Family that builds upon the foundation of love often faces conflicts as much as those who lack love, yet they stay strong no matter how much they grow because they are aware how to get that grip of each other again before it's too late and it's done with only one sacred blessing—love.

Dowoo, deprived of love and affection, barely dealt with situations where he was able to secure his spot in warmth of his loved ones, his way of coping was to push people away. What he didn't know is that it takes everything to push others away and wait for them to approach us but it barely takes anything to approach them and fight for our spot.

However, it's not as easy as it seems. It's never easy when we are self loathed with the fear of being abandoned and left alone. We test our people by pushing them away so we can see if they'll put efforts to reach out to us on our most isolated days or not.

Dowoo often found himself alone when he pushed others away so he learnt to make it a deal and kept dealing with it for the rest of his life. Never in his life he felt the need to be handled, heard, hugged or held. Why? Maybe he learnt to embrace his solitude with all the incidents that happened with him, teaching him to brace his inner child and forever keep it caged until he couldn't anymore.

But now that his family encountered the  inner child bursting into tears, that's the least they needed to be told. Dowoo would never be left alone, not anymore.

Maybe it wasn't as easy for Taehyung either, just because he was treated nicely on emotional aspects didn't make him the luckiest, not when his root of misery lay within him which he was totally helpless against.

Poor boy was continuously reminded of how weak he is that he grew up to not learn to be strong at all, the result of what is now reflecting upon his adulthood. He's extremely sensitive and prone to get hurt. He carries a heart that can get crushed under feet in seconds because he'd heartly allow everyone to do so.

Luckily some incidents in his life taught him to not be played easily and rather let people play hard to get. His brother mostly shielded him, being a constant reminder for him that he is weak. He is not able to handle everything around him. He may not always be the first choice. He is not enough.

And his inner child too grew up in misery that his adulthood couldn't even start well.

But whom to blame here? Their parents? No. Them being their life giver did all the could to give them a life of comfort, constantly struggling to get them shelter, food and education along with offering that nurturing love. Maybe they too forget their own essential needs to meet their kids and grew up way too much to keep their offspring free of any damage and abandonment.

No one's at fault. Perhaps, their lives couldn't find a synergy.

And now it's different, it's better, it's easier than it had ever been.

Maybe now the family will find a synergy within one another, lead each other ahead on this journey called life with nothing but love that beholds genuine joy and care.

Talking of love, their life often offered them distractions that they labeled as love but some people became their genuine love that they slept upon, misunderstanding them as some distractions again.

For V, Jimin never happened to be a distraction but a person he felt to be vulnerable with but ended up not letting his downside be shown. He feared that if he showed his vulnerable side to those he cares about, will misunderstand him as someone weak and he hated to be perceived this way.

But now it's not a matter of concern. Blame it on that incident he recently went through but a lot has been changed for him since.

The mishap was too grand yet it couldn't wash down the previous event that occurred right before it — the argument and confrontation of feelings between Jimin and V.

It wasn't concluded, it wasn't directed to an end, it was somewhere still lingering in the air. And that couldn't keep V calm. Something churned within him. The questions about Jimin kept haunting him almost all his life but now what should he label him because everytime there's the need to see him, be with him and stay with him in the most difficult time of his life.

The moment Jimin is distant is the moment he starts missing him if he doesn't know about his whereabouts and something in his heart keeps telling him to throw fits and mark his spot, be stubborn and put his needs first but that won't be him if he does.

A sense of inner sorrow along with madness lingered within him when Jimin didn't appear in front of his sight for a day.

Taehyung continued to stay with him for the rest of the day once his parents left and later on he was back to being on the couch to watch boring movies then to lay back in his room and despite trying to get his head off things, he couldn't help but feel the emptiness that his parents left for him along with the absence of Jimin.

Though Taehyung tried to accompany him, he still would leave him alone occasionally to finish the chores and that's when Dowoo would feel that inner frustration raging in.

And still after feeling the need to know about the other, V couldn't bring himself to be the one to text first or call. He doesn't understand this strategy of his own but if someone cares, they need to approach him first, not the other way round. Stupid, isn't it? But that's what best defines Dowoo.

But gratefully the next morning shone upon the city of Seoul and it marked a new day into their lives and so Taehyung decided to attend the university after days and Jimin, as assigned, had to take care of Dowoo.

The best part of it is that Dowoo had no idea how things were going to work and so he, being oblivious of the whole situation, was still in his bed dozing off when his brother was busy getting ready in his bedroom.

It's been days for Taehyung to stay in his monochrome state. He missed colors and gleams of glitters. He missed to style his blonde hair and wave them with his Dyson, he missed to style himself pretty and pull on his large spectrum outfits full of soft pastel colors and style his neck and wrists with jewelry. He missed himself. Ahem, and a certain black haired.

And so for the approaching winters, what would be better than wearing a large size sweater in shade of pink over his brown pants, tinted cheeks with cherry lips and yes you guessed it right, splashes of Ms. Dior over his warm spots one on one.

The younger twin was then diverted by the call on his phone over the dressing table. Showing none other than Jimin's number, signaling that he's home.

Taehyung carried his phone and rushed outside to open the door only for him to be greeted with a huge smile and a pair of arms rushing in to steal that hug.

Cheek to cheek, the two squeezed each other in a hug with so much admiration until Jimin let his lips land against the other's cheek to give a peak of love. And so was Taehyung ready to mess the offered cheeks for him with his lip gloss until they pulled away.

“Are you sure you are going to study? Bitch, have some mercy.” Jimin said while fanning his face dramatically after pulling away and judging his friend’s look of the day who rolled his eyes yet leaned in to hug him over his shoulders again.

“It's not that special.”

“Maybe I haven't seen you dressed like this in a while.”

“And what about you, baby-, what should I call you, a baby shark doo doo?” Taehyung questioned as he examined Jimin's oversized large fluffy blue hoodie over his casual pajama. He's there to stay indoors anyway. And Jimin couldn't help but burst into a giggle while throwing his head back.

They were being too loud for someone sleeping in the room.

“Yeah yeah, it's so cozy, come feel it.” Jimin then offered and Taehyung only jumped in to hug and snuggle more until they heard a coughing sound from the bedroom the other way.

“Oh maybe he woke up.” Taehyung wondered and backed away and Jimin too let go of his friend.

“Did he eat?”

“Not yet.”

“Did you eat?” Jimin questioned and Taehyung bit the tip of his tongue.

“Don't worry, I will have something on the way.”

“I'd ask you to stay but maybe you should hurry up, someone's waiting for you down there.” Aa Jimin whispered the last part dramatically. Taehyung narrowed his eyes and then relaxed his expressions, the face getting serious all of a sudden.

“Okay, I'll work on his meal, you should get going.” Jimin encouraged and Taehyung carried his back reluctantly.

Jimin kept looking at his friend who lost himself in a trance.

“Be easy, Tae, I bet you two need each other today, not just today but- well, get going!” Jimin playfully pushed his friend outside who playfully rolled his eyes and chuckled but followed his instructions anyway.

“Take care of yourself and Dowoo.”

“Sure, your highness.” Jimin waved towards his friend until he disappeared into the elevator and the little one turned himself on his feet to get inside just to only meet with Dowoo's lazy eyes looking at his way, holding onto the door frame for support and Jimin slightly panicked to see him.

“Why are you standing?” Jimin rushed towards the elder one.

“Because my physiotherapist asked me to?” Dowoo recalled in an interrogative voice but Jimin pulled him on the couch and forced him to sit.

“You could have called me to help you up?”

“You could have walked in to help me.”

“Well, I was going to-”

“When? In a decade?” V couldn't hold back his obvious upset behavior which Jimin sensed.

“It takes little things more time to move.” Jimin said in his defense pouty lips pouting more as he spoke but V only rolled his eyes and looked away, laying his back comfortably against the backrest of the couch.

Something about his rough look was seeming so likely to Jimin. Black sweatshirt and pajamas, rough subtle stubble and disheveled black hair all over his morning puffy face and definitely that adorable lip pout that even he didn't know he had.

Jimin quietly glared at him with suspicion as V scrolled through the phone and completely ignored Jimin's presence.

“Well, where are your etiquettes? Where's your ‘hi’, ‘how are you’ or ‘good morning’? Or maybe show some amusement to see me.” Jimin whined after a while but V still didn't spare him any attention.

“Why would I?” He instead spoke nonchalantly.

Jimin’s mouth fell open at the offense, he won't lie but shit hurt a little.

“Ouch?”

V still remained unfazed.

“Well, stupid me was worried about you, wanting to meet you, put all the other things to rest to take the charge of taking care of Mr. Kim Dowoo without any pay yet the least I asked for was some basic etiquettes but guess what? Mr. Kim Dowoo never fails to prove the point that I better keep my mouth shut around him.” Jimin spoke up dramatically, and here they go again.

V finally lifted his head up to face Jimin.

“Then what should I do? Thank you?” V said back with a monotonous tone and Jimin's mouth fell open again, hands reaching up on his hips as he was standing on the opposite side of the other.

“Must have finally found time to check on me. So don't need to shove your favors upon me, I can take care of myself.” V mumbled with obvious sulking as he looked down at his screen and Jimin shut his mouth and wondered for a moment.

“Why do you sound upset?” Jimin blurted out, examining V from a distance who tried his best to act tough.

“I'm not.”

“I felt so, because why in the world your heart paces up when I'm around yet suddenly my presence seems like a not so big deal to you. What have I done to get our Mr. Kim so upset?” Jimin then asked teasingly, deciding to sit next to him on the couch while V shifted far and Jimin shifted closer until it went on and on and there was armrest at the end and V couldn't shift more.

Sighing roughly and closing his eyes, V took a deep breath before shutting his phone.

“Can I not be if I want to?” V retorted and Jimin just smiled sheepishly, looking up and down at him and V furrowed his eyebrows.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Jimin smiled sheepishly again.

“I was busy with my cousins yesterday in case you are wondering. They wanted me to help them build their pillow castle. It's been so long since I spent time with them.” As Jimin spoke up V seemed slightly convinced.

“But why the hell are you telling me this?”

“So that your chicky chick lips disappear and don't form again just because I wasn't there. Obviously there are people in my life other than you so I need to make sure about them too.” Jimin teased V, holding the elder twin's pouty lips with his fingers and V pushed his hand away.

“Wait, who told you this?”

“I sensed so.”

“Fuck your senses. Why are you talking to me like I'm Taehyung and not Dowoo?” The elder twin asked with panic and Jimin made the oh so innocent face.

“Well, aren't you two the same to me?” Jimin asked, kinda mocking V who just held himself back from saying anything else. He simply looked away.

“Cute little sulky, Dowoo, don't worry, Jimin hyung will take care of you-” and when Jimin playfully said so while tapping his cheeks, V put his arm over his shoulders and gave Jimin a headlock, only causing the little one to burst into giggles until V found ways to tickle him and Jimin was being careful to not let his head meet his belly but fall against his shoulder instead until he giggled.

“Ouch, get yourself shaved, my million won worth skincare will go to waste with one scratch from you.” As Jimin said, V purposefully scratched his cheek against Jimin's who yelled and giggled while trying to push him away.

“You are suffocating me. Stop!” Jimin kept pleading but V after playing with him, subconsciously nuzzled his nose into his cheek and side of neck, inhaling that intoxication of cherry and strawberry fragrance coming from him and in a moment Jimin was melting into a puddle already until V himself decided to help him sit up and let go off his arms from him.

Jimin's cheeks and lips finally were at rest when he stopped smiling, simply looking down and V tried to run his hand through his hair.

“Help me wash up.” V asked after a while and Jimin lifted his head up quickly, facing V with wonder.

“What? Why are you looking at me like we never did this before?” V asked and Jimin raised his eyebrows.

“We were kids? In the pool? Back in the summer vacation of primary school?” Jimin reminded V who seemed unfazed.

“What are you here for if you won't help me wash up?”

“I was here to give you company.”

“Okay, give me some in the bathroom.” Saying this, V got up and held Jimin's hand to drag him.

“Are you for real?”

“Yeah, why not? Why are you so worried for your ‘friend’? Don't you help Taehyung this way? We aren't different.” And V was yet again, using Jimin's tactics on him and Jimin couldn't help but sigh.

~♡~

The other side Jungkook was holding onto two cups in his hands, waiting for Taehyung to join him in front of the building of his apartment in his iconic hoodie and joggers with sports shoes and the iconic lip piercing being bitten by his own lips in nervousness. Jungkook kept standing and waiting until he found Taehyung in front of his sight, prompting him to straighten his posture and let go of his lips.

The eyes of the poor bunny boy dilated slightly, as if he wanted to embrace as much sight as possible offered in front of his sight. Taehyung seemed so clueless but when he spotted Jungkook, he was caught up for a second and resisted himself for a moment until he decided to approach him leisurely.

Jungkook’s lips might be at rest but his eyes gleamed with a spark of joy as if they were smiling to find Taehyung standing in front of him.

“Hi.” Jungkook whispered softly and Taehyung, who was holding onto the strap of his backpack with both hands, nibbling the inside of his bottom lip lifted his gaze up to meet with Jungkook's who melted into a puddle.

He was this close to throw those cups in his hands to cradle that face and pull until he smashes his lips right into it and kiss the life out of him, push him to the nearby wall and let him-

“Hi.” Taehyung whispered again and Jungkook broke out of his trance, shaking his head slightly as he looked down.

“Umm, hot chocolate, for you.” Jungkook then offered one of his cups which he bought for Taehyung and the pretty blonde looked down at his hand then up at him again with such a soft gaze, almost as if a puppy was rewarded for being a good boy.

Taehyung was hesitant but accepted anyway and his fingers brushed against Jungkook's in the process of doing so. As they did, Jungkook's hand stayed extended in the air for a moment, in a craving to be touched more until he decided to keep it back.

Taehyung wasn't oblivious to the subtle details etched onto the cup, the opening on the side of the cup in shape of a heart, heart prints all over the plastic cup, seemed like a limited edition which Jungkook was so slick with for offering it to him.

Taehyung couldn't help but feel the urge to smile but why in the world things seemed so difficult to express. It was so awkward for a moment. Even when they first met, things were never this difficult but well, they were in a whole new different situation.

Jungkook hoped for Taehyung to say something but the latter seemed so busy looking down, anywhere but him and Jungkook found it so difficult to speak up but he really wanted to.

“I… uh, I tried to text you last night… I, I just…” Jungkook started hesitantly but Taehyung lifted his head up, falling his eyes into Jungkook's who suddenly shut himself. Bursting like a balloon.

“I saw that, far too late.” Taehyung answered honestly and Jungkook pressed his lips together, looking down while nodding repeatedly.

“I sensed so.”

“How are you?” And as Taehyung asked, suddenly Jungkook looked up again, facing Taehyung who's eyes reflected genuine care and concern for him and Jungkook relaxed his shoulders, sighing as he stared into Taehyung's brown eyes with his longing ones.

“How do you think I would be?” Jungkook asked, smiling sarcastically and Taehyung looked down sadly.

“Uh, well-” And Jungkook panicked slightly.

“We should start walking already. It's been so long since you went to University so I just wanted to accompany you on your way since Jimin and Dowoo both are not able to, and yeah enjoy your hot chocolate I just wanted to get you a drink since you don't drink coffee-”

“Thank you. And I'm glad that you came.” Taehyung cut Jungkook in the middle, knowing exactly that he must be panicking which he didn't want to make him feel and Jungkook exhaled sharply again.

“Yeah, you're welcome.” Jungkook whispered lastly and Taehyung turned around to walk and Jungkook stood there for a moment until he decided to follow him.

Since when things become this awkward? Jungkook has no fucking idea. Why is he so intimidated and careful around the same person he would seamlessly pull into a kiss and never get worried before hanging out.

Things will take time maybe.

~♡~

“You lost most of your muscles.” Jimin whispered as he pulled out V’s sweatshirt from his body, watching the taller one sit inside the dry bath tub.

“Does that make me bad?” V whispered casually and Jimin looked away, shaking his head. He's anything but bad in Jimin's eyes. He's perfect.

“You got weak, that was my point.” Jimin whispered, looking down sadly at V’s stitch wounds covered with bandages.

“I’ll work on it.” Saying this V pulled out his sweatpants, leaving himself in just his shorts and Jimin looked away shyly. Those legs, arms and that torso were still as strong as Jimin loved it to be.

“My head is itchy as if I am feeding lice.” V causal said and scratched his head while Jimin backed away.

“Oh, old habits die hard.” Jimin taunted V, referring to his old interests and V looked up, catching his wrist.

“Here is one in front of my sight, feeding on my blood.” V referred to Jimin who rolled his eyes.

“No thanks, I better not ever taste the venomous blood of a descendant of snakes.”

“Did you just call my parents snakes?”

“Oh fuck you. Spare them out of this. They were being blessed with Taehyung already but you decided to pop out in no time and-” Before Jimin could finish himself V let go of his wrist and looked away, setting the temperature of the water by himself as he carried the shower head and Jimin panicked.

“Shit, wait- I never meant in that sense. Lord, stop testing me. You know I talk rubbish when I'm tested.” Jimin tried to take away the shower head from his hand while V sulked loudly by remaining quiet.

“Okay, I apologize.” Jimin said adorably and V still didn't spare him attention.

“Okay, I'll wash your head so nicely, even massage your shoulder. You're gonna love it, aigoo.” And the buttering session began.

But it wasn't going to stay like this for longer.

“Don't you just sleep inside the tub, it's difficult for me to move, just cooperate at least.” Jimin nagged after a while as he tried to wash V’s hair who laid in the bathroom tub in and Jimin was trying to wash his hair which was out of the tub, hanging by the edge.

V opened up his one eye, looking at Jimin who was working up with his rolled pants and sleeves, helping him wash up his hair.

“What corporation do I need to offer? Bring my head under the hose? You offered to do it, not me.”

“At least massage that shampoo in your head with your hands, I have only two hands, one holding the bottle and another this shower head.” Jimin whined and V lazily brought his both hands up and shook into his hair to bring up the lather which caused sprinkles of it to fall onto Jimin's face who wiggled on his stool.

“Fuck you! Do it slowly. I'm right behind you.”

“My bad.” And V did it fastly on purpose until some fell on top of Jimin's eyelids and he closed his eyes, stumbling and falling off the stool, wetting his clothes.

V pressed his lips together in an attempt to not laugh but the way Jimin fell, wiped his face and yelled, throwing the hose away and the shampoo bottle while shaking his legs like a whiny stubborn child, V burst into a laughter.

Jimin then looked at the side, glaring at V and holding the shower head again, switching the water mode to cold before bringing it above V’s head whose laughter transformed into screams until he had to stand up and steal it from Jimin's and projected it towards him.

And yet again, they ended up messing each other up with no productivity at all. And Jimin had to lose himself to V, letting himself get wet along with him and the rest of the job of helping him wash up didn't seem like a big deal at all when he was wet himself.

But after doing everything and getting out of the bathroom, Jimin was shivering with chills and V was left alone to handle the rest, which was to take off the last piece from his body and carry a robe as he stood before his huge mirror and the sink to brush his teeth. He bears no rules. Sometimes he brushes his teeth after having breakfast too.

But the thing is that Jimin just wetted his clothes and he needed to pull on more. Not caring much Jimin ran to open up Dowoo's cupboard, searching for anything that would be suitable for him and he tossed some hangers to the side, searching for some in the folded clothes until he found some colors and he pulled out an olive green warm sweatshirt to pull along gray sweatpants.

“Stay in the bathroom!” Jimin yelled because he needed to change and V casually walked out of the bathroom.

“Why? Are you changing?” V asked casually in a mumble as he was brushing and Jimin held himself back from holding the hem of his own clothes.

This boy never learns.

“Yes.” Saying this Jimin walked towards him and pushed him back into the bathroom and closed the door.

“I'll open up when I'm done.” And with this Jimin pulled out his clothes quickly and started wearing a fresh set of clothes.

He then turned to see the cupboard and decided to close the doors and set the clothes like before as they got a bit messy but then he spotted a cream shaded fabric peeking out from folds of just dark clothes. He pulled the odd one out and carried the cloth, turning it around until it was recognizable and boom.

Jimin's lost cardigan was there, in V’s cupboard all this while. In his cupboard?

Jimin wondered if it was even his but the label screamed his size and again when he brought it closer to his nose, his own fragrance was evident on it. It was just the same as before which Jimin could confirm by spotting a small yellow spot of ramen broth on the cardigan. It was unwashed and his.

Jimin's eyes widened as he realized, gulping a lump in his throat.

“Open up! I brushed my teeth.” Suddenly he heard V screaming along knocking on the bathroom door and Jimin quickly pushed the cardigan between two folded sweatshirts before shutting it and rushing towards the door to open it up for V who still hasn't shaved his face.

Jimin was beyond surprised to even speak anything else so he just simply turned himself around, not sparing any glance at V who held his arm and turned Jimin around.

“Why is your face so pale? Are you cold?” V tried to cradle his cheeks but Jimin pulled himself back, looking away.

“No, I'll- I'll manage. Wear your clothes and join me outside. I'll prepare something for you to eat.” Saying this Jimin rushed outside, leaving V to stand there quietly and wonder.

~♡~

The other hand, Jungkook and Taehyung traveled the way while talking about V’s condition most of the time along with the  resolved family issues that Taehyung felt like sharing with Jungkook who seemed very happy for his friend but still they couldn't bring their own situation up.

Jungkook was too hesitant to bring it up and Taehyung felt too selfish to think of himself at the moment.

And when they finally reached the campus they had to stop for a while to share the last few words before departing their ways.

“I'll be getting going, I have classes then practices too.” Jungkook informed Taehyung who gave him a nod.

“I'll attend mine.”

“Yeah…” Jungkook felt like he had a lot to say but he couldn't decide what to say so he remained in a silence, waiting for Taehyung to speak up which he did.

“Okay, I'll get going, thanks for joining me.” Saying this Taehyung gave a smile and stepped back, almost turning around to leave but Jungkook gripped his wrist in the open campus, not caring about anything.

“Thanks? Again?” Jungkook whispered sadly, referring to the last time Taehyung thanked him for helping his brother out as if they were some strangers which genuinely seemed brutal. They are anything but strangers and it always gets Jungkook by surprise.

“At least say something else, like you're happy to see me, or you're glad I came, or maybe nothing but a simple ‘see you soon’, why does it have to be this way? I- I feel so burdened everytime you say this, Tae, we're not strangers, if anything we're-” Jungkook shut himself from speaking, deciding to inhale sharply.

“I'm sorry I-”

“I don't want to.” And Jungkook faced Taehyung who had a stern expression on his face, grabbing the cup in his hands harder as he pulled his hand away from Jungkook's grip.

Jungkook's heart paced up after hearing his words. What is it that he does want to do? To see him again? No way, Jungkook will end up tearing up right then and there.

“I don't want to act like it's nothing. I don't want to forget what happened earlier easily. It's different that yes I'm happy that you came and I'm always grateful for things you do because I suppose I don't deserve it. Because I always felt too shadowed with the act of being your friend and I don't want to make it easy for you no matter how much it hurts me. I want to stay mad at you as long as I want to because I want to make you feel the same the way I did-” Taehyung choked up on his lump forming in his throat, tears pooling in his eyes and Jungkook's gaze softened, heart shattered into a million pieces.

“Baby…” Jungkook whispered, stepping closer but Taehyung stepped back.

“You can call me that only when I allow you to, which is not going to happen soon.” Saying this Taehyung stepped back and turned around to leave and Jungkook was left to extend his hand into the air and watch Taehyung walk away.

There's nothing more painful than this, knowing exactly that Jungkook himself was the root of his misery without even knowing.

Maybe he needs to try a little harder, which he won't take for granted because Taehyung is nowhere gone, he's right there but a little mad. As his baby should be.

───♡───

Hello everyone! I'm here with an update again because I didn't want to ghost you all like most of you do on my message board. So yeah, enjoy!

Keep your comments reaching me!

Hope you guys enjoyed it!