⇜⇝⇜⇝⇜⇝

"Round round- round round round. Round round round round." Jungkook sang, jumping. "You put your leg left round, you put your right leg round, you put your hand in round, then, round round round round round," Jungkook sang, walking in a circle. "That's what it's all a-round."

It was breakfast time in Taehyung's shitty apartment, and Jungkook was excited because Taehyung made pancakes again. Taehyung was in the kitchen and looked at the boy, smiling.

"Oh? You know some nursery rhymes, huh? Nice song there. You have a nice voice, Kookie." Taehyung said. Jungkook looked at him closely.

"What is?" Jungkook said, frowning. "It is Jungkook."

"Kookie. It's a nickname. A shortened form of your name, Jungkook." Taehyung explained. Jungkook sat down on the seat and grabbed the plate of pancakes.

"N-nickname?" Jungkook asked, eyes big. "Googie?"

Taehyung leaned onto the countertop. "Kookie."

"Goo-gie." Jungkook pronounced, making his mouth wide, enunciating. Taehyung sighed, looking at Jungkook. The boy had his brown hair a little floppy today. Eyes big as usual. Cheeks their pretty pink shade, and mouth spilling out randomness as it did.

There was something about him. Taehyung doesn't know, but he was starting to feel a sense of comfort. Jungkook was just... so cute, wasn't he?

"So Jungkook is Googie," Jungkook said. "W-what is Taehyung's nicknames?"

"Hmm. Tae. Taehyungie, if you're feeling fancy. Taetae- actually, don't call me that. Um, what else? Oh, y'know, daddy-" Taehyung joked. Jungkook's eyes sparkled.

"Daddy!" Jungkook said, bouncing his fists on the table. "Daddy daddy daddy-"

"Stop. Oh god. Stop. Just call me Taehyung. Don't call me that." Taehyung said quickly.

"Daddy Taehyung," Jungkook said. Taehyung groaned, hands against his face. "Jungkook is Googie and Taehyung is Daddy-"

"No. I'm going to be sick. Don't call me that Kookie, I'm serious. Please. It's weird. Just stick to Taehyung." Taehyung said. "I was making a joke. Do you know what a joke is?"

"J-Jungkook doesn't know. Tell please." Jungkook said. Taehyung hummed. "Okay. Eat your food, Kookie. It'll get cold."

"S-sorry," Jungkook said, reaching his fork down to the pancakes and taking a big bite. Taehyung pet his hair for a second, and then pulled his hand back. "Right. A joke is something someone says to make someone laugh."

"Jungkook doesn't know laugh..." Jungkook said, eating his food. "Jungkook c-can't."

"I know. It's okay, though. You have plenty of other emotions." Taehyung reassured. Jungkook nodded, continuing to eat his food.

Taehyung ate his toast. After Jungkook was done with the pancakes he bounced on his seat. "More please."

"I can't. The mix is over, and I wouldn't want to open a new one just for today. Just eat a banana or some-" Taehyung began, but then the doorbell rang. Jungkook heard the sound and jumped up from the seat, running behind Taehyung.

Taehyung patted his side. "Don't worry. I'll go check." Taehyung said. He walked to the door and opened it. He sighed when he saw Hoseok and Jimin.

"This is what happens when you don't reply to our texts," Hoseok said. Taehyung rolled his eyes, but Hoseok walked in, smiling. "Don't look sad, Taetae. You LOVE us." Hoseok said, wrapping his arms around the blue boy's waist.

"We're your only friends, Tae. At least call us sometimes. Hoseok got promoted in work, and we wanted to have celebration dinner." Jimin pouted. Taehyung stilled at the upset expression on his face.

He did kind of always hang out with Jimin and Hoseok before Jungkook came along. He didn't want to ignore the. They'd done a lot for him, been there for him through a lot of lows. He owes them a lot.

Jungkook hugged his other side, and Taehyung ruffled their cute heads. Hoseok and Jimin had been in a loving relationship for 4 years now. They were perfect for each other. In a world full of pessimistic assholes, they somehow kept up with their optimism. They were cuddly, affectionate, and same to Taehyung, their constant third wheel.

Hoseok pulled away, and Jimin hugged Taehyung for a bit longer. They were way too touchy-feely at times. Hoseok looked around the house and found Jungkook. "Ah, that's your friend from home, right?"

"Hi Jungkook!" Jimin said, pulling away from the hug finally. Jungkook blinked his big eyes at them and then walked over to Taehyung. Jungkook tugged on Taehyung's arm.

"This is Jungkook. He doesn't talk much." Taehyung said, looking at the boy. Jungkook looked at him, remembering how mad Taehyung got when he talked to Irene, so he kept quiet.

"That's alright. I'm Hobi. It's great to meet you." Hoseok said, smiling. Jungkook looked at Hoseok's red har and then caved into Taehyung. "R-red," Jungkook whispered.

"Do you guys want to go out for- for lunch or something?" Taehyung asked the boys. Jimin hummed. "Yeah. I was hoping we could go to that pizza place for lunch!"

"Um... I-I don't know. I don't want to leave Jungkook alone..." Taehyung murmured.

"Bring him too," Hoseok suggested. Taehyung gulped. He looked at Jungkook, who was playing with Taehyung's sleeves.

"Why don't you guys sit down? Let's talk for a while. I'll be back in a second." Taehyung said. He put his hands on Jungkook's hips and began leading him towards the bedroom. Jungkook turned around and looked at Jimin and Hoseok, and then looked at Taehyung, eyes big.

"C-can- can Jungkook ta-talk also?" Jungkook asked. Taehyung didn't say anything, just sort of pushed him into their bedroom, and closed the door.

Taehyung turned around and walked back to the living room. Jimin and Hoseok made themselves comfortable. Jimin frowned. "Why did you keep him in your room again, Tae?"

"He just doesn't like-" Taehyung began, but the room door burst open. Jungkook ran out.

"Jungkook wants talk too!" Jungkook said. Taehyung turned around slowly, looking at him with raised eyebrows. Jungkook looked timid, hands bunches by his sides. "P-please daddy!" Jungkook whined loudly.

Jimin and Hoseok instantly widened their eyes. "......Daddy?"

"Oh my god." Taehyung let out. "Jungkook. Shut. Up. Shut up." Taehyung hissed quietly. He grabbed Jungkook by the waist and pushed him towards the bedroom. Taehyung walked in with him and closed the door behind him.

"I told you not to fucking call me that. Can you not comprehend basic fucking words, Jungkook?" Taehyung snapped, frowning. Jungkook's shoulders bunches up. His eyes grew big.

"J-Jungkook can," Jungkook promised. "Jungkook just... w-wanted to talk."

"You'll say something stupid. Stay in here. Don't come out. Don't say a word. Got it?" Taehyung said lowly. He knew he was being mean, but Jungkook didn't seem to understand unless Taehyung was being mean.

"B-but-" Jungkook began once Taehyung turned around. Taehyung turned back around. "Because you're embarrassing, Jungkook! I don't want my friends to hear the dumb shit you say, okay?" Taehyung burst, eyes darkened.

Jungkook took a step away from him, nodding quickly. "S-sorry," Jungkook said in a small voice. Taehyung walked out of the room, closing it behind him. Taehyung walked to the couch and sat down. Hoseok and Jimin still had wide eyes.

"Tae," Hoseok began. "You know we're not.... dumb, right?"

"What? Oh- are you talking about that daddy thing? Don't worry, Hobi. Jungkook just makes jokes-" Taehyung began, laughing nervously. Jimin put his hand on Taehyung's knee.

"Hey." Jimin cut. "It's fine. You don't have to hide it from us. We've known you for ages, Taehyungie. We know what's going on with Jungkook." Jimin said. Taehyung's eyebrow twitched.

He took a deep breath. "Okay, before you say anything. Just know, that you can't sell him-"

"Ageplay is a very common kink-" Hoseok began at the same time.

And then, they both paused. Taehyung blinked. He then frowned. "What the fuck is age play??"

"A form of role-playing in which an individual acts or treats another as if they were a different age, sexual or non-sexually," Jimin explained quickly. "Wait, isn't that what's going on with you guys? Jungkook acts like he's a little or something. And he just called you daddy. What the fuck-"

"Oh my god. No, guys. Seriously. I'm not into that kinda stuff. That's-that's not what's happening. He's a friend from home and he's kinda weird, likes being alone and stuff. That's all." Taehyung explained hastily.

"Okay... we believe you," Jimin said. Taehyung relaxed down. Jimin sighed after. "Boss cut my pay for this week again. I swear, ever since these stupid laws put in place, no one cares about humans anymore." Jimin grumbled.

"At least you two have jobs. I'm stuck being employed." Taehyung mumbled. Hoseok snickered. "You could always find a job, y'know? There was an opening at that grocery store. You could've worked there. They get paid, like, 20 units an hour."

"I rather be unemployed than support those radical capitalist fucks who'd do anything to appease to the stupid aliens," Taehyung said, looking down.

"Tae... we know that. Do you think we like supporting these employers who basically succumb under the pressure of the high order? No, not at all. But we have to... to survive." Jimin said.

Taehyung picked on his nails. "Don't start this, Jimin. You know I'm never doing anything close to supporting the stupid high order." Taehyung mumbled.

The high order was what they called those faceless aliens in outer space who'd infiltrated and invaded Earth, leaving it full of death and disease. The richer gave into their demands. Some fled. Some worked to rebel against them. It was all that Star Wars shit.

"Let's change the subject. Did you guys hear about that tornado that happened in the south?" Hoseok began and then got into conversation.

They talked for almost an hour, until Taehyung stretched and looked at the time, and realized it was late, and he had scavenging and selling to do. "Oh shit. I need to get some work done. I'm sorry, guys. I'll meet you guys some time for dinner, okay? Promise." Taehyung said.

Jimin and Hoseok kissed Taehyung's cheeks and then headed out, forcing him to text them next time. Taehyung nodded sheepishly. They went away, and then Taehyung sighed in relief. Taehyung walked to the bedroom door and opened it, and saw Jungkook sitting on the bed, blankly staring into the wall.

"Jungkook?" Taehyung said. Jungkook blinked for a few seconds and then looked at Taehyung. "Hey. You better change, we're going to leave soon."

Jungkook nodded quietly. Taehyung walked back out of the bedroom, taking his phone out and checking social media sites for the latest news. Taehyung began scrolling, and then saw the door open of the bedroom.

Jungkook trotted out of the bedroom, wearing a blue t-shirt and tight boxers, no pants. He walked over to Taehyung, but then Taehyung grabbed him, turned him around, and led him into the bedroom.

"Put. Some. Pants. On." Taehyung said. Jungkook made a grunt sound, which was new. "Jungkook doesn't WANT."

"Jungkook HAS to. Not a choice. You're not walking around my house in nothing but boxers-" Taehyung began. Jungkook took out a pair of jeans and then threw them on Taehyung and ran out of the room.

Taehyung frowned to himself. He took the jeans and walked out of the bedroom. "Jungkook! Why're you acting weird? Don't throw shit at me. And put these jeans on."

"Jungkook will not. What will Taehyung do about it." Jungkook said, looking away, folding his arms.

Taehyung rose his eyebrow. "Excuse me? I already keep you around, I think that's more than enough." Taehyung scoffed. Jungkook looked at him for a few seconds and then dropped his arms.

"Well then Jungkook will!" Jungkook snapped and took his shirt off. Taehyung's eyes widened when Jungkook took his boxers off as well.

"Jungkook! I-" Taehyung began. Jungkook sat down on the ground fully naked, looking up at Taehyung. Taehyung blinked in disbelief. "What has gotten into you?"

"Jungkook doesn't want!" Jungkook snapped. He leaned forward and began hitting Taehyung's knees.

"Ow! Ow- hey- hey, stop that. What the hell? What did I say about hitting me?" Taehyung said, frowning. Jungkook looked at him for a few seconds, and then looked away.

Jungkook brought his knees to his chest, hugging them tightly. Taehyung gulped for a second and then sat down next to the nude boy. "Kookie? Talk to me. I can't have you getting angry like this."

"Taehyung is always angry at Jungkook," Jungkook said quietly, looking down. "T-Taehyung is always yelling."

Taehyung stilled by hearing his words. He suddenly felt a little guilty for lashing out. He knew that was a problem. As the days grew by, Taehyung just grew more and more hateful for the world and everything around him. The anger built with it. Taehyung couldn't help but take it out on Jungkook. As wrong as it was.

"Taehyung is nice. And gives Jungkook f-food. And holds hand. And is blue. But... T-Taehyung is mean sometimes." Jungkook squeaked, drawing a shape on his knee." W-why is?"

Taehyung looked at Jungkook's face, how baby-like it was compared to the rest of his body. His lips were in a small pout shape, cheeks puffy, eyes concentrated on his delicate finger drawing the shape. At times like this, Taehyung felt a random tug to his heartstrings.

"I'm... I'm sorry." Taehyung whispered. Jungkook looked at Taehyung. They were quite close. "I... god, I've been so isolated from intimacy," Taehyung muttered, looking away. Jungkook looked at him closely.

"Last year a-a friend told me I had mild anger issues or-or something. I didn't... think much of it? Brush it off. I only had two friends who mattered. Jimin and Hobi. And I never got mad at them, because there just weren't instances where it happened. But now- fuck, I'm being an asshole." Taehyung said, putting his hands against his face. "I'm sorry."

Jungkook blinked his eyes at Taehyung. He grabbed Taehyung's arms and pulled them away. Jungkook climbed onto Taehyung's lap, sitting down on his thighs. "I-it is okay," Jungkook said, leaning into him.

Taehyung knew Jungkook's bare ass was on him, but couldn't help but chuckle. "It is?"

"J-Jungkook doesn't know. That is what Taehyung tells him when Jungkook says sorry." Jungkook said, opening his eyes to look at him. Taehyung began laughing, smiling widely. Jungkook looked at his smile, and then looked away again.

"Jungkook wants to smile. Please." Jungkook said. "C-can't Taehyung make Jungkook smiled?"

"I don't think I can," Taehyung said, putting his hand on Jungkook's waist. "I'm sorry, Kookie. Don't think you're engineered to be able to do that."

Jungkook nodded. "It is okay,2 Jungkook said. Taehyung knew it was really, really weird that Jungkook was naked on his lap, but it was oddly... comforting.

"Is that the only reason? Is there any other reason you lashed out?" Taehyung asked. Jungkook looked at him.

"No.... It is because Jungkook watched movie. A-and in movie, the people flying and running and- and making things. Jungkook is only sitting in house." Jungkook said, looking down.

"Jungkook wants to go in boom boom," Jungkook said, playing with Taehyung's shirt. "Can't Taehyung make?"

"I can't make stuff like that, Kookie. I'm not superman." Taehyung chuckled but felt a little saddened by Jungkook's words.

Jungkook was an android. That means he was... created. Right? By who? A scientist? Maybe a company? What was he designed to do? What was his purpose?

And, whatever it was, wasn't Taehyung restricting it by keeping the boy in the house and not letting him roam free? Jungkook mentioned only sitting in the house. That must mean he's getting annoyed by Taehyung's overprotectiveness. That said, if Jungkook did roam free, he'd get in trouble quite fast. Taehyung can't sell him. But keeping him was also getting... troublesome.

"Let's get you in some clothes," Taehyung said. Jungkook nodded, getting off Taehyung's lap. Jungkook put his boxers on with little trouble. When he was in them, Taehyung slapped his butt.

Jungkook fell over. "W-what is!" Jungkook cried.

"Oh please, I didn't hit you that hard." Taehyung scoffed. Jungkook got up from the ground and pointed his finger at Taehyung.

"Taehyung said no hitting but he hit," Jungkook growled, eyebrows furrowed. Taehyung laughed at his cute angry face. Taehyung put his hands in the air. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry."

Jungkook accepted the apology and put his shirt and sweatpants on again. Jungkook and Taehyung then left the house.

Hand in hand, Taehyung went towards the market place, hoping to find something on the way. It got boring as fuck to do this over and over every single day, but what made it worth it was the idea of escaping from this hell. Soon, hopefully.

"Tae. Can Jungkook call Taehyung that?" Jungkook asked. Taehyung looked at him.

"Yes he can," Taehyung said. Jungkook jumped up and down. "Tae Tae Tae Tae Tae Tae-"

"Kookie, don't do all that. Relax." Taehyung said. Jungkook calmed down, looking down. He kicked a small stone.

"Jungkook has question." Jungkook said as they walked. "Taehyung hopefully has an answer," Taehyung responded.

"W-what was... the touching that Taehyung's friend and friend were doing to Taehyung when they came to house?" Jungkook asked, stopping in his steps. They were in the middle of the pathway, no one around.

"Huh? What was it, do you mean hugging?" Taehyung asked. Jungkook scratched his head for a few seconds, and then left Taehyung's hand and made a gesture which indicated hugging.

"Yeah, it was hugging. Why?" Taehyung asked. Jungkook looked down adorably for a few seconds and then put his hands on his face. "J-Jungkook wants!" Jungkook squeaked.

"You want me to hug you?" Taehyung asked. Jungkook left the hands and nodded. "Y-yes. Jungkook wants to b-be friend of Taehyung." Jungkook said, blinking his doe eyes at the blue-haired boy.

Taehyung didn't hear another word, just wrapped his arms around Jungkook and pulled him in really close. Jungkook looked surprised by the sudden movement and put his hands on Taehyung's chest, looking at him with big eyes.

"Like this?" Taehyung asked, grinning. Jungkook gulped, looking at Taehyung's arms, which went to his backside. Jungkook then looked at Taehyung, their faces inches apart.

"Yes," Jungkook said. Taehyung hummed at Jungkook, smirking. "Nice, isn't it? My friends are huggers." Taehyung said, leaving Jungkook's hold.

Jungkook held onto Taehyung's hand. They walked towards the market place, but while walking there, Taehyung couldn't help but feel.... off.

As if someone was following them.

Taehyung turned around but saw no one. Must be his brain acting up. Taehyung turned back around and walked to the market place with Jungkook.

They reached. Taehyung had a bag full of things he could possibly sell, things he'd been working on for ages now. He reached a vendor and both began talking, the vendor actually nice for once. Taehyung sold a few items, bargaining it for higher each time. He got 400 units from everything, which was great. Taehyung grinned and then turned around, and stopped when he didn't find Jungkook.

"Jungkook?" Taehyung called, looking around. What the hell? Jungkook was just holding his hand right here... wasn't he? "Jungkook??" Taehyung called again, getting nervous.

Taehyung took the money and rushed off, looking around the crowded place. Taehyung looked from side to side, any place he could spot the black haired boy. People pushed past him and gruffed at him to move out of the way. But Taehyung couldn't care less. He looked, and then, finally-

Jungkook was standing on the side. With a man, a man in a suit. The man had blond-ish hair. Taehyung frowned. It looked like the man in the suit was talking to him. Taehyung's insides contracted and he walked up to them hurriedly.

"Hey," Taehyung called. Jungkook looked at Taehyung and ran over to him. "I told you not to leave like that,"

"T-this man started talking to Jungkook," Jungkook said, looking nervous. Taehyung looked at the man in the suit, who had sunglasses on, looking weirdly... calm.

"What do you want?" Taehyung asked. The man grinned.

"I was just talking to your friend. Couldn't help but find his tattoo a little peculiar." The man said and then took his sunglasses off, his brown eyes looking over at Taehyung. "Are you aware of it?"

Taehyung gulped. "It's-it's just a tattoo," Taehyung said quickly. Jungkook stood behind Taehyung, looking at the man.

The man looked at Jungkook and then smiled. "Hi. What's your name?"

"That's none of your-" Taehyung began, but the man looked at him, raising his brow. "I do believe he can talk for himself, can't he?" The man asked, tilting his head. Taehyung looked at him with unease. Jungkook blinked.

"Jungkook. O-or Googie." Jungkook said, holding onto Taehyung's shirt. "W-what is your?"

"I'm Kim Seokjin." The man said, reaching into his pocket. He took out a business card and then handed it to Jungkook. Jungkook took the small card, looking at it with confusion. Taehyung reached for it, knowing Jungkook wouldn't understand, but Seokjin sighed.

"You're oddly controlling over him, sir," Seokjin said, amused. Taehyung left his reach and looked at the man. "What do you want?" Taehyung gritted.

"Nothing. Are we not allowed to make conversation? I've seen a similar tattoo on someone before. That's why I ask." Seokjin said, smiling. He then looked at Jungkook. "Let's sit down for a cup of coffee, shall we?"

Taehyung's mouth went dry. He didn't have a good feeling about this.

For some reason, Taehyung agreed. The dude looked kind of rich. Which was worrisome. Taehyung was sure the man knew Jungkook was an android and wanted to buy him. He must work for the high order.

But the man was rich and took the two boys into a really nice cafe. He ordered a latte for himself. Taehyung said he wanted water, annoyed.

"What will you have, Jungkook?" Seokjin asked. Jungkook looked unsure. "Ba-babana milk," Jungkook said.

"Shush." Taehyung hissed quietly. "We'll have water. Can you please just tell us what this is about-"

"Mr. Kim," Seokjin said, now having learned Taehyung's name as he told him. "Jungkook seems to be able to talk for himself. Tell me, Jungkook. Do you want water, or a nice, frothy banana milkshake?" Seokjin smiled at the boy.

"Milkshake!" Jungkook said giddily. Taehyung rolled his eyes. Seokjin ordered a banana milkshake.

"Great. Now, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself, Jungkook?" Seokjin asked, looking at the black haired boy.

Jungkook looked at the man, and then at Taehyung. "C-can Jungkook talk?" Jungkook asked.

"You don't let him talk?" Seokjin asked, looking at Taehyung. Taehyung tensed. "No. It's not- it's not like that-"

"Doesn't seem like it. Of course, you can talk, Jungkook. It's a free world after all. Now go ahead." Seokjin said. Jungkook banged his little fists against the table.

"I-I am Jungkook. Jungkook likes blue a-and round rounds! And- a-and movie!" Jungkook said excitedly. Taehyung put his hand against his face. Jungkook sounded like he was 3 years old.

"This is highly interesting, Jungkook," Seokjin said. Jungkook scrunched his nose up for a second, happy with what Seokjin said. Taehyung looked at Seokjin. "What do you want?"

Seokjin completely ignored Taehyung. "Tell me, Jungkook. Where do you live?"

"We're not telling you that." Taehyung scoffed. Seokjin raised his eyebrow. "We? Oh, so you live together?"

"Yes! Jungkook lives in a small house with Taehyung. Jungkook sleeps in same bed. And Taehyung makes f-food for Jungkook. Some-sometimes it hurts Jungkook's tongue but it is okay." Jungkook said. Taehyung looked down.

"That sounds nice. Are you roommates?" Seokjin asked. "Yes," Taehyung said quickly.

"Taehyung FOUND Jungkook!" Jungkook blurted.

"Found?" Seokjin asked, raising his eyebrow. Taehyung looked at Jungkook with wide eyes. "Kookie? Shut up." Taehyung snipped quietly. Jungkook piped down, gulping, looking apologetic.

"Jungkook, do you like when Taehyung tells you to shut up?" Seokjin asked. Taehyung scoffed, looking at him with a raised brow.

"Dude, who are you? Look, stop asking us irrelevant stuff. We have things to do. If you'd excuse us-" Taehyung began. But before he could finish his sentence, the waiter came with the food.

Jungkook looked at the big glass of banana milkshake which had a dollop of ice cream on top with cherries. Jungkook squealed, clapping his hands together. Seokjin chuckled.

"Aw, he's adorable. How old is he?" Seokjin asked. Taehyung hesitated. "Um... he's..." Taehyung trailed. Shit. He had no clue how old Jungkook was.

"You... don't know?" Seokjin asked, looking at him judgingly. Taehyung didn't know what to say. Seokjin's latte came, and Taehyung sat on the side with his cold glass of water.

"J-Jungkook doesn't like when Taehyung is mean to Jungkook," Jungkook explained. Taehyung looked at him nervously. "Taehyung locks Jungkook in room."

"Don't say it like that. I-I don't do anything cruel." Taehyung said quickly. Seokjin frowned. "Does he hurt you, Jungkook?"

Taehyung scoffed, frowning. Jungkook nodded. "Yes! Taehyung hits Jungkook's butt. Jungkook has to call Taehyung 'Daddy'." Jungkook continued.

Seokjin looked at Taehyung, frowning. Taehyung's mouth dropped. "Oh my god! No- no it's nothing like that, I swear. Jungkook! He's- he's making it sound wrong. It's-"

"Look," Seokjin said. "I'll tell you why I asked you to talk to me. That tattoo on Jungkook? I've seen it on someone before. Years ago. He's not exactly human." Seokjin explained. "If I'm correct, he's an android."

Taehyung looked at him, gulping. "How- how do you know-?"

"I work for a company that identifies non-human entities on Earth. It's an organization started by the rebels against the high order, to ensure nothing unsafe infiltrates our planet and causes more chaos." Seokjin explained. Taehyung gulped. Knowing he was with the rebels made him a little more trustable.

"Jungkook isn't exactly an entity of danger," Taehyung said. Seokjin chuckled. "Yeah, I can tell. But that's not why I find these sort of alienish species."

Jungkook looked confused, sipping his milkshake in a twirly straw. Seokjin handed Taehyung another business card. Taehyung looked at it. Institute for Foreign Youth and Species.

"I own an institute, about half an hour from here. It's for people who aren't exactly human but end up on this planet anyway. Many, many aliens and other such species are sold off to those working for the high order. It's a terrible thing. And we work to protect such people."

"W-what does the institute do?" Taehyung asked, looking at the blonde haired man. Seokjin smiled. "It is a safe housing for these people. Some of them don't know math or language, so we have professional teachers who teach them these things. There's modern equipment for anything people want to learn or do, cooking, gardening, athletics, etc." Seokjin explained. "Most of the people living there are children and many young adults. They can leave whenever they want to. But they have a safe environment there."

Taehyung looked at Jungkook. "Afterwards, many leave this planet and go to others. But until they can do that, they stay there. It's very safe and very modern. Not to brag or anything- but the institute has money. We have tall fences, numerous guards, lots of good food, big TVs, everything." Seokjin said.

"F-food!" Jungkook said, looking at Seokjin. He'd drank down his milkshake. Seokjin smiled. "Yes, Jungkook. You can have any food you want."

"R-round rounds? Jungkook can have?" Jungkook asked, eyes going big. Seokjin chuckled, looking a little confused. "Sure you can."

Jungkook clapped his hands together. "T-Taehyung only makes round rounds sometimes!!" Jungkook said.

"Well, if you live here, you can have them all the time," Seokjin said. Taehyung didn't like that. Jungkook gasped and then bounced on the chair. "Jungkook wants to go!"

Taehyung put his hand on Jungkook's, stopping him. "No offense, dude- but I can't just trust you out of nowhere. People scam others for money all the time. Plus, you know Jungkook's an android. How do I know you won't sell-"

"I don't want any money out of this! You won't have to pay a single unit. If you want, you can come to visit the place. We'll give you a tour." Seokjin said, smiling. "Hey! How about this, I'll show you some pictures. Jungkook, come here-" Seokjin said, ushering him to come to sit beside him.

Jungkook pushed Taehyung's hand away and got up to rush over to Seokjin, jumping onto his lap. Taehyung looked at Jungkook, a little unsure about this. Seokjin chucked, patting his back.

Seokjin took his phone out. Unlike Taehyung's crappy old one, it was shiny and wide. Seokjin began showing Jungkook some pictures of the place.

"That's what the building looks like," Seokjin said softly. Jungkook gasped. "B-big house!" Jungkook said.

"Yeah! And Kookie can run around and play sports and swim and everything." Seokjin said, smiling at the smaller boy.

Jungkook squealed again, clapping his hands. "Jungkook w-wants!" Jungkook said. Taehyung felt twitchy, his nerves climbing up. His stomach was twisting.

"Taehyung, I know this is abrupt and seems shady. But give it a chance. I'll give you all the proof you need that this place is legit and has helped tons of people, just like Jungkook. If you think it's good, call me, okay?" Seokjin said, giving him a warm smile.

Taehyung hummed, looking away, not responding.

"Right. So, before you go-" Seokjin began, and then put his fingers in the air. The waiter came rushing over to him. "Jungkook, do you want ice cream?"

"Yes!!!" Jungkook said, bouncing on Seokjin's thighs. "Great. Which flavor?"

"Ch-chocolate!" Jungkook said. Seokjin looked at the waiter. "Two scoops of chocolate ice cream in a cone. Add chocolate chips, sauce, anything you can. Okay?"

"Yes sir." The waiter said, and then rushed off. Jungkook looked at Seokjin. "Seokjin is the best!"

"You can call me Jin," Jin said, ruffling the boy's hair.

Jungkook got his ice cream, and then took a lick and jumped up and down. Before leaving, Jungkook hugged Jin tightly, wrapped around his neck. Jin hugged him back. Taehyung just watched.

They walked back. Jungkook held onto Taehyung's fingers limply, eating up his ice cream. "Jin has y-yellow hair," Jungkook said.

"Yeah," Taehyung said. They walked back to Taehyung's house, and when they reached, Jungkook walked in.

"Rounds?" Jungkook asked. Taehyung sighed. "You already has a bunch of sweet stuff, Kookie. Maybe lay it off for today. I don't want you to get too hyper."

Jungkook nodded, and then looked away, finishing his ice cream. "Jin said he-he will give Jungkook many round rounds," Jungkook said.

Taehyung tensed. He chuckled lightly. "Yeah. He did." Taehyung mumbled, walking into the bedroom to think.

Why was Taehyung... upset? Didn't he want Jungkook to be safe? To go away? Isn't that why he'd been constantly snapping and getting annoyed at the boy?

Jungkook wanted to go to that institute place. Hearing about all the running and fun things he could do made him excited. It wouldn't be fair to keep him here. Taehyung wouldn't stop him from doing what he wants.

Then why did the thought of Jungkook going away suddenly make him so upset?

⇜⇝⇜⇝⇜⇝

do you think jungkook should go or stay