Taehyung thought something was truly wrong with his vision when Jungkook was still home on a Tuesday morning.

"Kookie? Won't you be late for work?"

"No. I've decided to work from home for three days a week, starting today. Is that all you're eating?"

How can a single poached egg be enough for a growing boy? It also looks sad beside Jimin's stack of waffles, omelette, meat patty, muffins, maple syrup, and hot cocoa.

Taehyung's stomach growled loudly, "I'm on a diet..."

Taehyung almost squeaked at the look in Jungkook's eyes, "I-I mean, I really want to have a sandwich too."

Jungkook slid over his sandwich with a satisfied nod, "finish it and I'll send you to school."

"Okay!" Taehyung beamed. Not that he dislikes Jin hyung's company in the mornings, but it had been ages since Jungkook sent him to school. Or had been spending time with him, for that matter.

Jungkook hid a small smile behind his coffee mug at the sight of Taehyung eagerly wolfing down the sandwich, barely swallowing the last bite as he announced, "I'm done! And why are you speaking in English?"

But Taehyung's joy was short-lived when the car stereo started playing an audio lesson on English pronunciations for high school students.

"Why are we listening to this? I've had enough from school," Jimin complains from the backseat.

"Mrs Lee spoke to you about my English score, didn't she?" Taehyung asked, nibbling on his bottom lip in embarrasment. He had tried to practice by reading aloud in his room alone but it just comes out funny. How does Jungkook speak it so well?

Does Jungkook think he's a disappointment?

The Sins had been providing for him since he was a child, going beyond what he assumes is the job scope of a guardian demon, and Taehyung had always taken it upon himself to do the best he can to return the favour.

Being a sensible child, avoiding trouble, studying hard, but English... Taehyung scrunches his nose in distaste.

"I'll tutor you after I'm done with work," Jungkook said. He knows how much getting into Seoul Arts University would mean to Taehyung.

"Really? I'll work hard!" Taehyung promised, smiling widely and the grin didn't go away until after school. And Jungkook is going to pick him and Jimin from school!

"What's got you all smiley, baby? Hmm, where's your little protector?" Johnny, who didn't use to talk to Taehyung when he was wearing glasses, sat himself down beside Taehyung on the bench at the foyer. Jimin was in the washroom.

Taehyung shrinks in his seat, uncomfortable with the attention and the way Johnny was licking his lips.

"It's rude to ignore someone talking to you," Johnny said, leaning closer to Taehyung who let out a panicked whine.

Seeing Johnny tilting his head and close to his lips had Taehyung so terrified, all seven Sins picked up on his distress signal.

Jimin dashed out of the washroom.

Hoseok gave in to the pull and disappeared from his hotel room in Paris.

Jennie put down the last mouthful of ice cream and like Namjoon, vanished from her office.

Jin and Yoongi came from home.

And Jungkook? He had ran from the car and boy, was he livid to see Taehyung trembling in fear and the boy hovering above him had the audacity to grab Taehyung's hands which were trying to push him away.

The first demon in history unceremoniously ripped Johnny away from Taehyung and threw him aside, just in time for Jimin to land a punch on Johnny's jaw.

"K-kookie! He-he..." Taehyung chokes on his words and sobs, grappling onto Jungkook's arms and started crying.

"Shhh, it's okay, it's okay," Jungkook hugs Taehyung tightly, his larger frame enveloping the mortal, keeping him snug and safe.

Namjoon pats Jungkook on the shoulder, "I'll get the security tape and file a case against the boy."

Jungkook narrowed his eyes, "let Wrath have one more punch. I'll bring Taehyung home first."

"We'll settle this now," Jin picks up Johnny by his collar and nudges him into the school office right by the foyer. He eats the most and he's also the strongest out of all of the Sins.

Jennie and Hoseok stayed with Jin. Jennie's eloquence will come into good use and Hoseok has full intention of using his fame to make things go their way.

Yoongi took up a seat when they were all ushered into the principal's office and closed his eyes. He can't stay awake but he is there for moral support.

Meanwhile, Jungkook had driven a sniffling Taehyung home. When Jungkook bought the penthouse, he made sure it was near Taehyung's schools. Although he also had many vehicles to make sure the mortal can go anywhere he wants.

"Go get a shower and change. You'll feel better," Jungkook said, his tone softening without him realising.

"Can I use your bathroom?" Taehyung requests because he really wanted to soak in a bathtub today and there's only one in the penthouse, in Jungkook's bedroom.

Of course Jungkook allows it, "go, I'll get your clothes."

"Your hoodie...I want your hoodie," oversized Jungkook clothing would make him feel a little bit safer.

Jungkook probably wouldn't deny Taehyung anything today, the same as the past few years as long as Taehyung asked, and picked out the hoodie he wears most often.

He silently allows it when Taehyung joined him in the study room, curling up in a chair with his English textbook and finally fell asleep, just like when he was younger.

Jungkook closed his file and took his time to look at the mortal. He almost didn't blink, savouring every precious moment he could to admire the boy, something he had denied himself of since two years ago.

Two years ago when he bought the bathtub as Taehyung had requested. The mortal fell asleep in there. When Jungkook went in to check on him and found the undressed mortal much more attractive than Lust, he had almost bolted back to hell.

Pride had wanted to run away, not wanting to taint the pure and kind being which had wriggled his way into his heart with every grin, every word, and every tear, then very rudely set up camp and refused to budge.

Then he unpacked his luggage because no, it was a moment of lust, no need to get all jiffy about it. Haha. Yep.

Jungkook had made the resolve to bury any wayward thought of the mortal and continue caring for him as his guardian demon.

Two years ago when that resolve crumbled to dust and something soft yet tendrilous awoke when Taehyung thought he was asleep and whispered beside his ear in this very study, "Kookie, I really like like you."

- a/n -

When I started this story I wanted something light and a little funny. The characters and storyline ended up underdeveloped but I don't intend to change it for now. It's kind of a rush tbh. Anyway the plan is for this to be a short comedy and to end the story next chapter.

Thank you for reading!