He tried to enjoy his breakfast without letting his thoughts bother him - and to an extent, Taehyung was able to do just just that. Oddly enough, having breakfast with Jungkook didn't feel awkward, and having the boy around didn't really bother him as much as it did before.

It was that gradual, gradual ascension of trust.

Jungkook ate a lot, just like he said. And Taehyung was astonished, witnessing the boy devour five cooked eggs, two waffles, and two decent-sized pancakes. Tae himself only ate about half that amount, on top of his two cups of tea - Jungkook had five. And he claimed he would make up for it by buying Taehyung more tea to replace what he'd consumed, though his offer was turned down.

"I don't understand how you managed to eat all that," Tae said, partially to himself but it drew a laugh from the other.

"I guess old habits die hard."

Taehyung lifted his eyes to glance at Jungkook. For a brief moment, he found the boy smiling big and bright, but that smile faded almost in an instant for some inexplicable reason.

He didn't think much of it. Rather, Taehyung's phone once again seized his attention by making the slightest noise, thus urging him to take the device in hand.

You have (1) new message from Blue.

Blue
Won't you respond, Kim Taehyung? I only wish to know if you are doing well.

Purple
why should my well-being be any concern of yours

Blue
Can a man not want the best for his brother?

Purple
please don't call us brothers

Purple
i'm still suspicious you have ulterior motives for all this

"Is everything okay, Taehyung?"

Jungkook's curious little voice broke through the distraction that was Blue. Tae returned his gaze with an equally puzzled one. "Why do you ask?"

"You look troubled, that's all."

"That's 'cus I am troubled," Taehyung muttered, massaging his temples as he breathed deeply. If he stressed any more, he knew he'd have nothing to show for it but a migraine. "It's not you, a part of me wishes it were you so at least I could rule out all these questions. I don't need any more of these..."

Helpless and aware of it, Jungkook said nothing more but instead began to clean up. He grabbed their empty dishes, carrying them over to the sink so that he could wash them. He wanted to know what was wrong. He wanted to help Tae, to solve the mountain of problems that was evidently continuing to build itself up in the boy's mind. But right now, he felt that asking Taehyung about it would only irritate him further.

In due time, he told himself.

In the meantime as he busied himself washing the dishes, Taehyung returned his attention to his phone.

Blue
I really wish I knew another way to earn your trust, Kim Taehyung. :( Because I swear to you, I have no ill intentions.

Purple
tell me your real name

Blue
My real name is irrelevant to our relationship.

Purple
well why can't you tell me?? are you someone i know??

Blue
I believe the picture I showed you should answer that question. Do you recognize me?

Purple
no... but that doesn't really mean anything

Purple
but whatever, if not your name, then tell me something else. tell me something worth knowing

Blue
Your blood is purple. :)

Purple
and? do you know anything else about it??

Blue
Somewhat. I know that you are healthy, Kim Taehyung. The blood is not a sign of sickness or terminal illness. You are well. This makes me glad.

Purple
i've had dizzy spells

Purple
how do you know it's not because of my blood?

Blue
Such things are natural. I do not believe they are tied to your colored blood. Plenty of people experience them. Although, I do understand your concern, Kim Taehyung, but I assure you, all is well.

Purple
what else do you know?

Purple
i need to know everything you know

Purple
everything.

Blue
Too much knowledge at once is as bad for the mind as no knowledge at all. You will only overwhelm yourself. Time in necessary.

Purple
i've waited long enough knowing nothing

Purple
i'm tired of waiting

Blue
We shall talk more at a future time, Kim Taehyung.

Blue
I hope your day goes well for you. Take care!

It left him feeling more frustrated than he had been in a long time, giving him the urge to chuck his phone across the room and not pick it up again. But he didn't. Taehyung did, however, forcefully set it down on the table as he pushed back his chair to stand up, which caught Jungkook's attention.

"Taehyung...?"

The boy pressed a hand to his forehead. The migraine was on its way, he was sure of it. "I'm fine, don't worry about me," he said, already knowing Jungkook would ask. However the other wasn't satisfied with this response, detecting the obvious lie.

"You should lie down."

"Maybe I will."

With that soft-spoken, somewhat defeated comment, Taehyung started to make his way over to the couch, already feeling the signs of another dizzy spell coming onto him.

They were less frequent these days, but still present enough to make him uncomfortable. Typically, they occurred along with the headaches, both induced by his stress and anxiety. In high school, especially after his classmates learned about his blood, the dizzy spells happened almost every week.

He wobbled over to the couch but hazy vision caused him to lose his path. His foot struck the end table. Jungkook turned his head, preparing to ask if Taehyung needed any help, when suddenly his eyes were met with the sight of the boy's legs collapsing from under him. His head knocked against that same table.

"T-...Taehyung??"

Jungkook dropped the wash rag into the sink, along with Taehyung's mug he had been thoroughly cleaning, before hurrying frantically over to the unconscious boy.

Unconscious. That fact alarmed Jungkook to a strong degree, mainly because he wasn't sure if it had been induced by Tae's head hitting the table or otherwise.

Heart hammering against his chest, Jungkook hoisted the boy up onto the couch - it was a bit small, so Taehyung's feet had to dangle a bit over one of the arm rests, but it had to be more comfortable than the floor, so it would have to do.

Other than that, though, Jungkook was nonplussed. He tried for a few useless seconds to wake Taehyung up. To no avail.

His first thought was calling an ambulance.

But then he promptly discarded of that thought, recalling Taehyung's strict disapproval of the mere idea of going to a hospital.

Of course, while discarding of this thought meant respecting Tae's choices, it also meant that poor, panicking Jungkook was at a complete loss of what to do.

"Neighbors, I'm in an apartment building!" He sprung to his feet. Maybe someone could help me.

Not wanting to wait another second, Jungkook took one last glance at Taehyung's resting, discomforted face and raced over to the door, swung it open, and hurled himself outside. He made a dash for the nearest door and furiously began knocking.

"Hello! I need help!! Please, I'm not a doctor!!"

Yeah, nice wording, Jungkook. What are the chances they're a doctor, either? Stupid, you're stupid-

The door opened suddenly. Jungkook flinched, posture fixing itself in a split second as he attempted to get a hold of himself. He couldn't, as his mind sat on pins and needles knowing - or rather, not knowing - what was wrong withTaehyung, but he didn't want to look like an absolute blubbering idiot in front of a stranger whose help he wanted.

A short stranger, he discovered. A boy with dyed blonde hair and a pair of full lips, parted almost in a way that made it seem like they were about to voice a question.

"Can I...help you?"

"I hope so," Jungkook blurted. "My friend, he collapsed and hit his head and I'm worried he might have a concussion, or, or something else might be wrong, but he hates hospitals, and-"

"Whoa, okay, just slow down there," the stranger gestured for Jungkook to calm. "Where's your friend?"

"Right next door, he-"

"Taehyung?"

"Yes! Taehyung!"

The stranger's eyes grew wide. Next thing Jungkook knew and the boy was hastily shutting the door to his own apartment and ducking around the corner towards his neighbor's. Jungkook followed.

The blond's gaze fell on Taehyung, unconscious on the living room couch. "Oh, no," he breathed, "poor Tae...did this just happen or did he seem unwell before?"

"I-I don't know, he seemed...okay," Jungkook said, annoyed with himself for fumbling with his words. He watched as the stranger knelt down beside the couch and placed a hand over Taehyung's forehead. "He seemed stressed about something so I...I suggested he lie down, and he just-"

"Relax, I'm sure he'll be fine." Turning his head slightly, the stranger looked back at Jungkook. "What's your name?"

"Me? I'm...Jungkook."

"Jimin. It's nice to meet you."

Jimin turned his attention back to Taehyung. He sighed deeply.

"It probably is just stress," he said, brushing the boy's hair out of his face. "He always seems like he's in a rush in the mornings, avoids talking to me, hides his face a lot..."

"He does it around campus, too," Jungkook added sadly. "I really wish he wouldn't, my heart hurts seeing him like this..."

"Are you two dating?"

Surprised at the question, Jungkook hesitated, looking down at his feet as he forced a smile. "If I could be so lucky..."

"Hey, if you're friends with someone like him that's a step in the right direction," Jimin said encouragingly. "Don't be so down. Now would you mind getting me a damp rag or ice pack for him? I'm not a doctor either but he is a bit warm, so..."

Jungkook did just that. No more than twenty seconds later and he was handing Jimin both a damp rag and a bottle of water he grabbed from Tae's refrigerator. Then he stood back and watched. There wasn't much else he felt he could do in this situation but anxiously tap his foot.

"Relax, Jungkook." Jimin displayed a kind smile. "Like I said, it's probably just stress. He'll be fine."

"Will he though??"

"Why are you so doubting?"

Jungkook didn't know how to answer. He couldn't bring up Taehyung's blood condition, that he was afraid it could have something to do with that, but he couldn't mask the fact that he was frantic for the boy's sake.

"You're just on edge," Jimin said, rising to his feet again. "I'm sure Tae will wake up within the next couple hours, okay? And if he doesn't, just knock on my door again."

Jungkook pursed his lips, nodding. "...okay." He lifted his head to glance at Jimin, watching as the blond took one long look at Taehyung before turning around again and heading back to his apartment.

He closed the door behind him.

Jungkook made his way over to the couch and knelt down where Jimin had been. Tenderly, he took hold of Taehyung's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"You have to be okay," he whispered. His voice wavered. "You have to be..."

*
*
*

end of chapter eight.