Taehyung was staring with heavy heart but watery mouth at the filled plate in front of him, admiring how the bright colors blended into each other, potatoes, some chicken breast as well as spinach... it looked so delicious yet he couldn't bring himself to eat.

Because he was scared. Scared to feel the warmth of food in his stomach again, scared he'll live this short moment in paradise only to find himself waking up and being back in the asylum and getting tortured for dreaming, for sleeping.

Taehyung was simply afraid that he was just dreaming all of this, really going insane after all this time... So he didn't dare to take another bite which seemed to get noticed by Jimin who dropped the chopsticks, looking concerned at the other, worried even when he saw the little male gnawing on his bottom lip.

"Don't you wanna eat more, Taehyungie? You must be so hungry", Jimin cooed, looking worried towards his soulmate who was reading his newspaper, glasses sitting on the tip of his nose as always.

Namjoon looked up when he felt his soulmate's concern, studying the tiny sized boy on the chair.

Jimin was kneeling next to him and wanting to feed him but Taehyung refused to open his mouth, simply staring at the food in front of him. "Can't...", he whispered weakly, taste buds screaming in agony, it was so overwhelming after such a long time without, to get real food, Taehyung didn't know how to start.

He didn't even know why he was hesitating. "Why not, Sweetheart? We didn't poison the food or anything", Jimin tried to joke but Taehyung winced at the bad memory this sentence brought up.

He has once gotten such a plate, filled with things he loved to eat, into his cell, his 'doctor' even smiling and saying that he was allowed to eat everything on this plate. Only to find out it has been poisoned and he was knocked out for two days. Taehyung still didn't know what has happened in these two days but after that, Minho was oddly satisfied with himself.

Even gifting Taehyung his favorite flowers but putting them in front of his cell so the poor boy couldn't try to eat them out of hunger. Just watching how their color and life faded away until there was nothing left than a sweet memory.

"Jimin, dear, if he doesn't want to eat, then please don't force him", Namjoon said gently and his lover immediately protested. "But he needs to eat! He doesn't look healthy anymore, I mean look at him! I can see his cheek bones sticking out! And his ribs!", Jimin protested and Taehyung winced by the loud voice right next to his ears.

Namjoon shot Jimin a warning look. "That's enough, Minnie", he said in a lower voice, still soft and friendly, looking apologetic at Taehyung.

"I apologize for the behavior of my soulmate. He just wants the best for everyone around him", Namjoon explained with a soft smile and Jimin nodded furiously. "Yes, but I can't force you to your luck now can I?", he said with a laugh, trying to hide his worry and embarrassment and Taehyung slowly nodded his head.

"Thank you... for w-worrying", Taehyung struggled to say, even nodding at Namjoon as a sign of gratitude.

"You're welcome", Namjoon smiled just when a nearby door opened and a beautiful man rushed inside, eyes searching for a particular male.

"Oh there you are, Taehyung my dear, I was looking for you in your room but you weren't there", the gorgeous male said and Taehyung could only stare at him shocked.

"Y-you", he whispered, trying to find for the right word to express his confusion but the male seemed to notice that Taehyung didn't recognize him so he laughed, rushing over to Taehyung with a friendly smile on his pink plump lips.

"I'm Jin, my dear. We uh, met before but... well you weren't quite conscious. My full name is Kim Seokjin and I'm your soulmate's half brother. As well as this idiot here", Jin shortly looked at Jimin who stretched out his tongue sneakily.

"Who obviously tried to feed you, god damnit Jimin, can't you see he's malnourished?! He can die from eating too much food now, especially in his condition", Jin scolded his brother who rolled his eyes but whined when he got hit by his brother.

"Don't you dare roll your eyes at me, young man, you want to help, go fetch me some soup out of the kitchen and not this bomb filled with calories that can made Taehyung's stomach explode!", Jin went on and shoved the plate away from Taehyung who seemed rather relieved than sad.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I didn't notice, I just wanted to-"

"Help, yes I know. Now be a good little brother and do as I say", Jin said before smiling at Taehyung, elegantly fixing his round glasses and Taehyung admired the stunning man with the wide shoulders quietly.

"So, Taehyung. I have shortly looked over your condition but would like to do another observation, is this fine with you? Or should we get Jeongguk so you feel more comfortable?", Jin asked gently, trying his best to lower his voice so the puppy like boy wouldn't be scared.

The said puppy chewed on his bottom lip before nodding shyly, making Jin smile a huge friendly smile. "Great! How about we go fetch Jeongguk then?"

And Taehyung shyly nodded again.

~
Ela_koo