch him, but his carelessness made them hit their foreheads.
"Ow!" Seokjin grimaced.
"Ah, sorry ..." This is embarrassing. Taehyung sighed. But Seokjin ignores that, lets him in, and closes the gap between them. He kissed Seokjin. He felt how their lips joined together, collided, lost their way, met again, and became magnificence.
"Hm, I see this one bear cub can learn," Seokjin comments afterward. Looks satisfied with what happened, and it makes Taehyung quite happy.
"Hyung is my first."
"What?" Seokjin's eyebrows lift. "Are you serious?"
"I'm sure, well ..."
"Why don't you tell me, Tae? I mean it doesn't matter, but, I don't know, I can give you something better than that."
"How can I tell you?" He said. "It puts me to a halt. And yeah it doesn’t matter, I like it. I like this. I like you."
"Okay, okay…" Seokjin kissed Taehyung's lips several times (closing his eyes, Taehyung could feel Seokjin's smile breaking out), again and again. "Last one, and ..." Again. "…I must leave." He got up from Taehyung's bed.
"Hyung, why~" Taehyung tried his aegyo while pulling his shirt. "You can stay over."
"I promised mom to come home, you know how fussy she is. She knows last week I stayed at your house." So Taehyung lets him off, not wanting to look so fussy, Seokjin goes to the door, turns around one last time, and blows a kiss from afar for him.
At least he could laugh at it (and still have trouble sleeping).
--
The next day, he was still a little dazed because of last night. Unfortunately, his wish to meet Seokjin was not fulfilled that day.
Taehyung just about to go to the park when Seokjin called him. He said that he couldn't come today because he had a private lesson to take. Private. Taehyung wonders why Seokjin is suddenly doing private, even though he knows that it is normal for students in their final year, it's just that it's already less than two weeks left of summer.
He still went to the greenhouse, at least to check on Ami. Seokjin has the gardening book since the beginning, and it’s obvious Taehyung doesn't know anything about the plants there at all. At least he tried to water some that have dry soils.
Then he went straight home. Because it's not so much fun alone. Taehyung wondered if it would all be different if he found the greenhouse together other than Seokjin, or Seokjin was pulling, for example, Jungkook’s or Yoongi’s hand or any one of them besides Taehyung. Is this gonna happen?
The next day is like that too. Seokjin's private lessons start at eight and finish at three in the afternoon with a two-hour break. Taehyung thought, sickening. That’s just like school. On the phone, Seokjin just laughs and said that Taehyung can come this afternoon to his house after he's done.
Nice.
But the sentence "So you don't want to see my new Hot Wheels?" comes. Taehyung sighs while thinking about himself getting excited a few months ago when Jimin told him about his new preordered toy. Exactly the same as the advertisement they often watched on TV. Special edition! Limited! And now the order comes to the porch of the Park's resident and Jimin looks excited to do a solo race on the track.
Maybe just for a while. He's a little curious too, as a big fan of Hot Wheels.
In the front yard of the house, he found Jimin adjusting his purple Jester, eyebrows twitching.
"Where's the track?" He asked.
Jimin turned around. "Jungkook gonna bring his," he replied.
"How about yours? Don’t you have one?"
"We’re gonna put it together, bigger."
A few minutes later the big doe-eyed boy arrived carrying his 2-lane box. What happened was that the process of assembling the track was quite time-consuming and was in midst of it interrupted by lots of discussions about how the three of them would assemble it and about the cool features of the new toy. What happened was Taehyung forgot about the time and when he came to his senses, as he focused on Jimin's Jester that circling the circuit, the sun had already set.
"I have to go home," he said, panicked.
"Why the rush, hyung?" commented Jungkook.
Jimin raised an eyebrow at him but somehow didn't say anything. So he sped from one end of the neighborhood to the other, because the house he was going to was in another part of the place. He rings the bell, and before long Seokjin appears at the door.
"I thought you wouldn't come here," he said.
"Sorry, I'm late."
"I called your house a few times and your mother asked me, she said she liked the pudding my mother used to make, then we talked about cooking instead." Meanwhile, he didn't seem to mind a lot of what his mother had talked with him.
"Sounds fun," Taehyung raised an eyebrow.
Then Seokjin steps outside and closes the door. He embraced Taehyung. "Would you like to take a walk?"
"Sure."
Nothing strange, they looked like a pair of friends who hang out together, and maybe the truth was that too.
"Your mom said you went to Jimin's house," he said.
"He just bought Hot Wheels, so we want to try…"
"Are you for real now?" Seokjin glares, the second biggest fan of Hot Wheels. "I have to see it."
Taehyung then told what they did that afternoon in Jimin's yard as if it was a story about his adventure in the circuit at Silverstone. Seokjin listens well, and they stop to sit on the stone steps, under the street lamp. After that, Taehyung asked about his private lessons.
"I'm sneaking off right now by the way," Seokjin says, in a whisper. "So, when I came home from your house the day before yesterday, my fussy mother said I slacked off too much. Even though I said my summer assignment is finished and my youth's freedom is blah blah blah…" (Taehyung giggled) "... she even signed me up with the tutor. A super-duper disciplined tutor, because she’s afraid that I’d be left behind when I entered the final semester. It a lot like hell. "
"So hyung can't come to the greenhouse anymore?"
"I want to rebel."
"Ohh, such a delinquent."
"But I think we should stop."
Taehyung stared at him. His mouth was half-open, wanting to say something. Seokjin stares back at him, under the light, his hair and eyes shine reflecting light. "But the place is abandoned..." he finally muttered.
"I'll tell mom to find someone to take care of it."
"I can do it myself," Taehyung said. "Besides, hyung has already written down the plants, just tell me what to do."
"Then what about the end of the summer holiday? The place will be abandoned again. "
"But at least now..."
"Taehyung," Seokjin said, his fingers touching Taehyung's chin. "It doesn't matter if you still want to do it." Actually, Taehyung doesn't know. If Seokjin isn’t there he would feel lonely. "But I can't go there anymore. Not every day."
"I understand, hyung."
"Mhm." Seokjin comes closer and kisses him; like a magnet, like poison, one attempt and you will keep craving for it.
"What about this?" Taehyung asked quietly.
"It won't stop even if I want to," Seokjin replies, not wasting even a second to continue what he was doing. Pushed Taehyung backward, as he crashing into a low brick wall.
"Why?" Taehyung tried to push him because he wanted to know more clearly. Want to know what Seokjin thinks about this. Seokjin sometimes does more than he says something.
Seokjin looks at him as if he is looking at an algorithm problem. "Because I like you, of course, Kim Taehyung." Just like that.
"Why?" He repeated, in a different context.
"Oh, you don't know? I seem to have liked you since, I don't know, about more than three years ago."
"Hyung, don't joke around."
"I'm not kidding. It's been a long time ago, I don't even really remember how it was at first, but I remember you at that time. You are cute and so silly, well, not much different from now. Jimin told me to get close to you, do you remember? Wow, come to think of it all because of Jimin ..." As Seokjin tells the story, his ears turn red because he can't express his feelings without it happens, his eyes stare at Taehyung's collarbone, added by Taehyung who keeps a distance of fewer than five centimeters from his face, grinning ear to ear from hearing the first thing he'd heard.
He almost can't believe it, Seokjin, who he heard from all his friends is a role model student at school who every Valentine's Day gets a lot of chocolate from his fans. Indeed, when he was with their circle, he cracked jokes all the time, more open, but as he always thought (the thing that was always on his mind), Seokjin is the prince in fairy tales. And now he says that he has always had a crush on him, has had a feeling for Taehyung for a long time, Taehyung feels like he needs to check his hearing. To Taehyung who couldn't keep quiet at all, thoughtless — what did he see? And how come he hasn't heard of this before?
"..you want me to tell you the short version or the detailed version?" Seokjin asked, trying to focus on Taehyung's eyes.
"Tell me everything."
But they were interrupted by a voice above them. At the top of the stairs, two figures were walking down slowly. Taehyung clears his throat, Seokjin steps back and puts some distance between them. The two figures are side by side, it seems that one is helping the other to walk. Taehyung fiddled with his fingernails (wondering if those people noticed them sitting there, especially since before) while next to him, Seokjin stared over Taehyung's shoulder. Only when they passed by Seokjin and Taehyung did they become familiar. At least one of them.
"It's the old man, Lim Jaehan," Seokjin whispers to him as they turn.
Next to the old man was an unknown woman with short hair, but from her clothes, you could guess. She wears the attributes of a hospital nurse.
"Where are they going?" Taehyung asked. But he already had a hunch. So is Seokjin.
Their moment was shattered, true, but their curiosity was greater. The path wasn't far from the park, and they intended to follow the old man and the nurse.
On the dawn of the night, the moon had not yet been seen in the dark sky. The atmosphere of the garden, when they passed by and sneaked up behind them about 500 meters away, felt completely altered. But they paid little attention to it, only to the two people in front of them, who were now walking between the trees, entering the small path. They heard chats, mostly from the old man, who seemed to be telling stories. Only when the old man and the nurse reached the front of the greenhouse, chatting for a few moments; Seokjin and Taehyung sneak into the trees and place themselves in the bushes, close to the old man and the nurse.
"…Are you sure you want to go in there?" the female nurse was a little worried when the old man opened the door to enter.
"Why not, kid, this is my place. You have to see what's going on here."
At last, they went inside, where it was quite dark, but in the clear sky little by little the moon perched sweetly and gave its rays even into the greenhouse. Seokjin and Taehyung moved after them, still between the trees, to the back of the greenhouse. The old man continued to tell the story again, not quite clearly heard, then after some time they were both get out of the greenhouse again.
The nurse lady takes the cage of his love bird, Ami, with them.
"I still remember what happened," the old man began. "A stray cat came when I was about to feed them, you know, all of a sudden. Black cat. Maybe it's a bad sign. Anyway, he came and took the other, her partner. I feel guilty that I didn't look after him properly, I am. I turned my back only for a moment. She's been alone ever since. "
"Ah…" the lady looked down at the bird, which was sitting still, awake. "What a pity."
"He may look fine even now, you must be thinking so. But look," the old man raised the cage closer to their faces. "Look how different he looks from before. I feel so guilty."
Silence covers the place when the old man is quietly watching Ami. The old man seemed lost in thought, lost in his memories with the love bird and how she lost her partner. Then, after a while, after Taehyung started feeling achy about squatting behind the lush trees, something happened.
The old man grabbed the cage door and opened it. In less than a minute, the bird realized its freedom and flew away.
She flew past the greenhouse, towards the trees, entered, and passed the place where Seokjin and Taehyung were. After she passed the short branch of one of the trees, Taehyung saw her disappear.
Then he felt his shoulder tapped.
"Taehyung," calls Seokjin, facing behind them. "Look."
In the thicket of bushes, and rising even to the leaves of the trees, were swarms of fireflies. Lit up in their place like a night light. The light was so beautiful around them, Taehyung raised his eyebrows, fascinated. This was the first time he had seen so many fireflies.
One of them floats slowly, then lands on top of Seokjin's hair, on his bangs. The glow adorns Seokjin's skin, a brilliant yellow glow, and Taehyung's heart feels warm to see him like that.
His hands stretched out, wanting to catch it when he stomped on roots in his imbalance and made quite a loud sound instead.
It seems that the two people in front of the greenhouse noticed their presence and Seokjin immediately pulls him down to hide. But after they were silent for a while, nothing happened. Instead, they heard a hoarse voice and cough from the old man. Cautiously, they peeked. The old man coughed even worse and the nurse immediately grabbed him, puts the cage down.
"Let's get you back, shall we," said the nurse.
But somehow, the old man didn't budge. He was still coughing, but he didn't want to walk. He just held the nurse, then asked to be seated in the front seat of the greenhouse. And what happened next was something he wouldn't forget for years to come.
He sat weakly on the chair, and the nurse only held his hand. He held it, until the old man closed his eyes, with a long sigh.
And the nurse gasped.
Summer and a story about friendship. It also seems there is more to it than that.
Taehyung perched at the window, his attention not fixed on anything, he just enjoyed the atmosphere that afternoon. Jimin persuaded him to the cafeteria, but he didn't think he was that hungry.
After inhaling the wind and gazing at the cloudy sky, Taehyung shifted his focus downwards towards the field. It was only the first day of school after the holiday, but he was even more bored than before. Or you could say, he hasn’t moved on from what happened before.
It felt like yesterday when the old man took his last breath in that chair, and at the same time, the nurse exclaimed in surprise they rose from their hiding place. It was a confusing and awkward situation. But they were able to quickly explain it briefly (plants and discoveries and coincidences at night) to the nurse, and help the old man be moved from there.
The ambulance had already been called and was parked by the side of the road. The unconscious old man—when carried by Seokjin on his back—was laid in it and taken to the hospital. The nurse only then told them.
"Since a month ago he was hospitalized because of his worsening heart disease, and he was asked to be hospitalized because no one could treat him. Poor old man, always alone after his wife left because of his illness. He used to go to the greenhouse every day, a place where he can get calm and cultivate his body. But because he is being hospitalized, we only allow him to come every Friday. Strangely, every time he comes back from that place he always says that he feels like someone is guarding his greenhouse. As if angels take good care of the plants."
They thought that the old man had seen them priorly. But to think of them as angels was too much.
Then, after the old man's funeral was passed, they were told that the greenhouse would be demolished, no info of what the place would be used and where the plants would be placed now.
But Taehyung hasn't been back there since then. Even more so, Seokjin as well. They just talk to each other via phone, only meet on their cinema nights, and Seokjin doesn't have time to hang out outside that.
He sighed. But below, in the passageway beside the field, he found the guy he had been looking for.
Immediately he ran out of the classroom and down the stairs, waiting around the corner as fast as he could.
Taehyung leaned against the wall. Clearing his throat softly when Seokjin and Namjoon finally passed by. Of course, the two of them are together, the student council member and the final year representative student, on the way to their meeting.
"Namjoon, you go ahead," Seokjin says, and Namjoon shrugs, saying that he won't interfere.
He learned that Namjoon knew about Seokjin and him since a long time ago, that's why Namjoon's behavior was often seen in Taehyung's eyes as if he could read his mind, and it's all crystal clear now.
"It's okay, hyung, just a moment," said Taehyung. Then he turns to Seokjin. He only started: "Hyung, after school ..."
Seokjin is already nodding his head. "I also want to meet later."
It made him smile happily.
"There's something I wanted to show you," this time Seokjin whispers.
“Okay, don't take Namjoon hyung along,” Taehyung deliberately said a little loudly to tease Namjoon, who immediately frowned at him muttering 'what the hell', and they both giggled.
Seokjin finally left again after he pinched Taehyung's cheek.
That afternoon, no need to wait long in front of the gate, Taehyung felt his shoulders being embraced from behind. Seokjin appeared and gives him a frown. "What? You said not to take Namjoon along but you took Jimin with you."
Jimin, who didn't know anything, was offended. "I didn't ask for it, hyung."
"I asked him to accompany me to wait," explained Taehyung.
"Ah. I'm kidding Jiminie, let's go home together."
Their friends found out in the end. Starting with Namjoon and Jimin, who knew it directly from the source, then between the circle of these close friends, there was no way crucial news could not spread quickly, so on that weekend the day after the old man's departure, everyone more or less realized something was going on in between the two of them. The majority's reactions were: 'of course' and 'I think I’ve seen it coming’ . Save for Jungkook whose literally had no idea.
And Taehyung is grateful that nothing has changed so much since then. Only he and Seokjin need space every now and then to do their kissing session.
Just like this time, they were only three close friends that went home together around their neighborhood. But Jimin parted ways with them in front of his house, and Seokjin took him to his own house.
"This came home this morning," he said, pointing to the two objects beside his door. Cut neatly with bright colors. Two pots of Chalk Live Forever, as Seokjin told him afterward. "Sent in the name of Lim Jaehan."
There is a letter. However, the writing was written by the nurse. It talks about the old man's will who wants everything in the greenhouse to be donated to the city garden, but he also mentions the angels who live in his greenhouse and how those angels take care of his greenhouse well. The nurse gave it to thank them for their help and a symbol of the longevity the plant has given.
"You can take one home," says Seokjin.
Taehyung noticed that the plant’s shape looked like a rose. "Hyung, how about your botanic notes?"
"Oh, that? I still have it. I don't know what to do with it."
"I thought of something."
"Want to read the book again?"
"No," he said. "Building a greenhouse sounds fun."
Seokjin laughed.
"Hyung said you wanted to be a botanist!"
"We'll see, okay," he said, then kissed his forehead. "See if you manage to grow this one in a year first."
Taehyung looked around, luckily there was no one. "Hm, getting bolder." It makes Seokjin pinch his cheek again. "All right, one day."
"One day."
--