Chapter 27: It's time to say goodbye

"Can we do something with the money left from God?" There was a tug on your full sleeved shirt, it was Taehyung with a faint smile. Since you'd came back to Seoul from Gwangju, it's been two days, two days since Taehyung had said anything unrelated to daily necessaries.

It surprised you but you hid it carefully with a smile. "Why Tae? What do you want to buy?"

His smile grew wide, eyes crinkling into a thin line with his box shaped mouth showing all his teeth.

You'll miss that smile of his.

"I want to dye my hair temporarily! Oh, and I want to buy some books too!" Taehyung beamed, still holding onto your shirt with his two fingers.

"I thought you'd want to buy Gucci and I was afraid because we don't have that much money left," you chuckled wholeheartedly. "I see that you already got to me prepared."

Wearing a bright red jumper with a black shirt underneath, the latter looked more than ready to go outside.

"But you still need something." You weren't late to go to your bedroom and fetch a scarf, a white mask too.

You put on the mask on his face, carefully wrapped the scarf around his neck after. The boy stared at you widely so you laughed. "You're sick, remember?" And so he gave a sheepish smile, his chin invisible under the fluffy scarf.

Adorable. You wished to bop his nose but you turned on your heel. "Let's go," you said.

Perhaps it was the time to let go off him. But would you really be able to do that?

Especially at a time like this, when it reminded you of the old times. The first time you'd met Taehyung and he'd always be eager to go outside, explore around the whole neighbourhood. Buying his first clothes, the walk backs to home after college and your part time job.

The first time holding hands, him kissing you under the rain, meaningless conversations late at night on the rooftop, tata, yeontan. There were too much memories already, and you wished those beautiful memories wouldn't feel like a pain now.

A giggle interrupted your train of thoughts. The magazine you had dipped your head down sitting on the beauty salon, only consisted of blurry lines and pictures. When you looked up a red headed Taehyung was grinning at you. "Don't I look good?" He could hardly talk smiling so hard.

Just good would be an understatement. He looked way too good.

But all you did was show him a thumbs up. If you spoke you were sure, the pain would be see through. And you knew Taehyung wouldn't like you seeing hurt.

You only wanted to be happy for him. But why was it so hard to do.

The walk to the bookstore was silent. People staring your way like always, mostly at the beautiful being by your side didn't matter anymore. But you took a closer look to him anyway as you walked by his side.

It was a little hard to swallow, his sudden change of hair colour felt like it had change his whole aura overall.

More than the innocent sunshine look from before, he felt mischievous, even hard to approach now. Dark red hair felt like flames from hell rather than a cherry on top but, it suited him.

"A book store!" There was a sudden shrill of excitement in his voice as he pointed towards a store by the streets.

He didn't take a second to waddle his way across the book store, picking up the books placed outside and flipping through them instantly.

Hard to approach? Nope, he was still the same.

"What kind of books are you looking for Tae?" You approached him taking long steps, your hands shoved under your coat's pocket.

He sniffed, nose red like a tomato since the mask wasn't covering his face anymore.

"This," he showed you a book, flipping through the pages and all you could recognize was that it wasn't a story book. "And this," he picked up two other.

Then you noticed the titles and they were all on fashion designing, clothes and tailoring. "What are those for?" You couldn't help but sound a little surprised.

"Just because," he only grinned. The mischievous part, may have been true.

Perhaps there weren't books like those on heaven. Perhaps he was so invested on earth's fashion style that he wanted to learn.

The bell from the shop chimed as you opened the door with Taehyung following you from behind. "Excuse me, we want to buy these books!" You pronounced to the tall boy that was working on the counter showing his back. Books almost everywhere and anywhere, only him, the only living being amidst the books.

"Welcome! And of course!" When the boy turned to you your eyes went wide. Dirty blonde hair, face small and frame tall, the boy from shoujo manga that everyone teased.

But his lips were the most prominent part of him, red and full like no one has ever seen on a man before.

His eyes went wide too. "S-sarang!" He exclaimed, but soon those full lips stretched into a welcoming smile. "Didn't expect to see you here!"

"I didn't too!" You clasped a hand over your opened mouth, taking steps toward him. "It's been long!"

Hyungwon, your past co worker from the cafe who suddenly quit after getting a girlfriend. Leaving you feeling quite devastated not only because he scored a lover but also because you'd thought you had a chance with him before.

"Man, you suddenly quit! Everyone missed you for a while!" You were laughing and he was too.

Come to think of it, he was the start to all of this. If you hadn't felt so jealous and cried so hard, Taehyung wouldn't be here now.

You turned beside to find Taehyung staring at Hyungwon then turning his stare back to you. "This is Taehyung," you chirped introducing him to the taller boy.

"Your boyfriend?" He teased before bowing his head to Tae. "I'm Chae Hyungwon, used to work with Sarang before."

"He isn't my boyfriend." You shook your head, not before taking another glance at Taehyung who was looking at you blankly. "Just a friend," you added.

It hurt.

"Oh thanks god," Hyungwon couldn't even hide his joy as he bit on his lip bobbing his head down. But then he looked up, his face red in embarrassment.

"I mean I..." He ruffled his dirty blonde hair glancing away. "M-my girlfriend broke up with me soon after we started dating. Guess she only liked my face, not me. Anyway, so what I'm saying-"

He inhaled before continuing. "I often thought about you and wondered how you were doing, but I was too embarrassed to go back to the cafe and talk to you."

"Oh," you could only say, gulping a bit. "Sure, maybe we can meet up sometime. What's your kakao?"

The number exchanging happened and all the time Taehyung patiently stood there. Maybe it was God's way, to give you a chance with some other guy as Taehyung was going away.

But you didn't feel a thing.

"Am I not your boyfriend, Sarang?" Taehyung said dryly after walking all the way back to home, when you were already close to your place. "I thought we had agreed."

It took you a good few second before answering, you didn't know what to say. "Maybe for the while now but..."

Seeing you silent Taehyung spoke again. "But what Sarang? Are you going to leave me?"

"Isn't that the other way around?" Suddenly you couldn't control yourself anymore. Your voice cracked, tear filled up your eyes.

But you still managed to smile. "S-still I'm happy for you. I'm happy if you're happy. So do whatever that makes you happy."

He pursed his lips into a thin line and just stared at you, his expression unreadable. You quickly wiped your eyes and unlocked the door, all the time he stayed quiet beside you.

Going inside you were welcomed by the scene of three men, more like fairies, sprawled on the floor across your living room. As they sat beside the table by the couch, teacups decorated before them.

"We were having tea." Seokjin smiled putting up the kettle. "Shamed to see that you don't have much snacks here."

"Join the tea party, Sarang!" Jhope beamed. Namjoon pushed up his glasses to the bridge of his nose.

"You guys are here!" Taehyung almost screamed as he stepped inside, the books he had brought were wrapped in a paper bag and placed between his side of the chest and arm.

However, the fairies weren't too surprised seeing his sudden change of hair colour. "You've decided to stay here, I see," Namjoon only fixed his glasses again. The other two sipped on their tea.

Seeing Taehyung only grin silently you couldn't but glance back and forth from the other fairies to Taehyung. "What?" You asked dumbfound but your voice meek.

"We knew it would happen," SeokJin gracefully sipped on his tea.

"Sorry I was such an emotional wreck last time!" Jhope looked up at you giving an apologetic look. "I'm fine now!"

"B-but...," you stuttered, not really coming up with anything to say here.

"I knew the moment he stepped here," Namjoon said looking down on his cup then sipping on it carefully. "First of all, he dyed his hair, he wanted to change his hair color back in heaven but we didn't have proper measurements there. Secondly the paper bag, it looks like there are book inside. I bet on Yoongi's swag those are on fashion designing."

Taehyung and you exchanged a surprised look before Taehyung exclaimed. "Amazing hyung! How did you know!"

Namjoon smirked but it disappeared in a second. "I just knew," he said. "Looks like you want to start studying too like a human being of your age."

Was that true? You looked at Taehyung wide eyed but right then, shoving you two apart from the door another guy trudged inside. Yoongi, in his usual white attire he barely stumbled across the couch and laid on his back there.

"There's a nosy kid outside, gosh my head hurts," he messaged his temple.

"Jimin?" You asked by yourself. "It must be Minjae, our neighbour," Taehyung giggled. "She always nags at strangers to play with her."

"If she wasn't cute I would've cursed at her," Yoongi's voice was barely audible as he buried his head in a cushion. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing, he's going to stay here," Jin answered. "That was given," remarked Yoongi.

"But why?" You finally spoke on the matter, looking at the fairies first, then at Taehyung. "Wouldn't you miss your hyungs?"

"But I would be able to see them, even if it's barely," Taehyung said with a smile. "But if I leave I don't think I'd be ever able to see you. I don't think I'd be happy like that even in heaven."

"Apart from the cheesy stuff, just making my existence known here," Jin cleared his throat making everyone look at him. "We came up with a plan and every week at least one of us would visit Taehyung."

"Me every week!" Jhope squealed happily.

"Me none," Yoongi's muffled voice was heard from underneath the cushion. "I'm freaking busy."

"We all know you'll visit the most," Namjoon commented and Yoongi stayed silent.

"Wait, how did you guys even know from before that he'd choose to stay here?" Again, you were dumbfounded.

"Because we know our small brother," Jhope laughed showing his snow-like white teeth.

By the time you were done admiring his teeth you realized Taehyung had taken a seat on the floor with others. He patted the ground next to him. "Sit here, Sarang!" He grinned carefree as if none of the important conversation was happening here.

"B-but..." You grabbed your forehead frustrated. "Tae, wouldn't you be mortal if you stayed? You'll die!"

"So what?" Taehyung shrugged with his shoulders, his red hair shaking with it. "Being a fairy, I know more than anyone that death isn't the end. There is a whole wide world out there, I'll be only going back to heaven. With you."

He would die with you.

Living an eternity with your prince charming, together and forever, you suddenly remembered your wish from childhood.

"What are you still doing standing there? Come sit with us!" Jin demanded, you played with the hem of your shirt before taking confused steps and plopping down next to Taehyung.

You looked at Taehyung and his eyes seemed like they were saying something. I love you? I don't want you to ever feel alone? You wouldn't know.

"Imagine if you decided to go with us. Sarang would be married someday," Yoongi suddenly said and both your eyes shoot up to the latter who was now sitting on the couch. His face expressionless.

"That was another reason I stayed," Taehyung piped. "Can't bring myself to even imagine that."

You felt you face going hot for some reasons. "Cheesy..." Namjoon dragged on his word, so unlike the usual things he'd say.

"I wonder how Taehyung would look like when he's older?" Jhope suddenly said pulling a thinking face on.

"Still handsome. I know my brother," Jin replied. The conversation went on and on, how it would go, your life with Taehyung now that he was human.

Laughter filled up your small apartment, the place you'd live alone even a few months ago. The place that was dull now filled with all kinds of colours and emotions.

Taehyung suddenly turned at you. "Please Sarang, tell them that I'm not an otaku and I don't watch anime all day here!" He complained, you nodded laughing.

This wasn't the ending. This was a whole new beginning for you, and Taehyung too.