(6615 words)
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November 20, 2024

When Jimin was in high school he had gotten used to the idea of work. His dad taught him that in the world they live in, rewards are given based on effort. Since then, Jimin has followed this advice and worked his ass off to maintain high grades in school.

It was common for him to stay up late, often surpassing 1 a.m, completing assignments. He often took advantage of his free time to finish tasks days before their due dates. Jimin argued that he'd work ahead to get things out of the way as soon as possible. Then he wouldn't have to stress the day its deadlines arrived.

When Jimin entered college, he was told work would be easier than the assignments he was given in high school. He came to discover the work wasn't the problem but it was the number of tasks he was given. Before Jimin knew it, assignment after assignment piled on top of one another. The young lad struggled to keep up but he exhausted himself trying.

So, here he is, studying late at night since his final exams are tomorrow. The brunette studied obsessively these days and as drained as he was, he couldn't stop. His inner overachiever prevented him from doing so.

Jeongguk walked into Jimin's room without a heads up, without knocking, carrying a plate of brown grilled meat with a side of plain white rice.

"Hey. Dinner," he announces.

Jimin doesn't look up from the paper he's writing his notes on. Licking his lips, Jeongguk wondered whether Jimin even heard him. The ravenette walks up to the focused latter, setting the plate beside Jimin's books. The clinking of the glass object on the wooden surface of the desk alerted Jimin that his eyes looked up. The brunette eyed the food, sighed, then looked back at his paper smudged with handwriting, not putting his pen down.

Unsurprising to Jeongguk, the brunette answered, "Thanks but I'm not hungry."

Lately, Jimin's eating patterns have changed because of this upcoming exam. While Jeongguk admired how hardworking his best friend was, it was not worth it if his health was negatively affected.

"Jimin, you haven't been eating."

"I have," Jimin remarks before the ravenette could continue, not that he was paying attention to him anyway.

"Ramen is not food. And you always make it when I'm asleep. How do I know you're even eating it instead of throwing it away?"

Jimin didn't have the guts to say anything back. Because Jeongguk was right.

He doesn't even remember the last time he ate. Recently, he sets a timer on himself for everything he does. He gives himself 30 minutes to eat and most of the time, he feels nauseous from the leftovers Jeongguk leaves for him in the fridge. Hence, he sticks with ramen, not a healthy choice but it was...food. Still, last night, he was so busy that he didn't eat. But there's no way he'll tell Jeongguk.

"I'm busy, Jeongguk," he reasons.

"I can see that." The ravenette nodded. "But can you just spare like 5 minutes to eat?"

"No," Jimin states, firmly. "Please go, you're distracting me," he dismisses the other.

Jeongguk purses his lips, choosing not to argue and leaving as he was told to. Once Jimin heard the sound of the door shutting close, he turned the page of his textbook to copy important notes, the abandoned food by his side turning cold.

Minutes later, Jeongguk walked in again with a glass of an orange-brown liquid in his hand.

"I brought you some water. I added that peach-flavored powder you like. At least drink it."

Jimin was beginning to get irritated by Jeongguk's presence at this point. "Jeongguk, I said I'm fine."

"You haven't been hydrating yourself well-"

"Jeongguk," Jimin interrupts, frustratingly slamming his pen on his desk and bringing his hands up to his head, running them through his hair. Sighing, he brings his hands down to meet his sleepy eyes, in which he tries to rub the drowsiness away. Jeongguk remained silent, tightening his lips into a thin line. "I'm fine." The brunette picked up the pen again.

"Jimin-"

"Jeongguk!" Irritated, Jimin whirls his body around so he's facing the ravenette. "Taehyung is coming in a few hours. Let me finish this, please . I'll eat when I'm done."

Jeongguk gives up, seeing the distress Jimin showed when thinking of doing anything but study. But it was the simple name that left Jimin's lips where Jeongguk understood why Jimin was so tense.

He nods, turning around to leave Jimin alone like he wished, leaving the water on his desk.

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Free from distractions, Jimin was able to finish the note he rushed to copy. As always, time flew when he studied. For that reason, Jimin didn't doll himself up before Taehyung's arrival. After cleaning and organizing his working area, he dragged his feet to the bed, lying down on his soft, plush mattress that could easily knock him out into sleep. However, the painful stomach growls that he chose to ignore prevented him from a full, peaceful rest.

He could eat later, he thought. He wants to rest now.

And while his hungry stomach became his worst enemy, soon his insomnia decided to join the battle. Annoyed at his body and himself, he tossed and turned in bed, desperate to find a comfortable position that could lead him into taking a small nap. At some point, Jimin considered taking one, maybe two, of the melatonin gummies he'd bought for when his insomnia worsened during weekdays, but he shot down the idea since it required having to leave the bed. To his luck, just when he finally felt himself drifting off to sleep, the doorbell rang loudly in his eardrums.

Shit, he's here.

Fuuuck.

He groaned, rolling off the bed and rubbing his eyes as he headed out his door. Leaving his bedroom, he was surprised by the sight of Jeongguk already opening the door and Taehyung on the other side.

The golden-haired's blank expression turned into a soft grin upon seeing Jimin. But Jeongguk?

Jeongguk... was nervous for Jimin. He knew his friend hadn't eaten the dinner he took to his room earlier. Jeongguk also couldn't understand why Jimin didn't take a rain check on the date, considering the test he'd been anxiously preparing himself for was tomorrow.

A break would be an understatement for tonight since the brunette looked so exhausted. Still, Jeongguk knew that wasn't the kind of person Jimin was.

"Hi Jimin!" the chipper voice cut off Jeongguk's train of thoughts.

Jimin offers a small polite smile, despite having drowsy eyes and a sudden feeling of his breath shortening slightly. He ignores it to greet Taehyung back.

"Hi, Taehyung." And if Taehyung hadn't caught on to how fatigued Jimin looked, Jimin's tone of speech certainly did now. It was gentle and uneasy, definitely not the tone Taehyung was used to. "Come in. Jeongguk, you can just stay in your room tonight. We'll be fine."

The ravenette eyed him, almost asking for reassurance whether he would actually be okay. Jimin nods at him with a comforting smile, wordlessly letting him know Jeongguk can trust him. Hesitating, Jeongguk raises an eyebrow at him, pursing his lips before sighing and nodding, closing the apartment door once Taehyung enters.

Walking to his room, Jeongguk mentally advised himself that Jimin would be fine. After all, since the day he was born, Jimin's life revolved around being watched over by the eyes of his parents. Living with Jeongguk was his ticket to freedom, Jeongguk was aware of that as well. When the best friends moved in together, Jeongguk swore not to do the same as Jimin's parents. The time had arrived for Jeongguk to keep his promise.

He closes his bedroom door without another word, leaving the childhood friends together alone in awkward silence.

"So what do you want to watch?" Taehyung asked as he sat on the couch, facing the television that rested on its stand.

Jimin copied his actions afterward. "I really don't know. Is there anything you want to watch?"

With a shy toothy grin, Taehyung replied. "The Greatest Showman."

"Why?" Jimin returned the grin in a playful, childlike manner. It often made an appearance when Taehyung rambled about the things he liked that would be considered childlike by their peers. Jimin, however, finds it endearing.

"I've been listening to 'A Million Dreams' a lot lately. I really want to see it again."

The brunette nodded. "It's alright, we can watch it."

Spotting the remote resting on the television stand across the room, it took most of Jimin's energy for him to stand from the couch and retrieve the item. Still standing, possibly blocking Taehyung's view, he clicked on the blue icon and waited for the rotating white circle to disappear. As he searched for the movie, his mind directed his attention to his unsteady breath and that sudden sting of sharp pain in his chest that followed.

Ow.

He placed his hand above his breastbone, where the shot of pain was strongest. He didn't panic, but rather began to walk backward slowly, trying to direct his full attention on putting on the movie for Taehyung.

When he felt the soft leather of the couch brush against his shin, he sat down, feeling so relieved as he relaxed into the furniture. Jimin's energy was completely drained, he had a sting in his chest and his breathing was unstable. The more he thought of it, his heart began to accelerate and not in the cute, magical way because the golden-haired boy was sitting close to his side.

Jimin selected the movie quickly upon finding it, so he could distract himself.

The first time Jimin felt his heart accelerate as it was doing now, Jimin was watching Spongebob Squarepants on the living room television. To this day, Jimin remembers his mother's calming words.

"Look at Spongebob honey. Look at how he dances."

To his surprise, it worked. Since then, when he felt that feeling again, begged his parents for the television, so he could watch an episode of his newly found comfort show. His grandmother, a licensed doctor who studied psychology, supposed this kid show became Jimin's remedy because it was familiar to him.

His childhood show became a great distraction for his anxiety to ease off. As well as some breathing exercises his father had taught him.

Jimin has to consider that Taehyung is here now. He feels like a burden if he changes the movie. Besides, he doesn't want Taehyung worrying about him. Jimin was just tired, right?

The brunette mentally hoped this movie would have the same effect to help him.

Breathe, Jimin. Breathe, it's okay. You're fine. It's ok.

Even by his words of reassurance, Jimin's heartbeats increased as if he was running a marathon. His vision was the next victim. The world became blurry, and black spots appeared wherever he looked. As much as he tried to suppress it, he couldn't anymore once he felt woozy.

Shit, not now, please.

Breathe Jimin, you're ok.

Before he knew it, Jimin found himself curling up, bringing his chest down so it'd touch his thighs, his head dangling over his knees.

" Jimin, are you okay? " he heard in a faint distance.

Taehyung, witnessing Jimin's condition, could not ignore it, even while the movie played in the background. And Jimin could not deny it anymore.

"No," Jimin replied, his voice higher and weaker than normal. "I'm having- I'm having-" Jimin struggled to breathe.

Shit, he couldn't even talk.

Why couldn't he talk!

Why couldn't he see!

Why couldn't he breathe!

While Taehyung called his name, Jimin's body temperature increased like he was on fire, sweat forming and dribbling down his forehead. All his vision allowed him to see was a white patch and outlines here and there. Jimin felt Taehyung's hands on him but he closed his eyes and began to sway, faint tears that formed rolling down his cheeks. Taehyung, on his knees with wide panicking eyes holding the brunette close, looked around the room frantically, searching for anything to help Jimin.

"Jimin. I don't know what to do," he whimpered. Taehyung was on the verge of his own panic attack seeing Jimin's pale face and droopy eyes but he kept himself at bay. Jimin needs him right now. "I don't know what to do. What should I do?"

"Jeongguk," is all Jimin manages to stutter out. "Jeongguk."

Taehyung didn't waste time when Jimin repeated his friend's name. The golden-haired boy laid Jimin on the couch before getting up and running to Jeongguk's door. In a panic, he banged on the wooden surface, his mind scolding him that it was a mistake to cause any rackets. Still, Taehyung was too distressed to pay attention to his inner thoughts at the moment.

Because of Taehyung's banging, the door opens quickly, revealing a frowning, irritated Jeongguk, whose expression shifted into confusion upon seeing how apprehensive Taehyung looked. At Taehyung fumbling over his words, his occasional pointing at the direction of the couch, and Jimin's name repeatedly leaving his lips, Jeongguk sprinted into action after connecting the dots.

Taehyung kept pointing at an area so he thought he'd check it out first. Sure enough, there was Jimin in a crouching position Jeongguk recognized too well.

"Shit. Taehyung. Get the ice pack in the fridge," he commanded, getting on his knees and pulling up his sleeves, not taking his eyes off his friend.

Taehyung nodded, instantly pivoting to the kitchen to retrieve the cold item. Jeongguk placed his hands on Jimin's shoulders, pushing him back to sit him up until the brunette's back collided with the couch cushions. By Jeongguk's touch, Jimin flinched but relaxed after hearing his comforting, gentle whispers in his ear. "Jimin, hey. Sit up. Sit up, Moonlight."

Jimin can't. He can't even see for Christ's sake. It's all pale, it's all white.

He can't see.

Jeongguk doesn't stop looking at his pale friend, who feels his body begin to give out.

Shit, he's going to pass out.

Nonetheless, Jimin lets Jeongguk help him. Jimin opens his eyes to paranoidly look around the room, struggling to meet Jeongguk's patient gaze. Taehyung returns quickly, practically sprinting with the ice pack wrapped in an aged cloth he found by the kitchen sink. Taking the item as Taehyung handed it to him, Jeongguk placed it behind Jimin's neck as if he's done this a million times before.

Jimin whips his hand to his nape, feeling the cold item on his skin so he could hold the pack in place. The frozen temperature of the object did wonders against Jimin's hot skin. It seemed to bring the boy back into a sense of reality. He opened his eyes to discover his vision had returned but unfortunately, his lungs still struggle to inhale and exhale air.

"Bring me some water," Jeongguk instructed Taehyung. Again, without questions or complaints, Taehyung follows his orders. Jeongguk, still crouching, directs his attention back at his friend. "Look at me, Moonlight. Look at me. You can do it."

For a second, Jimin's body gave out and Jeongguk was sure he had fainted. Quickly, Jeongguk grabs him before he could collapse. "Whoa, whoa. Hey, it's ok, okay? Let's lay you down," he said when he noticed Jimin hadn't passed out as he thought. That was good news because if he had, Jeongguk wouldn't have known what to do.

The ravenette holds his best friend as he lays his body on the couch, tucking couch pillows underneath his legs so they'd be elevated. Jeongguk reminds him of the breathing exercises they always use, even guiding the brunette until Taehyung returns with a glass of water. Unintentionally, he had left a trail of water droplets on the tile floor by how much he anticipated getting the water to Jeongguk and Jimin. Even with the ice on his neck and the simple breathing exercises, Jimin feels like he's on the brink of death but he's aware he's not.

As always, he just has to wait for it to pass.

1... 2... 3... 4... 5...

Hold it in.

1... 2... 3...

Let it out.

1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7...

Jimin copies Jeongguk as he repeats this cycle. Taehyung didn't move, his eyes steady on the pale boy. His heart was running marathons seeing Jimin not getting better. He felt there was more he could do but Jeongguk, as if reading his circling mind, consoled him, informing the clueless golden-haired lad they'll have to wait it out. There's only so much one could do.

Minutes later, it passes and Jimin is breathing steadily again. But he was weak, exhausted, and sweaty.

"Hey, Moonlight. You feeling better?" Jeongguk asked, seeing Jimin's peachy skin color return.

The weary man nodded. Taehyung lets go of a breath, relieved. It was then he remembered how The Greatest Showman still played in the background, the volume surprisingly low but the characters no doubt trying to grasp the attention of their viewers.

As Jeongguk grabbed the glass of water off the floor, Taehyung reached for the remote resting on the couch arm to shut the television off, the colorful pictures and motion now a dark abyss. When he looked back at the two roommates, Jeongguk had placed his hand underneath Jimin's head to help him lift it up.

"Drink," Jeongguk instructs, tipping the glass so Jimin's lips could touch the cold liquid. As Jeongguk held the glass to his lips, Jimin gulped down the water rapidly like he was running out of time, until there was nothing, not a drop, left in the cup.

"Good," Jeongguk praised, which was inaudible to the rest. He sets the empty glass on the floor while Jimin lets out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes. "I'm going to take him to bed now," he told Taehyung. "I think he's had enough for today."

Taehyung instantly nods, agreeing with the ravenette wholeheartedly that Jimin needed to rest. If he had known about Jimin's condition. his situation, he would have never suggested the date and he would have never come and Jimin would have been able to rest, right? This was all his fault, wasn't it?

Jimin didn't argue against Jeongguk's words.

He lets his best friend pick him up in a bridal style. The sudden motion of sitting up presents Jimin with a sudden migraine that he has to lean his head on Jeongguk's chest. Unfazed, Jeongguk carried the brunette to his room, settling him on the unmade bed and bringing the sheets so they rested under Jimin's chin.

"Jeongguk-"

"Shh, don't talk right now," he instructed as he tucked the blankets under Jimin's body until the smaller one looked like a burrito. He knows Jimin will begin to move around after he leaves but for now, it felt like the right thing to do. "Just rest, alright? I'll be back in a second. But if you need anything, just yell."

Jeongguk doesn't wait for Jimin to respond, Jimin's guest in mind who just witnessed his childhood friend have a panic attack for the first time. He didn't doubt Taehyung was still in shock by it.

Taehyung standing in front of Jimin's room like he was waiting to serve any of the two roommates anything they needed surprises Jeongguk when he exits the door. Seeing Jeongguk step out of the room and close the door brings the golden-haired boy to ask an important question,

"Is he okay?"

Jeongguk nods. "He'll be alright. Don't worry. He knows what to do with this kind of stuff."

He said it so... normal. And he knew what to do.

"It's not the first time, is it?"

Jeongguk shakes his head, crossing the room to get to the couches. "No. Jimin used to have these often when he was younger. But they're honestly rare now."

Taehyung trailed behind the other. "Why does he have these... panic attacks?"

"I don't think they're panic attacks," Jeongguk said as he grabbed the now melted ice pack and empty cup, walking to the kitchen. "They're just... episodes of fainting. See, Jimin hasn't been eating or hydrating himself well these days. School, you know?"

Taehyung understood completely, yet he never thought of Jimin as someone who'd put work before health.

There was a pause in their conversation. Taehyung let the clinking sounds of Jeongguk washing the dishes and the running of the faucet water fill in the silence. Though it looked like a peaceful scene, the atmosphere was so thick that one could cut it with a knife.

Taehyung gulped, awkward. "I think I'm going to go now," he says as he stands up from the couch.

"Hey, wait."

Taehyung halts, turning back from heading to the door, meeting with a shy Jeongguk. "Would you mind staying?" the ravenette offered.

Jeongguk didn't sound nervous about the question. He was nervous about the answer. And by the unexpected question, Taehyung couldn't help but be bewildered.

"Like... staying over?"

"No, I mean... Just sit down, I'd like to chat with you," the other gestured to the couch.

Where the hell was this coming from?

Nonetheless, Taehyung grinned seeing Jeongguk as a fragile and soft kid, a person dear to his heart coming into mind. "That's something Jimin would say."

Taehyung didn't fail to catch the slight smirk on Jeongguk's lips. "Well, maybe I'm the influence behind Jimin's actions."

For a second, Taehyung's smile faltered, a small revealing detail about Taehyung that Jeongguk didn't notice because he was too busy strolling to the couch with his back facing him. Jeongguk's question had sparked the voices to wake up. They told Taehyung that the reason Jeongguk wanted him to stay was just so he could judge him. To point out the imperfections Taehyung tried to hide.

And Taehyung began to believe them. Like he always did.

Regardless, he stayed because he had so many questions about Jimin's condition and figured Jeongguk was the only one to answer them. Speaking of Jimin, Taehyung realized if he stayed, he'd just be a distraction to Jeongguk aiding his childhood friend.

"Wait, but what about Jimin? Doesn't he need you?"

Jeongguk glanced at Jimin's closed door. for a brief moment.

He trusted Jimin would be alright. Besides, he probably knows him better than anyone. "Like I said Taehyung," he responds as he turns his head back to face the other. "He's gone through this before. If he does, I told him to yell."

Trusting Jeongguk, Taehyung nods again, walking to the couch and stiffly sitting on it. Jeongguk grabbed the remote and Taehyung wondered whether he was going to turn on the television. He didn't but instead, put it away on the stand Jimin had picked it up from earlier. Taehyung guesses Jimin and Jeongguk had the same preferences when it came to conversations with people: no distractions.

"Where are you from, Taehyung?"

It was a simple, common question to start any conversation, especially when getting to know someone.

"Daegu. But I moved to Busan with my mom when my dad left."

Interesting. "You were raised by your mom then?"

"Yeah, just her. If I'm honest, I don't remember much from Daegu or my childhood. Where are you from?"

"Busan," he replied casually with a soft glow in his eyes. "Lived here since I was born."

Taehyung could tell Jeongguk was recalling childhood memories. It softened his heart by how much fondness Jeongguk carried in his Bambi eyes.

"And how did you meet Jimin?"

Jimin was what connected the two. Taehyung figured it would be a good topic to talk about.

Jeongguk let himself be consumed by the endless memories of Park Jimin. Even then, he didn't seem to have a clear answer to the question.

"To be honest, I don't remember. I think I talked to him first? Or he talked to me? I really don't remember. How did you meet Jimin?"

This is something Jeongguk always wanted to know. But he was surprised when the other shrugged with his lips pursed.

"I don't remember either. Middle school and high school were so long ago, I don't remember anything."

"Anything?" he asks, just to make sure he was hearing correctly.

But when he repeated the question, Jeongguk saw a small spark in his eyes. Hope.

There was hope in the eyes of the kid with a fond smile and a dark past.

"Well, just a few things, with Jimin."

"Like what?" Jeongguk rested his elbow again on the couch's backrest, his fists squishing his cheek.

Taehyung chuckles at Jeongguk's enthusiasm, positioning himself to lead a little closer to the ravenette as if he was about to tell the juiciest story that Jeongguk could later use to tease his best friend. "Like, once, we had a class together and at that time, we had another friend, Seokjin. Anyways, when we were bored, we would take out erasers and draw faces on them then act out K- dramas with them."

Taehyung remembers this memory fairly. "And then our teacher would tell us to quiet down but we wouldn't. Oh! And during recess, Jimin and I would play that we were superheroes and we'd have powers. I had flying powers and Jimin had teleportation."

Jeongguk chuckles with Taehyung's innocent wide eyes as he tells his story. "I didn't know Jimin had an imagination."

"Oh trust me, he had the greatest imagination," Taehyung replies with a wide smile. "In elementary school when we had the same class and teacher, he turned his desk into a literal house!"

"A house?" Jeongguk repeated, mimicking Taehyung's energy.

"Yes! He made furniture out of paper and even drew and cut out stick figures for his characters. But the teacher always threw them away when the girl next to him snitched," Taehyung ends with a frowning pout that by the next second, had transformed into a fond giggle.

"I remember Jimin learned how to make paper boats and so many people thought it was cool as if they couldn't look up tutorials online themselves." He scoffs playfully. "And guess what?"

He paused for dramatic effect, leaning closer as he waited for the smiling Jeongguk to reply with a playful 'what'.

"He started selling them."

"Selling them?" That statement took the ravenette by surprise. He recalls Jimin struggling in high school to sell his fundraising items. Who would have thought Jimin voluntarily sold once?

"Well, how much did he make?"

"Oh, Jeongguk." Taehyung shook his head with a smile. "He didn't sell them for money. He sold them for pencil led!"

"Pencil led?" Jeongguk laughed, face palming himself at the thought of Jimin selling paper for trash.

"Yes! The ones that break off the wooden pencils. Not for the mechanical ones, although that would have seemed like a smarter idea."

Jeongguk agreed. "Jimin had trouble selling shit in high school, how ironic," he added, recalling the way Jimin always begged his parents to buy all his products since the deadline for the money to be due often came sooner than expected and he struggled to approach people to sell to.

"Well, moving changes people, Jeongguk. I would know."

Right, moving.

Jeongguk wouldn't know. He's lived in the same city and attended the same school district all his life.

The lively atmosphere dimmed down. They felt silent but they weren't uncomfortable. There were so many more memories Taehyung could have shared, yet in all honesty, he would rather keep them to himself. Back then, before meeting Jimin again, he wondered how things would have been had Jimin gone to the same high school he did, or if they would have reunited sooner.

What more happy memories would they have created together?

"Did you miss him when he was gone?"

Jeongguk's question interrupted his train of thoughts. Taehyung processed the question, but in reality, he didn't have to think of his answer. He was so sure of it. "Well, every now and then I did. But I had to move on with my life, you know? I guess every so often, I wondered how he was doing."

Honestly, that's the way Jeongguk viewed the nature of humanity. When someone comes into your life and changes it in some way, it's common to think of them now and then. He guesses that was the case for Taehyung.

"Didn't you say you didn't remember anything from elementary or middle school?" Jeongguk teased.

The golden-haired boy smiled, timid. "Just... vague memories."

Jeongguk waits for Taehyung to elaborate. For that reason, after thinking about his next words, Taehyung cranes his head to face Jeongguk. The ravenette signaled with his hand that he'd like Taehyung to continue. Tell him another one of his memories.

There was this one special memory, one that he could never forget, one that he'd ever want to.

"I remember once in middle school," he starts. "They were selling bread for Valentine's day. So you'd buy the bread and write a message on paper. Then they would deliver it to whoever you bought it for with that message. It didn't have to be just for crushes, it could be for friends too. So I sent one to Jimin."

Jeongguk's eyes widened slightly but softened shortly after.

"What did you write in the message?"

"He kept it actually." Taehyung threw his thumb back, pointing at Jimin's closed door. "He showed it to me the other day when we went to the movies. I don't remember what I wrote, though. He didn't want to show me. It was probably something dumb."

Of course Jimin kept it. He keeps everything people give him, even if it's just a piece of paper.

"That's really sweet, you know? Did he give you anything in return?"

If he did, it was probably like a card or something Jimin made himself.

"A paper heart that he folded himself."

And he was right.

"And did you keep it?"

Taehyung nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, of course. Back then, you just knew he cared about you. I don't know how to explain it."

Taehyung has forgotten many memories from his youth, most of them being unimportant to his life. Memories he could remember, he shared some of them with Jeongguk. But there was a faint memory he never wanted to share: the time Jimin casually confessed to being in love with him.

Back then, Taehyung didn't know what liking the same sex meant.

And love?

His picture of love was horrendous. The more he thought of his best friend, a person he cared a lot about, loving him, he knew he had to stop it. Because no matter what, Taehyung could never bring himself to hurt Jimin in any way. So he distanced himself from the other, in hopes that he would fall out of love with him, just like his father had done to make his mother not love him anymore. What a shame. He doesn't remember how his decision worked out.

"Did he hug you?"

Taehyung's eyes widened, caught off guard. "Yes, he used to hug me all the time. He was a big hugger."

Used to?

"He still is Taehyung."

By his comment, Taehyung's smile faltered.

"No he's not. Every time I hug him to thank him, or anything really, he always pushes me away."

Push away? Is Jimin still terrified of Taehyung hurting him?

"I don't know Taehyung," he responded with sympathy lingering in his voice.

Now Jeongguk understands why Jimin hasn't confronted Taehyung. Who would have thought he'd change to a respectable, caring man? Perhaps Jimin wants to forget the past and leave it behind. Yet, a person can not forget distressing memories they refuse to let go of.

"Listen Jeongguk, about Jimin... Can you please tell me more about what happened tonight? Like what I need to look out for, how many times it has happened to him, all that."

Jeongguk's eyebrows furrowed, wondering why Taehyung was so eager to know about Jimin's condition. Most people discover it and move on, not bothering to ask further. Except for Taehyung.

Does he really care that much about Jimin?

"Why do you want to know about that?" Jeongguk couldn't help but ask.

"Because what if one day you're not there? Someone has to help him."

He does care.

Jimin was very private about his condition, promising Jeongguk to never tell anyone unless it was some kind of emergency. Perhaps in the future, Jimin will hang out with Taehyung again, as he always did. He figured it would be a good idea to share all his tricks and answer any questions Taehyung would throw his way. There was a trust forming that the golden-haired boy would look after and protect Jimin as Jeongguk did.

"Well, Jimin is not diagnosed professionally if that's what you're wondering. Jimin has always been... thin and his parents think it's because he's always been a picky eater and hated the taste of water."

"So he's dehydrated and has... an eating disorder?"

Jeongguk shakes his head. "I don't think it's an eating disorder. He eats often but there's some food he doesn't like so he avoids those. Lately because of school, I found that all he eats is ramen. We used to eat together but now, Jimin always has work to do."

Taehyung hummed. "That makes sense. And I'm guessing he stopped drinking water as well."

Jeongguk nods. "As I said, he hates the taste of water. So I bought flavor packages so he can start drinking more." Jimin's mother used to do that too. By voicing it out loud to Taehyung, Jeongguk realizes he's picked up many of Jimin's parents' habits in order to keep his best friend healthy.

"Does what happened tonight always happen?"

"No, they're rare now. Just to let you know, there has only been one time Jimin lost complete consciousness but he regained it in like a minute. His mother told me. Other than that, Jimin fights to stay awake."

Taehyung clicks his mouth at that. "He's brave."

"Very fucking brave. I don't-" Jeongguk strongly agrees Jimin is the bravest person he's ever met. "I don't know how he deals with it like nothing."

"He knows what to do," Taehyung reminds him.

To Jeongguk and Taehyung, Jimin was a strong human being, even when Jimin himself didn't believe so.

"When self-isolation started around 4 years ago, damn, has it been that long? Anyways, it triggered anxiety attacks for the both of us so we'd call each other for stability, I guess," Jeongguk recalls.

There's a pause in their conversation, like they're indicating who to speak first. This new topic could be about anything. Life, their jobs, or Jimin. At the never leaving thought of him, Taehyung opened his mouth.

"Thank you. For being there for him, Jeongguk. Really, thank you for being there when I couldn't be."

Without a sense of hesitation in his voice, Jeongguk replies. "You too."

Because it's true. Even though Jeongguk was made aware of their childhood story, he had to admit, Jimin wouldn't be half the person he was today if it wasn't for the man sitting beside him. The saying is true. People come into our lives for a reason.

The first yawn escaped Taehyung's lips at that moment. He took it as a signal to head home. After all, he was driving himself and had work in the morning. Leaving now would be a smart idea.

Jeongguk agreed, for he was feeling his eyelids get heavy too. Like a gentleman, he walked the other to the door, opening it for Taehyung to step out. Just as Taehyung was about to exit, he turned back, realizing he had one more thing to say.

"Thank you. And um, when Jimin wakes up, tell him to text me. O-Or call me, alright?"

Jeongguk nods with a polite smile. "Of course. Bye Taehyung."

The other returns the goodbye, the door closing following after he stepped outside and disappeared into the hallway. Jeongguk blinked repeatedly to keep himself awake because he knew he needed to check on his possibly sleeping friend. With a quiet yawn escaping his lips, he walked to the designated door and opened it, indeed finding the boy asleep under the sheets. He felt cold air hitting his sleeveless arms, so he looked up, noticing the fan was on.

Jimin must have gathered some strength after some time to leave the bed and turn it on, which suggested to Jeongguk that he had recovered. Perhaps not fully but it was a start. With that reassurance, he turned around to leave him to sleep. As he closed the door slowly, he had forgotten about the loud, annoying, stupid creek.

CREEK!!

He really should get it fixed.

"Jeongguk?" he hears a soft, tired voice that leads Jeongguk to halt in his steps.

"Jimin, why are you still awake?'' he whispers, walking back to the boy on the bed.

"Insomnia," the soft voice whispered in the darkness. "What if I don't do well on my test tomorrow?"

"Jimin." Jeongguk invites himself to sit on Jimin's bed beside the other's body. "You've been studying so much on it. You're going to do great. Besides, you shouldn't be thinking about that right now. How are you feeling?"

"Better. A lot better." Relieved, Jeongguk smiles.

His eyes were directed to the ceiling fan for a brief moment. "Did you turn the fan on?"

"Yeah, it was pretty hot."

"Alright, well, if you need anything, just let me know."

Jeongguk pats the bed before standing up. Yet, once again, Jimin's voice stops him.

"Jeongguk... can you stay here tonight?" Jeongguk hears the clear hesitation in the question and he wonders whether he heard it right.

"What?"

"Stay here. Like, lullaby me to sleep please."

Who is Jeongguk to say no?

"Yeah, okay. Scoot over."

He hears the bed creak as Jimin shuffles to make room for Jungkook's body. Once he lies on the soft mattress, he drapes the sheets over his body, his back flat on the bed and keeping a respectable distance from Jimin. Surprisingly, he felt Jimin scooch closer to him until his head lay on Jeongguk's chest and his arm circles around his waist.

At first, Jeongguk didn't know where to place his arms without making Jimin uncomfortable. He decided to gulf him to a hug-like position, pulling the other closer until their legs were tangled together. With his right hand, he brought it up to run his fingers through Jimin's short hair.

"I can see why you like Taehyung now," he decides to mention in the tranquil room.

Jeongguk doesn't see Jimin's eyes shoot open, flowing by Jimin pulling away from the embrace to meet Jeongguk's face. It was pretty difficult to do so since they were in a room as dark as a black hole.

"You talked?"

"Yeah, we talked. About you. All good things. You were wild in middle school." Jeongguk laughs, ruffling Jimin's hair like a puppy dog. The playful, affectionate touch barked a laugh out of Jimin's lips as he laid back down on the ravenette's chest.

"Stop, that was a phase I would like to forget thank you very much."

Jeongguk chuckles, letting his hand caress the brunette's hair to soothe him to sleep.

"Sing me a song," Jimin mumbles.

"Any requests?"

"Hmm...," Jimin pretended to think it over. "The Boxer please."

That's Jeongguk's favorite song.

"I'm just a poor boy though my story's seldom told," he sings.

Some seconds pass until he hears Jimin's soft snores as he sings the chorus. He stops himself, the song still playing in his head. Content, he closes his drowsy eyes, tugging Jimin closer before sleep overtakes him.

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A/N: Working on a new chapter at the moment. I'll do my best to bring it to you soon :)