(to clarify: the jimin who is friends with jungkook and hobi is the same jimin taehyung talks to online. meaning they have met irl, but both of them don't know that *since taehyung goes by the name vante and lied about where he lives)

taehyung has friends. and he's happy. he knows he shouldn't be, but he can't help it. maybe it'll be different, taehyung thought. it won't, but maybe.

maybe they'll stay together for a long time, and not leave when taehyung needs them most.

namjoon
did you get home safely?

taehyung
yeah i'm fine :)

namjoon
good. it was nice meeting you.
i'm really sorry... for what i said and did
i want to make it up to you :(

taehyung
i've already forgiven you
i understand that you're a good guy,
and maybe you were just having a rough day
so there's no need to keep apologizing

namjoon
okay...
well uhm we're friends, right?

taehyung
yes ofc :)
as long as you're not just pitying me

namjoon
no no!
i think you're really cool and
we just clicked yknow?
we should eat lunch together:)

taehyung
wow.. thank you
and i'd love to spend lunch with you!

namjoon
great! is it okay if jin joins?

taehyung
totally okay :p
well see you tomorrow?

namjoon
yup! goodnight bro

taehyung
g'night

taehyung smiled gently as he placed his phone on his bedside table. there are good people in this hell of a world, they're just more likely to hide in a shell compared to the bad ones. but taehyung might've just punctured a couple shells today, and soon people will realize that just because he's different on the outside, doesn't mean he's different on the inside. he has a heart too.

••

to say jimin was disappointed when taehyung showed up with that stupid paper bag over his head at school is an understatement. he understands that taehyung must've been through a lot, but either way (covered or uncovered) it seems like people aren't respecting him.

jimin wants to befriend the younger, but it seemed like he only bothered taehyung the other day. he was convinced taehyung didn't like him.

"park jimin!" jungkook yelled. "were you even listening?" the younger asked, pissed off that jimin wasn't listening to him ramble about his boy crush.

"s-sorry," jimin stumbled, being pulled back into reality by jungkook's harsh voice.

"what's wrong with midget?" hoseok scoffed, punching the blondes shoulder.

"is he day dreaming about that crippled kid?!" jungkook teases loudly, laughing his ass off with hoseok.

"if you guys don't shut your goddam ugly ass mouths right now, i won't hesitate to leave you!" jimin retorted angrily, scaring the two boys. "i don't know what's gotten into your heads, but i'm sick of it! even two year olds would know better than you," he ranted, getting quieter near the end.

they were silent.

"think you're stronger than him? better then him? smarter than him? i'd think twice about that if i were you," that was the last thing jimin said before leaving, letting his two friends contemplate everything that just happened.

there was no place for jimin to go, so he sat on a bench, watching taehyung chat with what seems like his new friends.

and when taehyung took off his paper bag to eat, jimin could see his bright boxy smile, which makes his eyes crinkle, and heard his deep chuckle, causing everyone else to laugh with him.

_____________________

this was kinda short, i apologize ;( just want to update more often for you guys~

also hi i'm rlly thankful for you all <3 writing is my passion, and seeing all these different people enjoying my work, it brings me happiness 🥺

have a good day/night, hopies! 💜