Taehyung reluctantly showed up to school that day, still feeling off and jumpy. His ears remained plastered on his head and drawn back as he watched the countless faces walk past him. None of them could see his ears, of course. They were comfortably stored under his beanie that every hybrids' mothers are given at birth. It's city protocol that hybrids have to cover up anything that is "not human".

     Even if the others couldn't see his ears, they know that he's a dog hybrid because of the beanie. Only hybrids were allowed to wear hats in school.

      "That Jeongguk kid," Jimin spoke at lunch, Taehyung's eyes lighting up and ears perking. "He's quite cute, isn't he."

       Taehyung blushed and nodded, a small smile dancing on his face. The smile immediately went away as Jimin continued, Jimin's eyes clouded in a dreamy gaze, "I think I might go over to his place and ask him out."

      Taehyung resisted the urge to growl, his teeth baring a bit before he managed to twist is into a forced grin and nodded, also ignoring the urge to cough because of almost choking on his milk.

       "Good for you," Taehyung said a bit harsher than he meant, and went to throw away his trash and head to class early, leaving a confused Jimin.

       The next day, the day Jimin was supposed to ask Jeongguk out, Taehyung didn't show up to school. The boy had called the school and begged his mom to excuse him for as long as he needed. It worked, partly because his mom didn't like forcing things on her broken son.

Jimin - missed call (24)

Jimin - unread text (76)

     Taehyung sat in his room, eyes and cheeks sunken from the lack of food he has gotten this week. There were dried tears on his cheeks. Faint knocked came from downstairs, probably the owner that they rented the house from. Probably asking for the rent money that they didn't have. Taehyung ignored it, and only flinched when the sound of the door opening and slamming came through.

       "Taehyung!" He heard Jimin yell and felt tears well again and laid down in his bed, back facing the door as he curled up in his blankets.

      His bedroom door opened and he dared to not move a muscle, tensing up when a hand flew to his shoulder. Panic welled inside of him when he recognized that it was not Jimin's. The hand was too big, almost as big as Taehyung's.

      "Taehyung?" Jeongguk's voice sounded like music, though it was raspy and he could smell the faint stench of cigarette smoke on the boy.

      "Taehyung," Jimin spoke, sounding broken and in despair. "I don't know what I did wrong. Please tell me."

      "Crush," was all Taehyung said, jealously flaring in his gut and making him growl.

      "Are you not telling me because Jeongguk is here?" Jimin sighed in defeat and motioned for the other to stand outside of the room. Jimin closed the door and took Jeongguk's spot.

      "I like Jeongguk," Taehyung said, voice cracked from the lack of talking and screaming into his pillow. Jimin froze and stood up, his cold voice bringing new tears to pool down Taehyung's cheeks. "That's what this is about? You're avoiding the world over a silly crush that you couldn't have?"

      Taehyung trembled and sniffled, making Jimin yell at him. "You're just selfish!"

      Taehyung curled up into a ball and started sobbing. "I- I never f- felt this way before," Taehyung wailed into his pillow. "He didn't try to harm me! He saved me!"

      "And I didn't do all of that? I've never felt this way either!" Jimin snapped, slamming his fist on the wall. Taehyung froze in fear, eyes widening and breathing start to hitch. Jimin stared coldly, and Jeongguk burst through the door, hearing the fight. He had a jealous gleam in his eye that cleared when he saw Taehyung in the beginning of having a panic attack.

      "Help him!" Jeongguk yelled at Jimin, making the shorter's eyes clear and the realization dawned on him. He yelled at Taehyung. For a silly crush? Jimin choked, knowing that Taehyung was right. The hybrid really has never felt this way about anyone, while Jimin has been free to date anyone. What was he even yelling.

      "Taehyung," Jimin ran to the boy's side, but was pushed away. Tears dripped down his cheeks. Taehyung didn't want him anymore. The boy was broken already and was very cautious about his friendships, and he just fucked it up.

       "Stay away!" Taehyung snarled out when Jimin tried to hold him again. "If I'm so selfish, then go be with Jeongguk instead. If you don't care, then get out of my house!"

      Jimin felt his heart shatter and lowered his head, then shook it. "No. I'm not going to leave you, Tae. I know you, and I know you will try to starve yourself or try to drug up on your mom's meds. I care, and I hate being the one to cause this."

       "You don't care!" Taehyung snapped. "If you cared, you would understand that I've never had a c- crush before! Maybe I am selfish for wanting Jeongguk, but can't I have just one thing for once?" Taehyung cried out, more tears staining his cheeks as Jeongguk watched the scene with shock.

     "I know, I know," Jimin inched towards his friend again, finding it okay that he didn't snap his teeth at him. "I was being selfish. I can have anyone I want, but you can't. I was just blinded by all the stress."

      "I never felt this way, Jiminie. I'm scared," Taehyung cried, still oblivious to the fact that Jeongguk was sitting and listening to Taehyung's confession.

     "It's okay, Taehyung. The feeling is a good feeling," Jimin hushed him, finally able to wrap his arms his friend. "It's a happy feeling, especially when the person that you like reciprocates your feelings." Jimin looked over at Jeongguk, butterflies all forgotten and probably given to Taehyung. Jeongguk wrapped his arms around Taehyung when Jimin let go, his nose running down the hybrid's cheek until his forehead rested on his temple.

      "Taehyung," Jeongguk breathed softly, feeling the dirty blonde practically melt in his arms.

      "Jeongguk?" Taehyung replied in the same tone, scared and unsure what the tingly feeling in the stomach and chest were, did not know what the heat traveling onto his face was.