Strings

19| Taehyung

Taehyung walked out of Jungkook's apartment, biting his lip. He walked down the steps and out the door into the fresh air. And Taehyung say down, leaning his back against the grey stone siding. He pulled his phone from his pocket, checking the time. Jimin would be between classes.

"Jiminie." He sighed.

"How's Jungkook?"

"Well he's better. He asked me to leave, Chim."

Tae could hear the puff of surprise from Jimin's end. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I didn't -- I didn't answer him Chim, I just walked outside. I'm sitting out here. He's not alone. A guy from the Café, Hoseok, is with him. Jim sent him breakfast, thank God too, because he doesn't have much in the way of food in his cabinets. I'm convinced he lives off the Café and the convenience store around the corner. Also pizza."

Jimin chuckled softly, kindly. "Oh Taetae." He breathed out.

"I can't leave him Jimin." Taehyung admitted. "Not when I know he's sick."

"Then go back inside and say it."

"But that's like, I don't know, I'm not ready for him to know how much he's come to mean to me."

"Then just, say you won't leave a friend in need."

"That sounds like I'm friend-zoning myself, Chim Chim, not the goal here."

Jimin laughed heartily at that and Taehyung pouted. "I gotta run, we can't both miss lecture, love you Tae."

"I suppose that wouldn't be the most helpful. Love you too, bye Jiminie."

He stood up and raked his hand through his hair. With a last deep breath, he strode back inside, straight to Jungkook's apartment. His guy churned with nerves and the hope that Jungkook wouldn't ask him to leave a second time.

"I called Chimmie," he announced, kicking off his shoes.

"I thought you left." Puzzlement.

"Ah, I'm not leaving."

"Good!" Hobi piped up. "I like you."

Tae laughed, a hand on his neck. "Thank you?"

Hobi carried Jungkook's leftovers out to put it away.

"You have to eat. You'll finish that for lunch." Tae told him firmly.

"Why didn't you leave?"

"Why didn't you?"

Jungkook fell silent, pouting thoughtfully. Hobi bounced back into the room, brilliant smile in place.

"I have some time left before I need to go. Let's play a game!"

"I wouldn't mind, are you up for it Kookie?" Tae asked.

The nickname just slipped out. It wasn't on purpose. But Tae really liked saying it. He looked at Hobi rather than Jungkook, hoping he wouldn't notice if Tae didn't make a big deal out of it.

But Jungkook did notice, oh boy. His face flushed with color at how sweetly Tae deemed him worthy of nicknaming. And it was a sweet nickname. He really liked it. Yoongi didn't call him Kookie often. And he just really liked hearing Tae say that. But he had to answer a question. What was it? Oh, right.

"I guess, what would we play?"

"It can't be physical because Jungkook's not up for that yet obviously. And maybe not video gaming because focusing on it too much could strain his eyes." Tae laid out his conditions.