What was hoped to remain a secret taken to the grave escaped the mouth of Park Jimin so easily that it frightened for a second but only a second. He knew what he did was wrong but lying to his aunt would be worse. He owed it to the woman to at least be honest with her after all he put her through. Also once the truth was out a weight was lifted from his shoulder's. Jimin felt some relieve to his pain in revealing the truth. 

"Why would you do that?" Aunt Jiae asked him in a tone that was hushed so that no one but the two could hear the sinful talking. No one would hear because nine thirty was lights off and everyone was well tucked into bed by now, awake or not. 

"I didn't know...I was lied to."

She nodded. "I had figured that but I needed to be sure. I hope you're ashamed of yourself."

And he was very ashamed of his actions. Jimin did not need the reminder from his aunt and he sure as hell didn't want it. The months that came after the unfortunate incident were the worse he'd experienced in his whole life. They consisted of painful nights full of crying, muffled whimpers, and self disgust. Jimin was grossed out by himself, what he'd done but even more with the fact that because of that he caused the life of an innocent family member that had not even seen the light of day. Not only had he dealt with those two problems but he also felt the burdens of a broken heart. He felt betrayed by his friends and lover. Jimin didn't want to go back to those dark times. 

"I am...What happened was all my fault and...I take responsibility for my actions."

Jiae sniffed, "Good because the next two months are going to be your living nightmare. Have a goodnight Jimin."

She walked right out of there without a single word more to spare. Jimin was left behind to think of what she spoke. He was very aware that his visit there would be a nightmare but now that his aunt said so, he worried even more. 

***

Two weeks went by since the arrival of the guest in the house of a single mother with her two twins. Geun and Minki were the nightmare that the aunt had mentioned to the eldest nephew. She did not need to partake in any actions for Jimin to believe so. A perfect example would the Sunday morning at church. 

It was the end of the hours and all the members were standing outside discussing their lives and the happenings of which they were all there for. Jiae was talking with a few women while her sons ran about the court yard like a duo of cattle and her nephews chased after them.

"Get back here!" Jihyun huffed as he stopped to take a break from the exhausting activity. 

"You do soccer, how are you tired!?" Jimin breathed heavily besides his brother on the ledge of a short stone wall that served as a pot to flowers. The sun beamed in his face as he attempted to look for his cousins in the group of other children running around like a pack of animals. Usually he would not care for the boys were just enjoying themselves after three hours of not doing so but the mother of the twins claimed that even if a single speck of the dirt was on their clothes they'd be going to be going to do laundry the next day. Monday's had become the day for the Park brothers to get away and they didn't want to spend it cleaning what was not theirs. 

"Okay you get G-Geun and I'll get...the other one." Jihyun patted Jimin's shoulder then ran off after one of the twins which could very well be "the other one" but they wouldn't be able to tell. The elder brother took off after one of his cousins. After what was a game of cat and mouse, the young boy was in the grasp of his older cousin. 

"I got him!" Jimin yelled happily just as Jihyun got his hand on the other's hair and pulled him into his chest. The brothers brought the captured relatives together to sit on the stone. 

"Minki was a hard one!"Jihyun sighed. "But I got him! I deserve a piece of cake!"

"I'm Geun." Said who was believed to be Minki.

"And I still deserve cake, what's your point?" 

Jimin rolled his eyes and checked the boys from any dirty spots on their clothes and to his favor, he found non. The two boy were proud of the twins for not costing them their only free day. Happiness only lasted about five minutes until they were rejoined by Jiae whose eyesight proved to be better than the two teenagers.  

"Looks like you two won't be spending too much time out I guess." Jiae shrugged. "Come on boys."

The two not twins slugged behind her and the children who playfully stuck their tongues out.

Monday arrived with what was the screeching voices of two hungry ten year olds and the loud groaning of a fifteen year old. Jimin slapped the mattress above his in attempts to shut his brother up before he got a headache so early. He rolled out of bed to prepare breakfast for the two devils. 

"You guys should really learn to sleep in." Jihyun joined them once the three were seated having cereal. 

"Whatever, what time is Dani coming?"

Dani is the boys babysitter who came on Mondays when their current ones were out in the town enjoying their only day of freedom. Jimin looked to Jihyun to break it to the boys that their beloved sitter would not be coming today because they were stuck with them for another day of the week. Eventually the two would be recompensed for the day stolen from them but it wasn't said when. Jimin got up from his seat to leave Jihyun to reveal the news. He walked out into the living room to read his book when loud screams reached his ears. It was ten in the morning, his day was just starting. 

The birther of the twin boys decided to come home just a littler later than usual that Monday. As soon as she did, the Park boys had just about had it. 

"Laundry's done, they're bathed, changed, dinners on the counter," Jihyun pointed behind himself, "and your kids are eating it. We are going to enjoy the little time left before lights out. See you later. Jimin, let's go!" 

Jimin came running down the stairs at the aggressive call of his name. He rushed past his aunt for he did not wish to see her maddening face from the way she was talked to. Usually he'd go against even the idea of talking up to the adult but like Jihyun had said, they deserved some time away. The two brothers took a cab into the shopping centers of the city where one was in search for nothing in particular while the other was. They were well into their third store when Jimin believed his vision to have failed him. 

"Is that...Daehyun?" 

Jihyun turned his head away from the shoes he held in hand. "Er...yes it is. Why don't you go say hi meanwhile I go pay for these beauties."

Jimin handed Jihyun the credit card and exited the store. Daehyun did the same. The friends caught sight of each other from across the street. The elder was confused for a few seconds, he squinted then realized who it was waving at him.

"Birdie!" 

The pet name was very welcomed by the possessor of it. Daehyun crossed the street where he formally greeted his younger friend. He engulfed the petite in a tight hug then offered the cup in his hand to him. 

"What are you doing here!?" Jimin asked as he accepted the drink in a plastic cup. He sipped it happily and welcomed the sweet taste of the iced coffee. Daehyun pulled his cheek as he did so.

"Some work stuff came up and I had to come here to drop some papers off. I texted you several times to go see you but you didn't answer me birdie."

Jimin apologized for his obviousness. He invited Daehyun to join him and his brother in their quest for Jihyun's newest outfit but he was turned down. Daehyun claimed he must head back soon, he had come with a friend so he couldn't stay too long either. 

"I'm glad I got to see you though, I promise I'll come another day to spend it together."

The boy nodded and thanked his friend for the promise, he was really looking forward to it now. Daehyun turned to the coffee shop then back to Jimin. 

"My friend finally got his drink so I have to go now."

The boy was sad to hear so but accepted that that was how things were. Again he thanked Daehyun for the quick visit and also for giving him his drink. They said their goodbye in a hug which Jimin wished he hadn't given because if he hadn't he wouldn't have seen who waited outside the shop. 

The face that captured the heart of his best friend was staring right back at him.  

~'~'~'

I start school tomorrow, stab me.

Hope you enjoyed! 

{Ciel1l}