"Hey bitch," Jeongguk said entering Taehyung's room. He slid  his suitcase to the side before falling back onto the bed with a loud sigh. Taehyung stopped working on his project and span his chair to face the younger.

"Wow, what happened?"

"Nothin'."

Taehyung used his feet to steer his chair closer to the bed. "Tell me what happened, Bun." Jeongguk lifted his head to show him his sharp glare, before plopping it right back down. "I talked to my mom and father."

"How'd that go?"

"As anyone with a brain would've guessed, not good. Mom doesn't think she can have a life without father. That man doesn't give two shits and wants to send me to Hong Kong even after all that has happened. It's like me running away changed nothing. The asshole even booked a flight for Thursday."

"Why?" The older frowned upon hearing it, thinking about how upset he must be with his father to call him such words.

"He wants me to be far, but not too far. Far enough so that I don't have a reason to get in trouble, but close enough to watch over me."

"That's twisted," Taehyung said. He heard the younger sigh and wished he chose wiser words to say. "Don't listen to him, stay here. Show him you're not his puppet."

"Wasn't planning on going anywhere."

There was a long moment of silence that was broken by Taehyung clapping his hands. "Hey, let's cheer you up!"

"Not in the mood for anything, Tae," Jeongguk said lazily, adjusting his position on the bed so we wasn't laying across it and instead on a pillow.

Taehyung frowned and leaned back. He spun his chair so he faced his desk once again and grabbed his phone, sending Somi a quick text on how to cheer up a sad Jeongguk. The reply came almost instantly and the older smiled at her response. Jeongguk's guilty pleasure, something he drinks where no one can see: banana milk. Taehyung found it absolutely adorable just imagining the younger drinking his milk peacefully, and he couldn't wait to see it. He sprung up from his seat and grabbed his jacket.

Jeongguk tilted his head upwards. "Where are you going?"

"I'll be back in a bit," the silver-head said, before rushing out his room and the house and sprinting to the nearest convenience store. He bought two packs of banana milk and left the store with a bright smile on his face, excited to give it to Jeongguk. As his eyes left the plastic bag, they landed on a limo that stopped directly in front of him. He didn't think of it too much and thought of just heading back home until the chauffeur came out of the limo and towards Taehyung.

"Sir would like to speak with you," the man said, hands motioning the car.

"Me?" Taehyung questioned, finding it all a little too shady. "Who?"

"Mr. Jeon of Jeon Incorporation."

"Oh, well, umm, alright." He was a slightly shocked to hear that it was Jeongguk's father who was reaching out to him, but it wasn't all too surprising. He wanted to know what the man wanted to say, so he followed the driver who opened the door for him and entered the limo. Inside greeted and very polished man that resembled Jeongguk, just with more wrinkles and minus the big eyes.

"Ah, Kim Taehyung. Good to see you again," Mr. Jeon greeted with a smile, a very plastic and practiced smile. He reached out his hand to which Taehyung shook with hesitation. The sound of the door being closed made the boy flinch, and soon felt the limo being driven off.

"I'll drop you off home," Mr. Jeon said, showing another smile that exposed his perfectly straight and white teeth. "I heard my son was with you. I hope he's not a bother."

"No, of course not." It all felt suffocating, and the awkward silence was just killing Taehyung. "I know there must be a reason you wanted to speak with me. So just please tell me what it is and drop me off wherever."

"Straight-forward, I like that." Taehyung only stared back, hoping keeping a poker face would make the man take him more seriously. "I'm just trying to be a good father to Jeongguk, you see. I'm looking out for his future. He's meant to achieve great things one day but he's just steering in the completely wrong path. Once he goes to Hong Kong, he'll learn what he ne—"

Now Taehyung wasn't one to cut off someone older than him, but the shit spilling out of the man's mouth was too much. "Actually, I think he's finally starting to go in the right path."

Mr. Jeon chuckled and shook his head. "Kids these days, maybe you'll understand one day when you have a child of your own. Jeongguk came earlier, but I'm sure you know that already." He took Taehyung's silence as sign to continue. "He put this suggestion in my head, getting a divorce with his mother. God, they were both crying over it. Then it made me think, huh, why not? I have my ways to keep my money over the case, and it'll be one less headache. You see, Jeongguk's mother is quite, how should I put this, obsessive. Her obsession with me is truly getting out of hand and I honestly don't know if she could survive without me. Better cut it now than later, right?"

"You're sick," Taehyung spat. He felt disgusted, he felt dumb for actually ever thinking Jeongguk could've overreacted in just the slightest bit, and that there was more to his father than what he thought he saw. But no, the man was the reincarnation of Satan himself.

"No, not me, his mother. And quite literally at that. She's been having heart problems recently, and god, I just hope this tiny little bomb won't do anything to her."

Taehyung wanted to punch him. Yeah, that's it. Punch him until he eats his own hair and apologizes to his family on his knees. He wanted to slap that stupid smile of his face and cover his mouth that spewed out words in the most professional tone making it sound as if what he said was right and made the most of sense.

"Unless..."

"Unless what?" Taehyung asked through gritted teeth.

"How about we help each other out? You help me convince my son to go to Hong Kong, and I'll help you have a good conscience about not killing an innocent woman due to your selfish heart. How about that?"

Taehyung couldn't look at him anymore. He blinked rapidly and felt like vomiting. How could such a man exist, how could Jeongguk have lived with him for so long? Was this a side he's never shown his family? His words were so twisted, and of course Taehyung understood what he said was not true but he just had this way of being able to manipulate people and wreck them down to their weakest state.

"I think this is your place?"

The boy's head snapped to the window and he was relieved to see his front grate. His hand with the bag of banana milk gripped tightly charged for the handle to open the door. Before he could get out, he felt his other hand being held back and something being pushed in his palm, and then he was released.

"Think well, boy. I'll give you until tonight."

Taehyung didn't want to stay another second in that limo. He got out and shut the door hard, then saw it drive off and felt like he could finally breathe. Taehyung looked down at the nicely laminated business card that was forced into his hand. Just holding the thing prickled his skin.

"Oppa?" he heard a voice call out. Taehyung turned to see his sister coming back from tutoring. She titled her head. "Aren't you going in?"

Taehyung finally took in his surrounding and nodded. "Uh, yeah. Let's go." Hana threw him a suspicious look but decided to shrug it off and followed him inside. Taehyung greeted his mom in the kitchen then went straight upstairs to his room. There Jeongguk was, cross-legged on his bed doing some kind of homework. Hearing the door being opened, he looked up.

"Oh, you're back." Jeongguk was quick to notice the uneasiness in his face. "Is something wrong?"

Taehyung shook his head as crumpled the card in his hand, then threw it over to a corner in a way the other couldn't see. He forced a smile and walked over to the younger. "Nope, not at all."

"What's that?" Jeongguk asked, looking at the bag.

Taehyung took out the two packs of banana milk and placed it in front of him. Jeongguk looked down at it with surprise. "How did you...?"

"I asked Somi."

Jeongguk coughed and pushed them over back to the older. "Whatever, I don't like them."

Taehyung rolled his eyes, and put them back in front of him. "It's not like your manliness is going to go down if you drink one. I bought them already so be grateful."

The younger looked at the milk, then the older, then back at the milk. He took one of the banana milks and it's straw, jabbed it in, and carefully took his first sip. His mood was instantly lit up, it's been a while since he had thought of getting himself a little treat. "Thanks, Softie," Jeongguk mumbled as he continued to drink more.

The silver-head watched the boy drinking so calmly. He was happy, and that made Taehyung happy. Now Jeongguk's entire happiness laid in his hands. He knew he a lot of thinking to do for the rest of the night.

•—•—•

Mid-way through eating dinner, Taehyung's father arrived home. He walked in with stress written all over his face. Mrs. Kim quickly got out of her seat the help him get out of his coat. His hair was all messy, his tie loosened, and his body not being able to stay still.

"Honey, are you alright?" she asked.

"Jeon's Incorporation decided to cut all ties with us. We're at a great loss and goddamn it, the entire office doesn't know why. We're all wracking our heads over it. It just doesn't make sense. We got so many other partners wondering the same thing. We look like an untrustworthy company now. The board meeting is tomorrow as well, things are going to be a mess."

It made perfect sense. Taehyung and Jeongguk head snapped to look at each other at the mention Mr. Jeon's company. They both knew that whatever happened wasn't about business.

Mrs. Kim sighed. "Why so suddenly? Well, I'm sure there was some misunderstanding. Should I return to work? We can figure something out."

"No no, don't worry. I'll manage," Mr. Kim said. He looked up to see that the kid's attention were all on him. "Oh sorry, let's eat first."

The rest of dinner was silent except for Mr. Kim having to check up on his phone so constantly. At one point, he couldn't take it anymore and just turned it off. He hated bringing work to the dinner table.

Jeongguk felt so guilty, it was all his fault. He picked at his food, not being able to meet anyone's eyes, especially Taehyung. He stood up. "Please excuse me." Jeongguk grabbed his half finished plate, dumped the left overs in the trash, and put it in the dishwasher, then made his way up. Everyone stared at him confused, and Taehyung soon followed the younger.

"Gguk," Taehyung called out entering their room. He saw Jeongguk on the phone, tapping at furiously. "What're you doing?"

"Gonna give that asshat a piece of my mind." Before Jeongguk could even place the phone to his ear, Taehyung grabbed it from him and hung up before it could ring. "Don't. It'll only add fuel to the fire."

Jeongguk huffed out and began pacing back forth. "That fucking son of a bitch," he kept cursing, not knowing what else he could do. He stopped and looked at the older. "I'm so sorry, Tae. This is all my fault. I pulled your family into this, I'm so fucking sorry."

Taehyung watched as the younger kept rambling on and apologizing. He approached him and placed his hands on Jeongguk's shoulder, stopping him from speaking. "It's not you fault. My dad will take care of it, don't worry. Okay?"

Jeongguk sighed but nodded. "Y-Yeah, alright."

•—•—•

Taehyung peered over the pillow wall they had made to look over the younger sleeping peacefully. His mouth slightly agape and his hair softly brushing over his eyes.

Jeongguk had noticed Taehyung groaning when he laid his back on the sofa. It was clear the boy wasn't comfortable. Then Jeongguk proceeded to grab the extra pillows and line it down the middle of the bed. Taehyung was surprised when the boy called him over. Although he should be over he moon and sleep soundly, Taehyung just couldn't do it.

He decided to go grab a glass of milk, maybe that would help. On his way out he saw that his father's study was still lit. Taehyung approches the room and carefully opened it ever so slightly. He saw his father wearing his reading specs sleeping on top of his work papers. He must've stayed up late. Taehyung entered the room as quiet as he could. He retrieved the blanket that decorated the couch and laid it carefully over his father. He removed the specs, lifted his father's head slowly and placed a pillow underneath quickly, then turned off the lights.

He really did not imagine Mr. Jeon would go as far as lose a business partner to get what he wants, and he knew throwing away his wife would mean nothing to him as well. He was just as wicked as Jeongguk described him.

Taehyung forgot about the milk and headed back to his room. He unplugged his phone from the charger and turned on it's flash light until he found the card he had thrown away earlier. Taehyung picked it up and unfolded it. On the back side was written in blue ink his personal number. Taehyung glanced at his wall of filled with painting of his most joyful moments. His most precious people. He doesn't know what he would without any of them.

He then looked at Jeongguk. He must have a list of his own precious set of people, and Taehyung knew that his mother would be at the top. Even if he was going to lose someone important to him, Taehyung wanted Jeongguk to be happy, and that had to be with his mother. He wasn't going to let anything or anyone ruin the younger's happiness.

Without spending another second thinking, he created a new message to the number written on the card. He wrote down his decision and sent it before he changed his mind.

'I'm sorry, but I'm turning down your offer."

He was about to write his name at the end, but seeing how far the man knew about him, he knew Mr. Jeon would be expecting the number. He tossed his phone on his sofa and sat down, covering his face with his hands, praying he had made the right choice.

•—•—•

Jeongguk woke up to his alarm ranging. He turned it off and stretched his arms out with a yawn. He heard Taehyung already in the shower and decided he should take one too. Jeongguk got his uniform and towel, then headed to the common bathroom. Once he was all ready, he returned to their room to see that Taehyung wasn't there, meaning he's probably eating breakfast.

Jeongguk hadn't heard the sound of ruckus from the previous morning as he made his way down. At the counter, Hana stood eating a bowl of cereal. "G'morning. Mom left to work with dad so breakfast is this today."

Jeongguk nodded and began looking around to find the silver-head who was no where to be seen.

"Tae-oppa just left a couple minutes ago. Maybe he's waiting for you outside."

"Thanks, Hana," Jeongguk said and quickly put on his jacket and shoes. When he opened the door, he saw that Taehyung wasn't there. He went further up to the gate and saw he wasn't there either. Jeongguk then looked towards their way to school and finally saw the older maybe ten or eleven metres ahead. "Tae!" he called out, but the older didn't stop. He wasn't that far to not be heard, and Jeongguk screamed loud enough. Jeongguk remembered Taehyung sometimes having his earbuds plugged in whenever he was alone. That still didn't explain he didn't wait for him. Maybe he had to head to school earlier to meet a teacher.

He really didn't feel like running, especially in the snow, so Jeongguk decided he'd just meet the older later at lunch. That certainly wasn't the case when lunch came rolling in. As soon as Jeongguk left his classroom, he made way to the cafeteria and approached where Taehyung would usually sit with his friends.

"Oh, hey Gguk," Jimin greeted first.

"Have you seen Taehyung?" Jeongguk questioned.

The guys all shared a smile before looking back at Jeongguk, as if they were expecting him to come. "Yeah, he said he was going to the storage room beside that big tree to get something for Mrs. Yang. It wasn't too long ago, he's probably still there," Jin answered.

"Thanks," Jeongguk quickly said and dashed to the said storage room.

And yeah, Taehyung was there, he spotted that silver hair instantly. Oh but he wasn't alone, and the girl twirling her hair was definitely not Mrs. Yang. As Jeongguk approached closer and closer, he was able to make out the smiling girl to be Jennie. His eye's made contact with her for a split second, and as her mouth opened to say something, she was pinned against the storage door and her face was covered by Taehyung.

Jeongguk instantly froze and felt as if someone had just given him a lollipop just to snatch it right out of hand. He was mostly confused, didn't know what was going on. He wished this was all some kind of prank, some stupid joke Taehyung was trying to pull, but the more time that passed with Taehyung's tilted head in front of Jennie, Jeongguk understand the situation clearly. What he couldn't understand was Taehyung going as far as hooking up with his ex-girlfriend because he was upset with Jeongguk. He got a glimpse of how Taehyung felt when he left him at the campfire that night.

The boy thought back to what the older had told him the previous night, that it wasn't his fault. He should've just told him the truth and shown his anger instead of going and doing something like this. But it wasn't Jeongguk's place to be angry. Who was he to Taehyung to be upset? He wasn't his boyfriend, and barely even his friend. So Jeongguk turned around, and walked away, holding back the tears that were threatening to fall, because Jeongguk had absolutely no reason to cry.

—•

Bye <3