5

                                    

                                          


                          
"Why do you have to g-go?" Jungkook whimpered two months later, staring up at his best friend with wide, tear-filled eyes. 
                          
He clutched to the fabric of Taehyung's Beatles shirt, balling it up in his little fists. The older boy shook his head, using all of his energy to remain composed. His hands were in his best friend's hair, combing his fingers through the messy mop. 
                          
"Dad said it will be good for me. I won't have to be with my mom or siblings. I can be happy away from them in Seoul." 
                          
Jungkook shook his head and pulled on Taehyung's shirt. "But you'll be away from me! Don't I make you happy?" he cried, tears falling down his cheeks. 
                          
Taehyung's bottom lip quivered. "You always make me happy. But Kookie, this isn't my choice. My parents split up. I'm living with my dad. If I could take you with me, I totally would, but you belong here with your family and Yugyeom and all your other friends."
                          
With that, Taehyung hoisted Jungkook into his arms, holding him tight and letting him cling onto him like a little koala. He swayed side to side, resting his head on top of the younger boy's. "We'll FaceTime on your mom's phone every night before bed. Then, when you get your own phone, we'll call and text all the time, okay?" He smiled when he felt a little nod against his shoulder. 
                          
They stayed like that for a while, just until the moving truck pulled out of the driveway and Mr Kim told them it was almost time to leave. 
                          
"Oh, I have a present for you," Jungkook said, squirming a little so that he would be put down. 
                          
It took a few minutes, but then the younger boy came back with a jewelry box in his hand. Taehyung took it with a thankful smile and opened it, revealing a tiger-pendant necklace. The silver chain was long enough that Taehyung wouldn't have to buy a new one when he was older. 
                          
"Thank you, Bun. Here's something for you." Taehyung leaned down and kissed Jungkook's cheek, caressing the spot with his thumb as he gave his best friend a smile. "I love you, Bun. Forever and always." 
                          
Jungkook smiled, even though he was crying. "I love you too, TaeTae. Forever and always."
                          
-------
                          
"So, I start high school this year," Taehyung said, playing with the necklace Jungkook gave him. 
                          
Jungkook nodded on the other side of the video call, letting out a hum. "Are you scared? Seoul Central is a big school, isn't it?" he asked, tilting his head in question. 
                          
"Yeah, it's huge. I don't have any friends here, Kookie. I don't want to get picked on." 
                          
Taehyung wished he could crawl through his phone and end up in Jungkook's living room, but he knew that couldn't happen. He missed his best friend so much that video call wasn't enough anymore; he missed holding Jungkook in his lap. 
                          
The last two years wore him down, but he wasn't completely unhappy. 
                          
Seoul was beautiful, just like the people who lived in it. Just last week, Taehyung saw PSY walking down the street. It was so cool that he ranted about it for three days straight. Everything about the city was amazing, everything except the fact that Jungkook wasn't there with him. 
                          
The first month in Seoul, Taehyung cried himself to sleep every night. He needed Jungkook's hugs to help him sleep well, but all he had was a necklace and a Pokémon key chain Jungkook gave him one year for his birthday. There was nothing else to remind him of his best friend all the way in Busan. 
                          
"Hyung, it's late. I have to go to bed now," Jungkook said, a pout clear on his face. He blew Taehyung a kiss. "Sweet dreams! I love you!" 
                          
Taehyung blew Jungkook a kiss with a smile. "Sleep well, Bun. I love you too."