Fallen (Taekook)

CH 2 - Sleepless

1990's - New York City

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Taehyung and Jimin were sitting towards the back of an uncrowded movie theater. The two friends were watching a movie about a widowed man trying to raise his young son and a woman ditching her fiancée as she tries to meet the widow. Jimin found the story kind of creepy, but Taehyung thought it was sweet. There was only one other couple in the theater with them, and the two angels frequently turned to watch them instead of the movie.

"They seem so in love," Taehyung whispered to his friend. "Look at how they keep kissing rather than watching the movie." Taehyung had turned into a romantic during the many years that he'd been on Earth. While there were plenty of times when the humans were cruel to each other, he chose to focus on the many examples of human love and kindness. He was fighting a losing battle against the forces creating chaos and destruction in this world, and it had been weighing heavily on him. So he found an escape in going to the cinema, especially to see romances.

"I wonder what it feels like to fall in love like that?" Taehung asked his friend. He wanted to feel like that some day. He wanted someone to love, maybe like what Namjoon and Jin felt for each other. He wanted someone to hold his hand and whisper sweet things, like the couple in the theater.

Jimin looked over at his friend and saw a wistful expression on his face. He entwined his hand in Tae's and brought his hand up for a kiss. It was a sweet gesture aimed at making his friend feel better. Jimin knew that his time spent on Earth watching the humans had taken a toll on Taehyung. Throughout all the human strife, he was amazed that Tae remained so pure at heart. His friend was always full of love, and Jimin admired him for it. He tried to fill Tae's heart with the love from a best friend, but he knew that ultimately it was not what Taehyung wanted.

They watched the end of the movie and were both happy-crying at the romantic ending. "I told you it was a sweet movie," Taehyung said. The two friend walked out of the movie theater and were greeted by a beautiful, warm summer day. "I want to take you to get my new favorite drink." The two wandered up the street, not noticing the stares they received by passersby. After many millenniums with humans, the angels were oblivious to the effects they could still elicit.

As they walked, a small bird landed on Jimin's shoulder. He was used to this kind of thing, as he was beloved by all of the animals on Earth. Taehyung smiled as he looked over at his friend. Jimin was a beauty, but never saw it in himself. As they continued to walk, more animals started following. At first it was a stray cat, then another couple of birds flew behind them, followed by a small dog, and even a raccoon abandoned its raid of a garbage can to join the procession. The pair were starting to attract too much attention on the street as they headed up to Broadway.

"Jiminie, can you do something about your menagerie?" Taehyung wondered if his friend noticed how creatures flocked to him. It was certainly obvious to others on the street. New Yorkers normally have a high tolerance for strange sights and tend not to pay attention to such things. But they had passed several people who were stopped in their tracks, blatantly staring at the angels and the creatures following them.

Jimin turned around and spoke to the animals. "Friends, it is always good to see you and I really appreciate your love. However, it might be best for all of us if you all would disperse." He smiled and waved goodbye as the animals scattered. Turning back to his friend, "Is that better?"

"Thank you. We don't need to attract more attention than normal. You never know what could happen." Taehyung secretly wished that humans would treat him with similar deference, but that rarely happened. Most of the time humans were either afraid or in shock when he was nearby. Occasionally humans would develop crushes on him, and he thought that was adorable, but tried not to encourage it.

The two approached a new coffee shop with a green awning. Taehyung smiled as they walked in and smelled the aroma, while Jimin wrinkled his nose at the burnt smell. They walked up to the counter and Taehyung ordered, "Two grande mochas please, extra whip." Tae then turned to Jimin smiling, "You're gonna love it. It's so warm and sweet. I've gotten addicted ever since this store opened up."

A couple minutes later, the barista handed the two angels their coffees. The two friends sat at a table and sipped the drinks in silence for a minute. Taehyung looked up at Jimin expectantly and watched as his friend took another sip. Jimin smiled and licked the whipped cream from his top lip. "It's good...sweet, with a little bitterness. I can see why you like it."

"I've become addicted to it. Sometimes I come by here a couple times a day." Taehyung smiled thinking about how much he liked the café. "I watch people come in and hurry out with their drinks, while others come in, sit down, and read books. It's a great place to watch humans."

"You've spent a lot of time in this city. Are you going to explore other areas soon? I get worried when you stay in one place for too long." Jimin worried about his friend becoming attached to familiar things. With their job, they really should make the rounds every so often. Nowadays, he was constantly hopping from one place to the next. The animal kingdom was suffering numerous losses from environmental damage caused by these humans. Jimin was constantly trying to help, but too many species were dying out all at once.

Taehyung thought back to when he first came to the New York City. He had heard of a new art scene burgeoning after the second world war. When he arrived he found numerous painters creating abstract art. He mostly stayed around the City during the following decades as new art and music scenes were developing. Of course he visited other places too, but he always was drawn back here.

There were so many art museums and galleries around the city and huge parks. Plus the population was so diverse. There were people from nearly every country on Earth all living within the 300 or so square miles that made of the metropolis. Taehyung never got bored here. And it felt comfortable being here. He could be anonymous and observe without causing trouble.

Taehyung sighed as he glanced over at his friend. "It's kind of pointless to go elsewhere. Chan is always messing things up. I try to create peace in one place, and his gang stokes a war somewhere else." Taehyung had become disheartened by his job during the 1940's when he struggled to stop the atrocities that were occurring in Europe and Asia. Currently there were several wars going across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Once he stopped one fire, another one began. A part of him felt like giving up.

Jimin held his friends hands in his smaller ones. "I know it seems like you never make headway, but imagine how bad it would be if you stopped trying altogether? Even if you just make small changes, it's worth it. Think about the couple we saw today and the love they had for each other, which only intensified with your presence. If you inspire more love between humans, Earth will definitely be better for it."

Taehyung finished the last of his mocha and smiled at his friend. "You're right Jiminie. I need to stay positive. I've just been stuck in a rut, but I'm willing to change. Any suggestions on where I should go?" He would keep trying, even if it sometimes didn't seem worth it. "Maybe I could find a new art scene somewhere?" he thought to himself.

"Where haven't you been in awhile? You stayed in Europe for the first part of the century and then have been here for the second half. Maybe you should go to Asia? Or you can go with me to Australia. I need to help Yoongi with the coral reefs down there." Jimin smiled at the thought of seeing Yoongi soon. Not that there was anything romantic between them, but he did enjoy his hyung's company.

"Isn't that where Yoongi is? I don't want to be a third wheel." Taehyung looked skeptically at his friend. Even though Jimin wouldn't admit to feelings for the older angel, he suspected that they were more than just colleagues. It had been well-known for several millennia that Yoongi had a crush on Jimin. In the early days, Yoongi relished creating new environments, just so Jimin would need to join him to help the animals diversify.

"I want you to come. I like your company and haven't spent enough time with you. After Australia you can go to other Asian countries and maybe inspire some new art communities." Jimin really did want Taehyung to stay with him for awhile. Not only because he missed his bestie, but he was worried about him and wanted to make sure he was doing alright.

Taehyung looked up at his friend and grinned, "Ok, I'll come. But I hope they have mochas down there."  

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