like magic

act II, part 2 ; après inversion

that night, taeyong and yuta ordered pizza and watched some random japanese anime together on the couch. taeyong knew that he should probably explain himself to yuta, he just didn't know how to start the conversation. he paused the anime.

"we need to talk-"

"can we talk?"

both boys spoke at the same time. they laughed together, the tension dissolving. yuta gestured for taeyong to speak.

"i'll start by thanking you. i know that you brought me home on friday and took care of me and i'm really grateful for that. i was being a jerk to you before but you still helped me. i'm sorry for how i acted. and i don't remember much of what i did that night but i'm sorry if i said anything weird," taeyong said with a laugh.

"it's okay, hyung. we're friends, i'm not just going to leave you to suffer. but i think that it's time you talk to me about what's going on. you acted very out of character on friday and i'm worried for you," yuta said. "i want to be here for you. let me," he added.

"i don't know if i'm ready to talk to you about this, yuta. please don't pry, i can't tell you right now," taeyong sighed. yuta became frustrated, "im trying to be a good friend, taeyong! i can't do that if you act so fucking closed off all the time," he yelled.

    "you don't need to know about everything i do to be a good friend, yuta! just fuck off for once?" taeyong growled in return, "i'm leaving, don't worry about me tonight. i need to cool off."

    yuta watched sadly as taeyong put on his coat and walked out the front door with nothing but his phone and keys. he wished he could help taeyong, but he knew to leave it for now.

    taeyong walked along the sidewalk on the dark street. with his hands in his pockets and huffing lightly, he kicked a stone in front of him. he felt bad for blowing up at yuta, but he just couldn't talk about it yet. he didn't even know what "it" was yet!   

    he walked far, not realizing how long it had been before he found himself in a neighbourhood he had never been to before. it started raining a couple of minutes before and taeyong was already soaked. the rain had begun to come down hard, the sky lighting up with flashes of lightning every couple minutes.

    the silver haired boy tightened his jacket around himself, shivering. his phone was dead by now and all he could do was continue walking in hopes of finding somewhere to shelter himself. ahead of him to the right, a figure was standing under cover in an apartment complex, smoking. taeyong walked closer, hoping to be able to use the mystery person's phone to call someone to come get him.

    taeyong gasped when the figure was close enough to be identified. it was jaehyun. although the opposite of ideal, taeyong would rather not die tonight so he decided to continue walking closer. jaehyun looked up, recognition and surprise written on his face.

    "taeyong? what are you doing out there in the rain?" he asked with concern. he put his cigarette out and stepped closer.

    "i was walking and i lost track of time. i'm not sure where i am and my phone is dead. can i please use yours so i can just go home?" taeyong asked, defeated.

    "oh yeah of course, my phone is upstairs though. come inside before you catch a cold," jaehyun said, eyebrows knitted together in worry. taeyong considered the invitation. he didn't want to be around the younger boy any more than necessary.

    "i'll stay out here. please just go get your phone," taeyong said. jaehyun shook his head, "i know that you don't want to be near me right now but i can't leave you out here. come inside with me and at least have some tea." jaehyun replied.