Red String | VMIN

46

"Dinner is ready."
Tae's mom says from the kitchen. The boys get up from the couch in the living room and head over. The boys help set the table and Tae's mom serves dinner.

"It's been a while since I've seen my baby."
Tae's mom coos and pinches Tae's cheek.
Tae grins at the remark.
"I'm sorry I haven't been visiting you as frequently mom. I've had a few things come up that I had to do."
Tae forms a weak smile.
"It's ok. I get it. You're living your life. I understand. There's no need to apologize."
Tae grabs his moms hand and they smile at each other.

-

They finish eating dinner. Tae washes the dishes and Jimin cleans the table.
"The food was delicious ma'am."
Jimin compliments her cooking.
"Thank you. It was made out of love."
Jimin grins.
They head to the living room and they spend the whole afternoon talking about Tae as a child.
"And this is when he got his first hair cut!"
Tae's mom points to the photo in her album. Tae and his small teeth peek though his mouth. His before and after photos were one of the cutest things.
"This was when he baked his first batch of cookies."
Jimin eagerly grabbed the photo.
"He's super adorable."
Jimin looks through the book.

"Can I keep one ma'am?"
"Of course! Pick your favorite."
Jimin looks through the photo album, looking for the cutest one to add to the back of his phone. Tae comes back from the kitchen and spots the album.
"Ohhh baby pictures."
Tae plops next to Jimin on the couch. He rests his chin on Jimin's shoulder.
"See, I was even cute as a baby."
Jimin chuckles.
"This one."
Jimin pulls out the tiny photo. In the picture is Tae in a cute farmers outfit wearing a peach shirt and cute little shoes. He shows off his box smile and has a cute ducky bracelet.
Tae's mom smiles.
"That is Tae when he went to help his dad at the farm."
"Tae is cute no matter what."
Jimin smiles at the picture.
"I wanna know everything."
Jimin looks at Tae's mom.
"Where do I start?"
Tae's mom lets out a chuckle on how enthusiastic Jimin is to learn about Tae.

"Uhh.. Jimin it's ok.."
Tae bites his lower lip, afraid that his mom might just expose every cringeworthy thing Tae did in his past.
"You don't have to force yourself.."
Tae hopes Jimin takes a hint.
"But Tae."
Jimin looks up.
Their eyes meet. Jimin's big eyes makes Tae's heart ache.
"Ugh fine."
Tae pulls Jimin into a hug and embraces the little one.
"But only if I get to hold you like his for the whole time."
Tae's mom and Jimin giggle.
"Ok."
Jimin gets comfortable in Tae's presence.
"Well I'll tell you about the time that Tae came out to me."
Tae's face turns red and he immediately puts his face into Jimin's back.

"It happened recently."
Jimin raises an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Yes! Less than 5 years ago I get a phone call from Tae saying he wanted to come over. As any mother I told him he is welcome. He came to me and told me he was really into this one guy he met recently. I don't remember much but Tae said that "he's my little blonde boy."
And that's all I remember from the description."
"Mom!"
Tae groans loudly and he squeezes onto Jimin tighter. Jimin lets out a laugh.
"Ok, ok I'll talk about something else."
Jimin smiles while Tae is still a bit red.

"Tae also loved strawberries so much. Every time I would pack his lunch for school he would go to the backyard and pick out strawberries. He would pick them, wash them, and pack them for his lunch. He loved strawberries so much. He still does!"
Tae's mother chuckles and the rest of the time is spent talking about Tae and his childhood.

"Mom, we're out of juice. I'll go to town right now and pick some up. I'll be back fast!"
Before Tae's mom could even say anything Tae is already out the door. Jimin and Tae's mother sit in the living room. At first it's silence.
"You know, this is different."
Tae's mom says to break the silence.
"What is?"
Jimin questions.
"Tae has plenty of girlfriends when he was younger. He use to bring some home. A lot of them would talk about how great Tae was and how talented and handsome he was. But there's something about you that's different."
She pauses.
"When I see the way Tae reacts around you, it's different. When he talks about you, it's different. When you talk about him, it's different. When he hears you call his name, it's different."
Jimin gulps, unsure on how to take this.

"Tae shows a happy side of him I haven't seen in a while. It's like he's a kid again. He laughs wholeheartedly. His smile is genuine. You should see the way he looks at you, for just breathing. I knew the other relationships he was in, wouldn't last. But there's something about you that makes Tae so happy."
She looks at Jimin, as if waiting for a response from him.

"I adore him. I love all parts of Tae. On days where he's happy, and days where he's not. He's such a good person and loves everyone. He's so smart and really attractive. He's sensitive, responsible, and a well rounded boy. He loves you so much, and in his eyes you could do no wrong."
She smiles at the response.
"And that's why you have to tell him."

She furrows her eyebrows.
"Im sorry?"
"You have to tell Tae."
"Tell him what?"
She tilts her head.
Jimin swallows hard.
"You have to tell Tae you have cancer and you don't have much time left."

____________________

Hey it's Namjoons birthday today and this chapter is really sad. Sorry for this cliffhanger.

- awful writer 💌