To You ? KTH

April 24 (pt. II)
Saturday

"Here's to an unforgettable concert!" Karin shouts as we all bring in our drinks together.

Taehyung bites down on his growing grin and gently bumps his shoulder against mine.

I look up at him, still impressed with how amazing he looks for the concert. His waves fall over his eyes, softening his gaze. It's easier for me to look at him that way.

I hope the braids in my hair were enough to make me look like I fit in with everyone.

"It's on me if you don't end up glad you came along." He tells me.

I giggle quietly, cheeks already blushing from joy. This day's easily one of the best already.

Jimin walks over and pushes Taehyung's cup to his lips. "Drink it all up~"

He obeys and I cover my laugh. I also have a cup of whatever Jimin ordered for us but I plan to slowly sip it, afraid that I might become too unaware of myself if it's contents are all gone.

With a giggle, Taehyung pulls the cup away from his lips.

While everyone laughs and heads to the stage, he hangs back with me.

I stop in my tracks when I see his hand in front of me. When I lift my eyes up, he tilts his head warmly. "Do you mind if I hold your hand until we're safe? After all, I'm taking special care of you during this trip."

I swallow nervously, thinking about how others might react. But I'm also curious about how it would feel to do so.

Taehyung holds a finger to his lips and raises an eyebrow, a pleading look in his eyes. "It'll be our secret, I promise."

Stepping closer, I hold out my hand for him to take. He clears his throat before confidently taking my hand. My eyes widen at how much larger, yet softer his hands are. His firm grasp around mine also makes me feel secure.

I hope mine feels the same.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I firmly hold his hand back.

He keeps his promise and holds our hands behind his back as he follows the crowd toward the outdoor venue.

There's the general standing area near the stage and the lawn area that stretches over a hill. They chose the front of the lawn, sitting down while we wait for the show to start.

As Taehyung and I sit, our hands slip away from each other, but we keep them close on the lawn.

I play with the grass and try to calm my heated face. It would be a lie to say I didn't enjoy holding his hand, but thinking about it made my head dizzy.

Taehyung leans over to joke with Jimin about something they said on the phone the other night. This pushes Jiyoo and I closer to each other.

"S-sorry!" I whisper.

Jiyoo wraps her arms around her legs, suggesting, "Maybe Jimin and Seolli should switch."

There's a tug in my heart.

"Nah, I'm fine here. Why? You don't like me hovering over you like this," Jimin teases Jiyoo again by crawling over her as she swats him away like a fly. She calls his name, annoyed.

Taehyung chuckles, resting his head on his knees as we connect eyes. I open my mouth to say something, but can't find any words.

I can tell B.I.'s walked out on stage by how loud the screams grow. Everyone springs up, and it feels like I'm entering a special world. Lights illuminate the floor and lawn from the light sticks in people's hands. The stage lights emit a purple-pink hue that matches the sunset.

Throughout his stages, I sway with everyone and enjoy every moment. I only make it through a quarter of my drink before I feel my cheeks start to warm and I bend down to place my cup down.

To my surprise, Taehyung crouches down with me. Curiously, I look at him.

"Sit with me."

It was a good idea because I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to stand much longer.

Even from where we were sitting, we could see B.I just fine, but the screens definitely helped.

There were lots of people sitting scattered throughout the lawn, making us not so out of place. But of course, I worried if the others would think I wasn't enjoying myself. When that's the furthest away from the truth.

Fireworks streak up across the sky. I find my smile growing as I tilt my head up to view them. The concert is ending and B.I. begins performing Illa Illa, a song that I've grown to like the more I hear it. I mouth the lyrics and sway as I stare up at the night sky. It's so beautiful, everything about today is so perfect for Spring.

Taehyung slowly lays back and stares up at the sky, his smile falling. I tilt toward him and look down at him, concerned. He stares back up with wide eyes. I realize that I'm leaning closer than I thought.

Yet, I don't move.

Slowly, Taehyung tilts up, our eyes locked. His hand reaches up toward my face and I gently back up to give him permission to enter my space, our faces following each other as he sits back up.

I feel a tingle on my lips and my head starts to spin. I notice how red Taehyung's cheeks are and maybe it had more to do with the alcohol he consumed, but I wanted to be a little more hopeful. Selfishly, dreamily hopeful.

Taehyung takes a small breath and pulls his eyes away to look up at the sky. That's when I notice a small amount of tears in his eyes. Was it the song?

I lift my hand up and tell myself it's okay to reach out instead of always holding myself back. Gently picking up the tear at the corner of his eye, I try to give him an encouraging smile.

He smiles back and leans his head against his shoulder. "Sorry," he mouths. I give a shake of my head.

Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll learn more about it later on as I discover more about him. Because I'm noticing there's this sadness behind his cheerfulness, and I want it to go away. Selfish of me of course because why would it be me to do that?

All this confidence has to be coming from the alcohol I drank. It might be gone by morning.

He gently reaches for my hand and keeps it in his, but I wonder if he even realizes or notices...
Because he returns to looking at the stage and singing the finishing lines. Meanwhile all I can think about is that I think I'm admiring Taehyung as something more than before.

With warm tears prickling my eyes, I smile and watch the rest of the fireworks light up the sky.