ANCHOR | taejin

my voice crying loud, been crying for days now

T/W: homophobic language, verbal abuse and minor physical abuse. Mentions of depression. Please don't read this if it may affect you - take care of yourself, please!! <3

Taehyung had never slept on the streets before.

Yes, he had a rocky relationship with his parents - it had been like that ever since he asked his father's advice on telling a boy in his class that he liked him when he was thirteen. He hadn't thought there was anything wrong with finding the boy cute, but the boy in his class didn't think Taehyung was very cute with a purple bruise blossoming along his cheekbone and eye. He had never mentioned anything like it again, but he always knew - deep down, in his own heart - that he was gay.

Four years, filled with internalised homophobia and depression, passed slowly. Taehyung's life changed whenever the new student in their class befriended him. Park Jimin was openly gay, which broke the hearts of nearly every girl in their class, and was the key to putting Taehyung on the right path. Jimin declared that the two of them were platonic soulmates and promised that they would stay together, from age seventeen to death. Their group was formed by the arrival of Jeon Jungkook, a hyper fifteen year old, who began teaching Taehyung to love himself.

And then it all went wrong.

The trio had gone to the library to study together, as it was over halfway through the school year and nearly exam time. Although Jungkook was younger and not taking exams with them, he joined them at the library anyway and walked home with them afterwards. They made it to the youngest's house first and waved him goodbye before continuing down the road which would lead to Jimin's neighbourhood.

"It's getting dark," Jimin commented, looking up at the sky and the stars that were just starting to appear. Taehyung hummed in response and they continued in tired yet comfortable silence until they reached Jimin's neighbourhood.

Taehyung looked at his best friend in confusion whenever he continued walking. "Oh shit I forgot to tell you!" Jimin exclaimed, slapping a hand over his eyes. "My parents are away to a friend's wedding so instead of being home alone... I, uh, I'm going to Hoseok's house."

The younger's mouth dropped open without warning and he raced to catch up with Jimin, who was hurriedly walking ahead. "You're going to hyung's house?" he hissed, shock causing his eyebrows to crawl up under his green-streaked fringe. "He lives alone, Chim!"

"I know he lives alone, for God's sake," Jimin sighed, looking away to try and hide the blush in his cheeks. "We've talked about it, we've been together for nearly a year, it's something we both want to do."

Taehyung exhaled slowly as they stopped outside his house. "Okay. As long as you're both... consenting a-and, you'll be safe, right?"

"Yes, Tae, we'll use protection," Jimin smiled softly, and Taehyung felt heat rise in his cheeks at the word. "Thank you for supporting me in this."

Taehyung shrugged as if Jimin having sex with his boyfriend for the first time wasn't a big deal. "It's your body, your relationship, your choice," he said simply. "It means a lot that you trusted me enough to tell me though - thank you."

Jimin flung his arms around Taehyung and squeezed tight, causing Taehyung to wince even as he hugged back. Jimin kissed his cheek and turned to hurry down the road. "Thank you, Tae-Tae! I'll meet you here tomorrow morning to walk to school! I love you!"

"I love you too, Chim! Text me so I know you get there safe!" he shouted after him, lifting the latch on the gate and letting himself into the garden. He hadn't even shut the gate when the front door opened and his father stood in the doorway, the light from indoors stretching his shadow so far it almost touched Taehyung.