colors. kth x myg / taegi

eleven

"what more do i need to do to be able to leave?"

the clock ticked and yoongi could only describe it as obstreperous as his astute ears tuned into the obnoxious noise. he decided that it wasn't the clock, but rather himself that felt that way. taehyung's question was hard to answer.

"you're almost there, taehyung," he said. "but are you sure you'll be safe after you leave? it isn't protocol for me to report abuse, but i could if-"

"he isn't abusive."

yoongi's breath hitched.

"what?"

"he's not abusive. he's just violent sometimes; it isn't that bad."

taehyung bit his lip, and yoongi felt anxiety bubbling up in his chest from the suffocating silence that engulfed them next.

taehyung was flashing with dark blue and bright red, bruises and sadness beside a warning sign that blinked rapidly for yoongi to see.

"do you really feel that way?"

"yes."

yoongi noticed that the boy's hands were shaking and that he was blinking more than usual. he set his clipboard down and looked directly at taehyung.

"i won't feel comfortable giving the 'okay' for them to discharge you knowing that it isn't safe at home."

taehyung shook his head. "it's safe. i swear. besides, i'm not going there anyways. i'll just spend some time on the streets and move in with someone later."

"i can't say that makes it any better." yoongi laughed lowly. "i can't let you live out on the streets."

"then what are you going to do?"

taehyung was visibly getting frustrated, a benevolent expression slowly making its way to his features as he looked to yoongi as if challenging him.

"taehyung, you need to report your uncle."

"i said he's fine!"

yoongi took a deep breath. "your physical health is close enough in check for you to be discharged," he said. "mentally, you've shown stability, and you're surely getting better. but part of letting you leave is making sure you go back to a steady environment that can keep you well."

taehyung listened intently, now completely silent.

"your family is being investigated anyways for signs of neglect, but i've seen the evidence. there's not enough for them to make a clear claim. if you were to give them evidence, by just saying something, we can make sure you go somewhere safe," yoongi said. "it's ultimately your choice, taehyung."

yoongi saw taehyung's features melt into feelings of fear and apprehension.

"i'm fine, doctor," he said. "just... please let me out."

yoongi nodded solemnly, and taehyung looked back dejectedly, clearly afraid but unable to make the choice that would ultimately save his life.

did he even want to be saved?

"i'll give them the 'okay.'"

* * *

taehyung looked out the window, sitting on the floor beside his bed with soft tears streaming down his face.

he hugged his knees to his chest and rubbed his nose, blinking in time with his heart as he swallowed back sobs. the stars were bright, hanging in the sky like mere ornaments. they were so small to the eyes of a person on earth, but so large up close. taehyung then looked to the moon, giving it a scoff before leaning back and breathing softly.

"you're so bright at such a sad time of the day," he muttered. "you take the happiness of the sun and use it for your own good. you're just like everyone else."

taehyung took another deep breath, feeling his ribs through the fabric of his shirt as he breathed in.

"i suppose you're like me, too," he whispered. "you're sad. i'm sad. except you use someone else to seem happy. disgraceful."

he sat up again, ears perking up to the noises of a bird. his eyes fluttered to the clock that read 2:03 a.m.

a bird?

and then he heard it again: a gentle and vapid song echoed through the silent night. taehyung imitated the song it sang, deep voice filling up the room and nothing else. he closed his eyes for a moment and licked his lips, tongue running over the chapped grooves and blood.

"and you; you're just like yoongi. singing all happy when everything else is dying. you can't bring something back to life."

and his mind bitterly wandered off to the small, pale, scowling doctor who was doing all he could to do his job. "oh, doctor. if only you knew. i'm a lost cause; taehyung died years ago."

and then the boy scoffed, gazing back to the moon. it sat daintily in the air, imperfections invisible to the naked eye, looking like a flawless, white sphere shining the brightest in the dark of the night. taehyung despised it; despised the brightness of the moon, despised the fact that it wasn't even able to give off its own light but still got to shine.

he extended his arm, long, thin, and pale, and pointed it straight in the direction of the sky as he stretched his middle finger up to flip off the moon. and he smiled.