Red String | VMIN

34

Jimin gets up from the couch he was sitting on to go put the drinks in the sink. Tae was sitting in the far right corner of the couch. Tae has his arm on the arm rest and his right leg on top of his left. He's slowly moving his foot back and forth and begins to space off. Jimin comes back and plops the the couch.
"Its a bit hot today don't you think?"
"I think we should go."
Tae says with a mono tone voice, not refocusing on Jimin.
"Why?"
Jimin sits up and turns his body towards Tae.
Tae then turns his head slightly enough so he can make eye contact with Jimin and says, "Because you still haven't explained why we're here and I'm a bit uncomfortable being in a house I wasn't welcomed in."
Jimin opens his mouth.
He stares at Tae who's patiently waiting for a response.
"Well, you kinda are invited."
"Yea, by you. Not by the people who actually own the house."
Jimin really wants to explain to Tae why he hasn't told him. Jimin bites the inside of his cheek. Then he inhales a deep breath before looking back at Tae.

"It's because we're in my house."
Tae raises an eyebrow.
"Isn't your house back at Chicago?"
"Well, yes. But this is the house I grew up in the most. Out of all the places. This is kinda my roots. Where my mom and dad met. And our first official home."
Tae finally comes to the realization of the house. Why it looked so old, a bit dusty. Why the picture looked so familiar, why the music reminded him of. It was Jimin. Jimin was written all over the place. Jimins whole aesthetic is this place. This one cozy spot in the world that was made just for Jimin. Tae laughs.
Jimin sort of tilts his head.
"What?"
"It's just, I don't know why I didn't realize it sooner. I'm kinda shocked and a bit disappointed in myself that I wasn't able to connect the dots."
They laugh.

Tae gets up.
"So this,"
Tae walks over to the side wall before you exit the living room. Little tick marks are on the wall with an age. 2, 3, 4, 5, and then it stops.
"This is you?"
Tae point to the wall.
"Yup."
Jimin says with a shy smile
"Everything here is me."
After a full tour of the house Tae smiles and realizes how cute Jimin is. And how far his family has come.
"I kept the place. It was going to be sold off. My dad wanted to sell it off. I bought it from him. It reminds me of my roots. Even though I have plenty of money now, the younger me still doesn't believe it. The younger me could only dream of the places I've been to, taste the food I've tasted. Meet the people I've met."
Jimin ends that note with a quick glance at Tae, who is now more interested in the house because it's surrounded of "jimin" is a bit dazed out.
"I always remember where I came from, sometimes I get caught up in my materials and forget there's another boy like me, who's wondering if he's gonna go to bed on an empty stomach this time, or if his mom will be able to eat, or if his dad will finally get home from work tonight."
Jimin voice shakes a bit and his eyes start to water. Tae quickly notices the change in Jimins voice and turns to face him, finding Jimin in this state, he gives Jimin his full attention.

Jimin brings his hands or his mouth and gently rubs his lips. Tae slowly approaches Jimin. He doesn't touch him but stares intensely.
"I can't forget my roots, Tae. I can't be selfish. I have it a whole lot better than half the people on this earth. So why do I always want more? Why do I keep on insisting to have fun and play around and do things so many people can only hope they can do?"
Jimin was a bit shaky and really wanted to be held by Tae, but he didn't want to seem desperate so he covered his face with one hand and the other was wrapped around his own waist. Tae, noticing Jimins emotions, gently puts his hands on Jimin's elbows, signaling a semi hug motion. Jimin whole heartily puts his body into Tae's chest and silently cries.

Tae, a bit taken back on how quickly Jimin went into his arms, takes a moment to collect his words and caress the small blonde boy.
"Jimin, don't think that. Sure plenty of people have it worse, and plenty of people have it better, but you also matter. Your wellness and health come first. I know you tend to put yourself last but you can't go saving every person in the world. You'd be exhausted. And sure it's ok to be selfish."
Tae places his head on top of Jimins, who's arms are tucked into Tae's chest and facing the left and small tears run down his pink cheeks.
"We all have needs and wants, it's part of human nature. You've done so many good things and tried to help so many people. You're trying your best and your making such a great improvement please don't stop."
Tae slowly pulls Jimin far enough so he could see his face.

"Don't doubt yourself ok?"
Tae wipes the tears off of Jimins face. He slowly caresses Jimin's cheek.
"People love you and adore you for being who you are. You are ok. You know what's going on around the world and want to make a difference. You create change and help people. They love you so much for that."
Tae softly smiles and Jimin.
Jimin smiles with his eyes and let's off a small grin. His eye smile along with his puffy eyes make it seem like they are closed. Tae smiles widely at how cute he is.
"Don't forget I love you too."
Tae adds as he rubs Jimins head.

Forgive me, for this might be the first and last time I have the courage to do this.

Jimin smiles as he looks at Tae.
Tae fondly looks at Jimin and cups Jimin's face into both of his hands. Jimin blinks a few times, trying to see because the tears made it a bit blurry. Jimin with his puffy eyes and pink cheeks make him adorable.

There's a moment of silence as the boys stare into each other's eyes. Without hesitation Tae closes his eyes, leans over, and places the softest kiss on Jimin. His soft lips come in contact with Jimin's plump lips. Jimin, with eyes wide open, doesn't know how to react. Mostly shocked just confused on what's going on. Tae let's his lips linger as if he wants to keep that moment forever. He pulls away and looks at Jimin. Jimin stares at Tae.
"I- um."
Tae begins, unsure how he's going to explain this one.
"Jimin I didn't-."
Tae puts out his hand then quickly pulls away and gives Jimin space.

Jimin stands with a daze look and arms to his side blinking constantly. Tae then brings his hand to the nap of his neck.
"Look, I didn't-."
Tae can feel his chest burn
"I'll- I'll go outside."
Tae storms out the room in such a rush leaving a confused Jimin in the room.
Tae steps outside to hopefully catch his breath, and it being suffocatingly hot outside wasn't really helping.
Tae closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
"I fucked up."

________________

Wow, uh yay first kiss.
I feel like I made their relationship the definition of 'the right person at the wrong time' and I'm kinda mad but what's a girl to do.

- awful writer 💌