"Is it okay if I drop by your place from time to time?" Jimin asked before going inside his house. "I think my.... Uh.... My parents would let me, so I guess it's okay."

"Alright! Oh yeah, before I forget, here's my number," Jimin said as he gestured for Taehyung to hand over his phone. Taehyung took it out from his pocket and gave it to Jimin. After Jimin was done typing, he gave it back to Taehyung waving goodbye and went inside his house. Taehyung went inside his house as well, and was met by Namjoon's mom.

Taehyung bowed, still feeling the pain in his abdomen, and said, "good evening, Mrs. Kim."

"Oh Taehyung, no need to bow. It makes me a tad bit uncomfortable when you call me Mrs. Kim, so you can call me mom from now on, okay?" Mrs. Kim smiled, her request taking Taehyung quite aback. "O-Okay, m-mom," Taehyung stammered, as he tried to say it. "I'm sorry, if it's too much of a burden for you, you don't have to call me that. It might've been too inconsiderate of me to request of that."

Taehyung smiled. "It's okay, I'll try my best to work on it. Should I call Mr. Kim, dad, too?" Taehyung asked. "He would be glad to. I'm making dinner so you can come down by seven, alright?" Mrs. Kim said and Taehyung nodded. Taehyung went upstairs and stood in front of Namjoon's door. He was hesitant, but he knocked om the door. He heard a, "come in." from the other side, so he slowly opened the door. He peeked inside and saw Namjoon reading a manhwa.

Taehyung placed his bag on his mattress, and opened up his luggage filled with clothes. He took his clothes and walked inside the bathroom. Namjoon looked at the door and back to his manhwa.

After Taehyung took a bath, the two boys were called down for dinner. While having dinner, the interrogation begun. "Taehyung, what's happened to your face? You have cuts a bruises," Mrs. Kim asked, concerned for Taehyung's well-being.

"Oh, uh, nothing I just, fell off the stairs," Taehyung lied. He wouldn't really want to worry his second parents if he told them he was being bullied. Namjoon glanced at Taehyung, and continued eating. "Oh... Is that so?" Mrs. Kim just nodded, but not really believing it. "Namjoon, if someone's bothering your brother, please protect him."

"I still don't accept him as my brother," Namjoon bluntly said. "He should be able to fight for himself, we're both men," Namjoon added. You were the one who saved me after all. Taehyung thought. "Kim Namjoon," Mrs. Kim said sternly and glared at Namjoon. Namjoon just rolled his eyes. Breaking the two's tension Mr. Kim asked, "Did Jihyo treat you well?"

"You know Jihyo-ssi?" Taehyung asked in a bit of surprise. Mr. Kim laughed. "Well of course, she's my daughter!" Taehyung was in shock. "For real?"

"Yep, didn't Namjoon tell you?" Taehyung shook his head. "Well, I hope they both take care of you in school, you're part of the family now." Mr. Kim smiled, and in return Taehyung smiled.

After they were done eating, Taehyung went inside the kitchen and helped the dishwasher. "Oh, you don't need to help me, I'm plenty fine," the woman said. "Oh, noona, it's fine, I can do it! I'm not used to doing nothing at home, so please let me." The dishwasher looked hesitant, but let Taehyung help. Mrs. Kim stood outside of the kitchen and smiled at how hardworking Taehyung was. Namjoon passed her by, and she slapped Namjoon on his back. "Ow! What'd you do that for?!" Namjoon complained. "You should go and help Taehyung." Namjoon scratched his head. "But Nina noona is already helping him."

"Well, it's your chance to get closer to Taehyung. Isn't he a beaut?" Mrs. Kim asked as she admired Taehyung. "Mom, how many times do I have to tell you, I'm not gay?" Mrs. Kim nudged him forward. "C'mon, go help him."

"Nina-ssi! I need your help with something~" Mrs. Kim requested, and with her words Nina quickly accompanied Mrs. Kim, leaving Taehyung and Namjoon alone together. Why do I have such a troublesome mother? Namjoon thought. He walked over to Taehyung and helped him washing in the other sink. "Ah, Namjoon hyung, you don't have to h----"

"Mom told me to help," Namjoon interrupted and just continued washing the dishes. They were entrapped in silence and Taehyung was a bit nervous. He wanted to thank Namjoon for saving him this morning, but he was too scared to speak up. Namjoon can feel Taehyung's tense, so he spoke up, "if you have something to say, say it now or forever hold your piece."

Taehyung flinched. "Uhm, uh.... Th-Thanks for saving me this morning." Taehyung was finally relieved that he could say what he had to say, if not he'll end up thinking about it the whole night. "No problem," Namjoon answered shortly. Taehyung thought that even though it was no problem for Namjoon, he was really thankful and happy.

The two boys had finally finished their chore, and headed upstairs. As Taehyung went in, he flopped down on his bed, and wore his specs. He took out some books from his bag and started studying while listening to music. Namjoon caught himself stealing glances, and tried focusing on his manhwa, but he did think Taehyung looked good in glasses. Namjoon sighed and closed the manhwa he was reading. He quickly brushed his teeth and called it an early night.

~~

It wasn't normal for Namjoon to wake up in the middle of the night, but he can hear Taehyung's soft sobs and mumbling. Is he having a nightmare again? Namjoon thought. He opened his phone to look at the time, and it was two am. Namjoon quietly turned to his right side to take a peek at Taehyung. Taehyung turned around, and Namjoon confirmed that he was having a nightmare.

I can't just leave him like this. Namjoon thought, so he didn't hesitate to go down from his bed and onto Taehyung's mattress. He immediately engulfed Taehyung in a warm hug, and after a few minutes, Taehyung calmed down, his deep breaths of relief enough to out Namjoon to sleep.