____________________________________________

Jungkook giggled, a little bit of icing being smeared on his cheek by Jin, who was also laughing at the boy fondly.

"You're finally 12, Koo! What wish did you make when you blew out the candles?" Namjoon asked, ruffling Jungkook's hair.

"If I told you, it wouldn't happen!" Jungkook said, giggling at him. Namjoon pursed his lips in fake sadness but then chuckled at the cute boy who was overly excited to be surrounded by gifts and cake.

He knew what his wish was. His wish was for a good year where no one is mean to him! He knows it sounds a little far-fetched, but he doesn't know why everyone is always in such a bad mood. Everyone just needs to lighten up a little.

He's always a little scared of the boys, if he's honest. If he messes up, he gets yelled at by his brother or Namjoon or his father until he's reduced to nothing but a puddle of his own tears. All he wants is for them to not yell mean things at him. That's all.

"Do you wanna open the gifts?" Hoseok asked, and Jungkook nodded hurriedly, seeing some gifts wrapped in red and yellow wrapping paper. It made Jungkook oh-so-happy! To see that the boys actually took the time out of their busy days to buy Jungkook a gift!

Yoongi grabbed one of the gifts and placed it onto Jungkook's hands. Before Jungkook could open it, the door to the living room burst open and in walked Junghyun, a cocky smirk on his face.

"Jungkook! Happy Birthday little brother. I've got you a gift too." Junghyun said loudly, making Jungkook look at him with big eyes.

His 15 year old brother- who never gave him the time of day- got him a gift for his birthday? That was.. very new. He never even wished him.. let alone buy him a gift.

Nonetheless, Jungkook was excited. "Oh! Really? Thank you!" Jungkook squeaked in awe, seeing the wrapped gift Junghyun was holding. It was a big rectangular shaped box, so Jungkook got more giddy.

"Open mine first." Junghyun said, holding the box out.

"But Yoongi gave me his-"

"I said open mine first, Jungkook." Junghyun snapped, so Jungkook nodded and placed Yoongi's gift on the floor beside him, grabbing Junghyun's

The other boys looked confused as well.. as it wasn't like Junghyun to do something like this. They all had a bad feeling, and saw as Junghyun smirked and leaned against the wall next to the sofa, taking out a cigarette and lighter.

"Junghyun, no smoking. You're only 15-"

"Stop telling me what to do, Namjoon. I'm not a kid anymore." Junghyun, turning his attention back to Jungkook, letting out a smoke.

Jungkook ripped open the package in excitement, hearing more footsteps enter the room. He looked up and saw his father. Everyone was here! Jungkook had never been so happy. He never got attention or love. This was a first.

Jungkook opened the package quickly, hearing his father walk closer to them. Jungkook took the box out and opened it, ruffling through the paper inside, before finding the gift.

The moment Jungkook saw it, Junghyun burst into laughter, clutching his stomach tightly. The boys rolled their eyes or pursed their lips in upset. Jin looked at Junghyun angrily- but then looked back down when he saw Jungkook's father chuckling as well.

Jungkook's eyes were big, cheeks flushed. It was a dress. A pink dress. With frills and fluffy shoulders and lace trimmings. Jungkook bunched the dress up and put it back into the box, feeling a pang in his stomach upon seeing his brother laugh.

It reminded him of what happened around 3 weeks ago. When his drunk father dragged him into the living room and humiliated him in front of everyone. And when Jungkook cried, he got yelled at for not being a man.

"I-it's not funny, Junghyun!" Jungkook let out pathetically, and Jin placed his hand on his back, as if quietning him.

"Aww, she's getting upset." Junghyun mocked, and the laughter grew louder, and Jungkook stepped back, looking down at the floor, trying not to get tears in his eyes.

"Junghyun, stop referring to your brother as a 'she'. He doesn't like it." Jin said in a hushed voice, and Dokeun scoffed.

"Let the boy become a man, Jin." Dokeun said, and Jungkook held onto Jin's arm. "I don't want to see you crying, Jungkook. Don't be a pussy. Be a Jeon. Now- I want all this mess cleared up by tonight. Namjoon, tell me if there's any new information." Dokeun said, before walking out of the room.

Jungkook looked at Jin and then began crying, not being able to stop the tears from flowing down his face. Jin leant down, hugging him tightly, patting his back.

"See what you did?" Jin snapped, seeing the other boys walk away, not wanting to get caught up in something.

"Oh please, Jin. She cries at everything. I thought Jungkook would like the frock. Wanted to be a princess so bad, now he can look like one too." Junghyun continued with a smirk, and Jungkook turned to him in anger, tears making his cheeks puffy.

"I-I-I'm not a girl!" Jungkook squeaked out, and Junghyun walked up to him.

"You sure act like one." Junghyun growled, and Jungkook cowered back in fear. Junghyun grabbed the box with the dress in it and shoved it into Jungkook's hands.

"No- you know what'd be funnier? You should wear the dress, Jungkook. Then father can get drunk again and we can all have a little bit of fun upon you in your true form." Junghyun said, an evil glint in his eyes.

Jungkook shook his head, moving back from him. "I-I don't want to-"

"Junghyun, stop-"

"Shut up, Jin! Jungkook, you better not be disobeying your brothers. I got you a gift, the least you can do is show a bit of gratitude. God- you're such a brat."

Jungkook blinked back tears. "Now get the fuck out of here and go to your room. My friend's are coming, and I don't need them seeing my faggot brother walking around." Junghyun snapped, and Jungkook opened his mouth to say something, but then saw Junghyun look at him in anger.

"I said go!" Junghyun shouted, and Jungkook nodded hurriedly, rushing out of the living room with his blurred vision, stomach twisted in anguish.

"Why do you have to treat him so badly? What did he do to you?" Jin snapped, and Junghyun snickered, plopping himself down in front of the tv, grabbing his playstation remote.

"Fuck off, Jin. He's probably crying like the toddler he is and needs your help." Junghyun snarked, and Jin sighed.

He reached for Jungkook's gifts and slice of cake that was left, but Junghyun looked at Jin holding the things. "Leave me the cake. I'm hungry."

Jin pursed his lips. "Junghyun, it's for Jungkook. The cake was really small and he wanted to eat his slice after opening the gifts, just let him-"

"Why're you talking? I said leave me the cake, didn't I?" Junghyun snapped, and Jin placed the plate onto the table, taking a deep breath as to not lash out at Junghyun.

Jin walked up the stairs and reached Jungkook's room, opening it and finding Jungkook on the bed, the pink dress and box in the dustbin, crying loudly.

Jin cooed softly and placed the gifts onto the bed, sitting down beside him and rubbing his back.

"Hey, hey don't cry. I'm sorry- you didn't deserve that, Kook. Junghyun's just a meanie. He didn't mean the things he said. None of what he said was true." Jin said softly, and Jungkook continued crying.

Jungkook turned to Jin and hugged him tightly, Jin hugging him back. "H-he's s-so mean to me-"

"I know, pet. I wish he wasn't. I'll make sure he gets yelled at, okay?" Jin said, and Jungkook nodded, but knew Jin wouldn't do anything.

"Can I have some of the cake now?" Jungkook asked, and saw Jin's face crumble a little.

"I'm sorry, Koo. Junghyun took it. I told him not to, but-" Jin started, and Jungkook's shoulders fell.

"Oh. That's... alright. Jin, can we watch a movie tonight? You used to watch Lion King with me all the time! B-but we haven't for so long, pleaseeee Jin?" Jungkook asked, clutching onto his hands.

"...Your father's holding a party tonight.. a-and we all have to be there..I'm sor-"

"A party?" Jungkook asked, eyes brightening a bit. "What-what kind? Is it for me?" Jungkook squeaked, smiling a little, getting hopeful.

"Not really... it-it's for.. something else. Don't worry, Kook. It's be full of adults. You wouldn't want to be there anyway." Jin explained, wanting to get past this topic.

"What's the party for then?" Jungkook asked, frowning. Jin felt like dying on the inside.

"It's.. um.. it's for Junghyun. He...he finished his gun training recently and did quite well so your father is.. um.. throwing him a party." Jin finished, and then saw Jungkook's eyes widen in confusion.

"O-on my birthday?" Jungkook piped in a small voice, and Jin felt even worse.

"I'm sorry, bub. We talked to your father and told him today was a bad date.. but-"

"Can I be there too? Then-then maybe, i-if there's a cake, I can have a bit of it! A-and-" Jungkook started, and Jin shook his head.

"You'll get bored, Kook-"

"I'll get more bored sitting here alone! Please, Jin? I'll only be there for a little while! And then I'll come up, I promise!"

"Kook, your father doesn't-"

"Just try to ask him, Jin! Ask Namjoon to ask him!" Jungkook asked, and Jin closed his eyes, and then the floor creaked, and both Jin and Jungkook turned to the doorway to see Namjoon with his arms crossed.

"Your father doesn't want you to be there." Namjoon said bluntly, and saw Jungkook cower, confused.

"W-why not?"

Jungkook saw Namjoon look away and then slowly look back, looking hesitant to answer. "Koo, it's the same reason he doesn't want you to be in the other parties."

"Because I'm not like my brother.. right." Jungkook said softly, and Namjoon sighed.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do. We ask him every time, he always shuts us down." Namjoon said sadly, and Jungkook cowered, looking down at the floor. "And don't worry, bun. We'll give you your favourite food and try and come to your room." Namjoon said, but Jungkook knew he was lying.

"Even on my birthday.." Jungkook squeaked to himself, seeing Jin stand up when Namjoon told him something.

"Stay here for now, dumpling. We've got some work to do. We'll watch the movie tomorrow, okay?" Jin said, giving him a small smile, before closing the door and locking it from outside.

Jungkook felt tears well in his eyes and then reached forward for the gifts, opening them with his trembling fingers. Through his blurred vision he saw the boys got him two books. One which he'd already read, and one which he'd seen once in Namjoon's room.

Jungkook threw the books at the wall, crying out. He hated his brother so much. He hated him. He wish he'd just die sometimes. Even his father. He hates his brother and his father. He hates all of them. He wishes he could run away from home.

Jungkook curled into a ball on his bed, covering his face with his hands, crying into them. And here he was thinking people actually cared about him.. yeah right.

And later that night, when Jungkook was still teary, just watching Tangled on his laptop because it made him feel better, he heard loud knocking on his door. He'd been hearing loud music and laughter from outside his bedroom all evening, but this was the first knocking he'd gotten.

"Come out come out princess! Show my friends your stupid dress!" Junghyun's loud voice shouted, followed by various voices laughing. His words were slurred, most definitely drunk.

"C'mon, Jungkook! My friends wanna see you~" Junghyun cackled loudly, his laugh making Jungkook hide against the closet, knocks continuously ramming the door. He was scared he'd come in and force Jungkook into the dress or something.

"G-go away!2 Jungkook let out meekly.

"Oh, would you look at that. Well, let's not upset her, guys. C'mon- let's go smoke some weed. Bye bye, Kookie!" Junghyun shouted, kicking his door loudly, making Jungkook flinch, before leaving whilst laughing with his friends.

Jungkook sat down on his bed, hugging his pillow tightly. He wished he had someone. Someone who cares. Someone who would actually protect and defend him. Maybe one day, Jungkook though- teardrops falling onto his pillow.

_______________________

Jungkook was walking towards his room, a little bit of a skip in his step. He hadn't been sleeping in his own room lately, only in Taehyung's. He was in such a good mood.

When Jungkook woke up that morning, Taehyung was there, looking weirdly distraught. He hadn't been there all night, and Jungkook hadn't asked. He just sat up on his bed and asked Taehyung is he was alright, but Taehyung just reached forward and held Jungkook in his arms for a whole hour, kissing him softly all over.

Jungkook loved it so much, giggling and kissing Taehyung back, He loved the feeling of being loved.. being held.. having someone. Someone who would.. well, protect and defend him. Everytime Taehyung looked at him, Jungkook felt like hugging him tightly and telling him he loved him.

But he never did. Somewhere he was scared that Taehyung doesn't love him back.. but that fear would go away with ever kiss Taehyung gave him. It all felt so real. It felt like Taehyung loved him back. So maybe Jungkook could tell him. Perhaps tonight.

Jungkook reached his bedroom and saw it was open. Weird.. why would anyone enter it? Maybe to clean it..

Jungkook opened the door and entered his room. His eyebrows furrowed when he saw a white box on the bed. Jungkook got confused and turned towards the hallway outside the room.

"Jin? What's this box?" Jungkook asked loudly, but didn't receive a response. Jungkook walked over to his bed and grabbed the box.

There was a note. It read 'Do you miss me?'. Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows and opened the box timidly.There was white package paper, which Jungkook threw aside to see what was inside. When Jungkook saw it, he froze.

A pink dress.

Jungkook gasped and dropped the box on the bed with his eyes widened, face paling. Jungkook walked back, his back hitting the wall.

"Taehyung?" Jungkook called loudly, fear invading his body. "Taehyung!" Jungkook screamed louder, and the door burst open, and in walked Taehyung and Namjoon as well, both wondering why Jungkook was screaming.

Taehyung walked over to Jungkook and Jungkook fell into his arms, feeling Taehyung wrap his arms around his waist. Namjoon walked over to the box and saw what was inside. He read the note, and his eyes widened.

"Isn't this the dress that-" Namjoon started, and Jungkook nodded quickly.

"Yes. I-I threw it away! I threw it away that day, Namjoon!" Jungkook said wearily, and saw Taehyung looking angrily at the box. Jungkook burrowed his head in the crevice of Taehyung's neck, and Taehyung held him tightly.

"What kind of sick joke is this?" Namjoon snapped angrily, and then looked at Taehyung.

"Do you know anything about this?" Namjoon asked, and Taehyung shook his head. "Why would I?" Taehyung snapped with a confused look on his face.

Namjoon pursed his lips and walked out of the room, walking over to Dokeun's office. Taehyung saw him walking towards there and rushed outside Jungkook's room, holding Jungkook's hand tightly. Taehyung and Jungkook rushed towards Dokeun's office and Jungkook pulled his hand away as they opened the door and entered.

Dokeun was standing up, hands against the table. "This isn't good, Namjoon. If someone knows about Junghyun, then-" Dokeun started, but then saw Taehyung and Jungkook and quietened down.

"Jungkook, when did you get that box?" Dokeun asked upon seeing the young boy, who fumbled with his fingers.

"I-I don't know. This morning, I think.." Jungkook trailed.

"What do you mean 'you think'? You would've seen it if it was delivered this morning or last night, right? Clearly it happened after you woke up-"

"But sir, our cameras haven't caught anything from 6am till now. They went out of order at 3am exactly." Namjoon explained, and Dokeun looked at Jungkook.

"Jungkook how come you didn't see the box if it was supposedly put on your bed at 3 o'clock in the morning?" Dokeun snapped, and Jungkook gulped.

Before Jungkook could respond, Namjoon spoke up. "He fell asleep in the lounge, sir." Namjoon lied, looking at Jungkook. Jungkook thanked him silently.

"Alright.. but still, how did this intruder get into our house and place this stupid object in Jungkook's room? What the fuck were the guards doing? Namjoon, if they were sleeping or not doing their job, then shoot them right now-"

"I think I know what happened, sir." Taehyung spoke up, and all eyes fell upon him. Dokeun cocked his eyebrow.

"What?"

"I think maybe.. it was someone from the inside." Taehyung said, and Namjoon furrowed his eyebrows. Jungkook looked confused as well.

"No way-" Namjoon began, but Taehyung cut him off.

"Think about it. The windows are sealed, right? Plus- the only place the cameras shut off were in the inside of the house. Not outside." Taehyung explained, and Dokeun's eyes darkened.

"Who the fuck could be doing something like this from inside the house? Why would they?"

"Maybe to scare us. Maybe they know something, sir. They're just trying to rile us up." Taehyung said curtly, and Dokeun snickered, raising his glass of whiskey and taking a swig.

"It's definitely working. If I found out someone, anyone, in this house is going behind my back- I will have their head chopped off. Do you know anyone who would do something like this, Namjoon?" Dokeun asked, and Namjoon shook his head.

"I need someone to work on this. Namjoon, you're quite busy with the whole gang threat thing. Is Yoongi free? Or perhaps Jin?" Dokeun asked, and Namjoon pursed his lips.

"They're both quite busy as well." Namjoon said.

"I could do it!" Jungkook said, and Dokeun completely ignored him.

"Quiet, Jungkook." Dokeun said, and Jungkook frowned.

"But father, I-I can help!"

"Please, son, shut up. Namjoon, take him outside." Dokeun snapped, and Jungkook looked down, confused. Namjoon nodded and then placed his hand on Jungkook's back and lead him outside.

Taehyung was about to go out as well, but Dokeun stopped him. "Wait Taehyung."

Taehyung turned to Dokeun, who looked like the wheels were turning in his head. "You know what I realized?" Dokeun said slowly, voice gravitating.

Taehyung was a little confused, gulping. "You've been getting us a lot of information on the Wangs. Vital information that makes me wonder how you got it." Dokeun said slowly, and Taehyung tried to keep a calm composure.

"I think you should help me find out who in this house is working behind my back." Dokeun said.

Taehyung grinned, but inside, it's like his mind was brimming with confidence and he was trying his hardest to hide his cocky smirk. "Of course, sir."

"And listen, Taehyung. I want you to look into everyone. For the short time you've been here, you've done well." Dokeun said, and Taehyung could tell that wasn't the only reason he was asking him.

"You're also close to my son. Now I want you to look beyond the fact that he's my kin- and find out if he might be working behind my back." Dokeun said, and Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows.

"Your own son, sir? Sounds irrational." Taehyung said, and Dokeun chuckled while taking a sip of the golden-brown liquid in his glass.

"You never know who to trust, Taehyung." Dokeun said, and Taehyung nodded curtly and then walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Mission : Accomplished.

Of course, now he has to make sure there is no way of finding out that he, indeed, did place that box in Jungkook's bedroom.

____________________________________________