Little things - Taekook (ON HIATUS)

Chapter 20

YOUR CHOICE: taegi makeup time my big bois 

 Sorry it's been so long. I'm just a creative mess at the moment lmao. Onto the update! It's unedited and probably rushed and messy but at least it's a gosh darn update.

"Koo, will you come with me?" 

My eyes widen a little at the question, but I nod without hesitation, not even thinking of any other commitments I have. I can explain lateness in a bit. If Tae needs me, I can't just say no to those eyes. I don't know what it is about him, but I can't just refuse him like that. 

That's an asshole move. 

"Of course I can, honey. Can I text Hoseok and tell him we're coming over, just in case they're out?" I offer, trying to make this whole situation easier on Tae. He nods eagerly, his silver hair flopping into his face a little as he does so. I grab my phone and send the text, before walking over to the Little and wrapping him in a gentle hug. 

I don't want him to think I'm trying anything with him. I don't want him to believe that I have ulterior motives, and I'm still not sure of the boundaries that I mustn't cross. Things like this are more complicated than my brain can handle, sometimes, but I guess that's just one of the things I have to learn to understand in order to interact with Tae more effectively without either of us getting hurt. 

I've got a long way to go, of course, but I'm getting better. I really think I am. Maybe that's a little optimistic. I guess I'll see. 

But Taehyung doesn't seem to mind the embrace, melting into the moment and allowing me to just give him an innocent hug for a few seconds. It seems to calm him a little, which was the point of that. So that was a good decision. 

He runs a hand through his silver hair before yawning and curling back into my side. "Can't I just see Yoonie later? I'm sleepy," he complains, out of nowhere. I just smile a little and shake my head. 

"No, Tae. You need to solve this now or you'll be upset now." My phone dings with a message, and I check it quickly before stashing my phone in my pocket. "Hobi hyung says they're at home, and that we're welcome to come chat."
"But Koo, I'm nervous-"
"Yoongi's been there for you through it all. Don't you think he'll want to make up too? Don't you think he wants to see you again, and is scared he's made his little brother cry?" 

Taehyung tilts his head for a moment, and I can almost see now the way his expression changes as his age slides up a bit. "You're right, Kook. Let's go."
"How old are you feeling now?" I check quickly, and he smiles a little at the automatic question, at the fact that I even noticed the difference, thinks for a moment. 

"About 14. So I'm old enough to do this. I can do this." His hands ball into fists at his sides for a moment before he reaches for my hand. I take it without even thinking about it, intertwining our fingers before I stop myself and almost undo the action. He just squeezes my hand, pausing my hurried backward correction, and I stop worrying about it. This isn't about me. This is about Tae.

"That's the spirit, honey. Be positive," I encourage. "Chim, Namjoon hyung, I'll text you later and tell you how it all went. I'll see you soon, yeah? Sorry to cut it short, but Tae needs me."
"I understand, Kook. It's fine," Namjoon reassures me, almost immediately. "Tae?" The younger responds instantly, glancing over at Jimin's boyfriend. "It's gonna be okay." 

We leave the apartment, walk to Hoseok's apartment. It's not that far, so it's not an issue, but I can almost see Taehyung's mental age fluctuating as we walk. The nerves must be getting to him, but also the presence of the outside world. It must be quite disorientating, to feel like a five year old one moment and a fully fledged adult or teenager the next. But he handles it well. Makes me wonder how often he has to hide this kind of stuff.