A small man rushed towards Taehyung, surprising the frail brunet with a tight hug and Taehyung yelped in pain when he was grabbed hard by the guy's surprisingly strong muscular arms and crushed against a hard chest. Tears threatened to form in his eyes, but nothing came, instead his eyes were only burning and a short pained sob left his lips, a shaky exhale of a plead.

"Oh my god, sorry sorry!", the male exclaimed with a slight pitch in his voice, letting go of Taehyung who almost dropped to the ground because his knees were wobbling, his legs shaking.

"Jimin, you idiot, he's weak, didn't you see how thin he is? He couldn't even walk without my help", Seulgi snapped at the other male introduced as Jimin while she helped Taehyung to settle himself, his large eyes fearful looking at the man in front of him. Who shot him a apologetic and sheepish smile, helping Seulgi with Taehyung to sit the boy down onto one of the high chairs on the kitchen counter.

Taehyung whimpered in pain, adjusting his bum on the chair, long locks falling into his eyes as always, he was used to it and didn't even bother to wipe them away, used to the slight burn in his eyes when the tips got into his eyes.

Jimin watched the young boy intensely, how he didn't even flinch when he accidentally hit his elbow on the expensive marble surface, only a soft whimper escaped his red abused lips before he looked down onto his hands.

He was afraid Taehyung's head would fall over because his frail neck couldn't support his weight but it surprisingly didn't. "So, Taehyung, that's your name right? I'm Park Jimin", the male introduced himself with a wide friendly smile causing Taehyung to look up again, tilting his head cutely to the side.

"Yes, I'm Kim Taehyung", Taehyung said with a nod of his little head, his own name felt weird on his tongue, after being only called words like slut or whore for a good amount of time, or flower by Minho, it felt weird to hear his real and full name again.

"A beautiful name, Taehyungie", Jimin cooed, shushing Seulgi away with a hand movement who stretched out her tongue before carefully rubbing Taehyung's frail back, trying to hide her horror when she felt every bone of his back. "It was pleasure meeting you, little one. Eat something, you need it", Seulgi said before shortly glancing at Jimin.

"I'm informing the cook to make him something. I don't know how long he was starved but he definitely was", Seulgi pointed out and Taehyung stiffled a choked out laugh, it felt weird in his throat to laugh again, so unfamiliar but it was tingling in his throat and he liked that.

"I've been starved for three years... only... getting food on the urge of death... Minho didn't want me to die", the soft voice of the tiny boy filled both adults with horror as they stared shocked at the little boy gnawing on his lip, not even looking up, voice sounded mechanic, not even resignation visible in the melody of sounds leaving his throat.

"Oh my god... tell the chef to prepare a whole fucking meal then", Jimin exclaimed shocked, hugging the boy carefully to his chest. "Just wait until Jin Hyung hears this... he'll never let you stop eating again... oh my god, I'm so sorry...", Jimin whispered, tears threatened to run down his cheeks.

And this fragile little guy was Jeongguk's soulmate... mercy on his innocent soul...

"Don't be... sorry... not your fault", Taehyung whispered against Jimin's chest. "Still, no one deserves to get through this pain. Who even is that fucked up?", Jimin exclaimed outraged, knowing very well that his own brother was that kind of person but didn't dare to tell Taehyung.

"Choi Minho", Taehyung whispered in a faint voice, heart aching by the name of his tormentor, he shivered and cuddled closer to Jimin's chest, seeking for support and warmth in the man's arms.

Jimin tightened his grip around Taehyung, growling when he heard the man's name. This guy was a complete fuck up, Jeongguk had his reasons, most of the time, for killing but this guy just enjoyed seeing people in pain. And that maniac was the son of a high politician, the governor...

"Oh my god, tell this Jeongguk and he'll kill that fucktard", Jimin mumbled spaced out. Almost not hearing Taehyung's answer. "I hope he will... and he should make him suffer too... like he made me", Jimin felt pain shooting through his heart, this poor poor little boy didn't deserve this...

He probably was beautiful once but staying three years in an asylum... made him only a shadow of himself, faintly remembering on the once lively boy he was before.

"I heard someone was seeking for food?", a new voice called out suddenly and a tall muscular man entered the kitchen, carrying a plate while dimples appeared around his mouth when he smiled, eyes locked to the two boys next the counter.

"Joonie!", Jimin squealed when he saw his tall handsome lover, motioning him to place the plate in front of Taehyung which he carefully did and said boy even whined by the delicious smell hitting his nostrils, almost looking begging at the plate.

"Joonie, look how cute and lovely he is! Can we keep him?", Jimin asked with shining eyes, stroking Taehyung's cheeks mesmerized with his thumbs. Namjoon laughed lovingly at his Soulmate before reaching out for some chopsticks, handing them to the little brunet by Jimin's side.

"Baby no, Jeongguk would never share him with anyone. You know how possessive he is", he said with a loving glint in his eyes while looking at Jimin who helped Taehyung eat since the boy was too weak to support his own arm, Jimin feeding him while cooing praise words.

"I still wanna keep him", Jimin grumbled, smiling at Taehyung who has his eyes closed, savoring the phenomenal taste in his mouth, his taste buds screaming euphoric for getting flavor again.

"You know me...?", Taehyung then whispered, eyes fluttering open, leaning, in need of support, against Jimin before looking shyly over to Namjoon. Who nodded with a kind smile, sensing that the boy was utterly shy and not used to strangers.

"Of course, I do. You're Jeon Jeongguk's soulmate after all. I'm Kim Namjoon by the way. Welcome", he said and Taehyung managed to crack a broken smile.

"Hi", he whispered before leaning more against Jimin and letting the male feed him again, whimpering in delight. He finally felt at ease for the first time since years.

Taehyung finally felt hope again.

~

Ela_koo