"A-And I was tasked to look after you while you're in university."

Taeyong waited for Jaehyun's response. He just has his back facing him. The boy just stood there, waiting for an answer but he got was nothing, and the guy just started walking away from him.

"Didn't you hear me?!" the boy asked and tried catching up with the man.

Jaehyun stopped and looked back at him, "The doctor didn't say anything to me, neither my aunt, about you babysitting me."

He is handsome but his attitude isn't very nice.

"Well, because it was supposed to be...a secret...but I was never good at keeping secrets," Taeyong said, "And I'm not going to babysit you. I'm just here to be with you...like a friend."

"A friend?"

Taeyong nodded, "Yeah, someone you can rely on, generally."

"I don't believe you."

Jaehyun said then walked away from Taeyong.

"What?! Jaehyun!"

"Why were you late?"

Taeyong jolted when someone suddenly spoke as he goes out of the lockers room, after he changed his outfit. He just arrived in the clinic, tried to sneak in but then again, he was caught. He was quite clumsy, though it wasn't too obvious.

"I...just needed to fetch something from the dean's office," Taeyong half-lied and dusted his uniform.

Taeil raised an eyebrow at him, "Really?"

"Why do you just randomly ask me like I'm some suspect, hyung?"

He chuckled, "Remember when you got late that time too?" he asked then started walking towards their office, Taeyong following beside, "You told me you got distracted and played with the kitten on the street."

Taeyong groaned, "It was cute!"

"Yeah, I know. Maybe you got distracted to something...or someone, too?"

"N-No!"

"I know when you lie, Yongie..."

"Hyung, just get inside. I'll call the owner."

Taeyong went to the reception room and called out the name of the kitten. The owner stood up with the cage. Taeyong smiled warmly and led them into Taeil's office.

For now, the boy is an assistant and lets the older do the work. Part-times are required in his curriculum so he has to spent his whole semester working and learning, at the same time. Taeyong quite considered this as a therapy to him. Seeing animals really make him happy and he would surely enjoy working everyday with them.

While Taeil speaks with the owner, Taeyong was left petting the white kitten who was quite fond of him. The boy softly giggled and never mind the tiny scratches he's getting on his knuckles. The kitten just kind of have a stomach problem that's why the owner brought her here.

When the session finished, the owner thanked them before she goes with the kitten.

"You don't have any plans to adopt again?" Taeil asked.

"I'm planning...to have fishes."

"Really?"

Taeyong nodded, "They're cute and quiet. I like them. I'll name them by fruit," then his eyes went over to the picture frame on Taeil's desk, "Luana like fishes too. Maybe I'll give her one."

"Don't. She'll push me to buy more."

Luana is Taeil's adopted daughter. She doesn't really look and feel like she's adopted. She's been with Taeil from day one. Just like any other cliche stories, Luana was left on Taeil's doorstep that rainy night. But because the older was still studying, he had to put Luana in an adoption center but he would drop by and spend some time with the kid. After he graduated, he adopted the little girl.

Up to this day, they're inseperable.

"Then how is his other father?" Taeyong asked with a teasing smile and eyebrows wiggling.

The older looked confused, "What?"

"Doyoung? How is Doyoung?"

"He's fine, and he's not the other father!"

Taeyong shrugged, "Okay, whatever you say."

"How about you then? You don't have anyone yet?" the older asked then goes to pick up some documents.

"Priorities."

The older chuckled, "Uh-huh...Alright, I know you don't want to say anything so go out and bring the next one."

Taeyong doesn't want to tell them about Jaehyun yet. That guy needs to fix his attitude because surely, he'll be a pain in the ass. If he understands Taeyong just wanting to help him, then maybe Jaehyun could give a nicer attitude.

Though thinking about his condition would be harder. Surely, he's just pushing people away because he's afraid. Good thing Taeyong wasn't a person who gives up that easily.

After work, Taeyong came back home by a taxi. He would really love to have a license by now but apparently, he still has a lot of things to do. Taking the taxi or calling someone to pick him up could be really annoying. Just a few more months, he can do whatever he wants by then.

Upon walking into his home, he was just passing by the hallway and into their living room. He jolted when he saw his mother by the couch with her arms crossed and a 'you did something wrong' face.

"You scared me..." Taeyong uttered, having his hand on his chest and felt his heart beating fast.

His mother hummed, "Before I say anything, you go first."

"Wait, did I do anything wrong?"

"Why do you think I'm here with my arms and face like this?"

Taeyong slowly nodded and hummed, "Is it...about my grades?"

She just raised and eyebrow at him, "Are you really clueless?"

"Mom, I really am. I just got into university this morning, then gone to work, then here," the boy uttered.

"You won't say anything about what happened to you and Jaehyun today?"

Taeyong's eyes widened, "He...told you?"

"Yong, you just can't do that..."

"Mom, I was trying to help--"

"You can help anyone, but not people like him," she uttered and stood from the couch.

The boy furrowed his eyebrows, "What? What are you saying?"

She sighed, "People like him are...complicated, okay? Jaehyun isn't someone you can normally interact with. He's different--"

"That's why I can't be friends with him? Because he's different? Mom, you told me not to leave someone behind," the boy said confusingly, his voice rising. Whatever his mother is saying, he found it very pointless.

"Taeyong, you won't understand him--"

"No one will understand him if no one tries to."

Taeyong grew up wanting to help everyone. The way his mother pushing him not to give help to Jaehyun was stupid. He was quite determined that he'll be able to 'fix' someone like Jaehyun, although he never encountered someone like him. There was no guarantee but Taeyong believes in himself. Jaehyun is worth understanding, even though he could be a hard shell to crack.

The mother sighed and had her hand on her forehead before she looked at his son. She never heard Taeyong speak like that to her, specifically fighting for what he wants.

"Tell me...why are you putting yourself into something you don't know? You're neither scared or nervous, by the looks of it. Is it because he's mentally ill? You pity him because there's something wrong with him?" she asked.

"I want to help him because no one can."

A/N:  i'm having a hard time building up jaeyong interaction bc i just gave jaehyun a very bad attitude that is hard to work on

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but i hope everyone is having a good day/ weekend :D

Love lots ♥