𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐒 | 𝐊- 𝐏𝐎𝐏

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗁𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗋𝗍𝗒 𝗈𝗇𝖾

Chapter 12: A Long Ride Home

Taehyung sits crumpled against the window in the back seat of the large SUV, his friend at his side, reaching out to hold his hand, trying, unsuccessfully, to help him feel better. He has so much regret that he couldn't have met her before she met this other faceless person who he hates with every fiber of his being.

"I thought she was quite lovely Taehyung," Jimin says, hoping to elicit a response from him. He hasn't spoken since they first got into the car and he told him he was 100%, definitely, truly in love with this woman, but, that she is in love with someone else. Taehyung lets his head drop against the glass, staring down.

"She is, she's the one. But what can I do now? How can I see her again?" He groans, not looking up.

"Maybe you shouldn't see her again." Taehyung turns quickly towards Jimin, searching his eyes. He shrugs. "If she is in love with someone else, I'm not sure it's wise for you to keep seeing her." Taehyung turns away, deep in thought. Jimin knows him too well. "I know you think you can win her over, but, is that really fair? On this other person? You wouldn't want to hurt him." Taehyung turns back to him, a quick flash of anger and hurt spreads across his face.

"Yes, I would! I want to win her over, take her away from him, and kill his hopes for any future with her. She should be mine!" he says in a frustrated, angry tone. Jimin stares at him waiting for the wave to subside. Taehyung hangs his head. "but, I wouldn't..." Jimin nods, recognizing the moment has past, his friend has returned. Taehyung drops his head against the window again. "But, I can't stand the thought of never seeing her again."

The driver pulls the car up at the apartment complex, and Taehyung and Jimin get out into the parking lot. Taehyung stands next to Jimin's car.

"Do you want me to come up with you?" his friend offers. Taehyung shakes his head.

"No, I can cry all by myself, I don't need an audience." Jimin reaches over and pulls his body close, hugging him tightly.

"You will get through this Tae, I will be here, we all will." He pulls back, studying Taehyung's expression. His head is still hanging low, but the corner of his mouth curves in a half smile, and he nods.

"I know you will be. Thank you. And thank you for coming with me today. But please don't tell anyone about this yet. Just give me a day to be alone with it." Jimin nods. He unlocks his car and turns back to Taheyung, but before he leaves he looks down in his hand, and he pushes a notepad at his chest.

"Here, this is the list of repairs. At least you can still help the children." Taehyung looks up at him, taking the notepad full of scribbled notes, and he smiles. It's a sort of consolation prize. Helping children who could really use his help will bring him joy, but, it will not bring him any closer to having his own children, to having a partner, and true love. He walks back into his building alone, feeling the weight of the thoughts pressing down on him. He wants to lay in bed, and cry until he doesn't have anymore tears left. Then he will get up, and find a contractor, and start to focus on helping repair the school building for the children.

***

Several hours later, Taehyung is still laying across his bed, fully clothed, now empty of tears. Mrs. Choi won't return until the following morning and he has a long night alone ahead of him. He stares out of the window across from him watching the sky get darker and wondering still if there is anything he can do to change his fate. Jimin text several times just to say he was there if he needed him. It is wonderful to have such a family surrounding him, and he knows they all care deeply for him, but they don't need him in the same way he wants to be needed. They can't fill this void in his heart.

His phone vibrates on the nightstand and the screen lights up. He turns his head over on the pillow to see it and assumes Jimin is calling. He slowly reaches out to grab the phone and lifts the screen to see Hoseok on facetime. He sits up, staring at the screen wondering exactly which one of them told Hoseok. He considers not answering it, but, it's been a while since they spoke, he's been too busy working on his next album.

"Hobi hyung, how are you?" He sees his smiling face and appears to be in a studio. Hoseok squints at the screen, looking at the darkness. Taehyung flips on the light next to his bed to allow him to see him better. He doesn't realize his eyes are red and puffy from crying off and on most of the afternoon. Hobi looks concerned, staring at him through the screen.

"TaeTae, you don't look well. Are you sick?" He gets up and shuts the door to the studio room to keep anyone from overhearing. Taehyung drops his eyes from the screen.

"I'm well enough," he says quietly. Hobi sits back down at the console and props his phone up so he can see it better.

"You look like you've been crying," he says quietly, keeping his tone low to match Taehyungs.

"I have hyung. Most of the afternoon. What do you know?" Hoseok looks at him surprised, his eyes wide.

"I don't know anything, what's happened?"

"You aren't calling to check up on me, or discourage me from proposing?" he asks, suspicious. Hoseok's mouth forms a perfect O as he stares at the screen.

"What?! What have I missed?" Taehyung studies his face, and realizes he actually doesn't know anything about what's been going on for the last few days. He was sure everyone knew by now, but Hoseok must have been too busy working on his music to speak to the others. He sighs and sits down in the chair by the window.

"Oh hyung, it's a long story."

"I'm done here anyway, and I'm not in a hurry, want me to come over?" Taehyung thinks about it, and nods, tears welling up in the corner of his eyes. Hoseok makes a cute pouty face at him. "I'll be there in twenty minutes." He makes a heart with his hands in front of his chest and pushes it out toward the phone before he hangs up.