June 4, 2019

Reading your text Taehyung placed his phone on the bed. He couldn't wait for the tour to be over and go back home. While he loved touring and performing for ARMY the feeling of exhaustion was taking over him and there was nothing to stop it. His body felt heavy and at this point his vocal cords were giving it their all, even if it was the easiest note. He decided to take a nap and closed his eyes, the darkness enveloping him rather quickly and effectively.

After what felt like only five minutes a hand shook his shoulder trying to wake him up.

"Taehyung, wake up," the voice whispered.

"..."

"Come on, it's time for dinner," the voice he recognized as Jimin's told him.

Seeing Taehyung was not waking up Jimin began annoying him by pressing his fingers under his chin. After much insisting, he opened his eyes swatting Jimin's hands away.

"What time is it?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"It's around 7 pm," his friend informed him.

Taehyung sat up, looking around the room, his eyes were still puffy from sleep. Noting the time, he realized he had slept for about an hour and yet he still felt exhausted. Getting up from the bed, he went to get ready while Jimin fell on the bed waiting for him.

They walked downstairs and into a private room of the hotel where the rest of the boys were waiting. The room consisted of numerous tables where the staff and the band could enjoy their meal and three long ones filled with food. Taehyung made his way to the line to grab his food and then sat on a table with the boys. Once they were all seated a light conversation started, but he couldn't focus. He was trying to rack his brain on things to do with Nari for when they met up in two weeks.

From what he recalled of the past few weeks of talking, Nari was pretty open to try new things and she's been to Korea before, so it wasn't like he could take her to touristy places. Meaning, he had nothing to go from. Having finished eating Taehyung sat with chin in hand, trying to figure out what to do, tuning the conversation out.

"Hyung, what are you thinking about?" Jungkook asked, nudging him and gathering the attention of the boys.

"You seem out of it today," Hoseok pointed out with his chopsticks.

"I'm- uh- you remember Nari, right? How we've been talking?" Taehyung mentioned shyly.

"Of course, how to forget about her," Yoongi told him with an elusive stare.

"How is she doing anyway?" Jin asked him from his seat.

"She's good, um, she is going to be in Korea the next few weeks and when we get back, we were planning on going out," he explained looking down at his empty plate.

"In a date?" Namjoon asked hesitantly.

"No, no, as friends," Taehyung cleared up quickly waving his hands, "We are just friends," he breathed out.

"Cool, she seemed really nice!" Hoseok smiled.

"So, what's the problem?" Jungkook questioned not knowing the cause of his friend's quietness.

"I said I was going to plan it, but I have no idea what to do," he finally explained.

Silence fell upon the table their minds trying to find options to help their bandmate.

"What about Dongdaemun," Jungkook suggested cheeks full of food.

"Too many people," Namjoon shook his head.

"Picnic at Hangang Park," Jin piped up.

"Too romantic for just friends," Hoseok told him.

"What about Seoul Forest or Changdeokgung Palace's Secret Gardens," Yoongi recommended.

"Maybe..." Taehyung said, scratching his chin.

"Oh, I know! The Trick-Eye Museum!" Jimin exclaimed with wide eyes.

"I like that, it's fun," Jungkook added, nodding.

"Thanks, Jimin-ah," Taehyung smiled at him, knowing Nari might enjoy the funny museum.

As they finished eating each of the members went their own ways, but Taehyung stayed in his place not wanting to be back in his room. He was focused playing a game on his phone when he felt someone sit next to him. He ignored them trying to break his high score, but, sadly, he lost. His screen showed big red letters reading 'Game Over' locking the home screen he turned to the person next to him.

"Namjoon hyung?" Taehyung tilted his head.

"How is Nari doing?" Namjoon asked him.

"She's excited about visiting Seoul with her friends," the singer smiled.

"That's nice," Namjoon began, "Have you been talking a lot with her?"

"Kinda, when I have time," he partially lied, wondering why his friend was asking.

"She seems like a good person," Namjoon pointed out.

"She really is," Taehyung nodded furiously.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," the rapper said with a stoic face.

"Yes?" he encouraged him attentive to his leader's words.

"I'm glad that you found a new friend and there is nothing wrong with that," he began saying.

Taehyung sighed, rubbing his hands on his face, finally understanding what was coming.

Noticing his gesture Namjoon went straight to the point, "Just be careful, alright?"

Taehyung was tired, tired of always having to be careful, of holding himself back. He knew Namjoon was right, hell, he had lived through it. People always wanting to get close to him, but this time it was different, he could feel it. Nari had enough opportunities to expose him or whatever, yet she hasn't. He has tested her unbeknownst to her knowledge and she had passed every time, that was a good sign, right?

"I will hyung," Taehyung nodded, giving him a tight-lipped smile.

Taehyung watched as Namjoon stood up and left the room. Noticing the staff was cleaning up he made his way up to the rooms too. He had to talk to somebody about what was happening, about what he was feeling. There was only one person he could think of. Standing in front of his door, he rasped his knuckles on the hard surface. The man opened the door not expecting a visit, but still not surprised, used to the impromptu visits from his bandmates.

"Jimin-ssi can we talk?" Taehyung asked him in a whisper.

Seeing the trouble in his eyes Jimin didn't hesitate to let his best friend in. Taehyung made his way to one of the chairs the room provided while Jimin opted to sit on the bed facing him.

"What's wrong?" Jimin asked worried.

"Nothing in specific I just- "Taehyung didn't know where to begin, still, he tried to push through.

"The past few months I haven't been feeling my best," he started, looking at the carpeted floor, "I've been feeling lonely..."

He glanced at Jimin, but he just stared at him waiting for Taehyung to keep talking.

"I love you guys, you are my brothers, but I can't help but want something more outside all of this," Taehyung finished, referring to the things around him with a wave of his hand.

"It's normal to want something else Tae, especially you," Jimin told him in a soft voice.

"What do you mean?" Taehyung asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"You are a social butterfly you like to talk to people and make friends, right?" his friend asked.

"Yeah..."

"Our line of work isn't the most convenient for making friends, people want to get close to us for the wrong reasons, which makes us hold back, you know that already."

Taehyung nods confirming Jimin's thoughts.

"Is this why you started talking with Nari?" Jimin then questioned.

Taehyung looks up at the sound of her name, "I don't know... maybe?" he shrugged, "I'm not sure myself."

"Tell me about her," Jimin demanded, wanting to know about Taehyung's new friend.

Sure, he had spoken to her, but only briefly, he didn't actually know her.

Without missing a beat Taehyung began talking about her, "She is funny, sweet, she has strong opinions on what she likes, she is pretty sarcastic too, she doesn't push me to talk about things I don't want to, overall, she is a pretty understanding and cool person," an involuntary smile forming on his lips as he spoke.

"She sounds like an amazing girl," Jimin smiled seeing his friend talk enthusiastically about it, "Do you like her?" he finally asked the most important question.

"I can't tell," he pouted, "I'm excited to get to know her and have a friend...maybe, I do have a small crush..."

"But..." Jimin nudged.

"I'm scared," Taehyung revealed, ruffling his hair, "She has given me no reason to think she'll be like the others, yet there's a voice in my head telling me the opposite."

"What do I do Jiminie?" he gave his friend a sad look. A cry for help evident in his eyes.

"I can't tell you what to do exactly ... what I can tell you is to try and let go of that voice because if you don't, it will hold you back from amazing things," Jimin advised him with a reassuring look.

"Thank you, Jimin." Taehyung smiled at him and gave him a nod.

"Anytime Taehyungnie," Jimin smiled back, "Want to watch a movie?" he then asked lying back on the bed.

"Sure!"

The night consisted of the two best friends lying in bed and watching movies, it was refreshing, and it reminded Taehyung of the good old simple days. It felt relieving to finally talk to somebody about what he was feeling. He started thinking of what Jimin told him and he was right, he couldn't live his life in fear of people hurting him because in the end it would be the reason he would end up alone.

With enthusiasm and a clear head, he began planning his "date" with Nari, making sure he had all the details in order. Right before going to bed Taehyung got his phone out and sent his friend a message. He smiled and turned off his phone, turning and cuddling a sleeping Jimin as he went to sleep himself. That night with his chest feeling light and full of excitement of what was to come he slept like a baby.

'Everything is ready and planned 😉'

'gn'

Picture attached

-Taehyung

A/N:

This chapter is crucial! We finally know what Tae is feeling.

My baby has been hurt in the past.

Will that prevent him from getting closer to Nari?

Did I write Taehyung good? Cause like I rarely write in guys perspectives.

CHECK OUT THE PICTURE UP TOP! I AM SO PROUD OF IT AND I SPENT SO MUCH TIME ON IT.

ANYWAY, I was thinking of having it as the new cover soon. See if you can find all the details.

ONE MORE THING! I started an award show for oneshots/imagines/short stories so, if you write any of those, go check them out. They are a way of promoting your work and getting some feedback.

Please, always remember to vote and comment. I care about what you guys have to say and what you would like to see in the story! Share this story with your friends, drag them along the journey :)

-Nikki Marie 💜