To You ? KTH

August 8
Monday
Year 1

I swing the front door open to view my front porch empty.

Yeontan and I were getting ready for a nap when he jumped off the bed and ran to the doorway. Not long after, the doorbell rang.

Not wanting to take back my praises, I search for a package while he happily trots outside. 

I crouch down to grab him, startled when I find someone standing on the side. I stand as Taehyung leans over to reveal himself. He smiles wide, a twinkle in his eye. "Hi, Seolli."

"Taehyung-"

He wraps his arms around me and pull me close to him.

It takes my breath away.

Yeontan barks for attention, biting onto his pants.

Chuckling, Taehyung lets go to pick him up and shower him with kisses.

I smile, but it falls a little when I realize that Taehyung's gotten thinner. His clothes hang on him, and his face is sharper.

"I brought souvenirs." He balances Yeontan on one arm to reach down and grab the giant shopping bag next to him.

I jump to help him. "I'll help! No worries!"

The bag is heavier than I thought it would be. "Are you visiting everyone today?"

He shakes his head. "Just you."

Confused, I look at the size of the bag. "I-Is this all...?"

Taehyung smiles, "Mhm. It's all for you."

My eyes widen. An image of Taehyung waddling to the airport with five of these bags pops in my head. 

"I brought macarons, soaps, shirts... perfume, tea, and some keychains I think." He scrunches his eye as he thinks. "I brought you as much of France as I could."

I break out of thought, panicking internally. How can I express how grateful I am? How can I ever repay him?

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "I will treasure it all."

I will treasure this moment forever. Even in ten years.

When I open my eyes, I see that Taehyung's cheeks are flushed.

He quickly closes his mouth.

"It was the least I could do since you took care of Yeontan."

I wave my hand. "He hardly made a noise!"

To reward Yeontan, I gently pat his head. Happy as a dog can be, Yeontan licks my hand.

Straightening up, I tell Taehyung, "His things are all upstairs."

"Is it okay if I go grab it?" Taehyung asks softly.

I nod and lead the way, taking the bag with me as well.

"Sorry, I have everything all over." I laugh as I set the bag down to get Yeontan's things together (including the new toys I got him).

Taehyung sits on the bed, letting Yeontan free to get comfortable in his usual spot.

"You're... crocheting..." Taehyung reaches over and picks up the project I set on the nighstand - a simple dishcloth.

I gasp, embarrassed he found it. I had a lot of time these past few weeks and decided to learn through videos. 

"W-wait," I walk over and place my hands over his.

A tiny smile plays on his lips. He tilts his head up and holds my eyes in his for a few steady beats.

He lets go for me, yet still having a playful look.

Treating it like my secret diary, I hide it in a drawer.

"You did a great job, by the way. At least what I could tell from the 2 seconds I saw of it," he jokes.

"I can only do a square."

"And 120 of them can make a blanket...Was it fun?"

"Lots," I admit, matching his smile.

Soft snoring draws my attention to Yeontan. 

Taehyung can't help but yawn as well. "Sorry, I think I'm jet lagged."

"You should rest," I say, concerned for his well being.

"I should, shouldn't I?" He chuckles, but then falls into a long pause.

"I don't want to go home."

The way his face drops, breaks me. He really doesn't get along with his stepfather, does he? How often did he lose sleep to avoid being in the hotel? Is that why he looks so thin? Losing sleep and skipping meals?

Without a second thought, I close my bedroom door and dim the lights.

His eyes follow me as I go into my closet and grab a new blanket. I hold it open. "Is this okay?"

He nods, "Are you sure?"

More than sure.

 I place the blanket beside him and he thanks me quietly. 

"Will you stay here while I nap?"

 "I can." 

"Please."

I settle into my papasan chair, tucking my feet in and resting my head on the side. I might even fall asleep.

Satisfied, he takes off his button-down and folds it on the nightstand, leaving him comfortably in his shirt.

I reach for a book on my desk, using my booklight to help me read. After a few pages in, Taehyung's fallen asleep with Yeontan.

I close my book and admire them. Taehyung's arm is tucked under his head while his other one hugs Yeontan close. Do they always sleep like that? That explains why Yeontan always wanted to sleep right next to me. 

With how fast Taehyung fell asleep, he must've been extremely tired. If he needs a hundred years to sleep, then I'll make sure I don't wake him up until then. 

My eyes start to droop and at some point I don't open them anymore. 

I'm sorry, Jiyoo. 

Before he meets you, I'll make sure he's well rested.