Taehyung gets lost in the streets of Seoul. Jeongguk is there to help him find his way.
"Under his monochrome beauty was the most colourful personality, a story so vibrant that one couldn't help but feel enraptured. He was an artform on a whole new...
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Despite his earlier failed attempts to have one normal conversation with Jeongguk without either flushing or embarrassing himself, Taehyung finds it easier to talk to him out in the breezy streets.
Maybe it's because he could more easily avoid the teasing, warm eyes of the enigmatic boy walking next to him with his hands on his camera and charming smile on his face that always turned his thoughts to mush. Maybe it's the faint aroma of street food and the smoke of city life reviving the spark of smooth extroversion in his veins.
The afternoon finds itself accompanied by the now-familiar clicks of the shutter and murmured instructions of posing and Jeongguk reveals the person behind the camera.
Through the small side-alleys and hidden alcoves, past bustling streets and loud roads, along the paths that cut through the parks sprinkled throughout the city, their talks never ceased. Jumping from topics of life, friends, school, work, aspirations, favourite anime and much more, Taehyung finds his intrigue about Jeongguk increasing with every second, an almost insatiable curiosity.
Jeongguk is 20, just a little under 2 years younger that Taehyung. He had been born and raised in Busan, but moved to Seoul for university to study digital media and photography, with dance on the side. In his smooth, honey voice, he told Taehyung about his friends - people named Jimin, Hoseok, Seokjin - and tales of university life that sent Taehyung into a spiral of laughter so deep that tears escaped his eyes.
Under all the shyness, flushing and brief flashes of unexpected confidence reveals a playful and talkative boy. Between walking around in search of an aesthetic location, Jeongguk would give his full attention to Taehyung's words, replying more and more throughout the day as they became more comfortable with one another. Taehyung finds that he is passionate about some of the smallest, weirdest things - an endearing trait accompanied by exaggerated hand movements and charming smiles.
"Like, they're tiny antelope! Imagine Bambi but shrunk down to the size of your forearm. They're- they're just so precious," Jeongguk says, his tattoed arm flailing around in the air. His boot effortlessly cracks another stick in half under his foot as they continue to walk through the park. "And they get scared so easily. Because they're so so small, you know? They just want to eat grass and be small. That's all they want to do."
"I get that. Sometimes I just want to eat grass and be small too. But... what did you say they were called again?"
Jeongguk pauses. "Dik-diks."
"That's... a very unfortunate name."
A choked-up sigh before Jeongguk whispers, "I know. They don't deserve it."
They spent three minutes on a park bench after that, Taehyung rubbing soothing circles on Jeongguk's back while the younger stares forlorn in the distance, mind in shambles at the prospect of tiny antelopes.
In turn, Taehyung recalled to Jeongguk his move to Australia for the scholarship to his dream university; the fear, anxiety and excitement at the prospect of moving away from his childhood home in Daegu to a land of new cultures and experiences. He told stories about his own friends, of Yoongi and Namjoon, of his job, his dream to own a dog, the time he'd binge-watched Haikyuu!! right before his exams as part of his self-care routine.
