faint ; tomorrow x together

■ 13: comfort ■

────────────── No One's POV ──────────────

"Where are you going?"

"To the park. I'll be quick"

As soon as Ki Chul read Taehyun's message, she is out running to the park. When she reached, she sees Taehyun sitting at one of the benches. She runs toward him, panting when she stopped.

"That was fast"

She looks up at him with a light smile. "You called for me"

He patted the seat next to him for her to sit, and she did as instructed. Once she has calmed down, only did she take a good look at Taehyun. Red eyes, runny nose, and tear-stained cheeks. He was even wearing a hoodie to hide his messed-up hair.

"What happened?" she gently asked, only to receive silence.

Taehyun had his head down while staring at his lap. He flinches when he feels a hand remove his hoodie and pat his head.

"What are you doing?" he asked

"Fixing your hair. You look dead" she chuckled with Taehyun lightly laughing along, happy that she was able to lift up the mood a bit.

"Again, I'm not pressuring you to tell me anything. But always remember that I'll always have a shoulder for you to cry on. My ears are wide, and my mind is open"

Taehyun thought for a while. "I can trust you, right?"

"Of course! I mean the 5 of you told me your secret, and I haven't told anyone. My lips are sealed"

Although hesitant, Taehyun just knew that he can trust her. He took a deep breath. "I don't know if you know this or not, but I have a stepmom. My real mom left us years ago. I gave up looking for her when dad remarried."

Ki Chul was shocked by this information. She didn't expect it to be like this. "I'm so sorry" she continued to comfort him.

"Its not your fault. Also, don't get me wrong. I love my stepmom very much. She acts like a real mother to me. She's the sweetest person I've ever met, more than my real mom"

Ki Chul sighed in relief with this one. "Thank god. I thought its some kind of Cinderella story"

Taehyun chuckled. "Its not. She's very kind and caring to me and to others. Its just that... when I fight with my cousins, my parents always side with them. I can get sensitive and talk back at her... pulling the 'you're not my mother' card. Honestly, I don't know what hurts me more; them siding with my cousins or me hurting my stepmom's feelings?"

"So I'm guessing that you fought with your cousins during dinner, your mom sided them instead of you, you got sensitive, you talked back, and you ran away from home?" Ki Chul asked

"Its not technically home, I live with the boys"

"Taehyun, the place live in with the boys is your house. But home is where family is. Anytime, anywhere. Remember that, okay?"

Taehyun was struck by what Ki Chul said, and just nodded his head.

"Anyways, is my guess about what happened correct?"

Taehyun nodded again. Ki Chul took a breath to think for a sec after receiving his response.

"You know, I do believe that everything happens for a reason. It could be intentional or by fate. Even by doing the most useless thing in your eyes right now can build something else in the future. Like you said, your stepmom is kind and caring. I'm sure that there is a good reason why she defended your cousins"

"There is..." he whispered loud enough for Ki Chul to hear.

"What is it? What did you fight about anyway?"

"Well... they insulted my skills in the company, saying that I'm not smart enough. I got offended, and I talked back at them"

"By talk back, do you mean... curse at them?"

Taehyun slowly nodded, finally realizing it.

"Well, first of all, I don't know your cousins so I can't compare you to them. But you are the smartest person I know. You're also the smartest in your group, and that's all that matters, right? Because you brain is an important asset to your group. But, on the other hand, we need to work on your manners. Knowing how savage you are, we need to work on your sharp tongue and to practice containing your savageness. You should know when and when not to use it"

Taehyun nodded for the nth time tonight, processing what Ki Chul said. "Thank you... for being here tonight"

"No problem" Ki Chul said before giving him a comforting hug.

Taehyun could feel something throughout the hug. It was very comforting that he melted in it, and it made him feel at home. He can't really pin-point it. It was not like a romantic feeling, but he could feel some kind of weird connection with her.

'she's acting like mom'

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ki chul being inspirational here~