hello

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Taehyung couldn't be bothered with dinner. So he and Jungkook were sitting in the corner of a busy food court, Jungkook close to Taehyung with his mouth open as Taehyung fed him fried rice. Taehyung fed him, and then took a spoonful of fried rice for himself too.

People around them were loud, reckless, drunk. Jungkook was holding onto Taehyung with his hand, clearly scared, not saying much. Taehyung fed him another spoonful of rice and then kept the bowl down, taking a sip of his coca cola. Jungkook watched.

"Can Jungkook have?" Jungkook asked. Taehyung mindlessly brought the drink close to him. Jungkook put his mouth on the straw and took in the drink. He pulled away and shook his head. "No."

"You don't like it? It might be good for you, y'know. It helps remove rust from metal. It could get you squeaky clean-" Taehyung said, tickling Jungkook's waist. Jungkook didn't feel a thing.

"Taehyung likes BAD things and has no taste," Jungkook said. Taehyung started laughing, surprised by this.

"What? Where did you learn that?" Taehyung asked. Taehyung took a small piece of rice and put it in his mouth. The android groaned and reached forward to eat more rice, so Taehyung picked more up in his spoon and brought it to Jungkook's lips, sighing.

"You're being bratty. I don't know how I feel about that." Taehyung hummed. Jungkook ate with his mouthful.

"Jungkook wants to go to Jin," Jungkook said, fists clenched. Taehyung's smile brushed off, and he looked down at his food.

"We'll see," Taehyung said. Jungkook whined, bringing his hand to Taehyung's hair, touching it. Taehyung let him do so, finishing the food.

Once they were done, Taehyung threw the empty plate and can of coke away, and then walked out of the food court, holding Jungkook's hand. Both were walking down the sandy path, the moonlight shining across the land. Jungkook kicked sand onto Taehyung's shoes.

"Stop that," Taehyung said lightly. Jungkook reached down to pick a fistful of sand and then threw it on Taehyung's clothes. Taehyung gasped. "What the fuck. Don't do that."

"What the fuck." Jungkook repeated. Taehyung frowned, tsking. "Jungkook, stop."

"Jungkook, stop." Jungkook said again.

Taehyung looked at him for a few seconds. Jungkook delighted, eyes sparkling as usual. Taehyung hummed. "Jungkook hates round rounds."

"Jungkook hates round rounds- no please!" Jungkook cried, frowning. "Jungkook doesn't! Taehyung is lying!"

"Oh really? Then why did you say it? Fine, Kookie. No more round rounds for you." Taehyung clicked his tongue, walking down the path. Jungkook grabbed onto his hand, shaking his head.

"N-no please!! J-Jungkook does not hate. Jungkook likes! J-Jungkook!" Jungkook cried out, overwhelmed. Taehyung tensed at his reaction, and then brought him closer, wrapping his arms around his waist. Jungkook pressed his forehead against Taehyung's neck.

"I'm joking, Kookie. Don't stress out. I know you love pancakes." Taehyung said softly. Jungkook gripped onto Taehyung's shirt.

"R-round rounds." Jungkook squeaked. Taehyung let out a small smile, a weird feeling in his stomach. Taehyung hummed. "Right. I meant round rounds. C'mon, don't be upset. Let's go back to the house." Taehyung said.

Jungkook nodded. Taehyung kept one arm hung loosely around Jungkook's waist as they walked towards the house at night, alone, nothing but the sound of wind around them.

"Taehyung h-hates round?" Jungkook asked.

"No, I like it. I kind of have to, Kookie. That's all you eat." Taehyung chuckled. Jungkook held onto Taehyung's arm which was around his waist.

"Yes. Jungkook w-wants round. Sometimes Jungkook likes icecream also. But round rounds are best! Round rounds are yummy and round." Jungkook elaborated. Taehyung smiled at him.

"Damn, look at you go, Kookie. You're speaking in sentences. I'm proud of you." Taehyung said, pinching his waist. Jungkook jumped up and down.

"Y-yes! Jungkook is speaking sentemences." Jungkook mispronounced. "Taehyung is proud."

"Very proud." Taehyung said, placing his other hand on Jungkook's waist too. Taehyung wrapped his arms around his waist, grinning. "Hey. Your waist is really tiny."

"It is bad??" Jungkook asked, scared.

"No no. It's nice. Your body has a very nice shape, Jungkook." Taehyung said. Jungkook put his hands on Taehyung's, which were on his stomach. They were walking kind of like penguins, with Taehyung hugging his back.

"T-Taehyung is doing touch touch why?" Jungkook pondered aloud. Taehyung stilled.

He honestly had no clue. But ever since what happened earlier with Jin at the cafe, Taehyung couldn't stop thinking about how the android had been making him feel. It was weird, in a sense. Jungkook had been annoying Taehyung especially- but now, it felt like Taehyung was seeing Jungkook in a different way.

"Dunno. You're cute." Taehyung said. Then Jungkook grinned. "Put your feet on mine," Taehyung suggested. Jungkook was confused, so Taehyung picked the light boy up from the ground and placed him down, so Jungkook's feet were on top of Taehyung's.

Taehyung wrapped his arms tightly around Jungkook's waist and began walking. Jungkook squealed, moving with him, like a weird two person robot thing. Taehyung was hoping he could make the boy smile or giggle or something. But Jungkook's mouth just opened like a circle and his eyes grew big.

"W-what is?" Jungkook asked. Taehyung laughed airily, walking with him. Jungkook started whining, hitting his hands lightly, wanting him to let go now. Taehyung kept tickling his sides, making the boy squeak out more.

When they reached the front of the house, Taehyung put Jungkook down. Jungkook turned around and hugged Taehyung tightly, jumping up like a rabbit and wrapping his legs around the man's waist. Taehyung stumbled back, gripping onto his thighs.

"Jungkook will attack!" Jungkook said eagerly. Taehyung giggled, falling onto the stairwell in front of his apartment, Jungkook on his lap.

"You're such a baby." Taehyung said, looking up at him. Jungkook looked at him in confusion, tilting his head.

"Baby?" Jungkook asked. Taehyung smiled, pinching Jungkook's cheek. "Yes. You're a baby."

Jungkook didn't know, so he wrapped his arms around Taehyung's neck, hugging him tightly in a form of 'attacking'. Taehyung held him tightly, still giggly, feeling happy from the good food he ate earlier and light hearted conversation.

"Jungkook is Jungkook. Not baby not Kookie." Jungkook said firmly.

"Jungkook is a baby and a Kookie." Taehyung confirmed. Jungkook frowned.

"T-Taehyung is BITCH."

"WHAT!" Taehyung yelped, and then burst into laughter. "Where the hell do you get these words from??"

"Taehyung said many times." Jungkook said, cheek pressed against Taehyung's. "Jungkook repeated."

"My bad. Shouldn't curse in front of you." Taehyung said, patting his back. "We should probably get back into the-"

"Taehyung?" A voice came suddenly. Taehyung turned with wide eyes and saw Jimin and Hoseok, frowning.

"Oh shit." Taehyung let out, and then pushed Jungkook off him, getting up quickly. Jungkook got up as well, standing behind Taehyung. "Hey- um- what're you guys doing here so late?"

"We wanted to meet you. We got wine. Let's go in?" Hoseok asked. Jimin was still looking suspiciously at the two boys. Taehyung nodded, flustered.

Taehyung opened the door and all four of them walked into the tiny apartment. Jungkook was stuck to Taehyung, scared. Taehyung looked at Jungkook, and then put his hand on Jungkook's hip.

"You can talk to them," Taehyung said, not wanting to be rude again. Jungkook's eyes grew big. "But don't say anything about being an android, okay?"

"B-being a what?" Jungkook asked, tilting his head. Taehyung brushed it off and then looked at Jimin and Hoseok, who sat down on his couch.

"Why'd you guys come here? You could've just texted me." Taehyung chuckled. He went and sat down on the couch. Jungkook sat down beside him.

"We wanted to see you in person." Jimin said, and then looked at Jungkook, and back at Taehyung. "Is there... something going on between you two?"

"I don't know is there something going on between YOU two?" Taehyung blurted, looking at Jimin and Hoseok. Hoseok blinked.

"Yes.... we've been together for four years...."

"Oh, right. But no- nothing's going on between us. Jungkook fell on me. Right, Jungkook?" Taehyung said, looking at Jungkook. The android was looking at Jimin and Hoseok.

"I am baby!" Jungkook said loudly. Taehyung tensed, eyes going big. He smacked Jungkook's thigh lightly and turned to Hoseok and Jimin with a smile.

"Ignore that. We went out for dinner." Taehyung said. Hoseok nodded, smiling.

"That's cool. Well, something bad happened. The higher order sent more aliens to earth. It's caused a lot of commotion." Hoseok muttered, biting the inside of his cheek. Taehyung;s entire stance instantly changed, his eyes furrowing and jaw slacking.

"What happened?" Taehyung asked. Jimin sighed, looking down. Hoseok put his hand on Jimin's back. "One of my co-workers got taken away by them for protesting. Lots of people did. They started an open fire on humans. The aliens injured them, and then took them into their spaceships." Jimin said, weak.

Taehyung's eyes grew dark. He didn't see anything, just looking away, vein growing in his neck. Hoseok gulped. "I don't think we should've talked to you about it. We're sorry-"

"It's fine. It's better I know. I'll be safe." Taehyung said. Jimin looked at him, worried.

"Tae... just don't do anything silly, right? Don't get into fights with vendors or steal things. You don't know what will happen. The high order keep taking humans to places and then there's no trace of them. Or they... they kill them." Jimin murmured, looking down.

Taehyung's body tensed, muscles tightening. He took a deep breath. "Yeah, I don't think this was a good conversation to have."

"We just wanted to tell you because we're worried, Tae." Hoseok said. "You've been alone for more than a year. You're barely hanging on by a thread. You keep saving up for this spaceship, and I don't know-"

"I'm fine," Taehyung snapped, looking at them. Both boys tensed. "I'm going to get out of here. If I don't, I'll die trying. I'm not fucking staying here my entire life. You guys have each other. You're fine. I-" Taehyung began, and then sucked a sharp breath.

"I lost everything a year ago. I can't- I can't stay here. It's way too fucking empty without him." Taehyung breathed out, and put his hand against his face to not start crying.

Jimin and Hoseok both looked upset, worried, eyes big, not wanting him to cry. But before they could do anything, Jungkook put his hand on Taehyung's arm. "T-Taehyungie..." Jungkook said softly. Taehyung looked at him, tears in his eyes. "Do not g-get angry or upset, Taehyung. It is okay."

Taehyung knew the boy didn't know anything which was happening. Jungkook gently climbed onto Taehyung's lap, Taehyung let him, and then wrapped his arms around Taehyung's neck. "Hug helps?"

"Y-yeah, it does. Thanks, Kookie." Taehyung said softly, feeling a fondness in his heart he couldn't describe. Jungkook laid against Taehyung. He looked at Hoseok and Jimin.

"Jimin and Hobi are making Taehyung upset. Go away please." Jungkook muttered. Jimin and Hoseok looked taken aback.

"Don't say that," Taehyung said with a soft chuckle, and then looked at Hoseok and Jimin. "Sorry about him. And sorry for... getting upset. I don't know where that came from. I haven't thought about him for months," Taehyung grumbled.

"It's okay," Jimin said, smiling gingerly. "We all miss him."

Taehyung nodded, arms wrapped around Jungkook's waist. They moved away from the tense conversation with ease, as Hoseok brought up some funny thing he saw happen recently. Jimin took out a bottle of wine and three paper cups.

Taehyung was laughing already, putting aside the tense moment. Jungkook stayed on Taehyung's lap, hearing their conversation. Taehyung busied himself with wine and chatter, and Jungkook idly fell asleep on Taehyung's lap.

After a while, Jimin yawned, leaning on Hoseok, sleepy. Hoseok pinched Jimin's cheek. "Baby's sleepy. I think we'll head out, Tae." Hoseok said. Jimin smiled at Hoseok, kissing his cheek quickly.

"Baby's sleepy..." Jungkook squeaked softly into Taehyun's ear. Taehyung pet his back.

"Is Jungkook alright?" Jimin asked, yawning a little. Taehyung looked at Jungkook, who was cooped up in Taehyung's hold. Taehyung hummed, and then looked at Hoseok and Jimin.

"He's fine. It's been a long day for him. He used to- um- sleep on my lap a lot back at our foster home, so it's a habit." Taehyung lied smoothly. Jimin and Hoseok nodded, not overthinking it. Both got up from the couch.

Taehyung gently pushed Jungkook off his lap. He went over and hugged Hoseok and Jimin goodbye. Hoseok hugged him with a smile. Jimin hugged him, and then looked up at the blue haired boy, worried.

"Hey, be safe okay? We care about you. And reach out to us too." Jimin said through a pout. Taehyung chuckled.

"Okay, mom." Taehyung said. Jimin kissed his cheek quickly, and then looked at him.

"And by the way, I'm sure he's still looking after you." Jimin said softly, rubbing Taehyung's arm soothingly. Taehyung gave Jimin a small smile.

"Like a guardian angel." Taehyung hummed. Jimin nodded. Then him and Hoseok went away.

Taehyung closed the door and took a deep breath. He turned around and saw Jungkook asleep on the couch. Taehyung looked at him for a few seconds with a gentle smile, and then turned to his drawer right beside the door.

He opened the first cabinet, and found the polaroid picture he'd earlier kept in his bedroom. He looked at it, and felt his stomach churn.

Black messy hair, pouty lips, red sweater paws, holding a cup of coffee, annoyed that Taehyung was taking a picture of him in the early morning. Taehyung traced his thumb over the picture that was taken over a year ago, and then let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Be happy up there, baby." Taehyung said in a faint whisper to the picture, and then stopped himself from upsetting himself further, placing the picture back in the drawer, closing it.

Taehyung looked at Jungkook, who began whining, getting up. He was looking around cluelessly, hair messed up. Taehyung walked up to him and scooped him up into his arms.

Taehyung carried him into the bedroom, placed him down onto the bed. The android was wearing jeans, so Taehyung pulled them off and dragged sweatpants up his hairless legs instead. Taehyung changed himself, washed up, and then went to sleep, Jungkook close to him.

⇜⇝

Taehyung sighed to himself, looking at the business card Seokjin had given to him. He didn't know if he should trust the man or not. Frankly, Taehyung didn't trust anyone who wore a suit in this economy.

But... if what Seokjin was saying was real, well, then Jungkook deserves to go to the place. Or see it, at least.

Taehyung dressed Jungkook up in tight blue jeans and a big yellow t-shirt. He looked cute. Taehyung dressed in simple clothes as well, careless. Taehyung called Jin early morning, asking if they could do the tour. Jin had sounded overjoyed over the phone, and told them to come to the establishment by 12.

Thankfully, Jin was sending a car, because Taehyung had no clue where the place was. After Jungkook ate a bowl of fruits and a tall glass of milk, and Taehyung had a black coffee and almonds- the two left.

Taehyung saw the big black car in front of his apartment building. Jungkook was scared, not wanting to go into it, thinking it was an animal at first. But Taehyung calmed him down and then took him into the car. Jungkook sat close to him.

The driver wordlessly drove them to the organization, a big campus far from the city. Jungkook looked out the window with big eyes, looking around. Taehyung leaned against the car seat, trying not to let his nerves get to him.

Finally, they reached. Taehyung got out of the car, holding Jungkook's hand. He looked at the gates, above it read Institute of Foreign Youth and Species in big block letters. It all looked very luxurious, very modern, very metropolitan.

Behind the gates was a large building with glass windows, and behind it a huge field full of grass and green trees that Taehyung had never seen before. Must be fake. Taehyung held onto Jungkook tightly and walked towards the gates.

Jin was standing outside of it. When he saw the two, he grinned. "Taehyung! Jungkook! Here!" Jin said, waving his hand. Taehyung walked towards him.

"This place is... really fancy. Don't the aliens find it?" Taehyung asked.

"Nah, we shield it well. Don't worry about that." Jin said, patting his shoulder. "Now c'mon, let's get into the tour."

Taehyung walked through the gates. Jungkook jumped up and down. "B-big building!" Jungkook said. Jin hummed, patting his back. Taehyung looked at the glass doors, and stilled when they opened automatically.

Seokjin walked in, unfazed. Jungkook followed quickly. Taehyung walked in, looking around hesitantly. Inside the building was a lobby. A stark white reception, marble floors, green plants on the side, white couches, everything.

"This is the lobby. But it's just the simple stuff. I'll show you the rooms." Jin said, walking through the hallway. Before he could go, Jin looked at Jungkook. "You don't have to hold his hand, Taehyung."

"No, he- he gets scared if I don't. I think it's best if I-" Taehyung began, but before he could finish, Jin gave him a smile and grabbed Jungkook's hand from him.

"I think it'll be good if he gets used to holding others' hands too, or better, none at all." Jin said. Taehyung stilled in the middle of the lobby, and saw Jungkook wrap his fingers into Jin's with ease, unknowing. Jin walked through the lobby, and Jungkook walked with him.

Taehyung gulped, and walked behind them, scratching the back of his neck. Watching Jungkook hold Jin's hand like that was a bit nerving.

"So this is the cafeteria," Jin said, opening doors to a hall. Taehyung looked inside. It was a big white hall with a lot of tables and chairs, and a long line of a buffet table. It had all kinds of food, things Taehyung hadn't even heard of before, or only knew rich people ate.

"You can have anything you want here. Every day." Jin said, smiling at Jungkook. "Of course, sometimes residents cook breakfast themselves. We encourage it! It helps residents socialize and be a community."

"Jungkook doesn't know how to cook." Taehyung cut. Jin looked at him, and then at Jungkook. "Jungkook can learn. Hey, you like pancakes, right?"

"Y-yes! T-they have round rounds here?" Jungkook asked, eyes big, mouth agape.

"Yes, they do. You can have them every day. With lots of chocolate sauce and ice cream." Jin said, nudging him. Jungkook gasped and clapped his hands together.

Taehyung rolled his eyes. He followed the two as they walked through the cafeteria. Jin kept talking to Jungkook, holding his hand tightly. Jungkook held it, looking around. They exited through the other end of the cafeteria, and went through a giant hallway full of rooms of 'recreation' aka studies, art, music, etc.

"Jungkook can draw, sing, dance, study. Whatever he wants." Jin said, smiling. Jungkook looked into the room full of books, the library, and gasped.

"B-books?" Jungkook said, and then looked at Taehyung. "Taehyung doesn't have books? Why is?"

Taehyung looked at him, embarrassed. "They-they're expensive these days. You don't read anyway, Kookie."

Jin looked at him for a split second, and then at Jungkook. "Well, we have no problem with expenses or money here. There's endless resources at your whim! Plus, the residents are very sweet and many teach classes."

"You keep talking about residents but I don't see any." Taehyung grumbled.

"Right." Jin chuckled. "They're all outside right now! Look through the window, most of them are in the park. Weather's nicer than usual, so most of them are playing football or having a picnic." Jin said. Taehyung looked out the window and saw lots of people outside, all looking young, running around, having fun.

They then went to the rooms. One room had two bunk beds. "Jungkook doesn't like sleeping alone." Taehyung said. Jin looked at him.

"Don't baby him, Taehyung. He can learn. He should." Jin said, nodding. Jungkook let go of Jin's hand and looked around the beds and big closets, along with the washrooms next to each bunk.

"So much space!! Jungkook likes!" Jungkook said appreciatively, and then sat on the bed. "B-bed is soft!"

"Jungkook, don't do that. You shouldn't sit on someone's-" Taehyung began. Jin cut him off again. "It's fine, he can do it. Go ahead, Kookie." Jin said.

"Thank you J-Jin." Jungkook said, and then bounced on the bed. Jungkook rolled around a bit, and then got off and huddled towards Jin and hugged him tightly.

Taehyung tensed, looking at Jungkook. Jin hugged him back, smiling. He squeezed him lightly, and then let him go. "I want you to stay here, Kookie. It'll be safer for you. But one thing is- Taehyung won't be here."

Taehyung looked at Jungkook. Jungkook looked at Taehyung. He frowned. "W-why is Taehyung not?"

"I- I can't stay here, Kookie. You'll have to be without me. Sorry." Taehyung said. Jungkook blinked at him for a few seconds, and then nodded.

"That is okay." Jungkook said without care, and then looked at Jin. "Jungkook wants to stay here."

Taehyung felt his heart drop. Jin pinched Jungkook's cheek, finding him adorable. Taehyung took a few steps back. "I'll wait in the lobby." Taehyung said faintly, turning around and walking away, gulping down a lump in his throat.

Taehyung found his way back to the lobby and sat on the white couch, waiting, thinking. The truth was, he didn't want Jungkook to go.

Jungkook being around brought some positivity to Taehyung's surroundings, almost. He wasn't alone, sad, grieving and angry about the world. He felt like he could care about something.

Some time later, Jin returned with Jungkook. He patted his lower back. "Well, pack everything. You can come tomorrow morning and move in here, Kookie."

"Yes!!" Jungkook said, bouncing. Taehyung walked up to them quickly and then put his hand with Jungkook's, holding it tightly.

"Wait, Jin, I still need you to talk me through this thing. I don't trust it fully. Isn't there any paperwork or- or some credit you need? I can't just-"

"Jungkook wants!" Jungkook snapped at Taehyung, eyes big. "Taehyung is being MEAN again. Jungkook wants stay."

Taehyung looked at Jungkook, breath hitched, and then put his hand on his waist. "Kookie, you don't get it. I know you wanna stay, but let me talk to Jin first. This is-"

"No! Jungkook doesn't want Taehyung house anymore." Jungkook said firmly, and then walked to Jin. Taehyung froze. Jungkook clung onto the man, hugging him tightly. "J-Jin help!"

Taehyung's shoulders dropped, his insides contorting, turning. Jin looked a little taken aback, but then looked at Taehyung, almost looking a bit guilty. "I'm sorry, Taehyung. But this will be better for him. I'll show you all the paperwork next time. And everything else you need-"

"It's fine." Taehyung let out weakly, giving him a quick smile. "I'll pack his stuff and drop him off tomorrow."

"Great." Jin smiled. Jungkook squealed in joy, jumping up and down. Jin hugged him again, and then let him go.

Jin held his hand and took him out of the building. Taehyung followed, morose. Jungkook didn't want to let go of Jin's hand, but Jin put him inside the car and promised he'll meet him tomorrow. Jungkook waved him goodbye. Taehyung sat on the far end of the car.

Taehyung looked out the window, blank. Jungkook looked at Taehyung. "Taehyung is okay?"

"Fine." Taehyung responded. Jungkook played with his fingers.

"Jungkook wants to stay with Jin be-because there is more food, a-and bed, and-" Jungkook began. Taehyung felt anger overcome him.

"Will you shut up? You already said that a thousand times. You don't need to convince me, you're going tomorrow. Just shut up and let me be in peace until you're gone." Taehyung snapped. Jungkook looked at him, eyes big.

Jungkook looked at him for a few seconds, and then nodded, looking away. "J-Jin won't shout at Jungkook." Jungkook said.

Taehyung kept looking outside, ignoring that. The car dropped them off, the car ride back feeling shorter than the one there. Taehyung walked out of the car, closing the door. Jungkook couldn't open the car door himself. So the driver opened it for him. Jungkook ran out.

"T-Taehyung!" Jungkook called, running after him, following him to the apartment. "Pl-please don't leave Jungkook i-in car."

Taehyung opened the house door and entered, Jungkook following him. Jungkook looked at Taehyung. "Jungkook w-wants-"

"I don't give a shit about what you want. Just take what there is." Taehyung said, walking to the bedroom.

Taehyung looked at his bed, saw the scattered clothes and messy bed, and couldn't help but think of how empty the house would be from tomorrow. His heart clenched at the thought, and he hated it. Hated how much it mattered to him. It shouldn't.

Taehyung heard a noise from outside. He ignored it, trying to clean the bed a little. He heard another noise, and then groaned, walking out of the bedroom.

Jungkook was standing against the countertop, twitching. Taehyung frowned. He heard another weird sound leave Jungkook. "Jungkook? What happ-"

Jungkook turned around, fearful, eyes big. "Hic-" Jungkook hiccuped. Jungkook ran into Taehyung, wrapping his arms around him. "Hic!"

"It's just hiccups," Taehyung said, tumbling onto the couch. Jungkook climbed onto his lap, hiccuping immensely.

"What- hic- i-is?? Jungkook doesn't- hic- like!" Jungkook said mid hiccup, looking devastated, scared, not knowing what was happening. Taehyung tsked, and then held him close, patting his back. Jungkook leaned against him, sniffling.

"It's okay." Taehyung said softly, hearing another hiccup. "It's hiccups. Your systems are probably acting up. It's normal." Taehyung continued, running a hand up and down his back soothingly, forgetting all the commotion that happened before.

Jungkook bit onto Taehyung's shirt, and hiccuped anyway, body twitching whenever he did. Jungkook whimpered into Taehyung's shirt, hiccuping again and again. He let out a loud whine, closing his eyes.

"Jungkookie," Taehyung said. Jungkook looked at him, hiccuping, hands against his face. "It's okay. If you stress out, it'll get worse. It won't do anything to you, okay?"

"H-help!" Jungkook squeaked. Taehyung cradled him in his lap, almost rocking him back and forth.

"I'm trying. Take a deep breath. Like this." Taehyung said, and then took a deep breath. Jungkook followed his actions. "And let it go." Taehyung said, and then let out a breath. Jungkook did the same.

There was a pause for a few seconds, and then Jungkook hiccuped. Jungkook started hitting Taehyung's chest very lightly with his fists. Taehyung took the gentle thrashing, watching Jungkook closely.

"Hic! P-please- hic! Jungkook d-doesn't like- hic!" Jungkook said, hiding himself in Taehyung's neck. Taehyung hugged him tightly, looking into a wall.

"I know. I'm sorry." Taehyung said softly. He bit his lip, resting his chin on Jungkook's shoulder. "I'm sorry for getting mad at you. I don't have a right to. You can do what you want, and you want to go there. I shouldn't be mad. I'm sorry."

"Hic." Jungkook squeaked.

Taehyung looked at the boy, who was red in the face, hair messed up, lips bitten. Jungkook hiccuped again. Taehyung tsked to himself, looking away. He'd miss him so fucking much.

"Relax." Taehyung said, picking Jungkook up in his hold. Jungkook wrapped his arms and legs around Taehyung. Taehyung carried him to the kitchen, and placed him on the counter. He grabbed the waterbottle, and pressed it to Jungkook's mouth.

"Take 8 sips." Taehyung said. Jungkook took 8 sips of the water. Taehyung pulled the bottle away. Jungkook gulped it down.

30 seconds past of silence. Jungkook finally blinked, and then realised his hiccups were gone. Jungkook pushed himself onto Taehyung, jumping onto him. Taehyung hugged him tightly, falling onto the floor, the boy on his lap.

"W-what is?" Jungkook squeaked, trailing, leaning against Taehyung, holding onto his shoulders, upset. Taehyung hugged him so tightly, chin on his shoulder, not wanting to let go.

"Don't worry, it's hiccups. I'll always help." Taehyung whispered, brushing his hair with his other hand. "Always."

They stayed there for a while, Jungkook on his lap, Taehyung holding him. They didn't say a word, just stayed like that. And it was the absence of words that made it all the more painful. Taehyung never knew what to say.

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baby jungkook couldn't stop hiccuping ):