Hi guys! I am seriously hating myself for not updating this book for so long! I absolutely love writing in this book, but school and work have kept me on my toes recently. I hope you all understand. Enjoy this long chapter full of backstory and angst.

I swear that I will try to update more often!

I love you guys!

You're my confetti.

Trigger Warning. Don't read if you're uncomfortable. You've been warned.

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It was almost like a dream...

A sweetly cruel, agonizing dream that Hoseok couldn't seem to wake up from.

His body was tense and rigid as he stared at the sight before him, hands shaking at his sides.

His mother frowned as she read the piece of paper placed in her hands, eyes narrowing harshly as her pupils dilated in what Hoseok could only describe as disgust.

He had tried to hide the letter that his teacher had sent home with him. He even contemplated throwing it out in the trashcan at school...but, for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to do it...even if he knew what would happen if his mother found out.

Turns out, his mother didn't even need to see the letter.

The school had called just before Hoseok had gotten home...as soon as the eight year old walked through the door his mother was snatching the letter from his hands, her fists clenching at her sides as she clenched her jaw.

"You stupid child," She cursed squeezing the paper. "Fighting?! You were suspended for fighting!?"

Hoseok flinched at his mother's tone, eyes never leaving the floor as he nodded slowly.

"I'm sorry, mama-"

"How stupid do you have to be?!" She raged. "I thought I raised you better. I thought that you were well enough to go to a real school. After you begged me to let you go to a school for months...this is how you repay me!?"

Hoseok sniffed, trying to keep his tears under control as he wrung his hands.

"The-The other boy started it," He explained softly. "He-He hit me and I-"

"I don't wanna hear it!" She screamed. "This behavior is unacceptable, do you understand me!?"

He nodded.

"Y-Yes, mama. I-I'm sorry."

His mother let out a huff, her head shaking as she placed a hand on her son's shoulders.

"I knew you weren't ready to go out." She sighed. "I'll just have to take you out of school and keep you home...just like before."

Hoseok's eyes widened at his mother's words, body beginning to tremble as she placed a kiss to his temple.

"The world is too big and scary." She reasoned. "You just need to stay here, with mama."

The eight year old child felt a tear run down his cheek as his mother straightened herself up.

He remembered.

He remembered the way she would "take care" of him. All those nights he would be locked away in the basement for being bad...all those times she would strap him down and make him take his "sleepy medicine". He remembered how dizzy he always felt...He remembered what happened when she got mad...how she hit him...and how badly it hurt.

"N-No." He whispered.

The older woman froze.

"What?" She breathed.

Hoseok shrunk in on himself.

"I-I like school. I don't- I don't wanna leave."

His mother shook her head.

"Why?" She snapped. "It's not like you have any friends. No one to love you or take care of you like I do!"

"I-I can make friends, mama."

She laughed cruelly.

"You think?" She asked. "No one wants to be your friend, Hoseok....and, even if they did, none of your friends could love you or take care of you like your mama does. It would just be better if you stayed home-"

"No!" Hoseok cried, stomping his foot. "I'm already so behind in my school! The other kids laugh at me because I barely know how to read-"

"I'll teach you-"

"You always lie, mama!" He sobbed. "You always say that you'll teach me and you never do! All you do is feed me weird things and force me to take medicine! I don't like it! I don't like when I'm too weak to do anything for myself-"

His words were cut off as a loud slap filled the air, his head snapped to the side.

His mother hovered above him, shoulders heaving with unbridled rage and frustration as she stared down at her son.

"How dare you speak to me that way!" She seethed. "Is this what being outside has taught you!? How to disrespect your mother!?"

Hoseok cried loudly, tears now falling freely down his cheeks.

"I-I don't want mama!" He sobbed. "I want daddy!"

"Well, daddy didn't want you!" She yelled. "Didn't I already make it clear that your daddy wants nothing to do with a worthless piece of trash like you!?"

Hoseok could only cry as his mother raged above him, her hand, once again, sending his face a harsh slap.

"You dirty child-"

Ding Dong.

Hoseok's mother froze in her place as the sound of the doorbell filled her ear, eyes snapping up immediately.

She glared down at Hoseok, eyes full of unbridled rage and contempt.

"Shut up." She hissed. "If anyone hears you, I swear to god, I will kill you myself."

Hoseok whimpered, covering his mouth with his hands as he nodded.

Hoseok's mother sniffed, straightening her clothes before walking towards the door and opening it.

You smiled widely as the door opened in front of you, eyes bright with child-like wonder and fantasy as you stared up at the ragged woman in front of you.

"Hello!" You greeted cheerfully, rainbow sweater falling to cover your small hands. "I go to school with Hoseok and I'm here to bring him his homework. Teacher said he'd get behind if he didn't do it, and I don't think it's fair to him since Jamie was the one to throw the first hit."

His mother blinked in slight surprise before glaring at you.

"He doesn't need it." She explained. "He won't be going to school anymore."

You tilted your head.

"Why?" You asked.

"Because I'll be teaching him from home-"

"That's dumb." You deadpanned with a smile.

Her eyes widened at your words, brows furrowing in annoyance.

"Well, you're young, you probably don't even comprehend what I'm saying to you right now-"

"Why would you take him away from school?" You asked. "My dad says that it's healthy for children to have friends."

His mother frowned.

"Well, your dad doesn't know my son."

Your brows furrowed.

"Does he have to?" You asked. "Listen lady, I know kids, because I am one, you see? So, trust me when I say that he should be able to make friends and if you keep him from that, you're a big meanie."

Her eye twitched in annoyance.

"You talk too much, little girl." She growled. "Run along before this meanie gets angry."

"Why?" You popped. "Are you gonna hit me too?"

She froze in her place, heart dropping in her chest.

"H-Hit you?" She repeated. "I don't-"

You held up your small hand to silence her, reaching into your purple backpack and grabbing your binder with the cute unicorn on it.

You opened it up, licking your fingers as you flipped through the pages.

"My dad says that, if you want to know about something, the best way is to keep a log of it's habits." You stated. "I wanted to know about Hoseok...so, I kept a log...and I found a bunch of not nice things."

Hoseok's mom watched as you flipped through your binder.

"On November ninth, Hobi came to school with a black eye." You stated. "At first I thought he just liked to fall, but then November fourteenth, he showed up with a slight limp on his right leg. Shall I continue, Mrs. Hobi's mom?"

She clenched her jaw in aggravation.

"Listen, little girl," She seethed. "I don't know what you are thinking but if you don't leave my house right this instant, I'm calling the police."

You smiled, closing your binder and beaming up at her.

"I'm seven and a half, " You said. "All I have to do is tell the police that you laid your hands on me and you'll be put behind bars for life...and while the police are here, I'll also tell them that you hit and confine your son."

"You little-"

"Mama?" Hoseok called, tear-stained cheeks coming into your view as he stepped towards the door.

She gritted her teeth.

"Go back inside, Hoseok." She said lowly. "I'll deal with you later-"

Your e/c eyes shone beneath the sunlight as you met the eyes of the boy, hand outstretching.

"You don't have to go inside, Hobi." You said softly. "Come with me, I'll take you somewhere safe."

Hoseok's eyes widened at your words, brows crashing together.

You looked a little familiar, he was sure he had seen you around the school yard a few times, reading books and making friends.

"Hoseok," His mother growled. "Go back inside. Now. I won't tell you again."

Hoseok nodded slowly, beginning to turn around.

"Hobi," The sound of your voice caused him to freeze. "I know that you didn't start the fight today...I wanna help you...Come to my house...I have ice cream."

The small child turned slightly.

"You're not taking my son out of this house, young lady." His mother stated. "Now, leave before something terrible happens to both of you."

You raised an eyebrow.

"Are you threatening me, Mrs. Hobi's mom?" You asked.

She nodded her head slowly.

"If you don't get out of my sight, I'll rip your lungs out of your chest and send the rest of you home in a plastic bag."

You froze.

"Now," She continued. "Get. Off. My. Property."

You blinked a few times, turning to look at Hoseok with a sad smile.

"I'm sorry that your mama treats you so badly," You said sadly. "If you come home with me, I won't let her hurt you..."

Hoseok hesitated, eyes glancing up at his mother who was shaking where she stood, fists clenching.

"You-You should go home," He whispered to you. "My-My mama doesn't like you."

You smiled, reaching forward, hand grabbing his tightly.

"Come with me, Hobi." You smiled.

"Get your hands off of him!" His mother screamed, her foot coming into contact with your stomach.

You fell down onto the porch, arms wrapping around your stomach as you struggled to catch your breath.

"Mama!" Hoseok yelled, watching as his mother walked over to your hunched form, a smile on her face as she grabbed a handful of your hair, pulling you up.

"I told you," She hissed in your face. "Go home."

You smiled weakly at her.

"It's fine if you wanna hit me." You said. "As long as your angry at me, you won't hit Hobi...and I'm fine with that."

Hoseok's eyes widened at your words, hands shaking as his mother sent a hard smack to your face, nostrils flaring in nothing but unbridled rage.

"Who are you to tell me what to do, filthy brat!?" She yelled, throwing you down.

Hoseok blinked in surprise, trembling as he watched his mother send numerous blows to your small body, her reasoning completely gone from her now.

"Mama..." He started weakly. "Mama, stop."

She didn't seem to hear his frightened, weak voice...or if she did she certainly wasn't acknowledging it.

"Mama." He sobbed. "Please."

He hated himself for not being able to raise his voice any louder, his fear overcoming him as she landed another kick to your belly.

His eyes widened as your e/c eyes met his, a weak smile creeping onto your face.

"Don't cry, Hobi." You said.

Your words did little to console the young boy, his body still trembling from the fear.

When his mama would hit him, it hurt, but at least he knew no one else was getting hurt because of him...but now...

He took a hesitant step forward, hands shaking as he used all of his strength to shove his mother away from you.

She stumbled over her feet, falling onto the wooden porch underneath her.

Hoseok glared at her, summoning all of his courage as he leaned down and placed his hands on your face.

"You ungrateful-"

"What is going on here?!"

You almost sighed in relief at the voice the familiar voice that filled your ears, body relaxing as your father stomped his way up the porch stairs.

Hoseok's eyes widened as he watched the tall man turn and look towards the two of you, his eyes widening in shock, brow twitching in anger.

"Did-Did you hit my daughter?" He asked lowly, voice sending chills down the older woman's spine as she slowly stood.

"She-She was being unreasonable and disobedient," She started. "You should discipline her-"

Her words caught in her throat at the dangerous aura that began to fill the air...it was almost as if the sun had been hidden, darkness falling around the entire neighborhood as the man took a step closer.

"I asked you a question, rodent." He spat. "Did you lay your filthy hands on my daughter?"

The woman blinked in surprise, body beginning to tremble in fear.

"Y-Yes."

Hoseok could only watch as the man walked closer to his mother, whispering a few words to her...words he wasn't able to hear clearly.

He watched as his mother's eyes widened in terror, the man placing his hand on her forehead before saying a few more things...

Within an instant....his mother was gone...vanished without a trace...almost as if she had never even been there.

Hoseok frowned in confusion, blinking his eyes rapidly as he questioned what he had just witnessed.

The tall, handsome man let out a sigh before turning to face the two children.

Hoseok tensed up as he began walking towards them, saddened eyes set on the young girl.

The child instantly went into protective mode, his arms wrapping around you and pulling you into his chest as he glared up at the older man, holding your body tightly to him.

"D-Don't come closer, Mister!" He yelled. "Y-You can't send her away!"

The man paused for a moment, seemingly shocked at his words before a soft smile pulled on his features, squatting down to be on the child's level.

"You don't need to worry," He soothed. "The bad lady is gone...I'm Y/n's father. "

Hoseok's resolve never waivered. Not even for a moment...They taught him in school that people come along pretending to be others all the time and they often try to take children away.

"I don't know that." He stated. "And I won't trust you until I do! If-If you try to take her from me...I'll-I'll bite your fingers off!"

The dark-haired man chuckled at his words, head tilting in amusement.

"You're quite the little hero, aren't you?" His eyes widened slightly for a moment. "Oh, I see why....that certainly makes sense, considering your story."

Hoseok didn't respond, only glared.

You had passed out from the pain a few moments ago, barely managing not to vomit from the pain, so there was no way you'd be able to confirm the man's story and Hoseok wouldn't let him take advantage of that fact.

"How about this, Little Robin," He started. "I won't take her anywhere...I won't even make you let her go..just let me get close enough to wake her up, yeah?"

The small boy hesitated, glancing down at your sleeping form.

"If she doesn't wake up soon, she may get worse." He pleaded softly. "Please let me wake her up."

Hoseok moved his eyes to the man, slowly nodding.

"I-I won't give her up..." He said. "But, you can wake her up."

The older man sighed in relief, leaning forward and ruffling the child's chestnut locks before moving closer.

His eyes scanned your face in worry, hand gently moving to rest on your forehead.

Hoseok watched every single move closely, the thought of his mother leaving his mind completely...he didn't even seem to care that she was gone.

"Y/n, baby," Your father cooed in a gentle voice, forefingers resting on your forehead. "It's time to wake up, love."

Your eyes slowly blinked open, e/c orbs finally coming into view as your brow furrowed in pain.

"D-Dad?" You called softly, eyes moving to the boy above you. "Hobi?"

Your father smiled, moving his eyes to the young boy.

"You see?" He asked. "I'm not a stranger."

Hoseok nodded, maintaining his grip on you.

"Where did you send my mommy?" He asked softly.

Your father placed his finger over his lips.

"Somewhere that will keep her from ever coming back to hurt you."

He only nodded, shocked at the answer.

"The dumb lady is gone?" You asked weakly. "That's a relief...for a second I thought I was a goner."

Your father clicked his tongue at you.

"How dumb do you have to be, Y/n?" He scolded softly, petting your hair. "I've told you about doing things like this...it's dangerous...if I hadn't shown up-"

"I knew you would." You beamed. "And I wasn't going to leave Hobi alone...Nobody should ever be hit like that...it's not right."

"Why-Why did you let her hit you?" Hoseok asked softly. "It-It would have been easier if mama had just hit me instead."

You smiled up at him, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Because everyone deserves a happy ending," You started. "Even you."

That was the moment Jung Hoseok knew that he was in love with you...that he'd never be able to forget you....even if he tried...

As the years went by, his life changed drastically.

He made contact with his father....who, apparently, had been trying to track his mother down for years trying to see Hoseok...his father took him in and, after much pleading on Hoseok's part, moved back to the town in which you lived...

You, his savior and guardian angel....He stayed by your side like glue through your recovery and he found himself growing more and more attached to you.

When highschool came...he began to notice a pattern.

Anytime he was in trouble...you'd always be there to bail him out...even if you got hurt in the process.

So, Hoseok kept his distance...he stopped walking you back and forth from school...he stopped coming to your house as often...and, eventually, he stopped hoping that you would be with him someday...after all,

He'd only ever brought you heartache.