a/n: bt21 characters are gender neutral, hence the usage of the terms they/them/their.

***

Tata was upset.

Since morning, they had witnessed not only their brother, Tutu but also their little sister, Titi breaking their promise. Their life skills instructor had given them two saplings of their sacred plant in a traditional pot. One for Tutu and Titi and another solely for Tata. After assigning them to take care of the plant and grow it to bear fruits with the power of love, their instructor left in the morning. And soon after Tata's siblings paired up and used their love guns on the plant.

Tata looked at the result of their efforts if it could be said that.

The Educasia sapling had fully blossomed into a gigantic and beautiful tree, with bees teeming around the flowers that bloomed and ripened into their traditional fruit every few minutes. Many of the palace employees were scrambling around trying to catch each of them without fail while the others rode in carts collecting it from them.

But the reason Tata was upset was not because they disliked their siblings succeeding in the task before them, but the fact that both of them used magic to spread love and grow the plant. Usually, Titi, even if she found them slightly weird, always liked them and kept her promises...

However, this time she had sided with her brother, eventually breaking her promise with Tata to never use magic to spread love.

Perhaps yesterday's teasing had gone too far.

Tata sadly moved away from the balcony from which they were watching the Educasia tree. Sitting down on their plush bed, Tata glanced at their plant that had grown a few inches from when they had received it. It was due to their tender care and effort that the plant had managed to survive and that made them extremely happy.

However, thoughts of how their Father, King Fafa had reprimanded them for wasting time hung on their mind like a dreary curtain. They had tried to convince magic was not the solution to everything. But their father had refused to listen, telling them to return to his room. Their brother had seemed disappointed as well.

Tata felt frustrated, to say the least. Everyone called them weird behind their back, even the palace employees. And their instructors singled them out when assigning group activities with their siblings. No one listened to them except Van. But as an AI robot, there's only so much that it could respond with. Let alone comfort or understand them.

But even during such tough times when no one understood Tata, Titi was a dear and a comfort. Today's occurrence left them feeling bitter and lonely especially when Titi had ignored their apology.

Nevertheless, Tata had a solution to this and for that, they had to thank the earthlings.

Tata secretly packed up a few of their necessities, whistling for Van who arrived at their side well-prepared.

Why secretly? Because they were going to do the one thing earthlings always tried, but never could.

They were going to run away.

As Van confirmed the coordinates, Tata took one last look at their family who were cheerfully conversing under the tree. Tata frowned before getting on top of Van. Before their heart could convince them to stop, Tata tapped Van's back. And with a zap, both of them disappeared into pixels.

***

It had been a few days since Tata's adventure started. At least that's how it should have been had they been on Planet BT.

Tata wondered if their family missed them. Or if they found out that they were gone at all. Tata wasn't the type to just disappear after all. They felt conflicted about their emotions and to their dismay, it was also then that Van informed them of a minor difficulty.

Van had incorrectly predicted the coordinates. Perhaps because it was a glitch in Van's system or maybe because they had intended it. Or maybe Van was just stupid. Tata couldn't be too sure. But all that aside, there was only one thing that mattered.

They were lost.

Tata could've never imagined being lost in the universe. Or ever getting lost anywhere. They always had palace guards with him to escort them back and forth in the royal palace, never leaving them alone unless Tata was inside their room. Now that Tata was left alone with nothing but an AI, maybe they should've seen this coming.

Tata sighed for the umpteenth time. They had racked their brains for a long time, finally guessing the coordinates that were very different from that of what Van had predicted a second time.

Trusting Van to follow their instructions, Tata confirmed the coordinates to Van again.

And for some time, things went smoothly.

Until they didn't.

Van had started to vibrate, nearly throwing Tata off. Tata tried to stretch and wrap their limbs around Van in an attempt to hold on. But promptly failed. The strength of love around them was too weak for them to use their abilities. Tata pried open Van's hatchet checking Van's codes, panic settling in on seeing that it was not their's but Van's coordinates.

Van suddenly stabilised for a moment letting Tata believe that they were going to be okay until Van threw him off.

Very rudely.

The last thing Tata could remember was Van wishing them luck in their usual robotic tone as they hit their head and lost consciousness.

***

Tata was awoken as rudely as they had been thrown off.

The whole ground shook. Just how huge was this person?

Tata still didn't open their eyes though. Their whole body hurt when they tried to move an inch and their only wish was to rest a while longer. But clearly, someone didn't want them to. Had it not been for the urgency in their tone, Tata never might've opened their eyes. Tata slowly cracked their eyes open, expecting someone to be beside them. However, Tata was left shocked.

There was nobody near them. Not even a single soul.

Had they finally gone crazy? Just like the rumours around them claimed?

Before Tata could overthink, someone interrupted them.

"Are you... alright?"

Tata's eyes bulged. Their head abruptly swivelled around, trying to find the source of the voice. But instead, they ended up gawking at the place they had landed on.

At first, it was difficult to adjust their eyes to the brilliant light that emitted from the ground on which they were sprawled. After a while though, they were able to discern the craters around them as the light dimmed considerably. Whoever was here was watching them. They were sure of that. It was also rather hot. And Tata found out why a second later.

Tata had landed so roughly and toughly that they had created a crater. On what? A planet maybe. It seemed too small to be one though.

Tata tried stretching their limbs again and fortunately succeeded. Pulling themself out of the crater, they lost balance, nearly falling back into the carter again.

"Careful!" Came the worried voice.

Surprised, Tata brushed off the dust on their legs and straightened themself, before wincing and embracing the ground in a cute plop.

Tata whined dispiritedly. They were feeling like their toddler self that was unable to walk.

The voice chuckled cutely.

Tata was rather curious, they had to admit. This mysterious person somehow felt like the very person Tata had been looking for so long. Someone who would understand them and undeniably shower them in love. And was very kind too. Tata was able to tell all that from their voice alone.

Tata's little heart warmed at that thought.

"Who..?" Tata mumbled.

"M-me?" Was the nervous response.

"Who else? Yes, you!" Tata raised their voice slightly to be clear.

"I'm Chimmy."

Tata could feel their eyes crinkle while they talked. How was that possible?

Somehow forgetting their pain, Tata raised their head from the ground, eyes curiously searching for Chimmy, "Why won't you show yourself to me?"

"But you're lying down on me?" A very much confused voice replied.

Tata was jungshook. A term they picked up from the earthlings.

"Wait, didn't I just hurt you?" Tata looked back to the crater horrified.

"Well, you did get hurt when you landed on me. So we're even." Chimmy shyly laughed, hiding their pain.

Patting their hands down on the ground, Tata laid down again smiling.

Tata was curious as always and the fact that they had never come upon any planets that could talk made this experience even more exciting. But their instructors had always repeated that planets were non-living beings, no matter how lively they looked and behaved.

But then just what was Tata talking to?

As though reading his mind Chimmy spoke up, his voice cracking, "I'm a fallen star."

Tata gasped. They remembered reading that fallen stars were cursed beings who were abnormal and incapable of being wished on. However, Tata believed strongly otherwise, the tale of the Earthlings flashing in his mind. They had always hoped that they could come by one and console them.

Stretching their limbs as far as they would, Tata embraced the fallen star. Fully being hugged for the first time in their life, Chimmy started sobbing uncontrollably.

Tata felt their tears well up, trying their best to not burst out crying with how much emotion Chimmy was sharing their pain. Chimmy had been alone for so long, discarded by those who never should've, believing that they were an outcast, never worthy of love. Tata felt their heart swell with the pain and familiarity of their feelings.

"Why do they call me weird? Why am I always so alone when all I did was my best?", Chimmy's brightness flickered dangerously as they spoke. "Why am I the only one who's alive here in this vast space? Why? Why!"

Tata felt their heart break at their words. And at the realisation that Chimmy was fading, that they did not have too long. Feeling the urgency Tata spoke up.

"Fallen stars like you are very special and rare, Chimchim." The name rolled off their mouth naturally.

"I...am special?" Chimmy sniffled.

Tata hummed, affectionately rubbing their heart-shaped head against the ground.

"Very much so. Do you know the Earthlings? They always look forward to wishing on fallen stars, unlike us who are made to believe otherwise. But the humans have polluted their land so much now that nobody can wish on the stars any longer. That's the very reason it's taken so long for you to be wished on." Tata spoke, referring to how unstable Chimchim was right then.

Tata paused, allowing their words to sink in, "Fallen stars are so precious that the little ones of the Earth eagerly await them to fall so that your power of love can let them wish."

Chimmy stopped sniffling, their heart soaring at the thought that they were needed and that they weren't the only one.

Tata continued, sensing Chimchim's lift in mood. "You're known as shooting stars on Earth, did you know that?"

"Really?" Chimmy hummed questioningly, Tata's body vibrating as the ground rumbled.

"You're very much wanted, Chimchim. I've always longed to find you and hug you. If it was possible, I would've always preferred to be with you." Tata smiled, content, hugging Chimchim tighter if that was possible.

Chimmy focused on how mushy they felt at that, ignoring the gnawing thoughts of them fading. Finding each other when they were down and in need of comfort was the best to ever happen to them.

"Chimchim-ah, it's been so hard. I...I've had my own share of struggles, they don't like me and call me weird, telling me that I should spread love with magic."

Tata coughed, eyes brimming with unshed tears while Chimmy intently listened. Feeling at home, Tata opened their mouth to speak.

"Love needs effort, not magic." Both of them spoke at once.

Tata gasped while Chimmy laughed heartily through the tears. It had been so long since both of them found someone so similar, so understanding and filled with love that both of them ended up crying for a long time. Oh, how nice would it be if they could be happy like this forever?

It was then that Chimmy violently shook, the star's dust swirling around Tata, blinding them. Fear and panic set in Tata's mind while they clutched onto Chimmy, wishing time could stop.

Chimmy's heart had finally found its place. There was no way they were going to let this golden opportunity drop out of their hands."You didn't tell me your name yet!"

Silence reigned.

"Oh right, my name is-"

But before Tata could reply, Chimmy's body shook violently again. Chimmy urged them again, wanting to hear their melodic voice one last time.

"I'm called Tata!"

Chimmy gasped. For at that moment, Chimmy had begun to shine the brightest in their life, their body unconsciously moving forward to the planet before them simultaneously. Light all around them glowed red and blue while Tata's vision began to blur. Tata felt their eyes droop with the speed, arms slipping away with how blistering hot Chimmy was becoming.

Unable to hold on much longer Tata yelled desperately, "Chimchim-ah!"

Chimmy's senses were fading, mind ringing with the wish that they were receiving from Earth as their body travelled quicker. Yet there was a nagging feeling that they should slow down, and so they tried their best.

"I...I can't feel your presence, Tata!" Chimmy cried out fearfully.

"Chimmy, don't be afraid. I'll always be here for you." Tata reassured, aching arms finally falling away as Chimmy grew farther and farther from him. Chimmy's destiny was none other than Earth.

"If fate is pulling you away..." Tata spoke slowly, following Chimmy's path at a slower pace. "Then I might as well rewrite the stars for you."

***

"Chimchim...nngh"

Jimin stirred awake at the whimper, eyes widening when he saw Taehyung's moist cheeks. It was the middle of the night and Taehyung was having a sad dream. Jimin sighed sadly, pulling the blankets around both of them again, pressing Taehyung's head closer to his chest to give him warmth and assurance. But Taehyung sleepily cuddled closer to the crook of Jimin's neck, swinging his leg over Jimin's midriff. Jimin barely stifled a laugh before pressing a kiss on Tahyung's forehead.

"Taehyung-ah, I'm here for you. Always." He whispered gently.