Lonely Clowns.

and, a happy new year ~

"and while you sleep, i'll be scared
so by the time you wake
i'll be brave
i'll be brave"

- i will / mitski

Kim Taehyung, you're a cheater!

Taehyung speeds past Jimin on his skateboard; eyes glinting in the sun as he turns to look at the other. Jimin hates it. This, what it does to him; Taehyung's hair blowing over his forehead in the crisp October air; a shit-eating grin on his face as he promptly yells back at Jimin.

Nothing personal, birthday-boy!

All for pie, Jimin mutters. The deal was simple. Jimin's birthday (he was turning fifteen); his mother's (amazing) pie- and they would race each other for the last piece. At least, Taehyung would. Jimin just wanted to win.

I WILL KENDO YOUR ASS, Jimin declares, shooting tiny pebbles from the back that keep missing Taehyung.

Aw Jiminie, we didn't discuss that yet, Taehyung teases, skidding to a halt in the distance. Jimin rolls his eyes.

Don't make me come over there.

Taehyung extends his arms at Jimin. Open invitation! He winks with both eyes, before setting off again.

Several heads turn to look at the fun, including some girls Jimin recognizes from school. Taehyung waves enthusiastically at them, raging his front wheels, crafting neat circles as he goes.

Show off, Jimin curses under his breath, skating to Taehyung's side of the lane. It's an instinct, is all. Nothing much. He just wants to block their view. They're too social, he tells himself.

Too pretty, you mean, his mind remarks in a snide comment, but he ignores it.

He needn't have worried at all. For Taehyung, clumsy as he is, eventually trips over a tall slope, falling flat on his face by a hedge. Jimin sighs, teasing finally giving way to immediate concern. He skates along the boundary, careful, to come pick Taehyung up.

Okay, hold this... He extends a hand. Taehyung nods gratefully at him, reaching out. But instead of hoisting the boy up, Jimin finds himself pelting down beside Taehyung with an almighty crash. Damn it. It pissed him off, he's about to give his best friend an earful, but when he looks to his side, Taehyung has erupted into a fit of giggles, his expression too soft, too pure.

Too... taetae. Jimin feels his heart melt into a puddle.

AISHHHHHH, he eventually screams and gets up, smacking Taehyung on the side of his head. The other continues to giggle, making zero effort to shield himself.

I'm going to report you, Jimin deadpans.

Arrest me, officer- Taehyung pulls up both his wrists, a serious expression on his face. Jimin nods, equally serious, and ties his muffler tightly around Taehyung's wrist.

You think this deserves pie?

Please, sir! Taehyung beams, ducking to catch a glance of Jimin's face. Jimin refuses to look at him (he's not angry. his heart will burst)

You lost fair and square.

I just fell.

Ah, falling... Jimin thinks. He wants to talk about the falling. Not today, he tells himself.

The day never comes.

...