"There's too much mulch there."

Saebin huffs as he kneels back down in front of the rose bushes. Using his hands to spread out the mulch.

"The lawnmower should be good to go whenever you need it." Jeongguk says from where he's trimming the bushes. Saebin had already attempted to he was just cleaning them up some more.

"This is bullshit." Saebin mumbles, throwing some mulch down in anger.

"What?" Jeongguk asks looking down at him.

"I said this is bullshit." The thirteen year old says pushing himself up from the ground. Pulling the gloves he was wearing off and throwing them down. "You have me doing work a grown ass man should be doing! I beat a guy up, I didn't kill him! Even if I did, it was self defense!"

"That's not what you told your dad. And that's not what the principal told him either." Jeongguk says dropping the garden sheers, sighing as he wipes the sweat off his forehead.

"Well it's true," Saebin says crossing his arms. "It's bad enough that I had to cut my hair, now this? And I can't go anywhere for two months? This is so fucked up."

"Okay, first, watch your goddamn mouth when you're talking to me." Jeongguk says. "You're a kid, where do you get off talking to me like that? I'm an adult, have a little respect."

"You're just like everyone else~"

"That's not going to work this time, Bin. I'm sorry." Jeongguk says. "You're right, actually, I am just like everyone else. Because I care about you and I want you to clean up your fucking act. You didn't just beat a kid up, you risked being expelled from the best school in your district. That's a big deal."

Saebin rolls his eyes. "You don't get expelled for one fight, it's a three strike system. I'm not an idiot."

"No, you aren't an idiot." Jeongguk says. "Which is why I want to know the real reason you snapped like this."

"I just lashed out." Saebin shrugs. "In self defense."

"Why'd you tell the principal and your dad that he didn't provoke you if it was self defense?" Jeongguk asks tilting his head. "Be honest."

"Because, if I told them he provoked me I would've had to tell them what he said." Saebin says looking down at his hands.

"What'd he say?" Jeongguk asks, he could tell that whatever it was really bothered him then and it was still bothering him.

Saebin shakes his head, keeping his eyes down. "You'll think it's stupid."

"I promise I won't." Jeongguk says, falling silent and giving him the time he needed to respond.

"...He called me gay." Saebin says lowly. "In a much more colorful way, I'm sure you can imagine."

"People are going to call you names all throughout your life, Saebin, you can't give them the satisfaction~"

"It's not because he called me gay." Saebin says looking up at Jeongguk to gage his reaction. "It's just...what if it's true? And I end up just the way all my teachers said I would end up. Screwed up because of my parents."

Jeongguk doesn't really react. "If it is true, that's okay, Bin. We've always taught you that it's okay to love any human you want~"

"It doesn't matter what you taught me, that doesn't mean shit in the real world." Saebin says, tears forming in his eyes as he continues. "In the real world, if I didn't kick that kid's ass when he said that everyone would've thought it was true. And I would be the one getting my ass kicked. That's what I wish you would've taught me instead."

"No, Saebin, that's not what we should've taught you." Jeongguk says. "You deserve to live your life as authentically as you want. And if your friends don't accept your authentic self then maybe they aren't your real friends at all. Being gay isn't anything to be ashamed of. I'm not ashamed, your dad and Namjoon aren't."

"Oh yeah? Then why do you introduce Taehyung as your 'friend' to people you've never met before? Why does my dad pull away from Namjoon whenever someone stares at them for too long?" Saebin asks. "You think I don't notice? You're just as ashamed as me."

"There's a difference between being ashamed and choosing peace, Saebin." Jeongguk says. "When we do those things we're avoiding conflict. In your case, the proper thing to do would've been to walk away. And if your friends automatically assumed that it was true then you could've simply told them that you didn't want to get suspended. No lies, no denial, no fighting."

Saebin shrugs. "It's done now. I did what I thought was necessary."

"That's okay. Next time maybe just think a little more before acting. Violence is only the answer sometimes. This time, it wasn't." Jeongguk says shaking his head. "Learn from your mistakes. Don't risk your future because someone called you a name. If I lashed out every time I got called a name I'd be in prison."

"What's the worst thing you got called?"

"You aren't old enough to hear that. Just know, it was bad. And I may or may not have cried for three days straight after."

Saebin cracks a small smile. "Punk,"

"Maybe, but I didn't get suspended and sent to an alternative school." Jeongguk says. "Choose your battles, Saebin. Not every war is yours to fight."

Saebin nods, huffing a sigh. "I'm still stuck doing all this yard work."

"Forget the yard, we have gardeners anyway." Jeongguk says waving his hand. "I was making you do this until you told me the truth."

"So we don't have to finish?" Saebin asks. "We already started."

"No, just leave it." Jeongguk says pulling his gloves off. "I need a drink."

"You got any vodka?"

"I was thinking more along the lines of water, Saebin."

Saebin laughs as Jeongguk puts his arm around his neck, pulling him along into the house.

When Seokjin comes to get him they're sitting in the living room watching a drama that they were both addicted to.

"This doesn't look like yard work to me." Seokjin says looking at the snacks and the movie. "What happened?"

"I cracked," Jeongguk sighs, plopping back down on the couch. "Sorry, hyung."

"Come on, Saebin, let's go." Seokjin says. "Thank Jeongguk for letting you come over."

"Thanks, hyung." Saebin says standing to leave. "I'm going to do better, I promise."

"I believe you." Jeongguk nods. "Just remember what I told you."

"Violence is only the answer sometimes?"

"The other part. You know, the part where I gave you twenty minute lecture."

Saebin laughs. "I hear you, I promise. From now on I choose peace."

"Good," Jeongguk chuckles. "I won't watch anymore without you."

"Good," Saebin says before leaving the living room. Smiling at Seokjin on his way out.

Seokjin narrows his eyes at Jeongguk. "What'd you do to him?"

"What do you mean?" Jeongguk laughs.

"Three hours ago he was cursing at me and now he's choosing peace?" Seokjin chuckles. "Did you bribe him?"

"No, I just listened to what he had to say." Jeongguk shrugs. "And he was cursing me out too when he first got here, don't think he gave me any special treatment."

"You always know what to do, Jeongguk." Seokjin says. "I'm serious, thank you. I don't know what'd I'd do without you."

"He's growing up, and discovering things about himself, hyung. If you don't ask he's not going to tell you." Jeongguk says. "That's all I can say."

Seokjin looks confused. "Okay?"

"Love you guys," Jeongguk smiles.

"Love you too," Seokjin laughs as he walks out of the living room, closing the front door behind himself.

~Later...~

Jeongguk hears the front door close just as he's putting some chicken nuggets in the air fryer for the kids. They were picky and didn't each much besides chicken nuggets and pizza rolls.

"Hey," Taehyung says walking into the kitchen.

"Hey," Jeongguk says. "I was just putting the nuggets in."

"Notice anything different?" Taehyung asks as he stops behind Jeongguk, back-hugging him.

"What?" The ravenette asks turning slightly to look at him. "Did you...dye your hair a lighter brown than usual this time?"

"No." Taehyung chuckles, still waiting for him to guess.

"Hmm..." Jeongguk looks him over again. "New shirt?"

Taehyung rolls his eyes. "No, just, listen."

Jeongguk falls silent for a moment. "What am I listening for?"

"Silence." Taehyung whispers. "No kids."

"No kids?" Jeongguk asks with a smile. "On a Tuesday?"

"They're with my parents." The brunette smiles. "I dropped them off before coming here."

"Why?" Jeongguk asks. "What's the occasion."

"It's been over fourteen days now and we still haven't tried." Taehyung says. "I know it's not date night but we can just enjoy the night. Maybe have some wine, the teeniest tiniest bit."

Jeongguk smiles softly. "Okay, yeah."

"Yeah?" Taehyung smiles as he leans in and kisses the ravenette. "I love you."

"I love you too," Jeongguk says. "What about the chicken nuggets?"

"I like chicken nuggets." Taehyung shrugs, making Jeongguk laugh. "Rules for tonight: no kid talk, my parents will take care of them. No heavy topics of conversation, I don't want to be sad, I just want to get knocked up before April. And finally, this one's for you~"

"Haven't they all kind of been for me?" Jeongguk asks.

"This one's important." Taehyung chuckles. "No distractions. I want all your attention tonight, do you understand?"

"Hm, that kinda sounds like an order." Jeongguk smirks, turning around to face Taehyung fully.

"We both know I don't give the orders in the bedroom." Taehyung says putting his arms around his neck.

"Technically, we aren't in the bedroom." Jeongguk says, his hands traveling down Taehyung's waist to the swell of his ass.

"What are you implying, Jeongguk?" The brunette asks.

"Nothing. I'm just saying, if you ordered me to fuck you over the counter right now I'd have to comply." Jeongguk says lowly, reveling in the way Taehyung's eyes immediately darken.

"You don't even realize the things you do to me." He says tangling his fingers in Jeongguk's dark locks. "I want you so fucking bad, Jeongguk."

"I want you." The ravenette breathes, both of their hearts hammering against their chests as they press their lips together.

Taehyung parts his lips, letting Jeongguk slip his tongue into his mouth and dominate the kiss. He pulls away before it gets too heated. "You only said the whole counter thing to turn me on right?"

"Partly."

"Partly meaning you want~"

"Yes, fuck, yes."