taehyung.

iMessage

Today at 8:09

Hey, tae
Good morning
Are you up?

Hi, gukkie
Good morning to you too
And yes, im already awake

How are you feeling?

Better, i guess?
I dont really want to move out my bed so

Do you still want us to come over?

You actually can...
But is it alright if you dont bring Storm with you?
I dont think I want him to see the kind of mess I am right now

You sure about that tae?

Yes...
Please?

Alright. I'll drop him off at Sana's first before going there
Want me to bring you something?
Food? Ice cream?

Guk it's too early for ice cream 🙄

Says who? 💁🏻‍♀️

Whatever
Just make sure you get here in one piece
Got it?

Ofc, tae
Wait for me, alright?

Always, guk.

[read 8:13]

- 🎨 -

yoongi

iMessage

Today at 8:32

Taehyung-ah
I know that you dont really want to talk to me right now
Let alone see me in person
But you just stormed outside my apartment last night without taking anything with you
And I was so worried I tried calling you but it said that the line was busy so I assumed you were on the phone with someone
That's why I didnt bother you furthermore but I just really want to know if you got home safely?

I did hyung.

Oh thank god. Tae i was really worried.
I also tried contacting the guys but none of them replied. I felt so bad for disturbing them at such an ungodly hour
Taehyung... I'm so sorry...
You still have some of your things here in my apartment. If you want all of them back I can drop them off at yours later.

No need hyung
I'll get them myself but not now.
I dont really want to face you right now

I can just drop them off, tae...
You dont have to go back here.
I wont ask for a conversation, I'm just going to drop all of these on your doorstep
Okay?

Okay, hyung. Just ring in later
Thank you. I'm sorry everything has to like this.

It's my fault, tae

It's mine too, hyung.
Dont take all of the blame because I was clearly unfair to you too

Are we really doing this right now
Tae, you're my best friend.
You have been even before all of this happened and you will continue to be no matter what
I'm sorry if I ruined everything

What did I tell you about apologizing? 🙄
We were the ones that ruined this for us, hyung.
I took advantage of your feelings towards me and I disregarded your pain because I was busy hurting on my own
We ended up failing with this friendship bc we werent really honest about how we felt
This will serve as a lesson for the both of us

Tae, always remember that I, for once, will never regret this.
I will never regret you.
You were truly the best thing that ever happened to me.
However for now, I have to get away for a while and start anew.
Everything had been too toxic for me and I really need a breather
I know that you need one too

Yeah. I really need it too, hyung
But i still have some things to patch up before I get away
Thank you yoongi hyung.
For everything.

Same here, tae.
Same here...

[read 8:40]

- 🎨 -

Jeongguk snickers after stepping inside Taehyung's apartment and scanning the place. He then sees the latter all bundled up like a burrito on his couch, crumpled tissues scattered all over the carpet.

He's supposed to sympathize for the older's loss (well, breakups are a bitch, that is, if you really loved the person) but a part of him doesn't want to- considering the fact that it is, once again, an opportunity for him to make a move.

He shakes his head to get rid of the inconsiderate thoughts that have been infiltrating his mind lately after Taehyung told him that he and Yoongi broke up.

"I thought you weren't in the mood to move out of your bed?" Was the first thing he asked to get Taehyung's attention. He walks towards him then, Taehyung not oblivious to the bag he was carrying- in which he's sure, has his ice cream inside.

"Is that my ice cream?" He makes grabby hands but Jeongguk doesn't give him the bag just yet. He hides it behind his back, sticking a tongue out to a now pouting Taehyung.

"Not until you tell me that you already ate your breakfast," Jeongguk says, squinting his eyes on him. Taehyung pouts even more.

"I already ate," he replies, a small mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"The truth, Tae," Jeongguk challenges him but tries his best not to give in to Taehyung's antics.

"I thought it isn't too early for ice cream? You said so yourself!" Taehyung points out, his blanket now slipping off his shoulders. He now had his arms crossed against his chest, his infamous pout reappearing.

Jeongguk rolls his eyes playfully, making a turn so that he can go inside the kitchen to make Taehyung his breakfast.

"Come on, Tae. You have to eat proper food first," Jeongguk encourages him as he shouts from inside the kitchen. He doesn't hear Taehyung say a thing but he still continues searching the ingredients for the pancakes he's about to cook.

"I ran out of pancake mix, if that's what you're looking for." The voice behind him says. He jumps from his spot, hands moving to clutch his chest in freight.

"The least you can do is to inform me that you're about to enter the kitchen. You scared me."

"Now where's the fun in that? Come on, Gukkie. I don't have food in here. Just give me the ice cream tub, please," he tries pleading once more, but no matter how he juts his lips into a pout, Jeongguk still doesn't give in.

"I think I passed by a diner a few blocks from here while I was driving a while ago. I'm going out to buy you food. Wait for me, okay?" Jeongguk instructs him, ruffling his hair before walking towards the front door. Taehyung is left behind the kitchen to gape at the younger as he puts on his shoes.

"Why are you taking my ice cream with you?"

Jeongguk halts his actions.

"You really think I'll trust you? Imagine, you and this one tub of ice cream. It isn't a good combination now, is it?" Taehyung gasps in feign offense the moment he heard Jeongguk's response.

"You wound me, Jeon Jeongguk."

"Stop being dramatic, Tae."

"I just want my ice cream!"

"And you will get it after you eat your breakfast. I'm heading out! I'll be back in, like, 15 minutes."

"Come back here you ass-" Taehyung gets cut off by a slam on the door.

- 🎨 -

"Tae, come on, stop sulking. You got your ice cream already," Jeongguk whines beside the older who was ignoring him intentionally.

"I got it an hour after you forced me to eat breakfast," Taehyung mumbles, spoon digging inside the tub too aggressively.

"Well, I'm not going to say sorry because you needed the nutrients anyway."

Taehyung huffs at this, turning his body on the side so that he can look at Jeongguk straight on the face.

"Still." Jeongguk sighs at his stubbornness but a soft smile still morphs on his face.

"Now that you're eating your ice cream, care to tell me what happened between you and Yoongi hyung last night?" Taehyung stops eating halfway, almost losing his grip on the spoon he was holding. Silence engulfs the atmosphere.

"Gukkie? Can I ask you something?" He asks, voice unsure. He puts the tub down the coffee table and shifts his body on the couch so that he can sit properly, hands resting on his lap.

"What is it, Tae?" He can definitely sense the worry and the nervousness in Jeongguk's tone but he doesn't say a thing about it.

"Last night..."

"Tae, I-"

"Shh. Let me finish first," he looks at him, eyes pleading and it gives Jeongguk no choice.

"Is it true? Or was it just a dream of mine? You sang me to sleep last night, right? Then the last thing I heard was you telling me that you remember everything- that you remember loving me..." Taehyung tries his best not to let his voice waver in fear. He blinks the tears away while still looking up at Jeongguk who already had an indefinite look on his face.

"There's no point in lying already, so yes, Tae. I remember everything."

"How? When? Guk-"

"The night before you and Storm went at the amusement park."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't want to scare you away. You were with Yoongi then and I didn't want to ruin what you two had just because I remember everything now." Jeongguk had his eyes closed while telling everything to Taehyung. The latter, on the other hand, still has his gaze fixed on the younger and nothing else.

"Jeongguk, do you know what Storm asked me that night before we went home?" Jeongguk shakes his head as an answer. Taehyung heaves a deep sigh before continuing.

"He- He asked me why I didn't come to save you after you sent a text message to me seven months ago. I had no answer because I was unaware that you sent me messages." The younger's eyes open upon hearing this.

"You mean to say-"

"Yoongi never told me, and I'm so so sorry, Gukkie. I'm so fucking sorry I wasn't there to get you out of that hell hole. I'm sorry you had to suffer in the hands of that bitch for months. You had an accident because of me. I wasn't there I'm so-" Taehyung was too busy crying his heart out for him to notice how he's already caged inside Jeongguk's embrace.

His cheek is now pressed firm on the other's chest, nimble fingers already threading through the strands of his hair in attempt to calm him down.

"None of it was your fault, Tae. Please don't cry anymore. You've cried enough. You've suffered enough. I'm here now, aren't I? I'm here and I'm not going anywhere this time."

They hold each other tightly, as if they're so afraid that one of them might disappear and bring them back to reality, but this is already their reality. And albeit cruel, being in each other's arms is all that matters.

"I need to heal first, Gukkie... All of us need to heal first..."

"I know, Tae. You've done so much for me and Storm. You've waited for too long. Now it's my turn to wait for you."

"Will you really?" Taehyung looks at him with hope in his eyes.

"Always, Tae," he thumbs at the soft skin of Taehyung's cheek. "Always," he whispers before leaning in to give him a kiss on the temple.

A kiss that signifies how he's willing to wait for this man who showed him the world through his love. 

- 🎨 -

The younger was the first one to wake up, neck aching from the awkward angle it had ended up with after he and Taehyung fell asleep on the couch. The latter is currently on top of him and is still sleeping peacefully, fists clutching the fabric of Jeongguk's white shirt.

He groans and struggles as he reaches out for his phone which was placed on top of the coffee table just beside the empty tub of ice cream. Once he takes hold of the device, he presses the power button on and is shocked to see the time. It's almost 6 in the evening and he has to go home because he promised Storm that he'd do so.

He tries to get up carefully, glancing at Taehyung every once in a while to make sure that he hasn't disturbed the sleeping man. However, after a few more attempts of escaping from the older's hold, he finally accepted his fate and was left with no other choice but to wake Taehyung up.

He rubs his back gently at first, making the older squirm in his sleep and he nuzzles closer to Jeongguk.

"Tae..." Jeongguk whispers, fingers now scratching the back of Taehyung's neck. The latter hums but still has his eyes closed.

"I have to go home, baby..." Taehyung's eyes flutter open then, clearly surprised by the pet name that slipped from Jeongguk's tongue.

"W-what-" He struggles to form words coherently but his mind is either too tired to function or he's just as flustered as the younger who's now looking at anything but him, a blush adorning his cheeks. Taehyung's not too far from being the same though.

Jeongguk clears his throat to lighten up the awkward atmosphere around them, and at the same time, he finally had the courage to sit properly, prying Taehyung gently off his body.

"I, uh, I have to go home. I'm sorry for waking you up," He apologizes, hands rubbing his nape to hide his embarrassment.

"Oh. Okay, Guk. I'll walk you to-"

"No need, Tae! I mean, you must be tired so I think it's better if you just continue to rest... Don't forget to eat dinner though. I'll show my way out," Jeongguk cuts him off despite struggling with his words. Taehyung just stares at him in bemusement.

"Guk-"

"Taehyung. Rest. Please," he mutters the last part softly, making Taehyung sigh in defeat.

"Okay. But text me once you're home okay?" The worry in Taehyung's voice doesn't go unnoticed, so Jeongguk makes sure to give him a small smile of gratitude.

"I will, Tae. I promise. Good night. Don't stay up too late, okay?"

"Good night, Gukkie. Thank you for today," He sees the way Taehyung bites his bottom lip. He licks his own before his gaze lands on Taehyung's eyes once more.

"Anytime, Tae."

As soon as he steps out, he heaves a deep breath before completely making his way outside the building. However, before he can even reach the parking lot, he sees an oh so familiar figure getting out of the very familiar car not too far from where he's parked.

He stops on his tracks, squints his eyes and when he's sure that he has matched the person with a name, he decides to approach the man who is still unaware of his presence.

"Yoongi hyung?" He calls out to the man, footsteps heavy from chasing the older man who's almost inside the building.

"Yoongi!" He shouts once more, finally succeeding in catching the older's attention. Yoongi halts and instantly turns around, only to see Jeongguk catching his breath from chasing him. His eyebrows quirk in confusion and he purses his lips.

"Jeon? I didn't expect to see you here. Are you off to see Taehyung?" Yoongi's voice sounds displeased, Jeongguk can surely tell.

"Uh, I am about to go home, actually..."

"Oh." Yoongi's frown deepens.

"How about you? Are you here to talk to him?" He asks cautiously.

"Not really. I know he doesn't want to see me, let alone talk to me. I'm just here to drop the things he left in my apartment," Yoongi replies, shaking the box in his hands that Jeongguk has failed to notice.

"Oh, okay. Do you, uh, want me to go with you?"

"That's not really necessary since I'll be off the moment I deliver this one at his doorstep. But, would you mind if you wait a little?"

"Wait for you?"

"I want to talk to you, Jeon. We'll talk over dinner."

"Right. I wouldn't mind waiting, hyung. I'll just wait in the car."

And Jeongguk swears he saw a glint of hope in Yoongi's eyes before the latter walks away to enter the building.

- 🎨 -

So, I think I owe you all an explanation regarding Taehyung and Yoongi's relationship. They remained best friends all throughout the story. However, they made Jeongguk believe that they were in a relationship as per Taehyung's request before the seven of them reunited.

We all know how Yoongi is vocal with his feelings for Taehyung, right? So it's safe to say that he assumed that Taehyung will be able to reciprocate his feelings. However, no matter how many times Taehyung would convince himself that his feelings for Jeongguk are long gone, deep inside, he knows that he's just lying to himself and will forever have this deep sense of longing and love for the younger.

So yeah. And also I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you guys for supporting Pastel Palette. This book will come to an end soon and I'm so happy that I get to share this with you guys. 💜

Much love,
Rei 💜