Puppetry - P.JM. [ON-HOLD]

Four

I finally walked out from the glass hall, my backpack slung against my back. I felt my cheeks were chapped, my eyes burning slightly. I watched the floor below me pass by, the smell of dirt and trees coming to my nose. The memory burned into my mind, making me want to throw up.

I found my way to the living area, a large couch that was an L shape taking up some of the room. Pictures were hung, beautiful artifacts covering the place. I knew each of their story. A table laid near the couch, holding a glass with clear liquid in it. Condensation covered the side, dripping down onto a coaster. It looked beautiful, not such a thing from where I came from. Black beams hung on the ceiling like always.

Taehyung sat on the couch, staring down at a thick book. I didn't know if he knew I came in. I started to debate on whether or not to tell one of the puppets that I was leaving and to tell Taehyung goodbye for me, but I realized I had to inform him of things for his new puppet.

As I stood there and stared in the large doorway to the living space, Taehyung's sudden deep voice boomed out, gentle but shaking my core. "You need to go back to the doctor."

I stared him with shock for a second. I opened my mouth, trying to gather what to say. A few moments later, I spoke. It came out in a strangled croak, causing me to cringe at myself. "I'm not going to the doctors. I'm fine."

He gave a soft sigh, his large hand flipping the cover page of the book down onto the body. He grabbed the book, placing it on the couch beside him. "You banged your head again. I saw it."

"It's just a bump. I'm okay."

His face turned towards me. My breath stuttered to see his expression. His brown eyes were dark with concern. I saw them to be a bit red in the whites. He had been crying. Because of me. I wrapped an arm around my stomach, holding myself. The sight made me sick to my stomach, remembering all the other times we had been here before.

"Y/N, seeing you like that again after many months of recovery made me . . . " He swallowed, trying to collect his words. He placed his forearms on his thighs, his eyes still locked with mine. "I've seen you grow so many times, coming back from the dead from all of them. I know you're strong. I know you know that. But you . . . Y/N, you need to understand that you do need help once in awhile from others."

I bit at my lip, feeling how dry they were. I wanted to retort back. He had said this so many times to me, telling me I needed to see a doctor to help myself. He didn't understand that I couldn't pay for it. He didn't understand why I was scared to go there. He didn't understand why I put this wall up. He was my best friend, but he still didn't understand everything.

"The puppet is in working condition now," I said, changing the topic from the one at hand. I didn't want to talk about it. "It took some time, but I figured out where all the strings need to be on the hydraulics. The puppet needs custom shirts for himself due to its placement of holes along its upper body. Its nutrients were down, so I put it to rest until tomorrow morning. It should be functioning properly by the morning time."

"Define 'functioning properly.'"

I pursed my lips for a second, thinking. "It will be able to walk, talk, and function however you want it to be. I can reprogram it whenever you need me to. I doubt anyone else would know how to work this model, so I'm the number one mechanic for this situation."

Taehyung gave a nod. I watched as he ran a hand through his hair a little, flattening it out. It was already as nice as it could be. "I'll send the payment over soon."

My head bobbed a bit in agreement. I felt myself take a step back. "I'm going to head out now. I'll try and be available when you need my help."

"Don't go," he murmured, staring over to his glass on the table in front of him. He never met my gaze. "Stay for tonight. I want you to rest."