"This is why no one likes you!" Taehyung's dad screamed at him. "You will never live up to your expectations you worthless piece of crap! This is your mother's fault, I would have never let you been raised like this, like someone who thinks he's better than everyone else and can do whatever he wants!" His dad was getting louder and more aggressive the more time he spent screaming.
Tae had had enough. With tears running down his face, he ran out of the house, slammed the door, and listened to the deafening roar of his own heart beat as he continued down the street. He ran to the place he knew best, to his safe haven where no harm could be done to him. He ran to the park, where a cluster of trees was planted. He climbed up the tree and onto a wooden shelter. In this tree house, Tae has coped over many problems, and even solved a couple, but not alone.
Jungkook, Taehyung's best friend, was always there for him. All Tae had to do was say the word and Jungkook would be there in a heart beat, day or night.
Tae sat in the corner of the tree house, knees pulled up to his chest, and cried. He needed someone to hold him, to talk to him, and to just be there for him, so he texted Jungkook.
Within two minutes the younger had arrived. Seeing his best friend in a distressed state sent him into worry. He ran over to Tae and wrapped his arms around him. "What happened? Are you okay?" Jungkook asked while rubbing the elder's back. Tae just shook his head in response, crying against his friend's shoulder.
"It's him again. He won't stop. I need to get out of there, Kook. I can't keep doing this!" Tae cried out desperately. Jungkook knew all about Tae's situation with his home life. His mom died last year and his dad has been drinking ever since, taking out his frustrations on his son. Tae and Jungkook both knew how unfair it was. But they also knew there was nothing they could do about it. No one would believe them. Tae's Dad was a well known business owner in their community who appeared to have great family values. Everyone pitied him when his wife died. They would never believe two young boys' words against his.
After more reassuring words from Jungkook and a little bit of time, Taehyung was finally able to calm down. Jungkook took a seat next to Taehyung, they're shoulders touching, the warmth radiating between them.
"You know you can stay at my house as long as you need to," Jungkook told the other, breaking the silence.
Taehyung looked over at Jungkook appreciatively. "I know, but that's only temporary. Because right when I come back the same thing is going to happen. He'll come home drunk, scream at me, hurt me, and never leave me alone. I can't stay here till graduation next year, Kookie. And that's why I've kind of been meaning to tell you something." Taehyung looked down at his own words, ashamed of what he was about to say next. His hands were fidgeting in his lap when Jungkook reached over and took them.
"You can tell me anything, Hyung. I won't be mad I swear. I'll always be by your side. No matter what happens." And Jungkook truly meant it.
Taehyung looked back up at Jungkook, "I called my grandmother last week," Tae said in a gentle voice, "and we decided it was best if I moved in with her."
Jungkook's hands loosened around Taehyung's. His eyes went wide with shock. Did Tae just say what he thought he said? He's leaving?
"Look, Jungkook," Tae said, taking Jungkook's hand in his, "it's only until we go to college. Then we can go to school together again and see each other every day. I promise things will be okay. This way I'm away from my dad and I can get back to focusing on my studies. I promise I'll talk to you every day Kook . . . Just say something. Please?" Taehyung pleaded. Tears were threatening to spill out his eyes. He needed Jungkook to say something. He needed to know that this was a good idea, that we wasn't setting himself up for something impossible. That he wasn't leaving his best friend behind. He needed Jungkook to break the silence.
When Jungkook finally made eye contact with Taehyung, the older could see the tears in his eyes, and the look of despair on the seventeen year old's face. "Is this what you want?" Jungkook practically whispered.
"Yes Kook, this is what I want." Jungkook sniffled and nodded. "Okay then, I'll be supporting you hyung. But please, don't lose contact with me. I don't think I could bear losing you completely. It'd be like losing a part of myself."
Taehyung nodded and chuckled at the younger boy, "Of course I'll keep in touch. How could I ever leave you? And my grandma said you could come up and visit whenever you want. It's only forty five minutes away."
Jungkook leaned on Taehyung's shoulder and closed his eyes. "I'll come every weekend Hyung. I promise." Tae yawned and took out a blanket from the storage box they kept in here. He placed it over him and his Kookie, and soon they were asleep.
In the week to come, Taehyung's grandmother would come over and help him pack his bags and leave. Of course they had to get past his father on the way out and explain to him what was happening, but in the end, he held no power over Tae's grandmother.
If you asked Taehyung, he'd say the hardest part of moving in with his grandmother was leaving Jungkook behind. His grandmother got in the car so the boys could have a proper good bye before he left.
"I'm really going to miss you Tae," the younger said, grabbing Tae and pulling him into a hug. The older wrapped his arms around Jungkook and embraced him.
"I'm gonna miss you too Kook," Tae said, pulling away, but still holding the other's hands.
"You promise you'll come to visit me?" Tae asked. "Of course I will Tae Tae. I could never be apart from you for too long." The boys stared into each others eyes. Tae doesn't know who leaned in first, but slowly, they seemed to come together, Tae's lips on Jungkook's. Through the kids they were able to express the untold feelings, the loneliness they don't want to feel when the other is away, and the bond they have together, that will never be broken.
