time diplomat | kim taehyung ✔

| Trust Me |

"—Sarah's boyfriend. He was mounting off about me and I got so pissed because it felt like my life was ending. I felt unwanted, frustrated, lost, and I needed to take it out on someone. But, that's not me—it was a glitch. I'm not that type of person." 

"You don't have to tell me more if you don't want to. I—I'm not forcing you, Tae." Astra cleared her throat and looked over to Taehyung who had his head hanging low. His hand swiped through those pictures that she took of him crying and singing his heart out in the karaoke room. He was obviously not focusing on his meal so Astra just pushed herself forward from her seat and snatched the device away.

"Finish your plate first. Then we can do the next thing."

"Okay, mom . . ." Astra didn't want to push him—just like you wouldn't go around asking a homeless person to tell their tragedic story so that you can determine whether they deserve your charity or not—she didn't want to make him feel more guilty. 

"I don't want to talk about it. But, I want you to trust me completely—"

"Ugh! I do trust you. What do you mean?"

As Astra's mobile beeped, she pulled it out, earning a glare from Taehyung. 

TERRY:

I didn't find any trace of Yeonjun yet. I'm gonna visit the historical branch and talk to a friend from the time patrol if you don't mind.

ME:

Sure. But don't let the boss know anything pls.

TERRY:

;)

The key to my dorm will be under the doormat. Pls don't stay out for long—the weather is getting real bad now. B careful.

ME:

I don't have any plans of coming home right now.

TERRY:

Wut? Y???

ME:

Idk. As long as I'm not done, I won't be returning.

"Astra?" Taehyung called out to her, now wiping his lips on the tissue paper and he nodded to her plate that still looked untouched. "Who's it? Your boyfriend, eh?" He rose his eyebrows and widened his eyes as she laughed. "Nah, man. I don't have one yet."

"Oh? That's pretty weird. I bet you got many dudes behind you though?"

"I never looked behind me though so I really didn't know." Taehyung scoffed and laughed at her—one by one, the customers in the diner left, making the waiters sigh in relief as their work reduced a little. 

Astra stood up and pulled out her wallet, picked up the right amount along with a tip, and handed it to a waiter who was eyeing them for a while already—Taehyung's puppy eyes followed her. "I feel guilty for not paying. You paid for the karaoke room too . . ."

Oh, boy. If only you knew that I could feed my next five generations here with my one month's salary. 

"Hey, are you having fun along with me?"

"Obviously, I am."

"Then that's enough. C'mon, we probably still have a lot to do."

He paused, not moving from his seat. "No . . . I feel like I'm being trouble to you. You—You listened to my rants too without expecting anything back from me."

No, no, kid. You are my next month's salary!

Astra sat back down, reaching out her hand to hold his cold one over the table, and slowly caressed his fingers. "If you're carrying it, I will too . . . Don't you think a few rings will look beautiful on your hands?"

"Wha—"

"I know our next stop! Come on, Tae!"

_ _ _ _ _

Sarah gave up on trying to call Taehyung. Her hands were shivering as she slid down the railing of the hospital. Matt was just inside—getting his chin treated along with a few broken teeth. She had a few ideas on why he wasn't picking up his phone—ranging from hope to her worst fear.

1. He's ignoring her because most of the time, Taehyung was grumpy but being the sweetheart he is, he will call her back.

2. He blocked her number and doesn't want her in his life anymore and has moved on with someone new.

3. He's probably dead—naturally or suicide.

Sarah rushed to his Instagram account, texting him the same messages over and over again. His newest pictures all had the happy vibes that he once gave her when they went for bike rides at night. 

Her mind was clouded with their best moments—from cooking together to running around the lake with Sarah's little nephew who they treated like their own child.

Maybe he's never coming back?

Maybe this was the end she deserved for breaking an innocent heart?

Maybe Matt was never good to her and she made a mistake leaving Taehyung behind like he was nothing?

Maybe . . . She'll have to forget it all and go back to how it was before?

No.