❝Oceans Within Us❞ || Taekook

5~

Two summers later, Taehyung's legs almost buckled at sight of a more muscly and attractive Jeongguk. His body was more toned, buffed and most importantly, he carried himself in a strikingly confident way.

By that time, Jeongguk had been actively helping in farm work already, specifically in harvesting. It could explain why he's much sinewy than Taehyung who didn't have a single athletic bone in him and did nothing at home but focus on his studies.

Jeongguk surprised him with a tree house of his own making. They spent most of the days there, holed up in their exclusive little haven.

There had been times when the temptation to kiss Jeongguk was too strong, and Taehyung could've sworn that there was a lot of sexual tension between them but he could've just been imagining it.

He wasn't sure if Jeongguk felt the same way about him and he'd rather kept his feelings to himself than break the precious bond that they had.

That summer would have been perfect if not for the unfortunate passing of Dalha, the old woman who was the Kim family’s cook and villa caretaker for 38 years.

Despite medications, the complications of her health put her to an eternal rest, much to the heartbreak of everyone.

“Hyungie, where do you think people go when they die?”

“I d-don’t know.” Taehyung wiped his tears with the back of his hand, lifting his sight from the wooden floor of their tree house to Jeongguk’s form in front of him.

The younger was staring outside through the small window, hugging his knees to his chest in silent devastation.

Taehyung only got to be with Dalha during summers but Jeongguk lived everyday of his life with her since he was 5.

She might not be biologically connected to Jeongguk, but one doesn't have to be blood-related to be considered family.

She was family.

“There are oceans within us. They're vast and deep and endless… until they /end/." Jeongguk whispered, his voice cracking. "She once had endless possibilities, hyungie. She was an ocean… now she's nothing at all."

It's crazy to think that no matter how seemingly infinite in its vastitude an ocean is, it has to have an end someday too.

It's crazier how when people pass away, they'd be gone— just like that. And all they'll ever be is a fleeting memory that you won't be able to relive again.

"Gukkie it's okay to cry." Taehyung scooted closer to the younger and wrapped his arms around him. Not long after, he felt wetness on his neck and heard the sound of Jeongguk's broken sobs.