Looping Hearts

Chapter 12 - The little burn

 The two men immediately fell silent and Taehyung closed his eyes, hoping with all his might that he would be able to stay. He did not want to be alone. He did not want to be all by himself in a world he knew so little. He did not want to leave Jimin. Because in addition of feeling grateful towards him, Taehyung also found himself very fond of him too now. He was not just the great savior of his life anymore. He was his friend. A friend he did not want to part from so soon.

« - I allow you to stay. »

Taehyung lifted his head so quickly that he nearly hurt his neck. A wide smile came to adorn Ji Chang Wook's face, while Yoo Seung Ho's eyes widened almost as much as Taehyung's.

« - Your points are both very relevant, but I agree with Ji Chang Wook more this time. Apart from his illnesst that did not disrupt our daily life, Taehyung hasn't caused any trouble so far. And his face looks trust worthy too. »

« - How can you partly base your choice on a person's look for such an important subject? » Yoo Seung Ho wondered.

« - I have to agree with him. It isn't like you... » Added the youngest of the three.

« - I don't know. » She said. « I just have a good feeling when I look at him. I can't explain it. » She defended herself before addressing Taehyung this time. « You can stay if you stick to the rules. We don't have anything to trust you except Jimin's word, so no rocking the boat otherwise you'll be banned immediately. We'll find you something to do so you can participate in the community and you will stay at Jimin's for the moment. We're not going to build a new hut that may be empty in the next few weeks. It's a waste of time and energy that we can very well live without. Did I make myself clear? »

Taehyung frantically nodded.

« - Welcome among us! » Ji Chang Wook exclaimed, opening his arms wide towards the sky just before Han Ye Seul hit him behind the head.

Yoo Seung Ho smirked at him and Taehyung smiled shyly before stammering a weak « Thank you ». Han Ye Seul smiled at him in a way that he perceived as warm and then, dazed, he left the room after having being dismissed by her.

Outside, as he had barely walked out the door, Jimin caught him by the wrist and pulled him away from the room. They quickly found themselves in the shelter that Taehyung knew well now and it was only once the door closed behind them that his friend let go of him. He turned towards him abruptly, bringing his body dangerously close to his and making him feel a little embarrassed.

« - So? » He asked, his eyes covered with what appeared to be a thick veil of worry.

« - I can stay. » He announced with such a big smile that it could split his face in half.

Jimin jumped for joy before placing his arms around Taehyung's neck and hugging him with all his strength. Taehyung coughed because of the impact of the almost brutal shock then hugged his friend back, finally letting his own joy speak in Jimin's ear.

« - How did it go, tell me?! » The latter asked as he slightly pulled away from Taehyung without breaking the hug even so. « You'll keep on living here with me? What did they say? Did they not intimidate you? Did they not ask you to do weird things for them? Because if that's the case I can- »

Tenderized, Taehyung let out a small laugh out of his throat as he rubbed his friend's hair.

« - First, yes, I'll live here. I'm going to bother you a little longer. They said I could stay in the clan if I didn't cause any problems... So I hope I don't cause any! Oh and I was surprised to see Han Ye Seul smile before I left... Her charisma is very imposing and as you told me she's very strict, I didn't expect her to look so... nice. »