Red String | VMIN

10

Shiloh looks at Tae.
"Ok. What do you need help with?"
Tae smiles.
"Ok, so Yoo- someone, left this note in my house, right. And I have no idea on what to do with it. I don't even know what it means. And I've been thinking of it this whole morning. So I was wondering if you could help me decode this."
Tae pulls out the post-it note and hands it to Shiloh.

Shiloh looks at the paper.
'My Atelphobia and Philophobia became my pragmatic feeling.'

Tom peeks over his shoulder, to get in onto the details. Tae looks at Shiloh, nervously. Tae, for some reason, really needed to find out what this means.

Why did Yoongi leave this at his place? When did he even come over? Was Yoongi there the whole day? What exactly happened yesterday? Tae felt like he was on drugs. His mind was full of thoughts and could no longer process what was happening. Shiloh noticed the panicking Tae. "Ok, well why don't we-." Shiloh got up quickly, in case if Tae randomly fainted. "Sit on the couch." Shiloh slowly brought Tae down.

"Drink some water." Shiloh handed Tae his drink. Tae slowly opened the water bottle and drank all of it in nearly a second.

"So this post-it note has had you panicking all day?" Shiloh studied Tae's reaction. Tae nods. "Well, then let's get started."

(Alrighty so from here until 💌 is going to be things about Greek mythology and a real long explanation. If you wanna skip all of this, and go to an easier explanation, then go to 💌. If you read it, please htl so I can give you this kith)

"From what we know, phobias are fear.
Fear.
Isn't that something. This person allowed their fears to collide. This collision caused a feelings in this person. Why so? Why out of all of this? The root of pragmatic is Pragma. Pragma is a Greek word. Pragma is one if the several different types of love. Depending on the Greek mythology. Pragma, from my understanding, is a type of love that is deep.
For this love, there is no sexual desires. The relationship is based on common goals and compromises. Two people who share mutual agreement. That doesn't mean that the sexual desires are not there, it means that the desires are not the base of the relationship.
This, pragmatic love, is long term. Who ever wrote this, is allowing their fears cloud their wants. For this is a love a lot of people want. But I'm guessing from the fears of it all, they can't see something. I'm just not sure what that something is."

Tae looks at Shiloh with such soft eyes. As if every answer he has ever had about his existence has been answered.

But he doesn't stop there. Shiloh goes on.

"As for his fears. This is a bit difficult. I'm no genius, but I do know what the fears are. Will I do a good job at explaining them? Probably not. But let me see if I can put it in simple terms without confusing you, or myself. Atelphobia. Yet again, another Greek root. The word 'Atelo', meaning imperfect. And 'phobia', meaning fear.

This person is afraid to be imperfect. They don't want to let anyone down. They are afraid of not being good enough. Or they are afraid of not being able to do right.

As for Philophobia. Well. You'd think I'd be lying if I said this word is Greek root word, but it is. The word Philos means loving, or to make it fit the content, philein, meaning to love.

So if we put it together, Philophobia, is the fear of falling in love, of loving someone. An overwhelming feeling that takes over. Now that we legit bored the shit out if you." Shiloh turns to look at Tae who is completely focused, and Tom, who is completely lost. He sighs.

( 💌 )

"Basically if you're wondering what I'm going off about. This person wants a long term relationship. He wants to have goals and grow old. But this person also doesn't feel like they are good enough. They fear imperfection. They also fear falling in love. Mix those two together, it could ruin their chance of ever having a good relationship."

"Ohhh." Tae and Tom both day in unison. "So this person wants a relationship, but their fears don't allow them too?" Says Tom, basically asking for clarification because suddenly his room became a history class.

"Yes." Shiloh said looking down at the post-it note. "I get it." Tae says, a bit relieved that he understood what the words meant. Tae got up. "Thanks bro. You're a genius."

Tae practically tackled him. "Any time bro. And, I'm not a genius. I just know some things." Shiloh says as he sits up. "I owe you big time! Thanks for having me over." Tae did a hand shake with Tom and Shiloh.

He was about to walk out, when suddenly Shiloh asked, "Tae, can I ask you something?" Shiloh approached Tae at the door.

He leaned in and whispered into Tae's ear, "Tell Yoongi his hand writing has improved."

Tae was shocked on how Shiloh knew. "I- but- I didn't say anything- when did you- how did-." "Bye Tae." Shiloh said as he winked and closed the door.

'Gosh he's a genius.' Tae wasn't always the smartest kid. But he did understand the basics of everything. He was good at almost anything. But when it came to feelings and emotions, he was pretty average.

Tae walked out the complex and started heading home. It was 12. It's 4 days until Christmas. The whole town was beautiful. Covered in lights and joy.

Tae is walking when he spots someone. 'Mr.Park?' Tae sees from a distance a blonde boy standing next to this man. His hair is a dark autumn. They are both laughing and making jokes.

"Oh! Tae! Splendid seeing you here!"
"Hello Jimin! It's nice to see you again."
"You never called me." Jimin said in a pout. "Oh, I'm sorry. I've been a bit busy this past week."
Jimin smiles.
"It's fine, just don't keep me waiting to long."

A few seconds of silence. "Oh! Uh. This is Jung Hoseok. He's a friend of mine."
"Tae my man."
Hoseok said smiling brightly.
"Ah, Hobi, how have you been bro."
Tae and Hoseok do a handshake and chest bump each other. They both laugh.

"Wait. You two know each other?" Jimin said, a bit confused on what just happened.

"Me and Tae use to be high school rivals."
Said Hoseok while Tae rolls his eyes and laughs.
"We went to different high schools. But we all played basketball. He and Yoongi. And let me tell you. Tae was scary as shit. He looked like a jock. Yoongi didn't really care as much, but when he wanted to win, by god he would win. They were the power couple of basketball. It was hard to beat them when they played together. No one use to messed with them."

Hoseok said acting afraid of Tae.
"Oh please, I wasn't that bad."
Tae playfully hit Hoseok's shoulder.
"You see this?! He's so abusive, I don't even know why I became friends with him."
Jimin would be lying if he said he didn't feel slightly jealous of the bond the boys shared.

"How's Yoongi doing? And the rest of the gang?"
Hoseok said fixing his hair.
"Ah Yoongi's doing great. Still wins in basketball. And the boys are still the same boys from when you left. I've missed you jhope."
Tae said as he winked.
"Gosh you're so gay for me, but who wouldn't be?" The boys continued to laugh.

Jimin didn't know what to say. He felt like a third wheel. Tae looked over at Jimin who was staring off into the distance.
"Hey, Jimin."
Jimin snapped out of his gaze and looked at Tae. He responded with a hm.
"Do you wanna go get some hot chocolate?"
Tae said as he put his hands in his pocket. He was cold. So cold, you could see Tae's breath as they spoke.
"Oh. Yea!"
Jimin's eyes lit up, like a little boy who needed sweets to function.

"Ok then let's go." Hoseok said as he turned around to lead the way. After Hoseok took a few steps, Tae said, "The cafe is the other way Hobi."
"I knew that."
Hoseok said turning around and speed walking past the boys.
Jimin and Tae look at each other, and laugh. They set their way to the cafe.

_____________________

Well aren't I just the best human being on earth. I legit love Greek mythology. I don't know much though. It's a complicated persona. I'm sorry if this was a handful. I promise I'll try and be as simple and terse as possible. If you understood any of it, ily.

- awful writer 💌