Wait

Headaches, Tickle Fights and Dinner

"The world is not a wish granting factory."~ John Green, The Fault In Our Stars

Despite the cold breeze traveling gently through the vacant park, ruffling Taehyung's hair and sending a shiver down his spine, he felt at peace. Staring up at the dead tree branches with a dark grey sky as a backdrop, he closed his eyes a moment, thinking over a quote he'd read earlier in his favorite book "Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you." He opened his eyes to see Ji Soo, the girl from their fan sign weeks ago, they'd kept in touch and after the events of the previous day, he needed to talk to someone about everything. She smiled, somehow causing Taehyung to smile in return "hey.. You made it." She nodded, sitting beside him on the bench "of course I did. What's wrong?" He stared ahead, unable to face anyone since Yoongi's words were etched into his mind "I can't do it anymore... Yoong knows. He found my medicine, and he figured it all out.." She gasped, instantly patting his back "what did he say??" He smiled sadly, staring down at his hands "a lot. But every word he said is true. I don't deserve to be friends with any of them... Especially Hoseok. I've done nothing but lie... And hurt them." She pulled him into a hug, shaking her head "don't say that. It's not true, they love you. They're your friends!" He let out a quiet sigh and pulled away, wiping his tears away "yes they are, but I don't deserve to be." She ruffled his hair, smiling gently "V oppa, you're doing what you think is best. They're going to get hurt no matter what. It doesn't matter if you leave the group, or.. Die..." She sighed, continuing "you do need to come clean before it's too late. They deserve to know at some point.." He nodded, frowning "I need to get better first. I don't want them seeing me sick..." She nodded, standing up slowly "and you will. Come on, let's go somewhere to cheer you up oppa!" He chuckled, standing as well and tucking his hands into his coat pockets "actually, I think you should meet them. You've been a good friend, what do you say to dinner with them?" She smiled widely, nodding happily "I would love that!! Just text me what time. Oh I think my mom just pulled up.." Taehyung grinned, patting the young girls head "go on, I'll see you later okay?" She nodded "ok. Thank you!"

His eyes never left her retreating figure as she slowly disappeared around the corner, small snow flurries falling around him. He closed his eyes, emptying his mind from his fears and sorrows, letting them fall like little snow flakes 'Yoongi knows. I don't deserve to be in the group. Halfway there, less than a month and a half to go. You can do this Tae. Just act happy. I have plenty to be happy about despite my situation, start acting like it!' Eyes cracking open gradually, he smiled gently at the sun slowly emerging from behind the gloomy clouds. He felt peace wash over him, and he turned around in the direction of the dorm. He pulled his cell phone out and called Hoseok, the line only rang twice before his boyfriend answered "Tae?" He smiled, happily saying "hey hyung. It's snowing!" He heard a chuckle from the other end, and smiled wider "hey can you check with the others and ask if they want to go out to dinner tonight with my friend?" Hoseok hummed "sure. What friend?" Taehyung shivered from the cold a moment "her names Ji Soo, she's thirteen. I met her at a fansign... She's really sweet Hobi.." He heard the other laugh quietly "fine with me. I'll check with the others babe, where are you?" Taehyung looked around, reading off a street sign he passed. Hoseok spoke again "ok I'll meet you in a minute I want to play in the snow with my Taehyungie~!" He cheered, causing Taehyung to blush at the nickname and stutter out "o-okay hyung.. Love you.." Then they said their goodbyes and hung up, leaving Taehyung to resume his walk.

Bustling sidewalks and loud traffic rang in his ears, he grit his teeth at the noise. Suddenly he felt a familiar ache rising in his gut, and he sighed softly in irritation, pointing at his stomach with a low whisper "you better keep your shit together." Just as he was about to resume his walk, there was a sharp pain in his stomach. He winced, stumbling over to nearby brick wall, and leaned against it for support with a curse. The loud traffic and chattering of people grew louder and louder. Ears ringing, stomach aching and head spinning, Taehyung knelt down, covering his ears and shutting his eyes tightly to calm his nerves. Flinching in surprise when a hand rested on his shoulder "Tae?" He looked up to see Hoseok, relief washed over him and he instantly stood to hug the older. Hoseok blinked in surprise, holding the other tightly "what's wrong Tae?" Taehyung sighed softly, mumbling "just sort of an anxiety attack I guess..." Hoseok nodded, carefully leading the younger back towards the dorm "the others said dinner with your friend sounds great. But I think you need to head home, get some rest.." He could only nod in agreement, holding his forehead in pain.