The Buddy Program

10 | learn some things

But the thing was, he didn't want to do this. His legs were already pathetic, snappable twigs beneath him. The second he would get on the ice he knew damn well he was asking for a broken bone, or well, an early death wish. Plus Jeongguk wasn't in the mood to lug around a stupid cast for the last five months of his life.

Taehyung seemed confident, but his confidence wasn't as comforting as it was when he learned how to drive. At least then the floor didn't shake beneath his feet and they were alone, but here? They weren't the only ones at the rink. There were a few families, teens, and couples skating about, all who were perfectly capable of staring.

A chill rippled through Jeongguk's spine, but it wasn't because of the air conditioning.

"Yeah!" Taehyung's voice pulled him out from his head. God, if he were a fucking dog, his tail would be wagging a hundred miles per minute. "Come on, Jeon. You'd love it. And if you fall, you got a pro-skater to help you."

"A pro-skater," He repeated dryly, not really feeling it. He tried to inch closer and nearly stumbled, his hands flying to grip the bar even tighter.

"You owe me," Taehyung reminded him, reaching over and holding his hand out. Jeongguk sighed, knowing he was right. He glanced back and forth between Taehyung's crooked smile to his outstretched palm, scowling.

"Fine, j-just give me a second," Jeongguk eventually gave in. Taehyung nearly blinded him with his smile. The older boy skated closer and set the hockey sticks he was holding in his other hand against the wall, now holding his free hands out toward him.

"I hate you for this," Jeongguk grumbled. "If I die, that's on you."

"You're not going to die," Taehyung chuckled. "It's
all about balance, Jeon."

"I have no fucking balance," He deadpanned. "If I fall, my bones are literally gonna shatter on the ground, and that'll be your fault." 

"Please, you're such a delicate baby. Just take my hand," He offered it yet again. Jeongguk's nose scrunched.

"No," Jeongguk swallowed. "I'm good."

"Then you're gonna die and shatter into pieces right before my very eyes. I'll be sad."

"Okay, but that's on you," He said in a snarky tone.

"Jeon, just hold my hand," Taehyung sighed. "I don't have cooties." Jeongguk squinted at him.

"Of all things, you're afraid I'm gonna catch your 'cooties'?" He scoffed lightly. "Thank you for the kind offer, but I don't want your cooties in my disease collection, sorry."

"Jeongguk. Don't be a pussy."

"You're a pussy," Jeongguk mimicked him in a high pitched voice. Taehyung let out another sigh and shook his head. "I'm fine right here. I'm just—!"

Taehyung yanked him forward, sending him flying into him, their bodies crashing into one another's with a loud thud. Taehyung grunted in pain, nearly losing his grip on the younger boy. Jeongguk's feet fumbled beneath him, his hands reaching out in a panic for anything he could grab. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck— he was going to die. Fuck. Fuck!

"Calm down," Taehyung's voice sounded strained as he caught Jeongguk's elbows. "The more you panic, the worse you'll be."

"My life just flashed before my eyes," Jeongguk nearly shouted, but he remembered they weren't alone so he kept his voice down. Somewhat.