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A couple of weeks passed since that incident. Tae was acting normal and they spend every day together as if nothing happened. But something began changing inside Jin. The feelings he had from that day, started something inside him. Things he couldn't understand. He started sensing things he wasn't prepared for. His body, start to feel different. Jin knew he was physically grown, but he didn't know why his body, react in a certain and completely unexpected way. He knew that everyone around him started acting weird suddenly and was not the same after that. It was like disease caught them and changed them and Jin didn't want the same happening to him. He didn't want the change, he was happy the way he was. He got Tae, he didn't need anything else.

He tried to remember the symptoms others had, while he observed them. How stupid, loud and weird they became. How crazy the boys reacted around girls, acting like fools and strangely, the girls liked that, moreover they giggled. Ugh! He never cared for girls, they were always just girls, not easy to talk to, or play with, they always had to be in charge and Jin didn't like that. But Noona Mei was different, she was nice and beautiful. She was their neighbour's daughter, a few years his senior. She would always smile, ruffle his hair and told him how cute he was, ever since he was very young. She is at college now. She was always like an older sister to him, but when she returned home for spring break, something changed for both of them.

-'' Jinnie!''  - She wanted to hug him, but check herself and gave him her hand to shake instead, which he took, confused. Why won't she hug him? He thought.

-'' My, you changed Jinnie, you all grown up and so handsome. The girls must be crazy for you.'' - She said in a bright voice, her eyes running appreciatively across his face and shoulders.

Jin was definitely confused, his mind was full of questions. What is that got to do with anything? Why she's acting weird, so distant? And when did she become so beautiful? Maybe she always was, but I never saw it until now.

He murmured something which sounded like thanks and good to see you but then lower his gaze in sudden embarrassment. She laughed, remembering the loud, funny boy he used to be. She wanted to hug him, as she used to before, but understanding that things have changed and that the hugging might be a little inappropriate, she stood her ground. Still, Jin couldn't understand the sad look in her eyes as she watched him. Like she wanted to say something but decided not to. Jin wondered if she disliked the change that it's happening to him. Maybe, deep down, she still liked that small boy from the neighbourhood, instead of the grown-up one. That made him sad too, so he bowed his head, murmuring that he has to go and with a shy smile and wave, he was gone, leaving her on the stairs. 

When he reached his apartment he placed the palm across his heart, feeling it racing. He was sweaty and his pants suddenly became very tight. "Not again." He groaned in irritation. This weird thing started happening a while ago and even though it was pleasurable sometimes, it was mostly embarrassing.

Once he watched a couple kissing on the bench in the park and got that huge desire to do the same. Even though Jin was very attractive, he was considered weird, so people usually ignored him. Jin wished Tae went to school with him, instead to a private one.  He wouldn't mind the school and children in it so much if Tae was around. Without him, Jin was all alone.

It wasn't that bad, to be honest, people generally tend to ignore him on a good day, and his imagination was sufficient enough for him to have fun all by himself, but sometimes...sometimes...he wish he wasn't laughed at and bullied so much by other kids. Now, however, things had changed. 

A girl from school he knew only by sight, start to appear in his mind and dreams often. He caught himself staring at her, admiring her hair, her face, lips. She was one of the most popular girls in the school and was always kind to the people she liked. He wanted to know her, to be her friend, to kiss her. Once he came and stood in front of her, he was planning to introduce himself properly, but when he opened his mouth, nothing came out, so he run away, causing giggles from the girl and her friends.

Jin was so embarrassed and he whined about it to Tae, who just pat his shoulder and said to try again. The opportunity did present itself when Jin found himself alone in the hall with his crush. He took a deep breath and approached her with all intention to talk to her this time, but when she turned to face him, he just stared at her, mouth slightly open. She was very pretty.

He was thinking what to say, trying to force his voice out, when her brow furrowed in annoyance and she spoke in a cold voice. - '' Are you going to say something weirdo, or simply gape at me as a fish?''

That made him freeze, eyes getting comically wide. He even stopped breathing. As he didn't answer, she scoffed, rolled her eyes and turned to leave. The sudden rage took over the shock, surging through him and he grabbed her by the hand, spinning her around and throwing her on the lockers behind her.

She screamed in surprise and shock when he put both of his hands on each side of her head on the lockers behind her. He drew his face so close to hers, making her flinch, scrunching her eyes in fear, thinking that he was about to kiss her, but he just gritted his teeth and hissed in quiet sinister words. -'' No, you stupid bitch. How dare you? How dare you look at me like I'm a bug? Who do you think you are? Will it kill you to be a bit nicer to people?'' - He growl that last sentence, making her yelp in fear, tears started to fall down her face as she began to cry. Jin was unfazed, his upper lip curling in disgust. -'' I first thought I liked you, I wanted to meet you, but now... now I don't care. You are rude and stupid.''

He punched the locker with his fist, near her head, making her scream and covering her face. She sank to her knees as he turned and started to walk away. She was still shaking when he stopped after a few steps. - ''Oh, yeah.'' - He turned and she saw his eyes. They were cold, it made her shiver. -'' If you speak about this to anyone, no one will believe you. After all, I just gape as a fish, don't I?" - He chuckles, and leaves. He didn't really know why he did it, nor where those words came from, but it had the desired effect because the next time he saw her she just froze and ran away from him. No one else came to beat him up because he made the School Queen cry that day.

After that incident, Jin was constantly on the edge. He felt anger coming and going at strange intervals, and he had no idea why. He was also nervous, and he craved the touch often, but it was different from the innocent cuddles he got used to with his family and Tae. He needed more. He often cried from confusion and emotional confrontations within. It was like a huge hole was inside his chest, absorbing everything, craving for more, craving to be satisfied, filled up. With what? Jin didn't know.

The only person who was always by his side was Tae. Tae was the clingy type of person, expressing his emotions openly and Jin soon realized that the boy was also weird like that. He was different from the others and he wasn't afraid to show it. Not like Jin was. Tae would say shocking things out of the blue, laugh too loud, and start dancing in the middle of the street, and no one seems to care. They just ignored him. But if Jin did similar things they would yell or mock him.

Taehyung had that certain charisma that made it easy for him to be who he is, unaffected by the world and its strict social rules. He would often jump on Jin's back demanding to be carried around no matter where they are. He would always laugh when Jin begin to protest, shouting amusingly. - '' Let's go Jinnie, to infinity and beyond.''

Jin would grumble, but in truth, he didn't mind at all. What's more, in recent months he began noticing Tae's presence more acutely. He started to crave Tae's hugs and touches. That surprising kiss on the neck in the park some time ago was still embedded in his mind.  No matter how much he tried, he couldn't stop thinking about it. He wondered if he could feel it again, or would that cross the friendship line they had firmly placed. 

Jin didn't want that line crossed in the first place. He didn't like Tae in a romantic way, he was 14 for bloody sake. He was a little imp, telling outrageous stories, sure, but deep down, he was innocent. But the touches felt so good, and they always end too quickly. It is the closeness. We know each other so well. That's all. Jin would say to himself every time those treacherous thoughts began resurfacing.  

And Tae, well... he didn't make Jin's life any easier. He will often tease him by touching his ears, tickling his chin or giving him hugs or massages, saying he could get every spot right. Tae liked to stick his tongue out and lick his lips in a teasing way, while looking at Jin, knowing that Jin would smack him or throw something at him as punishment. Tae adored Jin, they were close, and Jin was drawn to him, like a moth to the light. They had a certain bond you don't often see and even with all of the teasings, their relationship was always strictly platonic and that suited both of them. Jin was glad that he curbed his hormonal urges and held his desires to himself.

Two years later, Jin was eighteen and it was his graduation day. Tae was there, so proud of his Huyng. He was beaming so happily when Jin took him to his prom dance. The others laughed at Jin and completely ignored Tae like he wasn't there, but Tae didn't seem to mind. His Hyung was all he needed. They danced wildly, laughing along the way, commenting on people around them, how ridiculously they looked and danced. Jin was very happy and was all thanks to Tae.

That night, after the prom dance ended, they were sitting on the roof of Jin's building and looking at the stars, each lost in his own thoughts. These quiet hangouts replaced loud childish play a long time ago.

-'' Hey, Tae.'' - Jin called, not moving his gaze from the starry night.

-'' Hmm?'' - The other boy hummed in acknowledgement.

Jin thought very carefully before he spoke again. -'' Remember...''- He hesitated for a moment. -'' Remember when you bit my ear? That day in the park a couple of years ago?''

Tae turns his head at that. Jin could feel his stare dancing on his skin. Jin refused to look at him but still looked to the sky. 

There was a ten seconds silence, and Jin thought that he won't answer, but then Tae spoke. -'' Yeah, maybe. What of it?''

- ''Do you remember what you told me?'' - Jin still didn't dare to look at his friend.

Since Tae didn't answer, Jin continued, gulping the saliva that suddenly gathered in his mouth from nervousness. -'' You told me I was handsome and beautiful and told me that I have no idea what the world has to offer me, remember?''

The silence was a bit longer this time, and Jin finally turned his eyes to see Tae's face in the dim light. He had a blank expression at first, but then the playful sparkle gleamed in his eyes and he smiled. -'' Do you want me to say again that I find you handsome and beautiful Hyung?'' 

Jin chuckles embarrassingly, fending confident nonchalance that didn't full anyone. -'' That I already know. I mean, with this look...'' - He points to his face and attire. -'' Pff, easy.''

That made Taehyung giggle. Jin joins him for a second, but then grew serious again, looking into the stars once more. - '' But...do you remember?'' - He asks.

-'' Yes.'' - The answer came immediately this time. 

-'' What did you mean by that back then?'' 

-'' By what Hyung?'' - Taehyung was still playing and Jin knew he had to be patient to get the answer he needed.

-'' By life and what it has to offer me.'' - He repeats again calmly.

He heard his friend taking a deep sigh, feeling his eyes shift to look at the sky as well. They didn't speak, and Jin didn't rush anything. He knew that when Taehyung grows quiet for a while he's thinking, after which he usually says something weirdly mature and logical in his own way.

And just like Jin expected, Taehyung spoke the most unexpected question. -'' Have you ever kissed someone, Hyung?''

The question took Jin aback as he stared at the younger man, who seemed unfazed, but expand his question even more. - '' The real kiss, on the lips? The long one?''

Jin's mouth suddenly went dry, and for the first fifteen seconds, he couldn't answer at all. -'' N-no...'' - He muttered, looking elsewhere, his body suddenly nervous and he began to fidget his foot left and right. - '' What is that had to do with...?''

Tae ignored the question and continued with his own. -'' Have you ever wanted to touch someone? To be touched by someone? Have you ever wanted someone to be intimate with, like a man with a woman?''

Where is this coming from? Jin wondered. He didn't know why, but these questions made him anxious. If speaking the truth he did think about it, often, but he never discussed it with Tae.

He felt the other man shift slightly, leaning closer, which made an involuntary shiver down Jin's spine. -'' Have you ever wanted something or someone so bad, that it hurts you?'' - Taehyung's voice was deep and different, it vibrated under Jin's skin.

The sudden surge of different emotions, from excitement, anger and arousal surprised Jin, but he wasn't in the mood for Taehyung's play. He huffed in annoyance. - ''Why do you ask those sorts of questions? Why do you always act weird when I....''- His sentence was cut short, when he was pushed on his back, with both of his hands pinned to the ground. Taehyung's body was on him suddenly and Jin forgot how to breathe.

Taehyung, however, was not in the mood for play either. His eyes glared at him from the shadows of his hair. He growled at him. - ''Stop avoiding the questions Jinnie and answer me!!!''

Jin was in utter shock. Tae never raised his voice in anger like that. He was never in Jin's face like that, except... Jin's eyes widen...except for that moment in the park, Tae didn't look like his Tae. 

The heaviness of his stare, punch all wind from Jin's lungs, and then he realized that it wasn't his sweet Tae above him, oh, no. It was someone else...a stranger. Or was he? Jin wasn't sure. The gaze of this ''other'' persona was much older, more dangerous. Jin could feel the change, even the weight of Tae's body changed, it was crushing him.

-'' You again.'' - Jin murmured and the "other" Tae laughed quietly. His deep voice was vibrating in Jin's ears. He sounds nothing like Tae. He felt surging anger, and he began trashing in other man's grip, growling.  -'' What have you done with Tae!!?''

The ''other'' one laughed sinisterly. - ''Oh finally, he understands.'' - He spoke in this strange, cold voice. - ''Little Jinnie has reached the second stage of understanding, I congratulate you.''

The same note in Taehyung's voice was there, only this one was more menacing. Jin couldn't explain it. How is this possible? Who was this person really? And where is Tae?

So many questions ran through his head, but instead, he asked. -'' Who are you?''

-'' You, my dear Jinnie, could call me V.'' - The other one answered.

-'' Where is Tae?!! What have you done to him!!?'' - Jin was trying to break free, but V got him pinned hard. He couldn't move.

-'' Shhh no need to shout.'' - V shushed him. - '' Tae is here, with me, as always.'' - He bends his head down, his nose nudging Jin's cheek, the words almost purring next to his ear. - ''He is just sleeping, at the moment.''

Jin thrust his hips up, trying to toss V off of him. -'' Bring him back! I don't want you! Get off me! - He pushed him again and this time V allowed him to be pushed back. He laughed as Jin jumped on his feet and grabbed the front of his shirt, hoisting him up as well. 

-'' Ah, you are very strong my dear one.'' - V purred, amused. The annoying sexy smirk was still on his face. He tilts his head to the side, pouting slightly. - ''But there is nothing you can do really.'' - He says in a matter-of-fact manner and twists Jin's hand with two of his fingers. 

Jin cries out from pain and falls to his knees.

-'' Let's not bicker, shall we?'' - He says almost boringly and lets go of Jin's hand. He took a step back and crouches in front of a groaning figure on the ground. 

They stare into each other's eyes. V, with a rising amusement, the tongue sliding teasingly on his lips, and Jin with a mixture of fear, anger and lust fighting in his chest.

-'' You are a magnificent one.'' - V said, his tone lustful - ''You were always beautiful, but you've grown up to be a gorgeous man Jinnie.'' - His hand reached to touch Jin's face, but Jin slapped his hand.

-'' Don't touch me! Bring back Tae!'' - Jin demanded.

V laughed - ''All in due time my darling.'' - He rose up and walk around Jin. He was circling around him slowly, like a predator around his prey, playing. For some reason, Jin couldn't move.

-'' I can feel your emotions, how they wage war in your chest. So many different ones, all mixed inside, they must be eating you up.'' - He tilts his head to the side again, observing him in thought. He hums. - '' How much must you've been suffering now my dear Jinnie?'' - V ran the tips of his fingers on Jin's neck, which provoked a quiet involuntary shiver out of Jin. 

Sensing that, he stopped when he was behind Jin's back, making the man gasp when he knelt behind him, pulling him closer, so the wisps of air ticked Jin's ear.

-'' Remember the offer I've laid for you two years ago dear Jinnie?'' - V asks seriously.

Jin could feel his heart thumping like crazy. The image of them close together in the park, and Tae's voice...no...V's voice speaking to him. 

-"Let me show you the wonders of an adult life, my dear Jinnie-ah".

Jin breathed in deeply and closed his eyes. He didn't understand the meaning of that offer from two years ago, but he understood it now. And how could he, back then? Tae was really a baby, it would never cross his mind the true meaning of that offer, especially coming from Tae. But now he knew. That wasn't Tae back then, it was this creature. He turned his head slightly towards V's face, which was inches away. He could feel V's breath on his cheek, his lips so close to his own. Jin's gaze fell upon the creature's lips. They were so perfect, so plump, the cupid bow so inviting for a kiss. Jin forgot where he was, his anger, Tae, everything. The lust seized through him, and he drew nearer without thinking, parting his lips slightly and closing his eyes ready for a kiss when V started laughing deeply.

-'' Aaah my dear Jin-ah, I am not the one who will give you your first kiss, pabo. Neither is Tae.''

Tae!? Tae!! Jin remembered his friend now. He jerked from this paralysing trance and pushed the creature away, pinning him to the ground this time. -'' Where is Tae?!! What have you done with him!? Bring him back!! I want Tae, not you! Tae!!!''

Jin was shouting loudly now, and V quickly switched their places again, covering Jin's mouth in the process. -'' Shh...be quiet dear one. Don't yell.'' - He spoke calmly as he held tossing Jin under him once more.  -'' Do you want your neighbours checking what's going on? Hmmm? They are so nosy.'' - He clicks his tongue in annoyance at the very thought of nosy neighbours, but then he grinned wickedly, staring at Jin. -'' They would think you are insane.''

Jin muffled curses could not be heard properly, but V understood each and every one of them and smiled.

-'' Now, I am going to let you go, but you mustn't scream darling, hmmm?' - V stood up, pulling Jin with him and once he was firmly on his feet, he let him go.

-'' Where is Tae?'' - Jin asked again, more quietly.

V rolled his eyes in irritation. -'' Your precious Taehyung is here.''  - V pointed to his head - ''He is always with me, the same as I am always with him whenever he was with you. We are one, him and I, but we can't be in the same place at the same time.''

That didn't make sense to Jin. How could this be? Why so suddenly? Why now? Why so long? Even in the park, Tae was back from that episode rather quickly, but this... this is too long. The creature is here for too damn long.

- ''Why did you come now? - Jin asked confused and tired. The huge desire to fight V left him completely exhausted. His eyes were filled with tears. - ''What do you want from me?''

-'' Aaaah, Jinnie, I want you to let go.'' - The creature spoke.

Jin blinked in confusion. -'' Let go of what?''

V points at him. -'' Yourself.'' - And then he waves his arms in the air. -'' This so-called life you are so afraid to let go of, you must.'' - He steps close again, his voice more gentle. -'' You need to move on darling.''

Jin was breathing hard. His mind was a mess, and he didn't know what to think. -'' Why? - He asks weakly.

V's hand found Jin's jaw. The touch was strangely gentle. - ''Because it's time.''

-'' For what?'' - Jin begin to cry now.

-'' To jump. Grow up.''

That did it for Jin. Why did people keep telling him it was time to grow up? Was it so important? He was sick of it. He didn't want that. He just wanted to be left alone. He was angry once more.

  -'' How the hell do you expect me to do that, ha!? Just jump?!'' - He slapped V's hand away, and took a step back, spreading his hand. -'' You want me to jump? Here! I jump!'' – He started jumping like crazy on that roof until the slap across his face teleported his attention back to the creature.

And just like that, his anger disappeared again and deep sorrow and fear gripped him. He started crying in earnest this time. Huge sobs shook his entire body as he fell to his knees, curbing into himself so he won't fall completely apart. 

-'' That's it, Jinnie. Let all out.'' - V's voice was there, strangely guiding him through his pain, his sobs. Jin didn't keep anything in anymore. There was this huge empty hole in his chest that he had no clue why is there. Why the pain would grip his heart so suddenly sometimes like it wants to squeeze the life out of him?  He didn't know what he was crying for anymore. His childhood? Happy memories? The bits of joy he felt from time to time? Or perhaps he cried for Tae and their playtime? Maybe all of them. He cried for all rejections and confusion he felt. For ache in his chest and lust that was always with him in the past few years. He cried for safety and cosiness, for familiar things in life. He cried for himself, for the pity, disgust and irritation he felt for himself. He was scared of the future, of life itself. Like there was some darkness that pulled him down deep and he was afraid to move on, to set himself free, to fly to the unknown.

He was on his knees, crying his heart out when he felt V's chest on his back and two hands around, hugging him tightly. He tried to fight it, but V only hugged him tighter and placed his chin on Jin's wide shoulder. He started humming a beautiful unknown melody and Jin began to calm down. His tensed muscles relaxed and his sobs stopped eventually. He doesn't know for how long have they stayed like that. V was rocking him gently, still humming, until Jin became completely calm.

-'' Show me how.'' - Jin whispered. - '' Show me how to grow up.''

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Hello, I hope you like this chapter as well. Stay tuned for more =)