Needing A Spring Day

16. Welcome Home

I missed you

Taehyung stared over his shoulder, watching as the train he had just departed disappeared around the bend of trees. After the other passengers had already made their way to their cars and headed their separate ways, Tae remained on the platform, his eyes taking in the beauty of the world he hadn't been able to touch in what felt like forever.

Thick snow covered the ground, bringing a sense of sadness to Tae's heart as he remembered the day of the incident, the air at the time barely hinting that winter was just around the corner. The sun still shared its warmth during the day, and nights were somewhat tolerable. But now, feeling the frost pinch at his exposed skin and breath dance before his eyes, it was all too apparent just how much he had missed out on.

Taking a step forward, Tae looked up and down the tracks before stepping down off the platform. Not knowing if or when someone was scheduled to pick him up, Tae wanted to take advantage of what time he had left in the beautiful outdoors.

His feet disappeared in the white frost as he moved closer to the tracks, his balance wavering with every uncertain step. Although his shoes did close to nothing at blocking out the cold liquid now nipping his toes, he didn't care.

With the barren trees no longer holding snow on their branches, it was evident winter was fading. While he had been stuck between four cement walls in the south, his favorite season had come and gone, barely giving him enough time to fully enjoy the cold.

He was always looking forward to this time of year, anticipating when the first flake would stick to the ground and surprise him when he woke to a white world by morning. But in the blink of an eye, it was almost over. The season was starting to melt before his eyes, and wouldn't return for a long while.

Dropping down to his knees, Tae pressed his bare hands against the cold rail, a small vibration still pulsating from the train in the distance. Closing his eyes, he leaned down and pressed his ear against his hands, remembering the many times he and the group had spent their days at the old station back home.

He could practically hear their laughter and see the sunset from where they sat on top of one of the boxes cars, waiting for night to come before evidently parting ways. Although the trip home was the time he feared most, the fun beforehand made it bearable.

That was the one thing he couldn't wait for. To hear their voices beside him and laugh along with their stupid jokes seemed like the most beautiful dream imaginable. He had spent far too many nights forcing his mind to remember the little details he never thought mattered, like how tiny Jimin's hands were or how Yoongi always seemed to hold conversations with his eyes closed.

After taking a breath, Tae found his footing once again and centered himself in the middle of the tracks, the view in the distance capturing his heart. If only he had a camera, the scene before him would be captured in a heartbeat and saved as a memory for a lifetime.

"Fresh air smells nice, right?"

Tae looked over his shoulder at the tall boy leaning against a pole on the platform, a smile visible on his lips.

"It's a little cold, but I don't mind," Tae replied, returning the expression as he squinted through the bright sun rays. "Mind if I borrow your phone real quick?" He asked, draping his arms over his head in an attempt to block out the blinding light.

Without responding, Namjoon dropped down from the platform and carefully crossed the bed of snow until he reached his friend. Before answering, he reached forward and pulled the younger boy against his chest, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "I demand a hug first," Namjoon responded, patting Tae's back and fighting back a tear when he felt the younger hug him in return.