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𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 — 𝟗:𝟑𝟓 𝐩𝐦
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they all sat around the kims kitchen table that night, drinks passed around for the older ones and lemonade for those not old enough. it was a celebratory moment, for most of them that is. mrs. kim may have been the only one still not in favor of her sons extracurricular activities. she stood beside him, bandage and cloth in hand as she wiped at one wound on his sharp cheekbone.

"i'm happy you won." she told her son, pressing down on the wound so namjoon winced. "now you have so reason to do it again."

jungkook chuckled at that, he's spent plenty of times listening to parents and relatives who didn't understand the fights and wounds that came from it. namjoon had also chuckled, minus the wince from pain, "thanks mom," he said, "and when it's all up and running, you all get discounts at namnam shack!" he slammed the beer bottle down on the table, making his poor mother jump at the noise.

"hell yeah!" jimin cheered, a lemonade in the air at the promise of his coupons for a corner store that didn't exist yet. his best friends mother looked at him, and he boy sheepishly smiled knowing it was due to the language that slipped past his lips.

"that's what you're deciding to call it?" taehyung giggled a little at the name his brother declared in his tipsy state. he really hopes he'll think a little more on that idea. jungkook was watching the boy, a hand on his thigh hidden underneath the table, but a very prominent fond smile on his face at hearing that pretty giggle. something so simple had him feeling so much.

namjoon nodded, the wound on his cheekbone now covered with a bandage that hid the red irritation on the skin. "i like the name," he said, picking up his beer again, the short beside him leaning forward and hanging on to ever word he said. "and with the prize money i'll be more than half way saved up for it." he was smiling proud of himself, and that happiness was shared around for most.

it only wavered on taehyungs face, who knew the numbers and knew something wasn't fitting in its proper place. "only half way?" he asked, "but wasn't the lease for the building you were looking at only 900 thousand won?" now he was looking beside him at the tattooed male, who suddenly thought the beer bottle in his hand was the most interesting thing in the world.

jungkook could feel his eyes on him, and he tore his gaze away from the bottle to look at those warm brown eyes. they were so questioning, so confused. jungkook knew taehyung was aware how much money was in the prize reward, and he knew that was namjoon was talking about was too low to be accurate. the older was only thankful in that moment for taehyung not to keep talking about it, but he knew the younger wasn't about to forget their promise to talk. now they just had more to talk about.

namjoon was still talking about his future endeavors, a fantasy that was so close. everyone listened and drank and occasionally chimed in. the only one to speak up that didn't regard the shop was jungkook, who stood up and politely smiled, "i don't want to overstay my welcome." he started to say, "i know it's a school night as well, so thank you for having me and namjoon congratulations again."

"you're welcomed any time, sweetheart." mrs. kim smiled at the male who stood, and then at her son who followed his lead. she saw their hands together now, no longer hiding beneath the table. "i'll walk him out." taehyung said, smiling at his mother and waiting for a nod to excuse himself as well.

the couple left the table, walking to the front doors and stepping outside. the night was cooler now that the sun had left. it was quiet out, and continued to be as the two boys took a seat on the steps outside the door.

"i'm sure you have questions." jungkook said. he sat there with his knees bent and elbows rested on them. taehyung almost matched his position, except his chin rested on his arms wrapped around his knees.

taehyung was staring at the pathway leading from the driveway to the front door. he wondered how many snails passed from one side of the grass to the other. "what did you do with the rest of the money." he asked. there was no sense in beating around the bush, they both knew what was on the others mind.

when jungkook didn't speak, the younger sat up some more and looked at him. "did you keep it? do you do this every year? how could you do this to namjoon." he seemed to get more upset the more he asked questions. it only made him more confused himself.

"fucking talk jungkook." he stood when he said it, and taehyung glanced at the door as if someone was going to open it up and ask what was going on after he spoke louder than he thought he would.

jungkook just sighed and reached for the boys hand, wanting him to just sit down again and listen to him. "please don't get angry baby." he said it quietly. "let me explain."

there was something in his voice, the way he nearly begged and just sounded so defeated. taehyung listened, for once he seemed to listen right away to the older and sat back down. he didn't pull his hand away either.

"i have a debt." jungkook started, his eyebrows were pinched together, a crease forming that the younger wanted to reach up smooth back out. "it was my father's loan that he took out for the fitness center. two years ago," the tattooed male paused, and he swallowed hard. it was weird to see him battling hard to find the right words, or just find the will to speak them. taehyung continued to hold his hand, waiting until he spoke again.

"two years ago he died, it was an accident." jungkook said, he was staring hard at the cement underneath his boots, ignoring the tightening of his chest and trying to focus on the tightening grip of the boys hand around his. "he left me with that debt to pay back."

taehyung didn't feel so angry anymore, not that taking donations from a reward for a competition was okay, but he knew jungkook was alone when he needed help. he didn't have his father there when someone so real like this is constantly in the back of your mind to fix. jungkooks always seemed alone, he didn't have anyone to ask for help, not when he had this reputation of his own as well as his father's to maintain.

"who do you owe money to?" taehyung asked when it seemed like he was done talking.

that question had jungkook cringing. it was something he's thought of more than once, and he knew with each day he didn't say something that the truth would just suck more. he looked over at taehyung, because he wanted to see his face when he said it.

"seojoons family." jungkook said it, and taehyung didn't think the night could get colder, not as quick as it felt it did.

if he didn't want to take his hand away before, he definitely did now. jungkook held on tighter though, and that earnest look in his eyes returned. "i didn't know you guys had a thing i swear, but he's been a member for so long and my father knew how wealthy his father was." jungkook tried to explain quick enough, to get the truth out before taehyung continued to turn away too much. "business wasn't as good and my father was falling behind financially, he looked for a loan and died before paying it back."

"why don't you ask for help jungkook?" taehyung shook his head and bit onto his bottom lip. this wasn't okay, there was so much bad in the world and they didn't need to add to it any more. "you never ask for help, let me help you." it was jungkooks turn to move away, and with that he stood up and walked away a bit, too many things in his head to think clearly.

"i don't need your money." jungkook shot back, "that's just another debt i'll need to pay back. i can figure it out."

"you don't have to figure it out alone." taehyungs voice was quieter now, hands laying limp in his lap while eyes cast down to the sidewalk.

a pair of boots came into view, and then jungkook was crouching in front of him, his rough palms on the boys soft cheeks. "i'm not alone," he whispered, thumbs rubbing gently over his cheekbones, "i know that now, and i'll give namjoon what he rightfully deserves. give me a few days to think things through, please." jungkook said, and he waited for a slight nod from the younger.

jungkook kissed his forehead and then brought his small frame into a hug. it was firm and lasted a little longer than usual, partly since neither wanted to let go, but they did, and they said their goodnights — only one continued to think, knowing very well he should have listened. he should have left it alone. the boy never really was good at doing what he was told.

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