RUNAWAYS 》kth ✓

FIFTY-ONE

November 19, 20XX - Wednesday
'Afternoon'

Taehyung is really good at brushing things aside.

I think maybe we both are.

Him with my nightmares.

Me with his tragedy.

Instead of shining light on the tracks we left behind, 

we pointed the light to the path we wanted to take.

Which is why I was thankful that Taehyung had stuck by my side, 

trying to make things seem so normal for me.

Like this day, 

the day so close to the end of it all.

He should've been preparing with Namjoon and the rest.

Instead, he chose to stay with me in our cabin, passing time in each other's company.

I had to guess they were busy prepping for the big day, but I couldn't know for sure.

That's how good of a job Taehyung had done in hiding that side of our life, even waiting until I was asleep to go and join them. 

I thought about all this as I looked at Taehyung, busy sketching.

"You're really good at drawing."  I peered over at his paper.

Taehyung hesitated, looking up at me before laughing sheepishly, returning to his sketch.

"It's easy when you have the perfect muse."

I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head at him.

He carefully turned the paper around, revealing he sketched me out flawlessly, almost too flawlessly.

"How did you...?"

"I'm no artist." Taehyung smiled warmly, "You're just what I know best."

His words floated throughout my body, all fuzzy and warm.

"Merry Christmas." Taehyung teased, handing over the paper.

I took it with both hands. "It's not Christmas...but it is..."

My birthday.

Taehyung leaned against his hand, raising his eyebrows up.

I just closed my mouth, just smiling at him. 

He doesn't let up, tilting his head so that his hair falls over his eyes. "What is today?"

"Nothing special," I finally tell him, "Just my birthday."

"How could you say it's nothing special?" He frowned.

I tried to smile, trying not to sound so pitiful, "My parent's have never made anything of it. They tried their best to not make me feel significant. Over the years, I guess I just put in my head that all it is is just another year that I have spent on this planet."

"Hari..." Taehyung's eyes softened, "It's another year that you have lived and every birthday here after will be another year that I have seen that smile, those eyes, you."

Taehyung extended his pinky out and I hooked my own with it. 

"I promise that I will give you the birthdays you deserve and celebrate every holiday with you, I will promise you that you will live as others do."

You'll make it even better.

The door suddenly opened, Namjoon walking in, slightly out of breath.

"We did it."

Taehyung sat back and looked at Namjoon with wide eyes.

"Tomorrow..." Namjoon gave us a smile,

"You'll be free."

_______________________

A/N: ooh dropped that on all of you. Are your hearts racing?