Taehyung sighs as he closes the book he was reading in advance for his class tomorrow. He looks up to see Storm with the same pouty and sad expression on his face. He sets the book aside and stands up to join Storm from where he was sitting across Taehyung's table.

"Hey, buddy. What's in here?" Taehyung asks, knocking Storm's forehead in a soft and playful manner. The kid huffs a sigh, his cheeks resemble that of a chipmunk's and Taehyung couldn't help but to coo at him.

"Teacher Tata..." Storm mumbles, catching Tae's attention. He always loved it when Storm calls him that.

"What's wrong? You've been pouting the whole time," he says worriedly, and picks up the kid to let him sit on his lap.

"Daddy..." Taehyung's eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"Did something happen to daddy?" He can see the small nod from Storm. He tightens his grip on the child's figure before asking again. "What is it, Storm?"

"Daddy has lots of purple on his face... but he said he's fine..." Storm whispers. Taehyung stiffens on his seat.

"Did you take care of daddy?"

"No... He didn't let me. He put ice on his face then he sent me to bed."

Taehyung's heart aches when he feels Storm trying to get closer to him. He embraces the child tightly and hushes him when he hears small sobs from him.

"Can Tata fix daddy?" Storm looks at him, his big doe eyes which was glistening in tears make it so hard for Taehyung to say no.

"I'll see what I can do, buddy."

He sings Storm a lullaby, and he successfully lulls him to sleep to make him rest from crying. Not too long after, he hears the door creak open, and he doesn't even have to turn around to see who's intruding before greeting his guest.

"Guk-ah, you're here," Taehyung whispers, making sure that Storm doesn't wake up from any unnecessary noises.

"He fell asleep in your arms again," Jeongguk says softly, and it's when Taehyung turns towards Jeongguk that his breath hitches in surprise to the point that he almost dropped the sleeping child.

"Jeongguk, what happened?"

"Just ran over a pole," the younger chokes out a joke, but Taehyung doesn't find it funny. He lays Storm down on the couch carefully before making his way towards Jeongguk.

"I have a gut feeling about this one, but I really need to hear it from you. Who did this to you?" Taehyung looks at Jeongguk in the eye but the younger could only avoid the strong gaze. He looks at anything but Taehyung.

"Tae, I deserve this."

"No. You don't deserve this, Guk. You already apologized, using violence is not a right thing to do. I'm really sorry about him, Gukkie. I'll talk to him later."

"You don't have to, Tae. We're good."

"But still-"

Jeongguk stops Taehyung from saying something by putting his hands on Taehyung's shoulders. He squeezes it in assurance.

"Tae, just let it slide. Now, come on. Let's go home. I'm gonna drop you off your apartment, if that's okay?"

Taehyung nods weakly before gathering his and Storm's things.

"You sure you don't want to come inside and let me clean your cuts thoroughly?"

"Tae, I'll be fine. Don't worry too much. I'm sorry you have to see me like this."

"Shut it, Guk. Go home now. It's getting late."

"Good night, Tae."

"Good night, Mr. Jeon."

Taehyung could see a faint smile on Jeongguk's lips before the latter goes back inside his car.