Crying

ten

"So Taeyong came back super late last night?" Ten asked Jeno at breakfast.

Jeno set down his napkin and made a sad puppy dog face. "You were eavesdropping on us Dreamies weren't you? You won't tell anyone, will you Ten?"

Ten pushed his chair back to put his plate in the sink. "Oh you can count on me Jeno. My lips are sealed like an envelope closed with saliva." Ten grimaced. "Ew. That was a terrible analogy, sorry."

The Dreamie's eyes widened. "Wait, envelopes are sealed shut with spit?!" He slammed his fist on the table. "My life is a lie!"

It was a sunny, happy July first. People were out walking and laughing together. Kids played outside in their yards and the ice cream man stood at the end of the street greeting everyone that passed him. It was a beautiful day.

Ten went to his room and pulled a wrapped parcel out of the closet. He sat crisscrossed on the floor and finished taping his card to the present. Happy 25th Birthday Taeyong!, It said on the front. Ten made sure to read it through before heading downstairs to give it to his best friend. 

Happy 25th Birthday Taeyong! I want you to know that you are my best friend in the whole world and I would trade anything to be with you. I love you and even though we fight sometimes, we still get along and have fun together. This present for you is very special and I hope you like it just as much as I think you will. 

-Ten

Ten grinned and went to find Taeyong. He looked all over the house but couldn't find him. Finally he noticed him out the window in the front yard. He was all alone which was strange considering it was his birthday. Hopefully the others hadn't forgotten.

Ten opened the door as quietly as he could and slowly crept up behind his red haired friend. He got closer and closer so that he was near enough to pear over his shoulder. Taeyong was drawing in chalk on the ground. 

"Watcha drawing?" Ten startled him. 

"Ah! Oh my god Ten!" Taeyong fell backwards, using his friend's legs to support him. "You made me mess up." 

Ten giggled and sat next to him. "Oops sorry hyung."

Taeyong rolled his eyes and continued drawing. Ten sat in awkward silence as his friend colored in a star on the concrete. 

"So it's your birthday?"

"Yeah," he looked up. "Seems no one remembered. But it's fine I mean, 20 birthdays is a lot to remember." 

Ten frowned and pushed the box on the sidewalk towards Taeyong. "Listen, I know you're mad at me and stuff but I got you a present. Just I hope you like it. It's a birthday thing and a 'Ive been a tad reckless, hope you're okay' type thing. I'll go now."

He stood up and walked inside. Taeyong blinked twice and took to small box in his hands. "You didn't need to leave Ten. I shouldn't be mad at you. You should be mad at me." He sighed and unwrapped the gift.

Inside was a key. A small key with a red ribbon tied to it. There was another box underneath it. He inserted the key into the box and set it in front of him. As soon as it hit the ground, it opened up. Quiet music played from it and two little people danced and spun until the music stopped. Taeyong picked it up and stood. 

"A music box. Cute." He whispered. He put it back in the package and took it inside. "Don't want this to get broken."

He quickly climbed the stairs and opened the door to his room. He set the gift in his bedside drawer and turned to leave. Until he heard someone talking. 

The Dreamies. He thought immediately. Their rooms were right next to Jaehyun and Taeyong's. Though he wasn't the type to eavesdrop, Taeyong put his ear up to the wall and listened intently. 

"We have to tell him." Chenle said, worried.

"I don't think we do...." Taeyong heard Jisung mutter. "I mean it's hyung's business. Maybe manager said it was okay to be out late?"

Taeyong pushes his face on the wall harder in attempt to hear more. He was about 95 percent sure they were talking about him. Oh gosh! Did they see me come in last night?!

The Dreamies mumbled something else, inaudible to Taeyong. He heard their door creak open and launched himself into his bed. He speedily picked up his phone and pretended as if he hadn't been listening. Just as he suspected, Jeno came in and sat at the foot of his bed.

"Hi Jeno!" Taeyong set his phone down and smiled. 

Jeno waved slowly and looked at his feet. "Taeyong?"

"Hm?"

"Where were you last night? I saw you come home late and I want to make sure you're okay...." Jeno twiddled his thumbs and avoided Taeyong's stare.

Taeyong let out a long breath and started towards Jeno. He gave the Dreamie a big hug and whispered into his ear the truth. "I was having some hard times so I went to see someone who could help me. That's all! Don't worry about me Jeno." 

"Oh!" Jeno's mouth formed an o. "I didn't think that...sorry!"

Taeyong smiled genuinely. "It's okay. I mean, I wasn't doing anything I wasn't supposed to. I just needed to talk to someone."

"Well then," Jeno walked to the doorway. "You can always talk to me! Bye bye hyung!" The Dreamie waved a shut the door behind him. 

"Oh Jeno." Taeyong lay down. "If only I could tell you everything that's going on..."

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Ahh! That chapter was very very very (ioi) hard to write! I hope you liked it. I wanted to make it cute so I did my best....

I just wanted to say that I absolutely love you guys. Thanks so much for reading my story and I really hope you enjoy it. 💗 

Also can I just say I am hyped for both Stray Kids comeback and BLACKPINK's comeback! Ready to party! I'm so excited! 😁

~~~You are my world~~~

-MYBLiNKArMY