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❧05

a/n: tw for aquaphobia

❧ Withering Feathers ❧

There was something about a near death experience that could change one's perspective of life entirely. As had Taehyung's.

What had felt like freedom splashing his skin one day, was suddenly chains dragging him under the next.

What he had once wished to do all summer, he hoped to stay a safe distance away from the entire time.

The idea of facing a fear was suddenly so off putting. He couldn't bring himself to even imagine walking into the edge of the water. Surfing? It felt like trying to climb Mount Everest without equipment. Impossible.

"Good morning." Jimin's raspy morning voice floated in the bedroom air and Taehyung looked back behind him from his spot seated at the studio set up— where he had been watching the blank surface of the canvas with an empty mind.

Taehyung smiled and slowly rose to his feet seeing the cute half-asleep state of his best friend. Jimin's hair was disheveled, small fingers rubbing his eyes awake as the blanket remained twisted around his body, coating him like a cloud.

"Morning, Jiminie." He settled on his half of the bed, tugging the blanket higher up until it reached the older's chin. Jimin pouted in gratefulness, the morning goosebumps having been noticed by the observant artist. "You sleep well?"

Jimin snuggled closer to him, head ending up on Taehyung's leg and the younger chuckled, running a gentle hand through his friend's light locks. The elder left out appreciative breaths as his voice dipped tiredly.

"Slept well," he mumbled. "You?"

"Me too." His voice was soft as well, lips pursed at the untruthful words he'd just spoken.

"Don't lie, Taetae," Jimin tapped Taehyung's leg where his head lay. "You wouldn't be up this early without reason."

Taehyung shifted slightly, causing Jimin to lift his head and look at him. The elder cursed under his breath upon seeing the discomfort etched on Taehyung's features. Jimin immediately took the artist's hand and squeezed.

"Talk to me."

The younger pinched his eyes shut, breath staggering in memory of what had kept him up all night and ruined his smooth sailing of the dreamworld. "Nightmare."

Jimin braced himself on his hands and sat up, an arm immediately wrapping around Taehyung's shoulders and hugging him close. The younger shuddered as soft tears welled in his eyes, head buried in the smaller boy's neck.

"You should have woken me up." Jimin murmured into his hair, his arm feeling secure around him and Taehyung relaxed in his hold. "What was it about?"

He waited a few moments for his heart to slow even five beats per minute, focusing on his breathing and the warmth Jimin's hug produced; he waited until he convinced himself that the cold below the ocean depths was far away. "Drowning."

Hands grasped the sides of his head and pulled them away from the safe keeping of Jimin's shoulder. Jimin's thumbs soothed over his cheekbones and the elder stared into his eyes, trying to rid Taehyung's of any doubts, of any remnants of the nightmare.

"You're safe now, Taehyung." Jimin whispered, his head tipping up to press soft plump lips over the canvas of his forehead, a shiver running down Taehyung's spine at the words. "Wake me up if that happens again, okay?"

He nodded wordlessly and frowned as Jimin pulled away to slip under the covers, lifting the comforter to gesture for him to lay down as well. "I don't know if I can sleep again, Minie."