Work Text:
You’re here once more, like a parasite
Tai sat up groggily from his bed that feels like quicksand, his bedside clock displayed 5:09am, it’s different today, Tai never woke up early on command. He always reached school just in time for the security guard to hate him enough to close the gate early once.
Tai remembered something painful in his dream but can’t seem to recall it, maybe he’ll think about it on the way to school. Though his body was sluggish and tired, he couldn’t bring himself to go back to sleep so he decided to go out for a walk.
The air outside was still cold from yesterday’s rain, the daisies outside his home at the park slowly dripped dew onto the grass. He walks further towards the park right across his home. There are already people awake and tiredly getting up for breakfast, everyone walks past each other in silence and Tai remembers something.
But Tai decided to shake the feeling out of his head and soon reached the park pavement. There’s a young woman standing by the pond, an elderly couple running alongside each other. Among a big field of white daisies, there lies a singular yellow dandelion in the middle.
Tai wonders what it wants to say to him
He stood by that flower patch and kept staring at the dandelion in particular.
Tai remembers. Tai remembers Rejoice gifting him a dandelion once for his birthday. Right after that was all a blur, was Rejoice healing from something?
Then he felt someone brush against his back, he turned to look over him and sees Rejoice walking off. Did he want to see if Tai would chase him again.
Tai wanted to fall into his manipulative sadistic arms once more, but can he take the pressure?
“REJOICE!” Rejoice visibly froze in his tracks not really expecting Tai to actually man up for once. He looked back and waited for Tai with expectant eyes.
“I’m sorry”
“You did this to yourself Tai, I’ll see how this goes before leaving”
—————————————————————
How did we fall? We were so close.
Let’s go from the start, Im not putting years dawg
New school new batch of people Tai will need to find a way to make a friend. Really Tai wasn’t the most likeable person, his ego and his pride really weighs him down and drives others away. Tai felt like a friend to everyone but himself, he never had a loyal friend, one who stayed til the end, but it’s just like that, fine.
A friend to everyone is a friend to no one.
Sitting at the back of the class he already knows not many things are going to go good. The guys were rough and the girls were absolutely vicious, Tai wasn’t going out unscathed, in school btw. But there was one very yellow person sitting at the side of the classroom as if sun was shining on him like the chosen one, he looks like a social butterfly, first day and half the class both guys and girls are already constantly surrounding and gravitating towards him. Tai hated those kind of people, nothing personal, it’s just Tai’s ego.
Tai found out his name was Rejoicin but he asked everyone to call him Rejoice. His name sucks, matches his personality, the way he looks is also weird, long yellow hair in a lazy short ponytail, one of his eyes were red and the other was blue but they both looked dead. That only Tai seemed to notice. But Tai failed to notice Rejoice stealing glances towards him.
The teacher recently changed their seating arrangements, and out of everyone the bum ass teacher could’ve put beside Rejoice, it just had to be the one person who is lowkey annoyed with this sunflower. Tai sat at the seat closer to the window while Rejoice was at the aisle seat, how convenient for all the chatter.
Tai was looking out at the window trying to find a reference to sketch, he had a sketchbook full of little doodles to shadowed everyday things to fully detailed body anatomy. He used to be open about his sketchbook until people found him weird for drawing other random people, which Tai would mindlessly draw, he still does but just less now and he doesn’t show his sketchbook to anyone anymore.
Rejoice was a pretty, prettyyy good reference to draw, from his hair volume to his unique facial features, to the way he carries himself. Tai believes that in art you can always find out someone’s personality if you inspect the art hard enough, expressing emotions and stories through his, Tai has always been his pride. A lot of people always told Tai his art carried something monotonous that they can’t seem to figure out, he Tai carries that pride that only he himself knows.
Before Tai knew it he was already sketching out an outline of Rejoice’s hair, then his face, then his side posture and jawline. He draws him with only pencil but uses his blue and red pen solely to colour his eyes, and that’s how he conveys emotions in his art, clearly highlighting certain features of something, mostly things Tai sees has light.
While colouring in the irises, Tai looks over to his reference looking..at him…? Tai flinches and pushes the sketchbook nearer to the other edge of his table but doesn’t hide the page. “Is that me?” Rejoice asked in a curious tone instead of the harsh one Tai expected coming, but in Rejoice’s defence he seems nice to everyone. “Who else does it look like?” Tai sarcastically stats in caution (tsundere🥺). “Do I look nice? I think I look nice too!” … oh this bitch isn’t nice, he has an ego larger than Tai himself. “Are you looking at yourself? Not only do you have an ego as big as your heart, you’re also fucking ugly as shit brah” Tai looks at Rejoice in disgust as he takes in more of Rejoice’s smaller more detailed facial features and mentally notes to add them in for later. “Well you’re drawing me so I’m gonna assume you find me pleasantly attractive to look at!! >_<” Rejoice cheerfully countered and before Tai could retaliate, the bell rung for break.
Almost instantly a wave of people quickly surrounded Rejoice’s table, thank the teacher for once doing something good and giving him the aisle. Rejoice turned to him and gave a cheeky grin before getting up to lead his group of followers, Tai almost wanted to chase him down, almost.
Instead of following everyone else towards the canteen to eat, Tai stayed put at his seat and continued sketching Rejoice and adding the extra facial features. Before leaving out the classroom door, Rejoice took one last glance towards Tai and saw him continuing his sketch, and smiled behind his back.
The finished drawing had a calm resting facial expression, a hunched back and head propped up lazily with the both of his hands, jawline is sharp but soft towards the edges. His hair had a red amongus clip, wait what, Tai didn’t even notice the accessory it was just mindless drawing or ‘copying’ someone and putting it on paper. The clip looked stupid, Tai thought it looked ugly, maybe he would ask Rejoice why in the right mind would he have it and even wear it to school.
Rejoice finds Tai’s emotions and expressions entertaining and interesting. Rejoice wants to keep him to study, what does it take to feel so human and normal. Tai feels like an always angry and grumpy cat, Rejoice loves that type. He wants to break his walls and make him run to him just like everyone else. Is it selfish? No it’s just power in the hands of wrong intentions.
For the rest of the school day, ever since Rejoice came back from break, it was almost as if a switch in him got flipped. Because now he kept trying to pry into Tai physical and mental space, but he isn’t falling so easily to his tricks.
Tai knows what Rejoice is trying to do, want him another one of his followers to exploit for favours and homework. Rejoice doesn’t even need it, he could sleep for lessons on end and still ace exams. That was something Tai easily discovered and got frustrated about.
Tai seems more open to sketching around Rejoice just so that they can banter with each other. With Rejoice constantly ‘fixing his art’ and Tai making Rejoice lowkey look chopped.
“Where’s the colour”
“I dont use colour”
“You do”
“Only for certain things”
“Do you like my eyes?”
“No they just very obviously stand out”
“You like them”
“Can you shut up”
“Are you making me bald on purpose”
“Have you heard of drawing other parts later”
“You’re purposely making me look chopped, you’re not slick I’ve seen your works of me before, you hated my guts”
“You’re annoying btw”
“That’s what I do best”
Rejoice caught the hand flying down aimed to the back of his head.
They still sit together even when they’re noisy, whenever their teacher tries to move Rejoice or Tai somewhere else far from each other, Rejoice acts even worse. Disrupting everything around him in protest as he always desperately wants to annoy Tai and see his sketches. He also enjoys watching Tai calmly drawing, just in his own quiet place. Rejoice often likes to break into it though.
Rejoice hasn’t been this amused when with everyone else, how ironic that out of everyone that he could have as a ‘friend’ , he decided his favourite was the one person who loathed him. But maybe that made it more fun of a challenge.
—————————————————————
Paranoid thoughts
Rejoice has been trying to constantly disturb Tai especially during class hours or when Tai is locked in on his sketches. He is getting impatient with Tai, how long is he going to take to give in to Rejoice, he also gets annoyed and cold when Tai draws anyone that isn’t him. Rejoice himself doesn’t know how he isn’t bored from Tai already, half maybe because he is like a cat with a ticking time bomb, and other half Rejoice doesn’t know. He keeps having excuses to stay closer to Tai, Rejoice hasn’t really felt this feeling before, he doesn’t know what to do with it. But Rejoice is having fun and that’s the most important thing to Rejoice so whatever, he’ll question himself when the time comes. It’s a future problem.
Tai doesn’t want to admit it, that even though he knows Rejoice’s tricks and intentions, sometimes he gives into them and plays his game with him. The fact that he takes whatever sketches that aren’t about him to destroy is just rude, Tai doesn’t know why Rejoice is like this, it confusing him a lot. Especially on how insistent he is to sitting with Tai, abandoning his group of followers to annoy Tai, hanging out with Tai after school hours to annoy him on the way home, why’s he acting like he cares for Tai. Tai doesn’t want to submit to Rejoice though, his pride won’t allow him to do so. Tai knows that Rejoice’s pride wouldn’t allow him to give up on Tai so easily, but something deep down tells Tai he doesn’t want the game to end so quickly.
Despite Rejoice being constant annoyance he makes Tai feel less lonely, he has always been with Tai since day one. Until now Tai still wonders what Rejoice finds so interesting about him.
Tai has always been loyal, it’s just that no one has been there long enough to see that. Rejoice seems to notice. Recently Rejoice has been hanging out more with his group of followers and it’s quite obvious Tai is lingering behind, but no one seems to notice his presence but Rejoice himself. Whenever Tai is noticed by Rejoice they would lock eyes and Tai would turn around as if he wasn’t going their direction.
Rejoice wants something that most probably would make Tai loathe him for the rest of his life but it’s so tempting. Rejoice wants, no needs to be in control. Tai is just the perfect subject.
Tai hasn’t been well, he feels separated and paranoid. Rejoice’s eyes look more dangerous each day. Rejoice comes up to him just to snatch away his sketchbook and throw it back at his face, running away and laughing. Tai knows it’s not normal, Rejoice isn’t normal, he’s insane. But Tai still feels drawn to Rejoice like a moth banging its head toward light sources.
—————————————————————
Rainy after school
It was late, Tai had finished off his art club activities quite late. He left the club room. He looked towards right, then to his left to see Rejoice’s face up in his personal space. Rejoice has been doing that for weeks now so it didn’t surprise Tai anymore.
Rejoice swung a hand over his shoulder and started dragging him out the school, they kept bantering constantly even on the way to the foyer.
Tai looked up at the heavy rain outside as he tried prying Rejoice away from him. “I didn’t bring an umbrella” Tai solemnly spoke. “Awhh poor Tai needs to walk in the rain, I would love to see that sight~!” Rejoice cheerful expressed as he tried pushing Tai nearer to the rain. He jumped up like an actual cat as a drop of rainwater splashed onto his arm. Rejoice doubled over laughing hysterically while Tai stomped over to him to let out his anger in punching Rejoice’s ugly face.
Rejoice held out a yellow umbrella with red and blue sloshes painted across it, it fit Rejoice. Tai thought.
Tai snatched it out of his hands and grabbed Rejoice’s arm harshly before opening up the umbrella and dragging him under it with him. “WOW I’d never thought I would actually live til the day Tai actually cares about me !!” Rejoice teased as he started poking Tai as if he was an angry crocodile. “Shut the fuck up Rejoice.” Tai hissed at him as Rejoice pulled him closer under the shade and dragged him out to the pouring rain.
Tai never really noticed that after Rejoice walked him home he would turn to the other way to walk back from the way he came. “Why are you walking me home?” Tai asked confused as they walked on their usual path home. “We do this all the time no?” Rejoice answered in his usually teasing tone of voice.
“But like why waste your time? How far even is your home from mine?”
“Firstly because i want to annoy you more! And secondly its in walking distance, why? You wanna come over~?”
“Fuck no I was just wondering”
“You’ll always be welcome to come visit me if you want”
Rejoice said that normally.
Tai looked at him once then looked away, he didn’t notice Rejoice tipping more of the umbrella’ shade over to Tai’s side. Tai would hate Rejoice if he let the rain get to him. Unusually he doesn’t want Tai to hate him THAT much. CANT have Tai getting sick now, he’d be so bored at school so that’s one reason to shield him more.
Rejoice can always kidnap Tai over if he keeps resisting!
“See you tomorrow Rejoice. I really don’t get what our relationship is now but um it’s ok now I guess, thanks..” Tai looked away and started heading into his building. “Sure Tai, sure.” Rejoice walked towards the direction of the dull sun.
—————————————————————
Rejoice what was got into your head?
Everyone had soon started accepting the fact that Tai gets ‘special treatment’ from Rejoice, it’s so obvious to the point people started backing off. Some people can’t even get 5m near Tai before Rejoice comes over to linger around his personal space. Whenever anyone asks Rejoice about it, he always says the same lines. Tai being easy to ragebait, having fun poking an angry cat, more entertaining when hes a loner and only has him for company. Rejoice knows Tai is getting close, getting used to his presence, always expecting him somewhere near.
Rejoice likes Tai
He’ll make sure he’s the only one Tai can turn to.
Tai only needs him anyways
It’s not toxic if it’s both a win-win
Rejoice thought as he continued staring at Tai sketching beside him.
It wasn’t cruel right? Rejoice wouldn’t care whether Tai liked it or not either way. He is the one in control here.
Rejoice sticks near Tai every second and misses him when he’s nowhere to be seen. He gets irritable whenever Tai isn’t around. To maintain his image he sticks to Tai as much as he can, using that as an excuse seems to work on Tai at least. Though Tai is oblivious and stupid, he knows more than what normal people would. Rejoice is always amused when he is reminded of the fact Tai knows Rejoice’s true intentions, yet still stays too close. Rejoice wants to be everywhere Tai is, maybe even his own home.
Tai is such a funny character, what is he even clinging onto?
—————————————————————
What is Tai supposed to think?
From the corner of his eye he sees Rejoice still staring at him, every single day every single second, the teachers had long given up on scolding Rejoice, he gets good grades anyways he doesn’t need the teacher’s yap.
It’s starting to unsettle Tai with how much Rejoice seems obsessed? With him? He’s with him everywhere and always goes out of his way just to stay with Tai, he doesn’t know if Rejoice is bullying him or is just obsessed. Rejoice still constantly insults Tai yet is always up in his face and giving him shit. Tai is beyond confused. Though he knows what Rejoice wants, it gets to a point it isn’t casual anymore.
Rejoice wants control over Tai because he finds him a fun toy to play with, but Tai didn’t expect Rejoice to stay for so long, making him feel like he actually mattered to Rejoice. He has so much control over his little group of followers and admirers yet he chooses the one that hates his charm the most.
He thinks Rejoice wants control over everyone, does he find his defiance amusing? Well it’s too late for that thought, they were long into their ‘friendship’ already, they are both used to each other’s presence and they both know it. They just cant ever bring themselves to admit it though.
Tai doesn’t know what he wants to do with knowing Rejoice, no matter how much he tries distancing himself from Rejoice, life seems to love bringing them together. So much so Rejoice doesn’t even need to try. People give way to them in hallways, pushing them together in groups. Teachers partner them together and make them work, or maybe because Rejoice doesn’t cooperate when he isn’t with Tai.. Rejoice follows Tai, forces Tai, forces people to force Tai, pushes Tai, grabs Tai, provokes Tai, fights with Tai, all to get to Tai, to break him and push him to his limit.
And maybe Tai likes it that Rejoice only ever focuses on him. Wait no that’s weird, Tai you can’t say that.
——————————————————
What? Is he at fault for loving differently?
One tired afternoon Rejoice threw a paper ball against the back of Tai’s head as he walked out, Tai was suspicious so he unraveled the ball and saw Rejoice’s majestic handwriting. ‘Meet me at the green house ;) now.’ Tai looked up at Rejoice staring at him from outside the class, with an unreadable expression on his face before walking away expecting Tai to follow behind.
Tai left his belongings in the classroom and rushed out to the greenhouse closely behind Rejoice, Tai feels like a lost puppy.. It’s Rejoice’s fault for making him like this.
It was the late evening and the sun was setting early, Rejoice stood looking towards the direction of the sun. Tai almost thought Rejoice wasn’t there because he blended in with the sun’s glow, there was a sunflower standing tall next to Rejoice as well. Tai stood there staring at Rejoice, he has long known how majestic Rejoice could look, but right now with the sun with the glass reflection with the sunflower next to him. He couldn’t tear his eyes off the sight.
“Damn do I look that good~?” Tai woke up from his trance to see Rejoice looking at him, he didn’t notice Rejoice turned back, he was too focused and frozen in time. “N-no! I was just looking at the sunflower, I’ve never actually been in the greenhouse before..” Tai tried weakly defending him as a soft smile spread across Rejoice’s face. Why was he smiling so beautifully, how is Rejoice so beautiful. “Tai you really have changed to love me don’t you~” Rejoice laughed helplessly but this time Tai kept silent, he didn’t know what to say.
“Tai I like you, I want full control over you, I want you to only look at me, I want you to always run to me. Tai I know you love me just as much as I do. I don’t think you need me to force you.” Oh what a strange feeling, it seems like Tai has never truly understood or known Rejoice. “Rejoice.. I- No. Rejoice y-you’re crazy I’m not gonna submit to you just for your pride! A-and you’re fucking disgusting you’re so weird!” Tai said those lines before he registered what he was saying, Tai loved Rejoice, what was stopping him? Pride?
“Tai you’re a bastard you know that? You’re a coward that can’t face his own fuckass feelings-“
“WHAT FEELINGS BRO?? Feelings for you? Do you truly believe I do”
“Maybe you once did, but your pride is doing things to you”
“Our pride doesn’t make us a good match Rejoice.”
“WELL I DONT CARE ABOUT THAT CRAP”
“I-I’m leaving”
Tai hesitantly left Rejoice standing there alone in the same position
The sun was setting then
——————————————————
The sunflower was out of the picture
Tai went home alone that day, walking along the path felt lonely without Rejoice’s gaze. His chatter kept him company and reason to retort. They would play fight every day til the bell rung. Classmates and teachers would sigh helplessly at the sight of incoming banter. Everyone would recognise the sources of noise and chaos coming their direction.
That night Tai took melatonin to force himself to sleep while Rejoice stayed up looking at the moon, he wanted the sun to come back up and embrace him warmly. Rejoice was deadpanned and still has a trace of anger left in his posture. Rejoice didn’t want to talk to Tai anymore, he will make Tai regret every decision he made and will make his life a living hell. It wasn’t Tai’s fault really but they both blamed each other for unknown things.
Tai dreamt of someone yellow standing amongst a field of bright sunflowers, the sun was at its peak making the petals shimmer lightly. The person was leisurely holding a dandelion in their hand and reached out to Tai to give it to him. Tai couldn’t help but to run up to them, but when he was just about to reach them, he blinked and the person vanished, leaving a squashed dandelion on the ground. All the sunflowers pointed towards Tai from all directions and the sun started to burn. Tai shouted a name he couldn’t recognise and woke up.
The next morning Rejoice avoided Tai completely, he was at least 10m away from Tai and stuck to his group of followers, everyone was skeptic but didn’t dare question after seeing a glint in his dead eyes. During class Rejoice would put his full attention into listening, that even the teacher eventually asked both Tai and Rejoice if they had something going on.
Both of them didn’t answer.
Rejoice noticed Tai going back to his usual quiet and gloomy state he was in before meeting Rejoice.
Rejoice was more colder and dead now without Tai occupying him, Tai noticed that.
They crossed by hallways constantly, life moved around them, it kept pushing them back together but their pride wouldn’t let it. Their pride bypassed their wills and fate itself. Yellow seemed to clash with black anyways right.?
Tai soon adjusted back since he experienced it before, every year people left him, it was normal, Tai was used to it and now Rejoice had the same fate as the rest of Tai’s friends. And again just the same it was Tai’s fault, Tai was the problem, he always knew he was better off alone yet still caved into Rejoice. Tai is hopeless.
Tai could no longer bear to draw Rejoice’s face. He also recently discovered his sketchbook got stolen by Rejoice but Tai didn’t have the energy to confront him. Tai bought a new sketchbook and stopped drawing random people, he stuck to drawing himself, alone, quiet and lonely.
It’s okay Tai would say, he always did nowadays.
Rejoice’s tears stained the pages in Tai’s sketchbook as he held it tightly wrapped in his arms, the pouring rain out the window silenced his gentle tears. Rejoice would never allow himself to desperately cry for anyone, Tai especially didn’t enjoy it.
——————————————————
New found hatred
To cope with his overwhelming feelings, Rejoice started picking on Tai whenever they were alone or sitting side by side in class. Tai knew why so he never fought it til it hurt. It started with verbal insults, then he would disturb Tai constantly when he was trying to focus, then he scribbled on his sketches, and that’s when Tai broke. They would have bloody fights which left both of them to land in the medical bay but Rejoice was always stronger than Tai, not noticeable though, he’s just slightly faster and swifter than Tai, though Tai has good reflexes.
For a year they went at it like this back to back, they ignored and avoided the problem constantly, never thought of resolving it. How many times will pride bring them down?
They were two sides of the same coin, both prideful in their own complex ways, pride is what brought them to their downfall. Rejoice still stays up looking through Tai’s sketchbook, and Tai still takes his melatonin pills then gets dreams about Rejoice.
Tai is scared of Rejoice, he always was but never admitted it. Those cunning red and blue eyes staring daggers into the back of his head. What would he know though. Rejoice seems like a saint to everyone, though he doesn’t pay attention in lessons he answers questions and gets good grades, modelled by teachers for other classmates to follow. Though Rejoice is sometimes cold, he’s a social butterfly that is open and friendly with everyone that comes along.
Only Tai knows how sick and twisted he can be, doing whatever it takes for Tai’s attention, that’s why he gives into Rejoice so easily, maybe half being for Rejoice’s satisfaction. Rejoice is strong physically, he has people to back him up, he has reputation, he has his good looks, he has a good image. Rejoice guilt-trips Tai, sweet talks him, annoys him til he can’t take it, has eyes that stare into Tai’s soul, basically every type of manipulation tactic that makes even Rejoice’s silence a threat.
Tai should be happy he was gone.
Rejoice hates Tai. He was pathetically dumb and oblivious, he lacked common sense yet knew what Rejoice always wanted. He was a obedient dog but a dog can’t learn every trick in the book. Rejoice enjoyed how much Tai chased after him but he didn’t actually do any good to Rejoice. Tai was annoyingly stubborn and an egoistical bitch. Tai had walls built up so high you can’t see the top, but just give him one praise and all those walls crumble to dust. They might as well just be for show. Rejoice should move on with someone else to play with. Tai wasn’t all that fun anyways.
Rejoice doesn’t care.
———————————————
Seasons change all too quickly
Tai never even noticed how fast the year flew by and how all his sketches became sadder with time. His world went back to its dark and monotone state, he fell back into routined rhythm without hurry and it felt weirder this time. Things he considered normal were now all hard to do without company. The teachers have long changed their seats after multiple complaints and defiances from Rejoice. Tai stayed silent throughout his banter. Maybe Tai wished things were different.
Rejoice was barely seen anymore, he was seated at the other side of the classroom away from Tai, he was constantly outside of class with his now group of ‘friends’ He never stayed in the classroom with Tai during breaks anymore. He also constantly hung out with his group after class leaving Tai alone in his art club. They both left school at different times so that they wouldn’t run into each other. But why bother, their homes were opposite directions either way. Rejoice never looked over at Tai, not even once, not even to his direction. A part of Rejoice wants to see Tai’s eyes sparkle at the sight of him again. Though again he could never admit it. Did Tai even think of Rejoice at all now? Rejoice wishes to know.
They had exams coming soon, there were many non-academic events needed to be planned as well. There was a school festival coming up, their class planned to make a haunted house. Tai was assigned for costume and props while Rejoice was in the team for constructing the horror themes. Luckily they worked very separately and didn’t run into each other’s way at all.
Tai never handled with cloth or felt a lot but learning to do so was fun and relaxing, they assigned him to it mostly because of his art which connected to creativity, if that made sense to him.
After everything was completed, it was time for testing and since their classmates wanted drama they made Tai and Rejoice go into the haunted house first. With all the actors in position, components ready and set, they entered through the dark curtain at the door. They stood away from each other at different sides of the room but stood side by side, or more like side by opposite side.
Tai gets deathly scared very easily so he tried to stand a little behind Rejoice, not wanting him to see the fear in Tai’s face. But Rejoice just has to know everything about him so he always slowed to match his pace and walk at the same level as him.
It was so amusing that Rejoice may just bashfully admit he is once again excited to see Tai squirm. Rejoice smugly and very shamelessly turned his head to look at Tai’s face. Tai flinched when he noticed and whipped his head the other way almost instantly, even going further away from Rejoice.
A zombie actor violently jumped out at Tai from underneath a desk and Tai’s yell echoed throughout the whole room as he fell to the ground. Rejoice burst out in laughter and fell to the ground with him in a fit of obnoxious laughs. Tai smacked Rejoice’s head on instinct without hesitation, before silently retracting his hand from hitting Rejoice more and moved away from him with a solemn expression. Tai continued moving forward leaving Rejoice behind still laughing hysterically. Rejoice glanced at Tai and stopped laughing, quietly going up to follow behind Tai. Was Tai regretful? Rejoice won’t lie that smack felt good, no one dared to hit Rejoice but Tai, especially being hit that hard on the head.
Tai flinched again at a loud bang that came up front and froze in his tracks. He turned around to Rejoice with a salty and exasperated face. Rejoice smirked at Tai, strode forward and as Tai was getting ready to turn around and quit, Rejoice harshly grabbed his wrist and pulled him along with him to the source of the noise. Tai thrashed at Rejoice, desperately pulling away from his hold.
Rejoice thought he was dramatic.
Both of them still stubborn and petty, still stayed silent throughout so far.
Met with Rejoice’s ‘insist’ Tai was forced to push through. And Rejoice would burst out in laughter when seeing Tai’s fear, he would purposefully push Tai to walk first just to see it. Tai forgot how Rejoice’s genuine laugh sounded after so long, when they were still side by side, though violent, they would always go back to each other at the end of the day. Rejoice hasn’t been this amused in so long, he forgot how warm he felt when Tai was around, looking at him or head down in his sketches.
When they reached the end of the haunted house, Tai smacked Rejoice’s back hard without regret. “Oh Taimc you’re still the coward I know of!” Tai glared at him and Rejoice fell down once again laughing hysterically. Tai’s angered expression didn’t stay for long as he looked at Rejoice eternal face card. Tai laughed along with Rejoice on the ground. Everyone around them stared but they both didn’t seem to notice.
Rejoice was Tai’s sun
Tai was Rejoice’s escape
———————————————
Are you going to drown soon?
Tai’s work been piling up. That school festival was supposed to be a preparation for the real stress to come. He has many major exams coming up which means extra work from the teachers and everyone around him was busy drilling knowledge into their brains so no one to help him. Tai has an art competition which dealine’s soon coming to a close. Rejoice didn’t talk to him after that day, Tai doesn’t know if he should be disappointed or relieved. He sighed in exasperation and closed his eyes for a hint of sleep.
Tai was in the art club room still busy with his art pieces. He laid his head on the table and soon fell asleep, he hoped the club teacher would wake him when it was time to leave.
As Rejoice was passing by the art room, he noticed Tai through the very wide open door. He looked exhausted with dark eye bags disguised as shadows. Rejoice had nothing to do anyways so since he was curious and bored he walked in. Taking one quick glance around the whole room, everyone had left except for Tai and teacher as they had their clearly left behind laptop on the teacher’s desk. Tai’s head was laid on his multiple unfinished artworks, there were stationary and art supplies crammed across the tiny table. It seems like Tai had taken a small turn to abstract art. Each and every material that were on the table were clearly being used in all the artworks he was leaning on. Rejoice considered taking a picture of Tai for blackmail.
Tai unconsciously shifted his head constantly, showing discomfort. Rejoice’s impulsive thoughts won and he took a quick pic of Tai then grabbed a nearby chair to sit down closely next to Tai. He gently lifted his head to lean on his shoulder and Tai moved closer to a more comfortable position. Rejoice could see his eye bags even more clearly now.
Rejoice didn’t know what came over him, he hated Tai but here he was, in the art room, sitting next to Tai, purposely had Tai’s head lifted to rest on his shoulder, AND he stayed there, and enjoyed the peace. They were never one for peace yet this change felt needed, with all that’s happened and what more that is coming, it would be a nice reset in tempo.
Tai seemed to be having a bad dream, he started crying silently on Rejoice’s shoulder. He doesnt like seeing Tai cry, for someone with the same ego as him, he was very fragile. Rejoice starting stroking his hair, softly soothing him, his black hair was silky and oily.
He continued the motion til Tai stopped crying and he felt himself slipping into sleep as well, if the teacher sees them they’re doome-
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I never noticed
Rejoice woke up to the door being pushed opened, he forgot he had closed it. The teacher came in and immediately noticed them, the teacher wanted to say something but upon seeing Tai’s peaceful slumber, closed her mouth and motioned for Rejoice to talk with her outside.
“Rejoice, you and Tai haven’t been getting along with each other for so long, Tai’s in a bad state now so it’s surprising seeing you here.” The teacher sighed in defeat recalling the moments Rejoice would pick on Tai constantly after that falling out. “He looked like he needed that..I dont care about him though, dont expect me to help a loner like him, its different now” Rejoice effortlessly talked back to the teacher, knowing they’re used to it by now. “I just hope that maybe you too can at least clear something up, Tai’s sad really, though he looks the same as before.” The teacher looked back into the room at Tai. Rejoice went back into the room and took Tai’s pencil case for his head to rest on. “Dont tell him I was here” Rejoice left afterwards.
The teacher decided to wait a while before waking Tai up.
Some soft sunlight covered half of Tai’s face as the teacher softly woke him up by poking his shoulders. That was the best sleep Tai had ever had in a long time, he doesn’t remember sleeping on his pencil case though, maybe the teacher shifted him. “Go home, I need to lock up soon” Tai nodded and gathered his things hurriedly. The teacher took one glance at Tai before deciding it wasn’t worth it.
Tai forgot to bring an umbrella, it was raining heavily outside, if Rejoice was here..
Tai ran home in the rain and was absolutely drenched.
Rejoice was always there for Tai when he forgets to bring his umbrella for the millionth time. Rejoice was always there when Tai needed help with his studies. Rejoice was always there accompanying Tai when he was alone after school. Rejoice was always there talking to Tai and keeping him sane. Rejoice had always been there.
How could Tai have been so hateful to forget about all that.?
Tai always trailed behind Rejoice a few meters back even when he was with other people. Even when deep into his sketches he would still entertain Rejoice just enough for him to leave with a satisfied smile on his face. Whenever Rejoice was angry or annoyed Tai would drive others away from him so that he could have some space. Tai just let Rejoice bully him because he wanted him back.
How could Rejoice let go of all that.?
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Rejoice reaches out just one last time
Back to the present, Rejoice tried to clear his mind by going to the park that was near Tai’s home, he hoped maybe something divine would help him overcome it. He can’t get Tai’s disgusted expression out of his head. He noticed Tai looking some flowers but stopped at the singular dandelion. Actually Rejoice kept one for himself and gave the others to Tai. After their falling out he planted that dandelion that lone night.
The small unwavering flower still looked vibrant yellow and bright.
Maybe he could crack his pride just this once. Rejoice walked closer along Tai’s back and brushed it faintly enough for Tai to notice. He walked past not looking back to see if he would catch up to chase him. Rejoice doubted Tai would run after him again-
“REJOICE!”
He froze at that. He hasn’t heard Tai say his name in a while now. Tai’s voice also cracked when he yelled, Rejoice thought it meant something, just for a second. Rejoice looked back nonetheless, masking the desperate expression on his face replacing it with an indifferent smile. Tai took a deliberate step forward and Rejoice quietly waited for more. Tai started to run over to Rejoice and crashed into his arms, Tai sobbed as he hid his face in the corner of his shoulder blade.(idk crying scene)
Rejoice looked down on Tai but seeing him like this was complicated.
“Stop crying. This is the second time I’ve seen you like this, and dont even ask when the second time was”
“R-rejoice.. please, I can be better please”
Rejoice didn’t say anything, he pushed him away and pulled Tai’s wrist forward, guiding him out of the park. “Your home’s nearby right? I’m letting myself in” Rejoice said with a deadpan expression. Tai still had some water along his eyes as Rejoice pulled him back home.
They reached Tai’s room and Rejoice sat himself down harshly onto the bed with his arms crossed. He was waiting for Tai to make the first move. Rejoice saw Tai’s hands shaking and scoffed as he looked away. Tai tackled Rejoice so they were both lying down. Tai cried ugly into Rejoice chest, Tai grip on Rejoice’s shoulders weren’t strong but it was persuasive. Rejoice stroked his hair gently, he indeed did miss Tai just as much.
They stayed that way til Tai fell asleep to exhaustion, face pressed against Rejoice chest still. But Rejoice didn’t leave, he stayed put still caressing his hair and even pulled him closer, he closed his eyes and they both succumbed to the dream land.
——————————————————
One last chance
Rejoice dreamt of Tai skating on a big ice lake, the sun was setting into a beautiful dusky orange hue. Tai had a pure white coat on making him look like a white majestic swan in the water. His white skates had daisy patterns all across, and instead of his usual signature crown, Tai wore a flower crown made out of dandelions, daisies and sunflowers nestled neatly on his head. When Rejoice laid his eyes on the flower crown, he made his final decision to chase Tai once more. He stepped onto the ice but miscalculated his step and fell straight back on the ice. Tai turned his head to the noise and from a calm neutral expression quickly shifted to an amused smile and a loud hearty laugh.
Instead of getting mad Rejoice smiled even brighter.
Tai dreamt of being in the art club, he was trying out watercolour sketches, trying to manipulate the brush as if it was a dull pencil. Rejoice was leaning against a wall beside the window. He gave a bored expression before his eyes lit up to some realisation. Tai didn’t notice and that gave Rejoice the best opportunity. He dodged all the other scrambling art club members and when he got to Tai’s table he knocked over his and brush openly, even making sure Tai noticed it was him. He gave a smirk and ran out before Tai could register anger. Tai ran off chasing him after some lag, the teachers and students sighed at the usual sight. Rejoice ran all the way down to the greenhouse, leading Tai along hoping he doesn’t suspect Rejoice of anything suspicious. Rejoice turned the corner and Tai followed closely behind and as he bursted into the doors, Rejoice grabbed Tai into a bear hug from the back. He might as well be suffocating him with how hard Rejoice was hugging Tai. Tai turned to look at Rejoice’s face, instead of throwing a tantrum he faintly softened just looking at how beautiful his smile was. Tai whipped his head away from Rejoice, trying to hide the red blush creeping up to his face. Rejoice let go from Tai and went in front of him to see his expression, before Tai could defend himself Rejoice exploded in loud giggles once more.
Tai couldn’t bring himself to hit Rejoice at this moment.
They woke up in each other’s arms, eyes both soft and content. Tai hugged Rejoice a little tighter and Rejoice reciprocated just as desperate. “Tai, no matter what happens, you’ll always end up in my arms, you get that? Come over my house tonight won’t you~” “Fuck you Rejoice”
They both ended with a smile on their face and reassure looming over them.
Maybe they aren’t the best match
Maybe they aren’t really ready for the future
But they know that their flowers will flourish with companionship
The wither rose faced the sun with might
And the sunflower continued shining just as bright
“When we get back to school what will we do?”
“I’ll poke the little kitty and laugh when you try to hit me”
“Sounds fair”
They actually looked at each other this time, and they won’t let pride get in the way of them