✧･ﾟ: * thirty *:･ﾟ✧   

Taehyung frowns down at his phone, exiting his messaging app and reopening it, waiting for something to pop up. It's around the time Maddie usually texts, at least saying hello if she knows he'll be busy. He's probably being dramatic; she's been late to text before. However, he can't shake off the terrible feeling he woke up with in the pit of his stomach.

"Taehyung, let's go," Namjoon calls. "We have to go rehearse for the Melon awards."

"Coming," he murmurs, sighing as he tucks his phone away, tugging on his shoes.

Namjoon leans against the doorway, quirking a brow. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, hyung. I'm okay."

"You don't look or sound okay. Does it have to do with Maddie?" Namjoon asks, his shoulders straightening as if he's preparing for the worst.

Taehyung shrugs. "She just hasn't texted yet. I'm being too clingy, right?"

Namjoon, visibly relieved, lets out a laugh. "She's got a life, Tae. And it's night over there. Maybe she just fell asleep."

Taehyung shrugs again. She usually has a hard time sleeping. She always calls Taehyung to help her doze off.

He follows Namjoon out of the bedroom, meeting the rest of the boys out in the driveway as they pile into the two cars waiting for them. Taehyung can't help being distracted, a hand on his stomach as it continues to churn. Are his instincts trying to tell him something? Is it just a stomach bug coming on?

Jimin notices. "Tae, are you okay?"

"Yeah," he mutters. "My stomach just hurts."

"Don't be nervous yet," Jimin teases. "It's only rehearsals. We still have a week until the awards."

Taehyung tries to smile, letting Jimin believe that's the problem. It must be semi-convincing because Jimin gets distracted in another conversation with Hoseok.

He sneaks a peek at his phone again, but still no message pops up.

He manages to make it through half of practice, mostly focused, though he does make more mistakes than normal. The boys are all watching him suspiciously, Jimin asking if his stomach has gotten any better, and Namjoon having a knowing look in his eyes as he watches the younger fumble. Taehyung, growing frustrated with himself, claims he needs a break and exits the dance room, leaning against the wall in the hall.

God, why is it bothering him so bad?

They've gone a day or two without speaking, and he didn't react like this. Like his whole personality shifted. His whole body aches.

He can't help it anymore.

He pulls out his phone, shooting her a quick text just to ask if she's okay. He can't stomach all of the negative scenarios running through his mind. He doesn't even know where they're coming from.

"Hyung," Jungkook says softly, poking his head out of the dance room. "You good?"

"Yeah," Taehyung grumbles, annoyed that everyone keeps asking. "I'm coming back. Just give me a minute."

Jungkook frowns at Taehyung's snappy attitude, but nods curtly and closes the door.

Taehyung inhales a deep breath, rubbing his face before he re-enters to everyone staring at him. Of course they act as if they hadn't been looking, awkwardly finding something else to gaze at. Taehyung purses his lips and finds his spot in their "Spring Day" formation.

The music starts. He tries to tune into the beat, channeling the mood for the song as best he can. He thinks he's finally getting into it when—

His phone vibrates in his pocket.

He nearly loses his balance in the middle of a move, scrambling for his phone. "I'm sorry," he tells them all quickly. "I'm so sorry, but I have to take this."

The boys gape at him. He's never stopped a song before just for a phone call. He excuses himself, answering the call rapidly when he sees Maddie's contact name.

"Maddie?" he says with a sigh of relief, leaving the room again. "Are you—?"

"Tae," she whispers, her voice sounding hoarse.

His heart sinks. "What? Are you okay?"

She quiet a moment before he hears a sniffle, then a choked-up, "No."

"What happened, jagiya? Don't cry, okay?"

"My mom..." Maddie takes in a shaky breath, her voice wavering. "My mom is gone, Tae. S-she was just fine a-and then the hospital called and-and..."

"Breathe..." His own chest feels tight. He knew that feeling in his stomach was his instincts. He knew something was wrong. "Are you alone?"

"M-my friend is staying the night with me," she says softly, stammering through sniffles. "I can't sleep. It hurts everywhere."

"Maddie..."

"I'm sorry," she whispers. "I know you c-can't do anything, and-and I shouldn't have called, b-but I just needed to hear you."

Taehyung frowns, leaning against the wall. He feels so horrible that he can't do anything. That he's literally across the world from her when she needs him most.

Hobi is the next to check on Taehyung, poking his head out. "Taehyung?"

Taehyung glances over. "Give me a minute, hyung," he replies in Korean, giving Hoseok the puppy eyes to show his desperation.

Hoseok sighs, but must notice that Taehyung isn't just being dramatic and it's a little important. "Is everything okay?"

He shakes his head, not wanting to interrupt Maddie while she rambles on in the midst of her crying. He's not even sure she knows what she's talking about, but if absent-minded ranting is what she needs to feel better, he'll listen all day.

Hoseok matches Taehyung's frown, standing outside the door to watch with concern.

"I-I'll let you go," she murmurs. "I know you're busy."

"Hold on," he says quickly. "Don't leave so upset." Then he really won't be able to focus on anything if she hangs up while she's still a wreck.

"You don't need to be worried," she tells him.

"I'm already worried," he replies, Hoseok seeming confused yet impressed that Taehyung is holding an English conversation with someone that isn't Namjoon teaching him.

"Don't be. Please? I have Sage with me," she continues. "S-she'll take care of me. I shouldn't have bothered you."

Taehyung gapes. "Bothered? Maddie—"

"I'm okay, I promise. I'll let you get back to work. I love you."

He opens his mouth to stop her, but she's already hung up.

He huffs in frustration, but knows she won't answer if he calls back. When Taehyung turns to face Hobi again, it's now all of the boys standing there, staring at him.

"Is everything all right?" Namjoon asks, looking at Taehyung's phone in his hand before he meets Taehyung's gaze.

Taehyung bites the inside of his cheek, shaking his head.

"What is it?" Jin asks. "You obviously have something to say, Taehyung, it's okay."

He focuses his gaze on the floor. "Remember how I told you all that Maddie's mother was sick? She died today."

"That's horrible," Jimin mumbles, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Is she okay?" Namjoon questions.

Taehyung shakes his head again. He straightens his shoulders, trying to brush it aside for later so he isn't holding the group back. "W-we should keep rehearsing, yeah?"

He starts to walk back in the practice room when Yoongi catches his shoulder, stopping him. "You aren't going to be able to practice."

"I'll try," Taehyung promises.

Namjoon sighs. "Taehyung... you should be with her."

Taehyung's lips part, his eyes widening as he turns to face his leader. "W-what?"

"She needs you, yeah?"

"B-b-but we have the awards next week, and we've only had one rehearsal... I-I can't just leave you guys and—"

"Oh, shut it, we know you want to go," Jin says with a small smile. "You don't have to act all mature and considerate."

Taehyung exchanges glances with all of them. "Are... are you sure?"

Namjoon rolls his eyes, but holds up a finger. "One condition, though; I go with you. Last time you traveled alone, apart from your break, you were lost for six hours."

Taehyung grins widely at all of them, his eyes on the verge of watering just from how each of them smile back. He doesn't know what he did to deserve such an incredible family, but he'll forever be thankful.

"Yeah, of course, Namjoon-hyung." He honestly doesn't mind. He hates traveling alone, anyways.

"Go ask PD-nim. I'll wait outside the door."

He nods, then gives the rest of them a sincere hug before hurrying down the hall to PD-nim's office. He stammers to a halt right in front of it, his stomach twisting with nerves. He hasn't told anyone other than the members about Maddie. He's trying to think up a story that may sway the manager onto his side more, but decides being honest is less risky. And maybe more helpful?

He takes a deep breath, then knocks. He doesn't have time for nerves, as dramatic as it may sound. He needs to get to Maddie as soon as he can.

"Come in," he hears the elder call.

Taehyung's hands are shaking when he pokes his head in, pushing open the door slowly. He's never been nervous to confront the man before, considering how close they are. But this is different. Relationships have never really come up before.

The man peeks up, his face scrunching in confusion. "Taehyung. What can I do for you?"

Taehyung bows politely, clasping his hands behind him. To be respectful and to hide how they're trembling. "Sir. I... I have something urgent to ask of you."

"Urgent? Is your mother sick again?"

Taehyung smiles sadly. Thankfully, his mother hasn't had another hospital visit. "No, sir. Um. If you have the time, I'd like to explain everything first."

"Sure." He gestures to the seat across from his desk. "Have a seat."

So Taehyung jumps into his story of how he met Maddie, spent practically his whole break with her, and how they've kept in contact ever since. Taehyung gets more and more nervous as the story goes on, PD-nim's expression unwavering. He can't tell if the manager is bored, confused, or anger. Maybe a combination of the three.

"Today she informed me of her mother's passing, and well, sir, to be honest..." Taehyung falters, nervously swallowing the lump in his throat. Rejection is the worst thing that can happen, but that seems to be the most devastating, too. "I think I should be with her during her hardship. Namjoon-hyung has offered to come with me."

PD-nim hums, finally moving as he nods slowly. "Do the other members know of her?"

"Yes, sir. I-it was Namjoon-hyung's suggestion that I bring it to you." Did he just throw Namjoon under the bus in the midst of his anxiety?

Yes, yes he did.

He can feel guilty about it later.

"So the members approve of you and Namjoon leaving for a few days?"

Taehyung nods curtly

PD-nim purses his lips, contemplating. "Very well. However, the conditions are that you must return in four days. I know you are a hard worker, Taehyung, and that's why I'm trusting you to leave during rehearsals in the first place. I expect you to work double as hard upon your return so you don't let down your members, understand?"

Taehyung breathes a sigh of relief, smiling. "Yes, sir. Of course. Thank you so much."

PD-nim chuckles. "Hurry up and get out of here, then. Your time is limited."

Taehyung thanks him again before scrambling out of the office, already texting one of their drivers to be ready to drive him to the airport. He'll waste a whole day flying to her, then a whole day flying back. He technically only has two days to be with her, but he can manage with that. It's better than nothing.

He spots Namjoon at the end of the hall, his eyebrows raised.

Taehyung grins widely and nods.

"We should pack—"

"There's no time to pack," Taehyung interrupts. "We can get whatever we need when we arrive."

Namjoon grimaces. "I don't want to stay in sweater workout clothes for a whole eleven hour flight."

"You'll live, hyung."

"Speaking of live, do you even know where she lives?"

"Yes." Taehyung blushes a little then, knowing he'll have to explain how. "She gave me her address a week after we parted. I, um... to practice my English, I would write her letters."

Namjoon has the biggest smirk on his face.

Taehyung rolls his eyes, but his cheeks are burning. "We should get to the airport."

Namjoon just laughs, following the humiliated younger downstairs.