Eternally (In the Way) | Taegyu

Part Seven

"Careful." Heeseung grabbed Taehyun's arm as the younger boy collapsed onto the armchair back at the TXT dorm. "Did you text Yeonjun hyung's parents that you guys got home safely?"

"Yes," Taehyun sighed, curling up on the seat cushion. "I'm sleepy."

Heeseung smiled, fondly patting the top of Taehyun's head. "Go to bed then, Taehyun ah. You're debuting in two days. You deserve some rest."

"Bed's too far. I'll sleep here."

"You'll get a neck cramp," Heeseung laughed. "Here, I'll give you a piggyback ride. To your bed or Beomgyu's?"

"Beomgyu's, please." Taehyun drowsily clung to Heeseung's back as they made their way down the hallway.

"I still wish you were debuting with us," he mumbled, voice muffled by Heeseung's shirt. "We could've been a perfect family of five."

"Ah, don't say that, Tyun. Everything happens for a reason. I promise we'll perform together on stage one day."

Heeseung dropped Taehyun into Beomgyu's bed before quietly leaving the bedroom.

Taehyun rolled over, snuggling up to Beomgyu. He frowned when the older boy moved away. "Gyu?"

"Don't touch me."

"What?"

"Don't touch me!" Beomgyu sat up, throwing aside their covers as he climbed out of bed. "Just leave me alone if you hate me so much."

Taehyun followed him out the bedroom door and into the hallway. "Beomgyu, wait-"

The older boy spun around, facing Taehyun with teary eyes. "I knew you still wanted him."

"But I didn't do anything!" Taehyun cried. "What are you talking about?"

Heeseung glanced at them from the kitchen, his winter jacket half on his shoulders. "Uh, what's going on?"

Beomgyu's face hardened. "Taehyun still wants to debut with you instead of me. It's fine, though. You'd make a better addition to TXT anyway."

"Beomgyu! I meant I wished he was debuting with all of us."

"You said five, Taehyun. A perfect family of five."

"I didn't mean to; it was a mistake! We're always talking about five this, five that. I just got confused for a second!"

"Yeah, right." Beomgyu grabbed his jacket from the closet.

"Beomgyu, he's my friend."

"I know he's your friend."

Taehyun gritted his teeth in frustration. "Then why are you acting like this?"

"Doesn't matter. I might've wanted you, Tyun, but I sure as hell don't need you."

The younger boy scoffed, crossing his arms. "You always do that. It says a lot about how you see me."

"Do what?"

"You copy Heeseung hyung's nicknames."

Beomgyu's face flickered with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Tae. Taehyunie. Tyun. You only started calling me those after hearing Heeseung hyung use them."

Silence settled between them.

Beomgyu slowly shook his head. "I'm done. I don't care anymore. Sleep in my bed; do whatever you want. I'll be at the dance studio."

"Gyu, wait-" Taehyun uncrossed his arms. "I didn't-"

He watched in shock as Beomgyu disappeared from sight.