⋆˙⟡☾𖤓☽ ⟡˙⋆

TAEHYUNG

"You should go, mom. You haven't dated anyone since dad."

My mom rolls her eyes as she checks each of my fingers for cuts.

A regular at the coffee shop that has been crushing on my mom for years finally asked her out and she has yet to accept the invitation.

"I'm not interested in dating anyone," She says, moving on to my other hand. "Plus I have my hands full taking care of you."

"Well I won't always be around," I say. "What are you going to do when I'm gone?"

"Don't start, Taehyung," She says walking away to grab my medication. "You're going to be 'round a long time."

"I want there to be someone to take care of you when I'm gone, mom," I say, holding my hand out for the pills. "It worries me that you might be alone."

"Hey," She says, making me meet her eyes. "You don't have to worry about that. Worry about staying well and doing what's best for yourself."

"I want you to do what's best for yourself too," I say.

"Taking care of you is what's best for me," She says handing me a glass of water.

I take the medicine before handing her the glass. "Can my friend come over?"

"No," She says gathering the tools she used to check me out. "You still have three days left before you finish your antibiotics. And Dr. Choi still has to come make sure everything is fine."

"He's starting to think something's wrong with me I think," I say picking at my nails. "He even asked Hoseok what was going on."

"I specifically told Jihye not to mention anything to him, so he doesn't know anything," Mom says. "But I still think that if this person were really your friend they'd accept you even if they knew."

"I don't want to tell him," I say. "Last time I told someone it ended up spreading all around school."

"I know, sweetheart," Mom says. "But it worries me that if something were to happen while you were alone with him~"

"Nothing's gonna happen," I say. "If the time comes I'll tell him. But for now I just want to have a normal friendship."

"Well I don't mind him coming over after you finish your prescription," She says, heading out of the room. "But he has to sanitize and wear a mask."

"Mom~"

"I don't want to hear it," She says before she's gone.

I roll my eyes slightly, walking over to my bed and plopping down with my phone. I cough a little as I type my password.

taehyung:
mom will have you over in three days

jungkook:
that's so oddly specific lol

taehyung:
she thinks i'll be better by then
but you have to wear a mask

jungkook:
shore, what time?

taehyung:
dunno

jungkook:
after school?

taehyung:
shore

jungkook:
sounds good, can't wait

taehyung:
:)))

☾𖤓☽

I feel a bit anxious while waiting for Jungkook to show up. School let out an hour ago and he hasn't turned up, but I know he will. He's been bugging me about coming over since last week.

    "What are you doing?" Mom asks when she finds me checking out of the window for him.

    "Just waiting," I say, turning to her. "What're you dressed for?" I ask after noticing that she was wearing one of her nicer outfits. "Wait, are you going out with Mr. Ito?"

    "Before you make a huge deal~"

    "Mom, look at you," I laugh as I hug her. "You've got yourself a date? Yah, do I need to meet him again to make sure he knows how to treat you?"

    "Yah," She says holding her hand up in a threatening way—she'd never dare to actually hit me. "Have some respect. I'm trying to tell you not to get your hopes up. I'm almost certain this is a one time thing."

    "I'm still happy for you." I smile, keeping my arms wrapped around her shoulders. "Even if it's a one time thing I'm glad you're going."

    "I'm trusting you and Jungkook, Taehyung," She says, looking up at me with a worried expression. "You check your temperature every hour and you make sure you adhere to every alarm. No skipping alarms, do you hear me? I should be back in a couple hours. I left you and Jungkook some fruit salad in the fridge."

    "Okay," I say. "Have fun. And don't worry about me, I'll be extra careful while you're gone."

    "Okay," She says, grabbing her purse. "Your water alarm is going to go off in a few minutes~"

    "I got it, mom," I chuckle. "Go please."

    "I'm going," She says before heading out. "I'll be back in two hours."

    "I'll still be standing," I joke as she leaves, smiling softly to myself when she's gone. I'm glad she's going out, I want her to be happy.

Jungkook shows up fifteen minutes later, carrying two iced green teas from the shop in his hands.

"Is this why you're so late?" I ask jokingly as he hands me a drink.

"Yeah, there was a bit of a line," He laughs. "You mom's not 'round?"

"No, she went out on date," I say with a smile as I lead him to my room.

I made sure all my medication and medical supplies were all out of sight, making my room look as average as possible despite how sterile and meticulously placed everything is.

"So, why'd you want to come over so bad?" I ask sitting on my bed, patting the spot next to me. "You can take your mask off."

"I thought your mom said~"

"She's not 'round, so it's fine," I say placing my iced tea on the nightstand.

Jungkook takes his mask off as he sits next to me. "I felt kinda bad about the way I reacted on the bridge the other day."

"Why?" I ask. "I told you that you didn't have to say anything."

"I know, but I can tell you wanted me to," He says looking at me. "I was just upset that Seokjin said anything."

"Oh," I say. "Well, I was kind of upset too. If it's true I want to hear it from you."

"What would you say if it were true?" He asks, his eyes falling down to the cup in his hands.

"I don't know," I shrug, trying to force myself not to smile. "I'd probably tell you that you're the first person I've felt comfortable around in a while. And I'd probably tell you that I like you too."

"Really?" He asks, looking up shyly. "You aren't just saying that?"

"No, I mean it," I say. "I just don't get why you'd like me."

"There's a lot to like about you," He smiles. "You're the coolest person I know."

"Yeah right," I say rolling my eyes. "I'm just a weirdo."

"Well you're my favorite weirdo then," He says. "And I want to know more about you. I want to know everything about you actually."

"Maybe you will someday," I say with a small smile.

"Hey, I got you something," He says suddenly, reaching down into his backpack and retrieving a hardcover book that looks a bit aged. "Check it out."

"What's this?" I say taking the book and reading the cover. "Wuthering Heights? I didn't think they translated this book."

"Me neither," Jungkook says. "My mom used it to learn Korean when her and my dad first moved here. She said she'd let you borrow it if you want."

"I'd actually love that," I say opening the book and flipping through the pages.

"I figured we could read it together," Jungkook says. "Take turns reading it out loud or something."

"Yeah, I'd love that," I say just as my watch beeps. "Oh, uhm, my mom made some fruit salad for us before she left. I'll just go get it."

"Okay." Jungkook smiles. "I'll read first."

"Okay," I say, standing. "Be right back."

I walk to the kitchen to get the fruit, drinking more water before resetting my alarm and going back to my room. I put the bowl of fruit between us before settling into my spot.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

He smiles before clearing his throat, starting at the beginning of chapter one. "1801. I have just returned from a visit to my landlord the solitary neighbour that I shall be troubled with... This is certainly a beautiful country. In all England, I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so completely removed from the stir of society..."

I smile softly to myself as Jungkook continues, his voice even and perfectly animated as he reads.

I haven't felt this happy in a while, and I'm glad that Jungkook is the source of my happiness.

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