Thirty-Second
:Chapter Thirty-Two:

     Jeongguk looked at the elder as the elder looked back at him.

"So, are you going to let me in or what?" Taehyung made a hand gesture, not wanting to be stared at. He got it, he didn't look the prettiest. He looked tired, worn down, and just completely and utterly exhausted. Both mentally and physically.

Jeongguk didn't say anything. He stepped aside and let the captain of their baseball team walk on inside.

It was so foreign. Usually, Jeongguk would plead and try his damn hardest to get Kim out of his house but here he was, opening his door wider so the aforementioned could come on inside.

"Where's he at? I brought snacks anyways." Taehyung said, holding up a small bag that had sweet goodies that Jeongguk had made clear was not needed.

The younger chuckled to himself, shaking his head and shut the door behind him. "He's upstairs in his bedroom, he was cleaning up after I told him you would be coming over. He is so excited to see you."

"You sound so sarcastic." Taehyung rolled his eyes. "Lead the way, I don't know which one is his room. I barely remember your room."

"Barely remember?" Repeated Jeongguk, locking the door and beginning for the steps, Taehyung following suit. "So you have some recollection? Glad to know you keep things like where my bedroom is placed locked in your mind, babes."

"Shut up," Kim said, the annoyance more than clear in his vowels. He didn't have the energy to argue back, however, and that was clear. So, Jeongguk being the kind soul he was, dropped the topic and continued up the steps.

     Once arrival, he went down the hall, passed his own bedroom to get to Jaeyong's.

Jeongguk didn't say anything, he just gripped the knob and opened the door, revealing a slightly neater child's room.

"Your bestie is here," Jeongguk announced, walking into the room and stepping aside, Taehyung walking on in afterwards.

"Taerung!" Jaeyong grinned and quickly scattered away from his toy bin, rushing over and wrapping his arms around the boy's leg. "Missed you!"

The elder slightly smiled. He knelt down and got on his knees, small pops but it was the usual. He then opened his arms and hugged the child back in return. "I missed you too, kid. What've you been up to? Has your Goo been treating you well?"

The mention of him made Jeongguk smiled unconsciously. He then left the room and let the two have their own fun. He was sure Taehyung would be gone by the time his father came back, and even if he wasn't, he could explain why Taehyung was here. It was no big deal if his father saw Taehyung, not like the boy was banned from the house.

     Jeongguk had rested down in the living room for the past thirty minutes, watching a random western movie which he took mild interest in.

There was a man who was shot up from a small cage. There was a bunch of men at the top, looking over the said man who was awfully confused.

The random guys had referred to the man as 'Greenie'.

Jeongguk was unsure what it was all about but it overall peaked his interest, so much that he forgot his brother and his enemy were upstairs having a tea party.

Those thoughts were enough to pull Jeongguk to his feet, making him stretch his limbs before he started his way up the steps.

He was confused, not able to hear much to any movement or talking. Jeongguk frowned, walking closer and closer to his little brother's door.

He then pushed open the door slowly, wanting to creep in to see if anything was wrong and if he could catch it.

     Instead, he was startled by Kim's voice. "He's sleeping."

Jeongguk then pushed the door open the rest of the way, seeing the elder sitting on the bed with his back to the bed frame.

That wasn't all, no. Next to Taehyung was Jaeyong, laying his head on the elder's shoulder. He had his favorite stuffed bunny tucked in his little arms. Jaeyong had soft snores leaving his pouty lips, lashes brushed on his puffy cheeks.

     "Oh," Jeongguk softly muttered, cocking a brow soon after. "Then why are you still here? You could've left the moment he fell asleep."

"He's laying on my arm, I didn't want to disturb him." Taehyung commented, looking down at the boy and back up. "Is he a grouchy kid?"

"Um, no, not really." Jeongguk took a few steps in and hummed. "He's a pretty deep sleeper though. If you're gentle enough, he won't wake up and will just sleep for hours." He added on.

With that, he walked over to the side his brother was on and gently lifted his upper half, having Kim pull his arm out. Jeongguk then carefully laid his brother back down on the soft pillow.

He proceeded to take the covers and place it over Jaeyong so he wouldn't get cold.

The elder stretched out his limbs and pushed to his feet, regaining feeling back in his left arm.

     "Thanks, I just didn't want to disturb him." Taehyung said, avoiding eye contact with the other boy who stood on the opposite end.

Jeongguk then walked to the door and pulled it opened, walking out of his brother's room.

Taehyung followed right behind him, running a hand through his overgrown locks.

The two made it down the steps without a word being shared. It was so awkward and almost unbearable.

Taehyung knew he wasn't welcomed to stay any longer, as if he wanted to, so he walked to the front door, unlocking the locks and pulling the door ajar.

He was stopped, shockingly.

Jeongguk held in a deep breath, immediate regret telling Kim to wait but it had left his lips before he could stop it. "Are you, like . . . Hungry or anything?"

Taehyung slowly turned to face the younger, lips parted but showing mild disgust. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, only adding to the look he held. "Are you going to tell me to eat dirt?"

"That would be a witty remark but no, I'm unfortunately asking if you want anything to eat." Jeongguk said, crossing his arms loosely over his chest. "If you choose to not act civilized, then just leave before we argue."

Taehyung eased his features and thought about it for a moment, pressing his lips in a taut line. "Depends,"

"On?"

"What are you making?" Taehyung inquired, squinting a bit. He pushed the door back shut, hand still resting on the doorknob.

Jeongguk chuckled, shaking his head. "Bold of you to assume I'm going to cook anything." He commented, rolling his eyes. He then fished in his pocket and pulled out his phone. "I was going to Uber Eats food here. What I look like cooking in the kitchen for you?"

Taehyung blinked, feeling out of place. A normal conversation with Jeon didn't feel right whatsoever. It was out of both their characters.

He knew Jeongguk wasn't starting with him because he pitied him, at least that's what Taehyung figured was the main root of being treated like a regular human being.

The elder hated being pitied by people but something about Jeongguk taking things 'easy' on him made him feel like he had the upper hand.

"I want a double cheeseburger from McDonald's, a medium fry, and a strawberry milkshake. Make that medium too." Taehyung listed his order, Jeongguk's eyes going a bit wide.

"Didn't even ask me what I wanted, how rude of you." Jeongguk was clearly trying not to start things because he was biting back snappy remarks like it was his only way of life. "And strawberry? You couldn't have picked a more disgusting flavor."

"Strawberry is superior, Newbie." Taehyung sucked his teeth, pulling his hand off of the knob, pushing his hands in his back pocket. "You wouldn't know, you don't have taste."

The two weren't arguing, instead, they were going back and forth as if they were friends with one another. It was something Hoseok and Taehyung did, a big part of their friendship if one might add.

It was awfully odd; but neither one of them dared to question what was going on. Jeongguk wasn't because of the kindness of his heart and Taehyung wasn't because it gave him a nice feeling of being the 'bigger person'.

The 'fun' didn't end there, and it didn't end for another forty-five minutes.

Jeongguk and Taehyung were eating their McDonald's on the comforts of Jeongguk's sofa. They sat on total opposites, finishing up the movie Jeongguk was enjoying before he checked on Jaeyong.

The younger teenager had shot a message to his father to make sure everything was good, which it was. He said that Jeongguk's aunt needed a bunch of help while he was there and he was just doing what he could for his sister-in-law.

The two teenagers weren't talking to each other, they were joining their food peacefully, eyes glued to the screen.

Some may think it wasn't awkward but hell, both boys were wishing to finish up so they could say their goodbyes and go their own ways.

Neither one of them were going to speak on just how high the tension was, thinking it would only make it worse than what it was.

But something had to be said sooner or later.

     "Do you pity me?" Taehyung broke the silence with a question he didn't think he would ask.

Jeongguk furrowed his brows, keeping his eyes focused ahead of him. "What are you talking about?"

Taehyung set his drink down on the table, releasing a quiet sigh. "You're just being 'nice' because my friend died."

"Of course I am," Jeongguk said, picking up the remote and pausing the movie. "Not to be rude, but if it weren't for your late friend, I would've never invited you, not even for my brother. I just figured it would make him happy and help you out."

"You don't have to pity me." Kim shook his head. "I don't need your pity."

Jeongguk was a bit confused on why this was even being brought up, his bewilderment only growing. "Well, I know I don't have to. But you didn't have to pity me when I had a concussion."

Taehyung let out a weak chuckle. "I didn't pity you, moron." He commented. "It was in the moment, even after then, I still treated you like shit."

"After you feel better, I'll go back to treating you like shit, you ungrateful bitch." Jeongguk rolled his eyes, shaking his head. He picked up one of his chicken nuggies and popped it in his mouth.

Taehyung laughed a bit. It was an actual laugh but not a loud one, one just barely auditable. Being insulted had never been so funny and Taehyung's laugh never brought a semi-smile to Jeongguk's face.

But, the smile was short-lived. After it snuck up on his features, it quickly vanished and made the younger stuff more greasy fries into his mouth.

"I mean, I'm just saying, I don't need your pity. Shit happens; life happens . . . You don't have to try to make me feel better." Taehyung spoke after he collected his thoughts.

"Next time, I won't." Jeongguk commented dryly. He sat his nuggets and fries down on the small coffee table, gathering the trash before he stood to his feet.

Jeongguk turned and walked away into the kitchen, leaving Taehyung alone in his living room.

     He hated that he was being friendly but it felt right to be nice. He just didn't want to look 'soft' and 'vulnerable' towards the elder, believing it would give him a weak appearance.

It made Jeongguk feel regretful but not enough. Not enough to where Jeongguk would go in there and made Taehyung leave. He knew the teen just needed something to take his mind off of his pain.

The boy would just leave when he felt it would be best. Maybe it was a turning point for the better.

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