Wild For You

9. Ditching Dal

Taehyung was usually a late sleeper, but he noticed that every time Namjoon stayed overnight that he was not. This time was like every other. As Taehyung opened his eyes slowly and stretched out his limps, he noticed that Namjoon was already up. However, he was engaged in an activity that he usually wasn't. Normally Namjoon would be up humming beats to himself and trying to write lyrics down. This time though Namjoon was currently talking to someone on the phone. Since Taehyung was curious, he got up and wandered closer.

"Great. See you then."

Namjoon had just hung up when Taehyung reached his side, inclining his head to the side inquiringly. Namjoon couldn't help but to chuckle at the look on Taehyung's face.

"I'm putting the plan into action," he said. "While you slept, I called all five of the names written on the slips from last night. I have them arriving at the store in half hour intervals throughout the day today with the last one arriving at three thirty."

Taehyung felt as if his stomach was doing somersaults. There were so many things that could go wrong and so many things that could go right. He knew that he and Namjoon had made this plan, but now it was going beyond words. Namjoon could see that Taehyung was nervous, reaching out a hand to pat his head.

"I'll be right here with you. No worries," he said. "All we have to worry about is getting rid of Dal since you don't want him to know your secret."

Dal had yet to return. Taehyung cast his eyes to the clock on the wall. It was almost ten in the morning. Maybe Dal wouldn't reappear at this point until after their plan. However, if Dal returned in the middle of the plan, it could cause a whole slew of problems.

"If he doesn't appear before the first person arrives," said Namjoon as if able to read Taehyung's thoughts. "Then I'll come up with some sort of backup plan. I'll..."

"I'm home," said Dal as he entered; Namjoon immediately stopping mid sentence in talking to Taehyung.

Dal entered and looked at the two of them. He looked extremely tired. Taehyung was sure that - if he was given the opportunity to - he could sleep the whole day away.

"How was everything while I was gone?" asked Dal as he walked himself over to the stove to fix himself some tea.

"Absolutely fine," said Namjoon with a smile.

Dal wasn't a dumb man. He could tell there was something hidden within Namjoon's tone that he wasn't voicing, turning his head to look at him.

"Did something happen while I was gone?"

'If only you knew,' thought Namjoon as he kept the smile on his face, shaking his head.

"No, everything was fine while you were gone, Dal. Are you alright though?"

"I'm fine. I will be anyway," said Dal. "I tried to come back as soon as I could."

"Well, you still look rather worn out," said Namjoon. "How about you rest and Ember and I can run the bookshop?"

"Don't you want to go home?" asked Dal. "You've been here all by yourself for a while."

"I'll be fine. I want to do this for you," said Namjoon.

Dal was quiet. His eyes went from Namjoon to Ember who stood surprisingly close to Namjoon's side. Ember didn't usually take so kindly to strangers. He was wondering what had happened while he was gone. His brain was still all in a fog though from everything that happened the previous night. Dal trusted Namjoon so he just nodded his head. He wasn't about to argue.

"Alright. Just come wake me up if you need anything."

"Yes, Dal. I will. I promise. We have it all handled. You get some rest."

"We? Since when have you and the tiger been a team?"

"Just never mind. What you ought to mind is getting some rest," said Namjoon.

Even though Dal had agreed, Namjoon still saw that he was a bit hesitant about going to lay down and rest.

"Seriously," continued Namjoon, noticing the clock above the stove indicated it was only a half hour until people started showing up, "I've got this. I want to show you that I'm the right pair of hands to hand this bookshop and Ember to. Trust me and just relax today."

Dal let out a sigh, nodding his head as he looked at Ember who stood near Namjoon. He had never seen the tiger looking so content.

"Alright, I'll see you both in a bit then."

Without another word, Dal picked up the tea he had just made for himself during the conversation and moved to go lay down. Luckily - in recent years - Dal had built on a new edition so he had an enclosed bedroom for himself so that he could have privacy. As soon as Dal disappeared behind the door, Namjoon went over to his emergency duffel. He had it stashed near the couch for nights he stayed at the bookshop. He rooted around inside it until he found some clothes, digging out a white sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

"Alright. Let's get ready for our plan...." Namjoon said softly as he walked back over to where Taehyung was still sat by the stove. "If this works and one of those people is your key, you're gonna want clothes. You can't be walking around in your boxers."

Taehyung didn't argue. He felt like he was going to get sick though as he listened to Namjoon. If this actually worked and he was human again - even if for a little while - he didn't know what he would do with himself. He hadn't ever expected that this would happen to him. He followed Namjoon out into the closed bookshop, following him through the aisles as he made it to a section out back that had a bench where patrons that wanted to loiter for a bit could sit and read. Namjoon grabbed up the blanket there, shoving the clothes underneath before nodding his head towards it.

"Lay here on the bench. I'll parade the people by one at a time."

Taehyung hopped up onto the bench, laying down as Namjoon grabbed up another blanket, draping it over him.

"Hang on to hope, my friend."

'Friend,' thought Taehyung with a soft smile as he watched Namjoon wander off.

He hadn't had a friend in a while, and certainly not one as amazing as Namjoon. Taehyung let out a soft sigh as he adjusted himself so that he was laying as flat as possible; his head between his paws. Now came the waiting. Even though he was dreading how long it would be, it wasn't nearly as long as forty years. At least he was good at it by now.