"Here's your wage of the week."

"....Ma'am, can I take next week's wage ahead?" His pupils lit up at the old woman before him, reflecting the narrow beams of light transpiring from the few lamps yet to be turned off.

"Didn't you take your wages ahead a few weeks ago?"

He cleared his throat, gaze averting away as an escape of shame as he croaked, "I need next week's wage ahead....please,"

A broken sigh fled her wrinkly lips, she extended her old trembling hands to the cash box across her pulling out the same sum of money for the second time.

"I don't know what you're up to, kid but it better not be something illegal," her rasping cold voice spoke of warm words that Jungkook knew well.

"Thank you!" he bowed hastily, "I promise to work hard next week!"

"You better,"

"Do I walk you home, ma'am?" he giggled.

"I'm not dying yet you little stinky kid, now shoo away." 

Jungkook walked out of the library sneering at the motion of her hand. He trotted down the stairs stopping midway to tie his shoe laces, he looked at the money in his hands then down his feet.

Slowly dividing the sum to two parts, he grimaced before disappearing into the gloomy streets. 

So as not to overspend, he thought.

The cold of the night sent chills down his whole body, a revolt of his skin resulted in little pumps rising all over in what people usually called goosebumps.

He stumbled across the dirty alleys, his shadow being the only human form but his. He turned right then another around the corner reaching a main street. His mind swirled in happiness over the few things he wanted to buy with his extra wage.

Necessities, a few sweets for those waiting home, and maybe, if he was lucky, the school supplies he was nagged to get.

His smile grew wider, hands in pocket where half the wage receded. Only one outlet was lit, the 24/7 neon sign shining through the darkness, at the end of the street. The distance seemed small, a few blocks down, it was such a short walk to what he usually did. A short walk, alone, with the chilly wind, a pocket of cash and a twinkle in his endearing eyesㅡ perfectㅡ

That was until footsteps were heard behind him.

He gulped, a few pair of feet walked behind him, no not only walked but marched. Testing waters, he slowed his steps, muttering prayers. The steps slowed as well, ensuring he was being followed. His breath hitched, hands forming to fists in his pockets. The distance now seemed greater that before, if only he could make it to that pharmacy faster.

Should he run? He asked himself. But they would run after.

Should he gallop or pick up his speed? They would know he knew.

Should he ignore them? Maybe but they would still catch him.

So he did what he was best at; he pretended to not exist. Walking in his usual pace with a far faster heart rate, he stammered. The footsteps grew louder by the second but he couldn't muster up the courage to look back so he just waited with tears in his eyes for a smack, a pull, a shove. He was just a child after all.

Then it came.

A hand grabbed him throwing him over to a wall, he hissed in pain as his head was smashed into the hard concrete. A punch to the stomach dropped him to his knees, it was all too fast; the hits, the grabs, the punches, he didn't even see their faces. He layed lifelessly, receiving all the hate.

He counted their feet, two, four, six...... or was that two again? His eye sight got blurry, he could feel his inner organs screeching for pain, his lungs screaming for more air as he held his breath from the blows.

A hand clutched his fist in his pocket, his eyes widened, his lips cried out a harrowed no. His hands grasped tighter as if his life depended on it because it did.

He wondered if they knew of how important it was to him, would they let him go? But he also knew he shouldn't search for pity in hearts that lacked love.

A few more strikes and he was left alone. Awaiting the sound of footsteps to disappear, he pulled his beat up body slowly resting his back on the wall that had his smeared blood. Struggling to stand, he used the wall as clutches steadying his body. 

He stumbled and fell but picked himself up again as he headed towards the pharmacy. The short distance seemed a hundred miles as he clasped his ribs. He stood by the door, tidied up his clothes a bit, turned his head sideways before bending down and grasping the money he had hid in his old sneakers.

He walked in, searching through the racks and avoiding the weirded gazes of the pharmacists. He grabbed an inhaler, checking its concentration, a few cotton balls, band aids, gauze, bandages, painkillers and distilled waterㅡhe knew what he wanted too well.

He walked towards the counter, laying the products in front of the bored man. He noticed a pair of beautiful eyes behind the man, starring in curiosity. Ignoring her existenceㅡthe beautiful lady at the backㅡhe looked at the man predicting.

"That will be two hundred, sir," the man spoke, his voice filled with lethargy of a long shift.

Jungkook looked at the money in his hand, brows furrowed. With his hand he swept away the first aid items, keeping only the inhaler.

"I'll take this only," he almost whispered out handing the only money he had left. He took the bag from the man and turned to leave, looking at the young woman once more. She gave him a sad smile; one that spoke of understanding and pity perhaps. He couldn't smile back instead, he wore his hood and left silently, the pair of beautiful eyes still lingered as he walked away.

He trotted down dirty alleys reaching a broken down house, for him it was home, it always was and it would always be. Stopping a few meters away, he wiped his busted lip with his sleeve grimacing as he did so, his eyes fell on a polished black car parked outside. He sighed again and marched through.

Running little footsteps were heard as soon as he opened the door and he found himself unconditionally smiling. A little boy rushed to him, hugging his knees. He looked up at Jungkook with the same doe eyes he saw the world in and with a snicker he said:

"Hyung! You're home!"

A broken sigh escaped his lips, "yes, I am home."

The little boy was unaware of the deep meaning behind that little sentence, his eyes shone of the same purity that dimmed in Jungkook's.

He bent down trying not to groan at the pain in his lower back, "where's your sister?" he whispered.

"She's inside. The mister is here too," the boy twinkled, "he got us lots of candy and gifts! You should see!"

His smile fell, "go to your sister."

Jungkook stood straight, his jaw clenching as he walked deeper in the little messy house. By the worn out couch, he saw a man standing in a full suit, his back faced him. He knew the posture too well, the white streaked hair, the expensive cologne, he almost gagged.

"What does he want this time?" he barked as the man turned around, "did you bring someone else he wanted to throw away again?"

"Not the best at welcoming, young master," the man bowed slightly, folding his hands ahead of him.

"We don't want anything from you or him! Let us be!"

"You know you're his son-"

"His illegitimate son that he threw away," Jungkook cut him, his voice grew louder as he tried controlling his emotions.

"Be respectful, I watched you grow!"

"You watched my mother die!" Jungkook cried, "he left us to die and you stood watching!"

"Take your gifts and leave, we won't go back, we don't want anything from you...."

The man took a step towards Jungkook, "and your sister? Can you even cover her expenses looking...like that? Or will you wait til she dies too?"

His eyes widened, tears brimming the corners as he looked to the floor.

"You have my number," the man said heading towards the door. "Call me, young master."

"I'm not your master!"

Jungkook held the plastic bag tightly as he walked to the bedroom where his siblings slept taking a deep calming breathe before opening the door. He squatted on his knees by the bedside, watching the twin sleep peacefully. His fingers stroked the girl's hair softly, the fine black strands slipping through them.

Her eyes fluttered open, "you're home," she smiled slowly at him.

He sniffled holding back his tears, "I got your inhaler." He unwrapped the bag and gave it to her. Her little fingers reached out to his hands instead, slightly touching his fresh wounds, she looked up at him sadly.

"It's the books," he pulled his hand away hiding the bruises, "sometimes I get paper cuts while carrying big books." 

"Be careful," she croaked.

He smiled at her playfully, "I will."

"I don't want the gifts he sent us," her eyes looked up at him, they were much wiser that her twin brother's, as if they had seen a lot from this world.

"Don't give in," she smiled sadly, between the three of them, it was her that reminded him of his mother most. He stroked her head once more.

"Such big words for such a little girl," he rubbed his eyes, nose turning red at the touching words.

"I am a big girl!" she giggled.

"Okay big girl, it's bed time," he kissed her forehead then her brother's, "goodnight."

As he turned the lights off, she spoke once more,

"Jungkook!" she pulled the covers over her mouth, "you're the best big brother, I love you."

His heart vibrated, forgetting all the misery of the day, "And I love you too."

He walked out, throwing his exhausted body over the floor mattress, remembering his sister's words, her eyes, his brother's eyes and the new pair of beautiful eyes at the pharmacy but he shook it off.

It was for those little twinkly eyes that he lived, that he strove and he couldn't afford the cost of another pair of eyes.

No matter how alluring.

-------

A/N

Guess whos back from the dead

For a reason, all i can say is I am dead and dead is I

I feel like this ch isnt very the loved one's style, dont u?

Felt cute might edit later

Anyhow, yes sad ch to break ur hearts cuz im a sucker for playing with ppls emotions

Second of all, ily all sm stay healthy and hydrated :*