Taehyung's Song • KTH

Four

"Do you remember the day we met?" Taehyung had slid into the bed next to you, arm around your shoulders so were leaning into his chest, your head against his shoulder. His free hand was looped through one of yours. You traced the veins of his hand with one finger lazily. The two of you had sat quietly the last hour, waiting for the doctor. Waiting for anything to change or not change.

"I think about it all the time baby."

~

You'd been in your 2nd year of university and had spent most of your time studying to make your family proud. They'd sacrificed everything so you could attend. Your father had even taken a second job to ensure you could manage without getting a job of your own. You'd wanted to do everything you could to honor them.

You had one final general education course to complete, socioeconomics, and it was mostly online, meeting in person only twice in the semester. All the assignments were posted to a virtual classroom and you found the format difficult. You retained knowledge better with presentations and thoughtful prodding that made you think critically.

One of the assignments the professor broke you out into groups, 4 people each. You were to pretend you were spouses with high school children, each person playing a role. Then you were given a income and bills, and were supposed to write a report on how each of you helped successfully manage that lifestyle and what challenges or opportunities it presented.

You recognized the names on the list from the class roster, Lee Kyung-ki, Choi Boram, and Kim Dae-young but you'd never spoken to them. The four of you exchanged emails and decided yourself and Dae-young would be the parents and the other two the teen children. After several days of no response from your "children" you and Dae-young decided to work together and nail down your responsibilities as the parents. He suggested a vc the next day and you agreed. It would be easier to just discuss everything, and hopefully work more quickly than through the message boards or email.

When you connected to the video chat you noticed his camera wasn't on, just a black screen with his name centered in the middle. Your camera was on, you'd had to restrain yourself from going overboard with your hair and make up in prep for the call. You felt a bit self conscious being the only one on camera.

"Is your camera not working? It might be easier if we could both see each other." You spoke gently trying to be conscientious that not everyone had the same comfort level.

"Oh, yeah, it works I just didn't think we needed it. Voice chatting is enough right?" You sat up straighter, his deep voice rolling through you. It sounded so familiar but your brain was unable place it.

"I guess it's fine, no big deal let's get started."

"I think this is a generous budget for a family of four, we have a decent apartment near Seoul, we don't struggle with feeding ourselves. Our kids are enrolled in a reputable school even if it isn't elite." You tuned out for a moment his voice hypnotic, it sounded like one you'd heard so many times before.

"Oh my god I agree! I know the professor expected us to complain. There's no left over money for fancy clothing or lavish vacations but our needs are met." You focused on the material just in time to not let him catch you day dreaming. Then your cell phone erupted with sound, 21st Century Girl by BTS breaking your concentration.

"I'm so sorry! I thought it was on silent, give me a second." You jumped up running to your dresser to grab it when the thought hit you. Kim Dae-young.

You silenced the phone your stomach doing acrobatics as you walked back to your desk and computer. You took a deep breath and looked right into the camera.

"Now scream." You blushed so hard you thought you might die in the moment but you knew you were right. The momentary silence from him made you both panic and more certain.