"Love is right. No matter how many times it wronged you."
- Anonymous

Seokjin luckily found a new job. Still working at a fast food station in the town just next to his former home. He was so wrong when he thought that maybe his father or any of their family would ever find him because they didn't. He doesn't know whether to be happy or sad about it. He was in the middle. He felt sad knowing that his supposed to be family didn't give a damn about him, but he is also happy because that only means he can help Taehyung in his own little ways. He doesn't know how yet but he is determined to do just absolutely anything for him.

"A quarter pounder please." A lady asked Seokjin. He snapped out of his thoughts and proceeded to work.

Seokjin is already used to this environment. He is used to arrogant costumers that feels like they own your life with all their crazy and pointless demands. He laughed when he remembered being scolded one time by a costumer because of the amount of ketchup sachet that he gave. The lady kept yelling at him for giving her a very few amount of what she deserves. She didn't even know the protocol and the guides that the crew workers have and yet she has the audacity to shout and belittle him just for a ketchup. Seokjin got used to it eventually and learned to just apologize even if he is not at fault.

He chuckled to himself as he prepares the lady's order.

Working here is just the same as living with his family. They were like those privileged costumers who think that they can rule the world and take advantage of the weaker victims. They will make them apologize and have it their way without listening to the victim first. But even if they listen, the words will only pass from one ear to another. It will all just be futile.

"Here is your order Ma'am. Have a nice day!" He offered her a smile. The lady walked out without even saying anything.

Seokjin continued working until 5 in the afternoon. He worked for more than 12 hours today and he is happy. For some, working overtime means they will be tired and just want to go home and sleep. but for Seokjin, it isn't the case. He could go on working all day just to provide for his new family – Taehyung's mother. The lady gave her the warmth that he needed since his mother passed away. They used each other to cope up with the loss of their loved ones. Her, being away from Taehyung and her husband because they were accused wrongly for a crim they didn't commit and him, losing his mother, the only person whom he can trust. The only person he adores.

When Seokjin's shift ended, he immediately went home and checked on the lady. He saw her laying down the bed just like how he used to see her all the time. Seokjin's heart clenches every time he sees her pale skin. The doctors said that she has a rare condition where her body can't fully absorb the nutrients it needs to sustain her strength and the medicine for it would be so pricey. Seokjin looked up to it and he almost knelt to the floor when he saw that he needed to earn at least $300 a week only for her medicines for her to get better and fully heal. It was so expensive for him. He is still young and his weekly earnings would only total to and amount of more or less $170, if he will get lucky and work for straight 12 hours in six days maybe he can afford it, but until when? He knows it won't happen every day since he only works for at least 4 hours a day. He also needs to study in a few months. He wanted to become a painter and the cost will be too high. He also needs to eat as well as Taehyung's mother too.

He sat on the bed beside her and held her hand. She is sleeping so peacefully. Seokjin looked at their small but decent one-bedroom apartment that he got for $300 per month. To be completely honest, it was so awful when he first looked into it. It was messy and it reeked of bad smell that the landlady obviously just wanted to get rid of it and convince someone to live in there for such a cheap price. He first cleaned it until it is acceptable for his liking and left the old lady for a while. By that time, he only has $3900 left in his money since he brought them food and nice warm clothes for the lady who only has a thin cloth of hospital gown on. But the great loss in his money was because he paid 10 months in advance for their rent. Seokjin doesn't want to worry any time soon about where to live so he made sure to pay in advance and get the landlady to prepare a contract and a list of his payment. He knew how tricky people can be so it's better to be ready.

"Now, I only have $3900 left, I need to do our grocery, pay for our bills and your meds, Eomma." He said to the sleeping lady. He started calling him Eomma in accordance with her request last night since she misses Taehyung so badly. He missed Taehyung too but for now budgeting the money he has left is more important. So, he stood up grabbed a pen and paper to write down his budget per month.
 

Seokjin's monthly budget:

Salary: $700

Rent: $300

Water Bill: Max. of $18

Electricity: Max of $12

Garbage Disposal: $9

Grocery: $300

Total: $639

Seokjin frowned when he noticed he will only have $61 left. He thought maybe he could afford Taehyung's Mom's meds if he worked harder and ask his manager for a longer time in work of at least 8 hours because if he does, then his salary will double and in no time Taehyung's mother will heal. The doctors said it could take years and years but even so, he will give it a shot. If he can't do these things anymore to his mother, then, he will use this opportunity to do something useful to someone else's Mom.

"But what about my studies?"

He sighed. Seokjin knew that studying will be his last priority. He needs to feed them or else they will starve to death. He is lucky to have a free meal at work but what about Taehyung's Mom? She will not die due to her illness but instead due to starvation and he didn't want that. That would be the last thing he ever wanted.

"I guess studies can wait. There are more things to life than that."

He checked the sleeping lady again and when he made sure she is okay he went out their home. Putting his hoodie on, he walked to the prison where Taehyung is. The place Seokjin is renting is just a few hundred meters away from the jail, so he has no trouble walking. He got inside. Maybe the police thought that he is already in the legal age to go there. Good thing, he badly needs to check on Taehyung and his Dad.

He waited on a long table. He is looking around and the ambiance of the prison is scaring the hell out of him. It reeked of bad smell and most of them looked like they don't take a bath. He suddenly felt pity for the guys. They seemed to lack basic needs. And his mind suddenly thought of Taehyung.

No one is there to give him food or even extra clothes to wear. He smacked his head. Their things were still in their house and he didn't think of grabbing some for them.

"What are you even doing here?" Taehyung's clod voice greeted Seokjin as soon as he saw the man.

"I –" Seokjin didn't even get to finish his sentence when Taehyung cut him off.

"Go away! You have the guts to show your face here after what your family did?" He scoffed and glare daggers at Seokjin occupying the seat across him. Seokjin can't utter a word, he was surprised at what he heard. It was the first time that he saw Taehyung with that kind of expression and with that kind of tone present in his voice. He was used to the quiet Taehyung that silently works at their garden even though he has his own degree in school. The Taehyung Seokjin knew was so far from what he is seeing now. This man in front of him is full of rage and hate in his eyes and Seokjin knew that the hate was for him.

Though he can't really understand why, he knew Taehyung's hate for him is deep rooted down to his soul.

"I don't know what you're talking about I am he –" Seokjin flinched when Taehyung slammed the table. Seokjin instantly wanted to cry. He hates the fact that Taehyung hates him up to the point that he never wanted to see Seokjin again.

"Are you going to be like your father!? That arrogant fool! We can't even have a public attorney because he paid them off. We can't even request to re-open the case and it is all your family's fault!" Taehyung was breathing hard. He kept his eyes at Seokjin and spoke again, "Leave! I don't want anything that has to do with you or your family!"

Seokjin blinked multiple times trying hard not to let a tear fall. He understands why Taehyung is like this. He knows but that doesn't lessen the pain in his little baby heart. He lost his mother too. He is having the same pain as him. He stood up and nodded his head. It was a bad decision to come here in the first place but Seokjin still went because he wanted to check whether Taehyung is okay or not and he clearly isn't. He is full of anger to the point that it scared the hell out of Seokjin.

When he went back to his home, he saw Taehyung's Mom sitting on the edge of the bed. She smiled when she saw Seokjin. Seokjin smiled back and sat beside her without saying a word.

"Where did you do, son?" She asked.

"I went to the drugstore to buy you your meds." Seokjin said and showed her the bottles of medicines.

The lady thanked her with tears in her eyes. In her mind, she had gotten a new son while Taehyung is not around. Seokjin made her stronger and want to live so she can be with her boys. To be with her own son – Taehyung. She kissed Seokjin's cheeks and went back to sleep as she felt pain all over her body again. Seokjin took care of her and made sure that she is comfortable.

After a few hours, Seokjin is still awake. He can't get any sleep; he is thinking about Taehyung, Taehyung's Dad, and his mother. They both deserve justice. Seokjin thinks that he knew who started all of this. He has an inkling who could be the real criminal here. He got up and grabbed his art materials that is placed just beside his bed. He looed at one of his unfinished portrait of Taehyung. He smiled to himself.

"If I will get to choose a dream, I'll choose to see you free. Whether I get rewarded in the end or not. This is not just about my feelings for you, this is also about my Mom. I will do it for the both of you, for your mother and your father."

Seokjin smiled. He knew what he wanted to do and sacrificing something you love didn't felt so satisfactory before.

He held his brush and said his goodbye. Maybe in another lifetime, his dreams of becoming a painter will come true, but in this one, he will put what's important first. And that is Taehyung.