Two parents who are gonna love you
like they do now
Just not in the same house

Same House
- Sara Kays

»»————-　➴　————-««

I'll let you draw the starting line.

When the fabric of the universe is so intricately woven, it's difficult to pinpoint the moment it all began. Every thread told a different narrative, interlacing infinite colors. But sometimes, more times than wanted, they snap.

Their story birthed out of death. A death that opened a new page, one of fate, and buried the contract beneath their bones.

If anyone were to take the world apart just to study within its lines, it would be Jeongguk. But on most days, he couldn't afford the luxury of a daydream. And his fatigued body proved him so as he got off his shift at the bar and dragged himself home.

Mist obscured the city and created soft halos around street lights Jeongguk strolled under.

Home was less than a fifteen-minute walk. He gathered his gear into his camera bag and secured it over his shoulder, taking a deep inhale of breath to restore his strength and shake off his nerves. This was an event he wanted his mind to be present at.

Jeongguk had done shoots before. He prided himself for his ability to ease clients into comfortability in front of a camera.

Today was different.

Today he will be working with professional dancers, discussing suitable wardrobe choices and creative poses. He had spent most of his summer at internships, gathering knowledge and experience his family couldn't provide him with. After all, college wasn't cheap and the last thing Jeongguk wanted to be was a burden.

"Good morning," he chirped, pushing the studio door open with his signature smile.

He was immediately greeted by his fellow interns.

"Jeongguk, we need help setting up the backdrop, please." Ms Yang snapped her fingers in his direction. Her long print dress sweeping around the floor, accompanied by large dangly earrings.

"On it," the boy confirmed, sliding his bag off his shoulder somewhere he could keep an eye on.

He loved the bustling of the studio, loved being part of something so extraordinary to him. This studio in particular was freshly renovated, permeated with the aroma of coffee people would bring in no matter what time of day it was and the complaints of spills and stains later on.

"The dancers are in the room next door, people," their mentor continued to rush, "Let's not keep them waiting."

Jeongguk made sure everything was in place before sneaking away from the crowd, pulling out his own camera to take a quick picture of the scene. Of course, his actions weren't seen as productive of any sort.

"Jeongguk," Ms Yang tutted from across the room, "We've talked about this. Put it away."

"Sorry," he peeped, gently tucking his camera back into his bag. But not before one last photo, just as the door leading into the other room burst open.

The dark-haired boy who managed to photobomb Jeongguk's picture was in a leotard, obviously one of the dancers. Frustration laced between his brows, phone pressed against his ear and he threw a leather jacket on. The mismatch of clothing suggested he was in a hurry... to leave?

"Is it that important?" Taehyung spoke through gritted teeth, "I'm at a shoot right now."

He could almost envision his older brother's one-shoulder shrug. "Mom said it's important and she never calls things important, so it must be."

"Fine."

"I'm parked at the front of your building. C'mon."

"Okay, I'll see you."

Taehyung shoved his way out the glass doors, jabbing his thumb at the elevator button and glancing back into the studio.

Briefly, his eyes locked into those of another's. Chestnut hair, lanky outfit, ecru blazer. His face was partially covered by the studio name engraved on the glass, and Taehyung noticed the figure flinch slightly when their supposed mentor's voice boomed.

"Jeongguk, for once, pay attention!"

The boy scampered away and Taehyung turned back to the elevator with disinterest.

He ignored the ball of dread in his stomach for as long as he could, but the weight of it all was present in the air around him when he settled into his brother's car.

"Nice leotard," Namjoon snickered, "You a circus boy by any chance?"

"You're so funny," he volleyed back with equal amounts of sarcasm, "You said it was urgent and the dressing rooms were occupied."

His brother grinned, starting the engine and pulling out of the lot. Taehyung stared straight ahead, the want to voice his thoughts were sitting in the cavern of his mouth.

"Hey," Namjoon started softly as he fiddled with his seatbelt, "Listen—"

"Is it about dad? Cause if it is, I don't wanna hear it."

"Don't be like that."

Taehyung didn't respond, pressing his forehead against the window and pursing his lips.

"He's trying."

"Neither of them are trying."

Namjoon kept his eyes on the road, reaching over to pat his brother's head the same way he did when they were children. "I'm sure it's just another small misunderstanding we need to help solve."

Taehyung groaned. "Why can't they solve it themselves? They're grown adults. Heck, they're supposed to raise us. Why are we raising them?"

"Don't be overdramatic." Namjoon placed his hand back on the wheel. "We're just adults helping out other adults."

Arriving at their parents' house shouldn't be as scary as it was at that moment. Every day Taehyung feared it was the last straw. New dents formed on the kitchen walls from the ketchup bottle their mother would hurl at their father. Sometimes neighbors complained of their arguments that escalated into screams.

And that was exactly what Taehyung expected when he stepped into their home and took off his shoes by the rack. However, he was met with silence.

Namjoon followed shortly behind.

"Mama?" Taehyung called warily, making a beeline into the living room.

There was no evidence of a fight. Instead, his parents sat unmoving on the living room couch, eyes glossy, and suddenly Taehyung feared the worst.

Namjoon was the first to join them, being the older sibling. "What happened?"

Their father laid a hand on her knee, breathing for a moment before speaking. "Your ma and I decided it would be best to... split up."

Taehyung's throat tightened, eyes widening as the news set in. He peeked at his brother, who remained motionless between them.

"What?" Namjoon muttered.

Their mother sat up straighter. "It's for the best," she echoed as if that provided further explanation.

"It's for the best?" Taehyung repeated, fists bunched and accusations surfacing.

Namjoon whipped around to console him but didn't have the chance. "Taehyung—"

"Are you serious? Are you actually serious right now?"

Both parents ducked their heads down in defeat, almost like they were welcoming Taehyung's onslaught of emotions.

"You're just gonna give up like that?" he raged on, jaw clenching and unclenching, "What? Is this family not worth fighting for? Are you even trying?"

"It's not about giving up, Taehyung," his father attempted to reason with him, "Would you please sit down and talk?"

"No!" he cried, "I'm sick of sitting down and talking, oh my god."

The room spun with a million childhood memories, hidden behind brick and mortar. So many years he spent in this home only for it to collapse under a single decision.

Papers haven't even been signed, yet in Taehyung's mind, it was as if one of his parents just pushed the rest of them off a highway.

"You don't get to give up like that," he pressed on, shoving the two words in their faces like a lethal weapon.

Give up. Give up. Give up.

How dare you?

In an angry fit, Taehyung stormed away before any of them could notice the tears collecting on his lower lashes. Namjoon called out to him, but he was already cramping his feet into his sneakers and reaching for the doorknob.

His brother grabbed him before he could descend off the porch. "Call me when you feel ready to talk."

Taehyung almost laughed in his face. But the fact that he had— yet again— left his brother to deal with their problems sobered him up. He nodded stiffly, waving him off, and started along the pavement. The ideal was as far away as possible.

So he walked himself back towards the heart of the city, drowning in his downward spiral of unhealthy thoughts.

His piece of thread had been yanked tight, tension building at its core.

Weeks go by.

He never made the phone call.

Months.

In fact, you could say he disappeared off the edge of the world. You wouldn't be wrong.

When strings snap, they must be removed.

Kim Taehyung no longer existed.

__________

joon's character is originally Sara and i had no choice but to make him drive LOL

i literally have eight chapters of the original version up on haywriting but editing one chapter to taekook already took me an hour
just so you know, i update way faster there
it's completely up to you which you want to read

HOW ARE YOU GUYSSS
how has life been treating you?
ilysm 🥺
- hay