Chapter 1: "That Same Dream..."
It was a warm morning.
The golden light filtered through the sheer curtains, brushing gently over the boy curled beneath soft sheets. His hair was messy, his cheeks still tinted pink from sleep.
Taehyung snuggled deeper into his pillow, a quiet hum escaping his lips.
A soft, shy smile played on his face as he whispered to himself
āMmm~ that sweet dream againā¦ā
He turned his face away from the sun, squeezing his eyes shut, hoping to chase back the dream that was already slipping away like sand through his fingers.
"Why do I keep dreaming about him�"
A figure cloaked in shadow. A warm hand brushing his cheek. A voice that called his name like it was something precious.
He never saw the face clearly⦠but every time, his heart would ache.
āI wish it was real...ā
he mumbled with a pout, burying his face into the pillow
His room was quiet. Peaceful. But something in his chest felt hollow like he was waiting for someone who never existed.
He didnāt know yetā¦
That his wish might just come true.
He slowly got up from the bed with a soft sigh. His movements were unhurried, still caught in the warmth of his fading dream. Gently, he undressed and walked toward the bathroom.
Stepping into the bathtub, he let out a small breath as the warm water wrapped around him, instantly soothing his body and lifting the weight of the morning.
A small smile tugged at his lips
This was the kind of peace he wished could last forever.
Sigh āI know itās just a dream⦠but the feelings feel so real.ā
His voice was barely a whisper as he stared at the ceiling, cheeks tinted pink.
āHis touch⦠his smile⦠and those beautiful doe eyesā¦ā
āAishhh~ if he were real, I swear Iād bite his cheek!ā
A shy giggle escaped his lips.
āMy bunny demon... you drive me crazy, even in dreams.ā š³šš
He slowly washed his body, warm water trailing down his skin, but his mindā¦
it was still tangled in that dream.
His cheeks puffed in a pout as he muttered to himself,
āIām totally dumb⦠how could I fall in love with a demon?ā
A soft pause.
āā¦A demon who only comes to me in dreams?ā
His heart thumped quietly in his chest,
as if answering him with a teasing rhythm.
He lowered his head, letting the water hide his flustered expression.
āAish... I must be losing it... or maybe I'm just cursed by a cute face.ā š³š«§
After finishing his bath, he rose from the tub, droplets of water sliding down his skin.
He dried himself in silence, got dressed for school, and fixed his hair with tired eyes.
Once ready, he made his way downstairs.
The sound of laughter filled the dining room.
His family was gathered around the table, eating happilyā¦
without him.
He paused for a moment, standing in the doorway.
No one looked up.
No one even noticed he was there.
A small, sad smile curled at his lips.
āā¦As always,ā he whispered under his breath.
He turned away quietly and stepped outside, the soft morning air brushing against his cheeks like a quiet comfort.
Another day, another ache in his chest
[Time skip ā³]
Taehyung sat in his classroom, his chin resting in his palm, eyes staring blankly at the board.
But his mind... was a mess.
The laughter at home, the silence toward him, the ache that followedāit all clung to him like a shadow.
From beside him, Jimin watched quietly.
He didnāt need to ask.
He already knew.
Heād seen too many mornings like this⦠when Taehyung would show up wearing a smile that didnāt reach his eyes.
With a soft sigh, Jimin reached into his bag and pulled out a small box.
He slid it onto Taehyungās desk without a word.
Taehyung blinked, then looked down.
Strawberries.
His favorite.
His eyes lit up instantly, sparkling like sunlight on water.
He turned to Jimin with a pouty smile.
āYaa~ Jimishii... You really know how to fix my mood with strawberries,ā he mumbled softly, cheeks beginning to lift with real warmth.
Jimin chuckled and gently patted his head.
āEat up, Tae.ā
Taehyung wasted no time. He popped one into his mouth and let out a happy hum.
āNum~ Num~ Num~ šā
The taste of sweetness on his tongue⦠and the quiet kindness in Jiminās gesture
For a moment,
it made everything feel okay.
Taehyung munched on his strawberries happily, cheeks puffed like a chipmunk.
Between bites, he leaned closer to Jimin and whispered,
āJimina~ you know⦠the demon came into my dream again last night.ā
He said it casually, like he was talking about the weather,
but his eyes
they held something else. Something distant⦠and warm.
Jimin blinked, pausing mid-sip from his juice box.
āā¦Again?ā he asked, raising a brow. āThe same one?ā
Taehyung nodded, popping another strawberry into his mouth.
āMhm~ the same one. With those beautiful doe eyes and cheeky little smirkā¦ā
He trailed off, cheeks slowly turning red.
āHe hugged me⦠again. I think I⦠I think I like him, Jimina.ā š³š
Jimin tilted his head slightly, expression softening.
āā¦You really are falling for him, huh?ā
But insideā¦
he wondered
what if that demon wasnāt just a dream?
Taehyungās voice lowered, his eyes still fixed on the little red fruit between his fingers.
āI donāt know, Jiminaaā¦ā he whispered, āHe feels like⦠home.ā
His lips curved into a sad smile, one that didnāt quite reach his eyes.
āI know it sounds foolishā¦ā
He looked down, letting out a breath, the strawberry forgotten in his hand.
āBut no one would understand.ā
His voice trembled just slightly.
āAt home⦠Iām alone. Invisible. Unwanted.ā
He swallowed hard, blinking away the sting in his eyes.
āBut he⦠even if itās just a dream⦠he comes to me.
He listens. He smiles. He holds me like I matter.ā
He glanced at Jimin, trying to play it off with a laugh that came out too quiet.
āCrazy, right? Falling in love with someone who doesnāt even exist.ā
Jimin didnāt say anything right away.
He just reached out, placing a gentle hand on Taehyungās.
āYouāre not crazy, Taeā¦
Sometimes the heart finds comfort where the world refuses to give it.ā
Taehyung finally looked up, his chest aching.
āā¦But what if heās more than just a dream?ā
His voice was barely a whisper.