Gold: Kim Taehyung ✓

Rhodonite

I ate way too much today. I feel kinda sick

-

Taehyung, again, wouldn't leave me alone while I was home. Clinging to me like some kind of monkey, every time I looked at him, he just grinned. I tried not to be bothered by the now cast-free wrist that hung across my chest as I chopped onions.

"Taehyung-ah, pass the tofu." He detached himself from me momentarily to do as I asked, passing the packet of tofu, then draped himself over me again. He had been inordinately happy when he learned that, because today was Saturday, I had nowhere to be, and therefore didn't need to leave him alone. For now, I was preparing various vegetables and spices to be marinated with the tofu for dinner tonight. He had offered to help, which somehow translated to behaving like a backpack.

Slicing the tofu into pieces, I carefully placed them into a tupperware container, and tipped the vegetables and the marinade over it. Sealing the tupperware, Tae moved with me as I put it in the fridge. "Noona, what now?"

It was like he had no will of his own. Or, perhaps, he just was happy to be around me as I did whatever I wanted to do. The thought was baffling. He'd known me only days.

I thought briefly about the card from the bakery, about the phone number. I'd passed the place on my way home, but it was closed. I wasn't sure whether I should call them or not. It was probably a scam.

Answers about what? Taehyung? I couldn't think of anything else it could be. Maybe baking? But if that was the case, and it was something mundane like that, why slip the card silently in my bag? Why not just ask?

I hoped it wasn't an attempt at flirting. That would be childish.

Something, though, in my gut, said my first instinct was right. It was about the- in Yoongi's words- stray, I had taken into my home. This inexplicable 23 year old that woke up from anaesthesia in minutes, that healed a broken bone in days, that had the strength to remove a plaster cast on his own- somehow. When I asked how he did it he just smiled and giggled somewhat stupidly.

But if it truly was about him, then why? There was very obviously something off about Taehyung, but what would a baker know about it? How did they know he was here? Had Taehyung lied when he said he didn't have anywhere to go?

Most of all, I couldn't decide whether or not I should trust it. This simple, minimalist business card, that seemingly had my answers. Wouldn't that just be too convenient?

My mind circled back, as it always did. It had to be a scam.

Taehyung was just staring at me, looking confused. I realised I'd been lost in thought, and shook my head. "I think, seeing as you've been crammed into my brother's old clothes for too long, I should probably go get you some clothes..."

I trailed off, wondering how would be best to do this. It was fortunate that my layabout dongsaeng had left clothes here the last time he came to visit, or he would have either had to wear the hospital gown or my clothes. While I didn't doubt that Tae had the body to pull off a pencil skirt, it didn't seem appropriate.

I looked him up and down. Ordinarily, it would be easiest to just take him with me, but considering his... unruly nature....

"Can I come with you?" He almost trembled in his excitement as he stared at me. Seeing my hesitation, he grabbed my hands. His were large. "Please? I really want to come with Noona."

I sighed quietly, looking away from the intense eye contact with a little red on my face. I found it hard to deal with how upfront he was with his feelings. "Okay. But stay with me. I don't want you getting lost."