⇜⇝⇜⇝⇜⇝

Taehyung walked along the sandy pathway, towards an old pound shop downtown. They walked past the vacant streets, full of broken down houses and dirty dogs running around. It wasn't a nice place to live at all, but Taehyung went to the neighborhood often. The unit ship sold things for cheap, and Taehyung took it, cleaned it, and sold it for higher prices.

A spaceship passed overhead, zooming past the sky. Jungkook stopped while walking and pointed up at the sky. "Boom!" Jungkook said. Taehyung hummed, looking at him.

"Boom indeed. Now c'mon, let's get to the shop before it's too sunny." Taehyung said, walking down with Jungkook.

Holding Jungkook's hand was annoying at first, but Taehyung was kind of used it to now. It was like mold, it fit perfectly. Jungkook's hand was slightly smaller, and Jungkook's fingers grasped onto his hand tightly. Taehyung looked at Jungkook.

"More boom boom." Jungkook pleaded.

"I can't control when spaceships fly overhead, Jungkook," Taehyung said, chuckling. Jungkook stomped his foot on the ground angrily but kept walking.

They reached the unit shop, and Taehyung walked into the store and cringed at the smell of feet. Like, the whole store smelt like feet. Taehyung ignored it and looked around at the trinkets and little gadgets lying around. Everything was for 5 units at most.

Taehyung took some thins and quickly put them in a little basket. He walked around, finding things that he knew he could pretend were exemplary and gain a lot of money from it. Taehyung grinned when he found what looked like old phones.

Jungkook reached out and grabbed what looked like a blue piece of shiny plastic. "Jungkook wants," Jungkook said.

"I'm not spending money on garbage, Jungkook," Taehyung said. Jungkook looked at him, eyes big. "B-but Jungkook wants!"

"Well, I guess Jungkook won't get everything he wants. That's how real life works, buddy." Taehyung sighed, and Jungkook frowned sadly.

Taehyung took a few more things, sighing to himself. A month ago, he'd gotten a clock, fixed it with some simple tweaks, and sold it for almost 200 units. Now, he wasn't getting anything too amazing. Taehyung decided to give up and walked to the cashier, holding Jungkook's hand.

He put the basket on the desk. The woman working behind the desk smiled at Taehyung. "Hey, I remember seeing you last time. Nice hair." She snickered. Taehyung grinned sheepishly. His hair used to be black, so the sudden change must be weird.

"I-it is blue," Jungkook said. The lady looked at Jungkook and nodded in confusion, going back to check the items.

"Wh-What is your name?" Jungkook asked. The woman looked up. "Oh, I'm Irene." She said, giving him a small smile. Jungkook nodded. "I am Jungkook!" Jungkook responded.

Taehyung nudged Jungkook's side, and then cleared his throat. "How much is it?" Taehyung asked. Irene checked the total. "30 units." She said. Taehyung nodded and took the money out, leaving Jungkook's hand.

"H-hold hand..." Jungkook squeaked softly, and Taehyung grumbled at him to shut up. Jungkook held onto Taehyung's shoulder while Taehyung took the money out and gave it to Irene. Irene took it and took out a brown paper bag to put the things in.

"I-Irene," Jungkook said, and Irene looked at him again. "W-what is... favorite color of-of I-Irene?" Jungkook asked, voice high. Irene looked confused for a second, and Taehyung looked at him, embarrassed.

"Jungkook, shut up." Taehyung gritted his teeth. Taehyung quickly grabbed the brown bag full of things. "Thanks," Taehyung said to Irene, before walking out of the store.

Jungkook rushed after him. "T-Taehyung-" Jungkook let out, looking stressed while running up to him. Taehyung rolled his eyes and reached his hand out. Jungkook grabbed his hand with both of his smaller ones, blinking his big eyes in relief.

"Don't talk to people like that, okay?" Taehyung said. Jungkook looked at him. "B-but Jungkook talks t-to Taehyung-"

"That's different. If you talk to others, they're realize you're not from around here." Taehyung said. Jungkook looked confused but nodded, closing his mouth.

While walking towards the marketplace, Taehyung looked at Jungkook. He was making some weird clicking sound while walking. Taehyung looked at his pants and then saw two massive bulges on the crotch.

"Wha-" Taehyung began and then realized the boy had his pockets stuffed full. "Jungkook, what's in your pocket?"

Jungkook reached into his pockets and took out that blue piece of plastic, a small banana keychain, and a Mario action figure. "J-Jungkook wants so he takes."

"No! Jungkook, stop stealing things! Taking things without paying for them is wrong. Do you get that? If someone finds out, I'll be in huge trouble!" Taehyung snapped, looking at him.

Jungkook blinked his big eyes. "B-but-" Jungkook said, and then put the things back in his pockets. Taehyung let Jungkook's hand go and grabbed the blue plastic and Mario figure from Jungkook's hands. Taehyung tsked, realizing the store was ages behind. He didn't want to go and return all the stuff...

Ugh, they probably won't need this stuff anyway. Taehyung felt horrible, but he decided to chuck the plastic and Mario thingy away. Jungkook let out a strangled sound, widening his eyes. "Why is T-Taehyung throwing?"

"Because we shouldn't have it if we stole it-" Taehyung began. Jungkook put the banana keychain in his mouth.

Taehyung looked at him in disbelief. "Jungkook. Spit it out." Taehyung said sternly. Jungkook shook his head, cheeks big.

"Jungkook," Taehyung said again, slowly. Jungkook looked at him with doe eyes. "Spit. It. Out."

Jungkook spit it out onto the floor and then stepped on it. "T-Taehyung will not get babana either," Jungkook grumbled, making the keychain all dirty.

Taehyung scoffed. "I don't want it, you dumb brat! God, you're helpless. Let's go. I've had enough of your bullshit for a day." Taehyung said, pushing Jungkook along.

Jungkook put his hand out to grab Taehyung. "No. No hand holding. You're being annoying. Just shut up and stick with me until we get home."

Jungkook's bottom lip wobbled for a second. "Ju-Jungkook doesn't u-understand-"

"You never do. Follow me." Taehyung said, and then began walking towards the closed-off markets. He found the vendor behind the glass, a little hole in the glass for people to take the money in. The line was relatively short, Taehyung was glad.

Taehyung got into the line, and turned around and saw Jungkook ages behind, looking scared, rushing towards him. Taehyung sighed. "C'mon, Jungkook. Is it so hard to follow me?"

"Jungkook is sorry," Jungkook said, standing beside him, and itching over to grab his hand- but then remembering what Taehyung said and letting his arm drop down, whimpering. Taehyung ignored it and moved forward in the line.

"80 units." The vendor gruffed to the old woman in front of Taehyung. She took the money and left. "Next!"

Taehyung reached forward and dumped all the stuff one by one. The vendor looked at the phone and watch and other trinkets Taehyung had amassed. "Hm." The vendor said, and Taehyung waited nervously. "This could be helpful. Alright, 200 units."

"Really?" Taehyung asked, smiling. "Great!" Taehyung said and took the money bills. Taehyung walked away from the line, counting the money in his hands.

Taehyung grinned to himself, counting the total 200 units. He suddenly heard a loud voice. "Move!" A man shouted. Taehyung turned around. Jungkook was still in the front of the line, looking around for Taehyung. "If you have nothing to sell then leave, the fuck are you standing around for?"

Taehyung sighed, shoving the money in his pocket. "Jungkook!" Taehyung called, and Jungkook turned to look at Taehyung. Jungkook ran towards him, eyes big and scared. Taehyung rolled his eyes when Jungkook almost stumbled over himself, but nonetheless reached Taehyung.

"Are you okay? Don't do that, Jungkook. Just follow me, it really shouldn't be this difficult. Stop getting so distracted." Taehyung said. Jungkook nodded hastily.

Taehyung turned to start walking, and this time Jungkook followed close, not making any sound. Taehyung walked away from the market place and stopped when he felt a tug on his arm. Taehyung looked at Jungkook and then saw the android looking towards something.

Jungkook was looking at the ice cream cart. There was a young guy selling all kinds of ice cream in cones. Two little children took cones with two scoops of ice cream and then ran away giggling.

"W-what is?" Jungkook asked, pointing. Taehyung looked at Jungkook. "It's ice cream. Do you want some? We could get some," Taehyung said, seeing it was only 5 units for one cones. Jungkook nodded.

Taehyung walked over to the cart. "Pick what you want," Taehyung said, and Jungkook looked wide-eyed and excited wile glancing at the numerous flavors. The ice cream guy chuckled at his excitement.

"Have you never had ice cream before or something?" The guy laughed. Taehyung tensed. Jungkook looked at the guy and then bit onto his knuckles, shaking his head. Taehyung tapped Jungkook's wrist lightly, and Jungkook pulled his hand away.

"W-want this one!" Jungkook squeaked. Taehyung looked at it, and then looked at the ice cream guy. "One mint chocolate, and one strawberry," Taehyung said.

"Strawbe-wee?" Jungkook asked Taehyung, mispronouncing as usual. Taehyung looked at Jungkook. "Hey, stop talking," Taehyung said quietly. Jungkook nodded, just waiting for his ice cream excitedly.

The ice cream guy gave them both the cones of the light green ice cream and strawberry. Taehyung paid, and then walked away quickly, grabbing Jungkook's hand this time.

Jungkook licked at the ice cream eagerly, getting it all over his mouth and nose. Taehyung just walked back to their house faster while licking his own strawberry ice cream. They finally reached home, and Taehyung almost hurriedly pushed Jungkook in, getting in himself and locking the door behind him.

Taehyung sighed to himself, finishing the last bits of his ice cream. Jungkook was messily eating the cone, some of the mint chocolate dripping down his hands. Taehyung rolled his eyes. "Go clean up. I taught you how last time." Taehyung said. Jungkook finished the cone and nodded, licking his fingers while walking to the bathroom.

Taehyung cleaned up his hands in the kitchen sink and then decided to make some sandwiches for him and Jungkook. Taehyung took out bread, ham, cheese, etcetera, and placed them on the kitchen counter. He got startled when he heard the doorbell go off.

Taehyung walked over to the door, confused as to who would show up. He opened the door and blinked. "Oh!"

"Taehyung!" Jimin said excitedly, lunging forward and wrapping his arms around Taehyung's neck. Taehyung let out a woah, wrapping his arms around Jimin's waist tightly. Jimin was a hugger. Was like a koala bear at times. Taehyung found it endearing.

"What're you doing here? Don't you have work?" Taehyung asked, concerned. Jimin shook his head. "I have an off today. Hobi's still at work, and I got bored so I came over. I haven't seen you for days!"  

"I know, sorry. I've just been... um... busy." Taehyung chuckled. Jimin hummed, pulling away from the hug.

"That's okay," Jimin said, and then grinned. "Hey! You said you'd dye your hair back within the first week. Your hair's still bright ass blue, baby." Jimin said, and Taehyung rolled his eyes with a smile.

"Yeah, it's going to be black again the next time you see me," Taehyung poked Jimin. Jimin giggled, and then froze.

"Taehyung... there's a dude in your kitchen," Jimin whispered softly. Taehyung looked and saw Jungkook standing by the kitchen counter, staring at Jimin and Taehyung with big eyes.

"Oh," Taehyung said, and then gulped. "Um. Yeah. That's- that's Jungkook. He's.... my.... my friend. One of my buddies from-from foster care." Taehyung stammered.

"Ohh! Hey, I'm Jimin." Jimin said, waving at Jungkook. Jungkook looked at Jimin for a few seconds, and then let out a small sound of discomfort and ran over to Taehyung, hiding behind him.

Jimin looked startled. Taehyung had his eyes wide, embarrassed. He grabbed Jungkook from behind him and brought him to his side. "Sorry. He's being funny. Ignore him." Taehyung said dryly, and Jimin nodded, smiling at Jungkook.

"So. Are you here for some time, or are you planning to stay?" Jimin asked. Many people from the countrysides moved to big cities in search of jobs these days.

Taehyung hummed. "He's just here for some time. It's not a big-" Taehyung began, and Jimin chuckled. "Let him speak for himself, Tae. Jeez. Tae's the worst, isn't he?" Jimin joked to Jungkook.

"T-Tae?" Jungkook asked, confused. Taehyung pinched his side.

"Yup. That's my name, Jungkook. Now come on-" Taehyung said, pushing Jungkook along. Jungkook kept looking at Jimin.

"J-Jimim?" Jungkook said, words messed up. "Jimim is friend of Taehyung?" Jungkook asked. Jimin looked awfully confused for a few seconds. Taehyung gulped.

All day Jungkook had been doing dumb stuff that had made people question him and wonder if he was human at all. It was really embarrassing for Taehyung to be around. He cringed at Jungkook's every word. So, finally, Taehyung decided he'd had enough and cleared his throat.

"Jimin, give me one second," Taehyung said, and then grabbed Jungkook from the back and led him towards the bedroom.

"I-is it sleep time?" Jungkook asked loudly. Taehyung pushed him into the bedroom. "Will you shut up? Sit down on the bed and don't touch a thing. Stay in here." Taehyung grumbled, and then closed the door harshly.

Taehyung turned around and smiled at Jimin. "Sorry. He's just new to the city-"

"No Tae, it's fine. Don't worry about it." Jimin said, and then, in a hushed voice. "Not to be rude or anything, but I'm-I'm guessing he has some sort of mental health condition, right?" Jimin asked.

Taehyung stilled for a few seconds and then nodded. "Yeah. Something like that." Taehyung said.

Jimin hummed. He and Taehyung sat down on the couch and talked for some time, just catching up and discussing small things that were going on. In the midst of their talk, the door of Taehyung's bedroom opened and Jungkook peeked through the gap at Jimin and Taehyung.

Taehyung said something to Jimin, and the boy laughed loudly, tipping his head back. "You're so silly," Jimin giggled. Jungkook watched curiously.

"S-so silly," Jungkook repeated to himself softly, feeling the words out. Taehyung laughed.

"Dude your hair looks like straw," Taehyung said. Jimin scoffed and reached forward, messing Taehyung's hair up completely. Jungkook frowned at that.

"J-Jimim is touching b-blue.." Jungkook squeaked in worry. Jimin then rolled off the couch, giggling to himself.

"Okay- I need to go. But I'll see you later, yeah? Come over for dinner sometime. You can bring Jungkook with you." Jimin said. Taehyung snickered. "Probably won't."

Jungkook bit his lip. He shook his head, thinking. Taehyung thinks Jungkook doesn't want to go, but Jungkook does- Jungkook thought. So he rushed out of the bedroom, scared that Taehyung would make him not go.

"N-no! Jungkook wa-wants dinner." Jungkook said, fists bunched up. "P-please."

Taehyung rose up quickly. "I'll see you later, Jimin," Taehyung said, ushering the boy out. Jimin nodded, giving him a quick smile and then leaving. When he did, Taehyung looked at Jungkook.

"Didn't I tell you to stay in there?" Taehyung snapped at him. Jungkook blinked.

"But-but Jungkook w-wants dinner," Jungkook said, and then scratched his head. "T-Taehyung was saying h-he won't take Jungkook-"

"Yeah! Because you act like a freak!" Taehyung let out angrily. Jungkook stopped speaking and looked at Taehyung. Jungkook looked down, hands fiddling with one another.

Taehyung walked past him, towards the kitchen to make them the sandwich. It was frustrating. Every other minute he kept asking himself, was all of this worth it? The boy was stupid and useless and embarrassing to be seen in public with. Telling people he had a 'mental health condition' just felt wrong. It would be rude to do that.

Taehyung took out pieces of bread, laying them onto the plate. He quickly made a ham sandwich and then smacked it onto a plate and placed it on the counter for Jungkook to take. Jungkook walked over to the counter. "Th-thank," Jungkook said.

Taehyung hummed, took his own plate, and walked into his bedroom, closing the door behind him and locking it. He sat down on his bed, sighing to himself. He placed the plate on the side, not feeling that hungry. He looked outside the window, at how dusty it was getting. A dust storm would probably take place later.

"Taehyung!" Jungkook called from outside, knocking on his door. "C-can Taehyung feed Jungkook? P-please!"

Taehyung kept quiet, taking his phone out and checking texts. "T-Taehyung?" Jungkook asked, knocking again. Taehyung heard the silence and assumed Jungkook left. The blue haired boy scrolled through his recent messages and then heard another knock on his door.

Taehyung gritted his teeth and took a deep breath to not lash out. "Jungkook, could you leave me alone for a bit?"

"O-okay. Jungkook i-is sorry." Jungkook said, and Taehyung sighed in relief.

Taehyung finished eating his sandwich and then used the washroom. He took a quick shower and then changed into more comfortable clothes. He had a towel hung around his neck as he reached to open the door. When he did, he saw Jungkook sitting on the floor outside his room, half asleep.

"Jungkook?" Taehyung let out. Jungkook snapped out of his sleep and looked up in surprise. Jungkook clumsily got onto his feet and then blinked his sparkly eyes.

"Jungkook was waiting for Taehyung," Jungkook said, and then put his hand up. "L-Look! Jungkook has made a-a gift." Jungkook put forward a piece of paper. The paper was scrunched up and rolled out. It looked like nothing, just a scrap of paper that someone made into a ball.

"What is it?" Taehyung asked. Jungkook gulped. "I-it is.... Jungkook doesn't know. B-but Jungkook made." Jungkook said in a small voice. "I-if Taehyung will t-throw then Jungkook will eat i-it."

"No don't eat it," Taehyung chuckled, putting his hand forward and taking the paper ball. "Thanks," Taehyung said, looking at Jungkook.

Jungkook nodded. He followed Taehyung into his bedroom, where Taehyung put the paper ball onto his dresser. Jungkook gulped. "W-why did Taehyung call Jungkook a f-freak?" Jungkook asked.

Taehyung walked back out of the bedroom and towards the couch, sitting down. "I don't know. I get really rude sometimes when I'm irritated. Sorry."

"Taehyung i-is sorry? No. Taehyung shouldn't say sorry. Be-because Taehyung is good and- and gives Jungkook ice cream." Jungkook said, sitting down on the couch beside him. Jungkook looked at Taehyung with his Bambi eyes as usual, and Taehyung sighed, tipping his head back.

Taehyung kept quiet for a bit, Jungkook gulped. "T-Taehyung so silly," Jungkook said, remembering how Jimin had said that to Taehyung.

The sentence was so abrupt, that Taehyung started laughing, looking at Jungkook. "What?" Taehyung asked, and Jungkook played with his fingers. Taehyung reached his arm out to throw around Jungkook's shoulders.

"Hey, listen. I know I can be mean sometimes. Don't take it to heart." Taehyung said, and then snickered at his own comment. "Not that you have one." Taehyung murmured. Jungkook looked at Taehyung closely and leaned his cheek to Taehyung's palm.

"Why don't you smile?" Taehyung said, and Jungkook looked at Taehyung. "J-Jungkook doesn't know," Jungkook said.

"I'll teach you. Look," Taehyung said, and then gave Jungkook a dazzling smile. Jungkook blinked, and then reached forward to poke Taehyung's teeth.

Taehyung tsked and grabbed his finger. "Now you smile. Do what I did." Taehyung said. Jungkook nodded. He brought his lips up, showing his teeth. His smile was wonky and awkward, and not natural at all.

Taehyung rolled his eyes. "No. That doesn't look right." Taehyung snickered. Jungkook kept smiling at Taehyung weirdly. Taehyung put his hand over Jungkook's mouth. "It's fine. You might not smile, but that's okay. Many people don't smile."

"J-Jungkook wants to smile," Jungkook said. "I know, but it looked weird when you force it."

Jungkook nodded, looking down. Taehyung sensed he was upset about that, so he tapped Jungkook's thigh. "Wait here," Taehyung said, and then got up and walked to his bedroom. Taehyung grabbed his laptop and went back to the sofa.

He'd had that laptop for years now, but it still worked, so all was good. Taehyung sat down on the couch, and Jungkook leaned to look at the laptop. Taehyung turned it on and went onto google to get on Netflix.

"Wanna watch a movie?" Taehyung said, more of a statement than a question. "Movie?" Jungkook asked, tilting his head.

Taehyung put on an old animation film (they sort of stopped making proper movies ever since aliens took over). Big Hero 6. Taehyung hoped Jungkook liked the animations and all that.

Taehyung kept the laptop on Jungkook's lap so the boy could watch it. As it began, Jungkook was already excited, saying the colors that were on the screen or pointing out the things that were there. Taehyung left to go grab an old computer he'd been fixing to sell.

While Jungkook watched the movie, Taehyung worked on the old broken computer, fixing the hardware. Jungkook gasped when something happened in the movie. "Big white boy!" Jungkook enthused, probably talking about Baymax.

Taehyung let out a laugh at Jungkook's choice of wording. Jungkook watched and then clapped his hands together at a part. "Boom boom!!" Jungkook squealed.

After the movie ended, Taehyung put the computer part to the side and saw Jungkook bounce on the sofa. "Again!!"

"Not now- but you can watch it again later," Taehyung said. Jungkook nodded, and then looked at Taehyung. "T-Taehyung didn't watch! First, the- the boy got the big balloon man. And- and then, the boy went and- he-" Jungkook said, and then punched the air. "He fight! And- and- then the- and the-" Jungkook made big explosion sounds. "And then boom boom!"

"Really? That sounds crazy, Jungkook." Taehyung played along with a smile, even though he'd already seen the movie and had no clue what Jungkook was saying. Taehyung took the laptop off his lap and placed it to the side.

After a few more hours, they had dinner. Jungkook took a shower with minimum help from Taehyung. Jungkook wore a big sweater and nothing else and ran around the house pretending to be one of the characters from big hero 6. But then he tired himself out and lay down on the floor, hungry.

Taehyung fed him non-spicy ramen and Jungkook ate it but whined about wanting round rounds. Taehyung promised he'd give him round rounds the next day. Jungkook then watched Taehyung eat his own food. "Taehyung is going nom nom." Jungkook said.

"Yes he is," Taehyung said, slurping up more noodles. After that was done, Taehyung cleaned up and took the sleepy Jungkook into his bedroom. Taehyung brushed his teeth and Jungkook's too. Then, both of them lay down on the bed.

"Goodnight Jungkook," Taehyung said. Jungkook looked at Taehyung for a few seconds. Suddenly, Jungkook wormed his body forward and slotted his head onto Taehyung's neck.

"Jungkook I said no cuddling," Taehyung said gently, the harshness of his earlier tone going away. Jungkook played with his shirt.

"J-Jungkook wants!" Jungkook said, closing his eyes and placing his head on Taehyung. "I-if Taehyung s-says no then Jungkook will eat bed," Jungkook said strongly.

"Jungkook will what?? Oh god! I'm terrified. Can't let Jungkook eat the bed, can I?" Taehyung gasped dramatically, smiling to himself. Jungkook nodded, closing his eyes and laying his head on Taehyung.

Taehyung let out a soft sigh and let it happen, throwing one limp arm over Jungkook's side, not wrapping it around him or anything, just keeping it there. "Say goodnight back, Jungkook." Taehyung urged.

"Goo-night." Jungkook said. Taehyung smiled fondly, but closed his eyes and drifted into a deep sleep nonetheless.

⇜⇝⇜⇝⇜⇝

jungkook threatening to eat everything when something doesnt go his way >>>