Work Text:
"5:53
From: Tae <3
I really don't know what to tell you right now. I’ve given it thought and… I really don't know how to go on. I've tried everything, i've tried to get help. Nothing worked…
Except you. You kept me alive for longer. Being around you was more beneficial than any meds or therapy i've ever tried. You've helped me through it all, I truly cannot thank you enough.
I know you’ll go on for longer than I could, you have to.
We’ll meet again, right? I’ll wait for you, ok?
I love you forever. Goodbye, Kai, my love <3 “
The number of times he's reread that message was unhealthy. He could recite it by memory at this point. Not ideal, to have your best friend’s goodbye letter engraved in your mind.
And every time he glances at the clock at 5:53, it's like a daily reminder that another day has passed that he's been without his best friend. Another day since his best friend of 5 years committed.
~
Kai read the message over again,
"We'll meet again one day...Bullshit" He sighed as he set his phone down, sitting up on his bed to face the window.
he looked over at the clock
5:30
He looked back over to the window, looking up in the sky, thinking back to little memories he had with his friend. He thought about all the times they’d sat out in the rain, talking as the rain decorated them in cool water drops. He thought about when they would climb the tallest tree in his backyard to watch the sunset or sunrise.
It's been exactly 1 year since he's thought about climbing that tree again.
He got up from his bed, left his bedroom, and walked out his front door and to the tree.
So many emotions came back just from looking at it. It was like he could see Taehyun running towards the tree to climb it. A sad smile creeped onto his face, wanting nothing more than to truly see him once more.
He finally managed to walk to the base of the tree, grabbing onto the branches and pulling himself to the large one they would always sit on, the one where so many of Kai’s best memories were made.
Sitting himself down, he glanced at his watch.
5:40
He bit his lip softly and tilted his gaze upwards, trying to keep the tears from spilling.
"’s only been a year...exactly 1 year..." his voice was shaky.
"It feels like it's been an eternity without you. Without being able to hear your voice, seeing your smile, waking up from your 2am calls" he looked down, no longer caring about the tears that rapidly poured out of his eyes
"I miss you, Tae..." his voice cracked.
"I don't know how much longer...I can do this"
Not wanting to think about it anymore, he went to climb down.
Until he heard a voice.
a voice he thought he'd never hear again
"Where ya goin'?" he heard from beside him.
Kai froze. It couldn't be him. No way. No logical way could that truly be him.
He turned around, locking eyes with...
"Taehyun..?" he said quietly
"Yes?" the boy responded.
"No.. you're not here..you're not..." Kai scooted back cautiously
he caught a glimpse of the time on his watch
5:50
"No... no...i know you're not here.."
Taehyun laughed "No, I'm pretty sure I'm right here with you"
It couldn't be him...he had to be dreaming, right?
Right??
Kai reached out his hand, to which Taehyun grabbed immediately, locking their fingers together.
He could feel the other’s hand, he could see him, he could hear his voice...
"How... How can you be here? It’s… you’re…" he was breathless, speechless.
"magic" Taehyun responded with a light giggle "nah I'm just kidding"
Kai looked at him, confusion washing over himself.
"Alright. I'm bored. " the shorter stated, before pushing himself down to the ground
Initially, Kai panicked. that drop couldn't be landed safely.
"cmon!" he heard from the bottom
Kai looked down to see...clouds?
he looked down at what he was sitting on. it appeared to be the top of a carnival ride, a carousel.
he jumped down, looking at the ride in front of him, taking in all the shiny gold color he was seeing.
While Kai was still admiring the ride, Taehyun grabbed the other's hand again.
Kai looked over, meeting the boy's eyes.
“C’mon! I wanna go on the ferris wheel.” Taehyun basically pulled Kai behind him, dragging him to the ferris wheel in the distance behind them.
And what do you do when your dead best friend randomly appears? You go along with everything and don't question anything. Because why would you want to waste extra time with your loved ones with stupid (logical, reasonable) questions?
Finally they reached the ferris wheel, sitting down in a cart, pulling the metal safety bar down over their laps. The cart was just barely big enough to fit the both of them while still leaving some wiggle room.
The ride started on its own a moment later, and Taehyun wiggled his way under Kai’s arm to lay on the younger’s chest. The fabric of Kai’s hoodie was soft against Taehyun’s face.
“It’s nice, isn't it?” Taehyun looked up at Kai, who seemed to be caught in a daze.
Kai jumped slightly at the sound of Taehyun’s voice, making the latter giggle.
“Yeah… It is..” Kai rested his head on Taehyun’s.
“Hey..” Kai’s voice was barely above a whisper “I’ve missed you.”
Taehyun nuzzled his face against Kai. “Missed you too, Hyuka”
“I.. uhm.. Where are we?” Kai asked as the ride stopped at the top, revealing a beautiful view of a colorful forest in front of them, the clouds thick below them.
Taehyun shrugged his shoulders. “It’s some limbo between the living and the dead, a place you can meet with those in another world than you”
“Like heaven?”
“Kinda, I suppose. I call it neverland. Thought it was fitting”
Kai nodded, not that he fully understood, but he didn’t really need to.
Taehyun continued, “‘Been waiting for you up here, y’know?”
Kai raised an eyebrow, prompting Taehyun to explain further.
“I’ve been waiting for the right moment to come and find you. Thought today was a good time.”
Still confused, Kai nodded again.
“So… will I see you again?”
Taehyun wrapped his arms around Kai. “‘Course you will!”
“Will it be another year?”
Taehyun smiled. “Maybe, maybe less than that.”
Kai was content with that answer.
The wheel started its way back down, the pair remained silent. Comfortable silence.
Once at the bottom, they exited the ride.
Taehyun wrapped an arm around Kai’s shoulder. “I suppose this is goodbye for now. I’ll be back soon, I promise”
Taehyun turned to face the younger
"Brace yourself.." was all he said before they fell through the clouds
Strangely, Kai didn't feel afraid.
He felt calm and peaceful, like nothing had ever happened to his best friend
Just before they hit the ground, Kai closed his eyes, squeezing Taehyun’s hand that rested over his shoulder.
He jolted up from where he was seated on the tree, feeling dried tears on his cheeks, the sun still hadn't fully gone down.
A small note was left in his hands.
“ I’ll be back, my love.
Taehyun “
Kai looked at his watch
5:53