C H A P T E R 5
The Principia
"What kind of book are you bringing again this time, Namjoon?" Seokjin, one of a third-year students, exasperatedly asked the boy that was seated just next to him. "Can you just focus on your lunch for once? You already study every single time."
"Just let him be, Jin," Yoongi said, bored, "until his stomach calls him to stop stuffing his nerdy face inside those books."
True to his words, Namjoon's stomach let out a grumbling sound, much to the owner's embarrassment. He was used to his hyung's bluntness that he could still keep his expression stoic, but he would always defend his books because he believed that knowledge had always come first from everything.
"I have to finish reading Newton's Principia Mathematica before I can start with my other books," Namjoon said to Jin, completely ignoring his elder brother. "It's a very important book to read in science world, and I feel like if I haven't read it, then reading other books wouldn't be complete. Because you see, it's Newton's principle! And we can see how he saw--"
Namjoon's words were cut off when a slice of seasoned beef was forcefully spooned inside his mouth by Seokjin who could only sigh in defeat by his boyfriend's nerdiness. "Yeah, yeah, I understand. You can read your precious books after eating."
"Joon-ah, have you forgotten that we're still in high school?" Hoseok said, laughing. "I know you're eager, but we won't even have to study that until we're in uni."
"Yeah, chillax, Namjoon hyung," the youngest prince, Jeongguk, said along.
Namjoon only huffed in retaliation but continued to eat his lunch under the scrutiny of Seokjin. The reason why Seokjin was so cautious was because Namjoon had tendencies in overworking himself when an idea or curiosity was planned in his head. he wouldn't stop until he was satisfied even if it was to eat or rest. One time, the second prince came to lunch in the verge of fainting because he spent two days reading The Principles of Quantum Physics.
Suddenly a boy came barging to their table, putting his lunch tray a bit louder than it supposed to be, and sat himself in an annoyed huff.
Yoongi rolled his eyes, "well, hello, finally gracing us with your presence."
"Shut up, hyung," Jimin exclaimed angrily, narrowing his eyes on the eldest prince.
"You've been coming to lunch late lately, Chim. What's up?" Hoseok asked curiously.
"I've been searching for a friend," Jimin said, sadly. "It's been a week since he came to have lunch and lately, he just looks sad and bothered. I tried to talk to him during class, but he seems to be adamant on distancing himself."
"Oh, Jimin... Maybe you should wait a bit more. I'm sure he'll come around when he's ready to talk to you," Jin offered, sympathetically.
"Or maybe he really doesn't wanna talk to you," Yoongi said nonchalantly.
"Ugh, once again, shut up, grandpa hyung," Jimin grunted.
"What's the kid's name, anyway?" Hoseok asked, inquisitive and in the mood of gossip.
"Taehyung. He's in the same year of mine. We get biology and chemistry together. Do you know him, Guk?"
Jeongguk squinted his eyes as he tried to remember. "Nah, don't think I remember his name in any of my class."
"Wait, you mean Park Taehyung, brother of Park Hyungsik?" Hoseok asked in surprise, hoping that Jimin's friend wasn't the one he knew.
"Uh, yeah?" Jimin felt uneasy by looking at Hoseok's expression. "But I don't know if he is Hyungsik sunbae's brother..."
"Dude, he's been the talk of the school lately," Hoseok spilled in worry. "And not in a good way, I guess."
"Huh? What do you mean, hyung?" Jimin shot up, his eyes demanding.
"Well, a friend of mine said that he has been freeloading in Hyungsik's home y'know. I don't know much but recently his mother married Hyungsik's father and it's said they are taking advantage of the Parks 'cause they were poor and stuff. Hyungsik has influences that's probably why everyone believes him. Kid's been bullied since then, no one wanna befriend him from what I heard."
"Hoseok hyung!" Jimin exclaimed loudly. "Why did you just tell me all those now?!"
"You didn't ask..." Hoseok mumbled, very surprised by Jimin's outburst.
"Tae is a very good kid, I swear! He's so shy and polite! How can people create those cruel rumors?!"
"I haven't even seen the kid yet," Hoseok confusedly said. Jin nodding along.
"I swear to God, next time I saw him, I'm gonna force him to explain everything," Jimin said, spitefully which made Yoongi snorted in a playful mocking, earning a glare from Jimin.
---
True to his words, Jimin did find Taehyung a few hours later when he was helping his Math teacher by collecting students works and putting them on the second teacher room that was located on the third floor. The room was usually deserted but sometimes very few teachers used it to rest or grade works in peace.
It was just a little bit after school hour and the third floor was already empty of students. He promised to buy Seokjin ice cream after losing a bet a few days ago, so with the reasoning of not wanting to forget, he asked the elder omega to tag along with his duty. Both were quietly strolling through the corridor, passing classes and a few computer labs, and bathrooms which were currently out of order for renovation when they heard muffled sneers and laughter that came from the male bathroom.
A familiar smell of honeysuckle was permeating the air, but what alerted Jimin was the fear that was indulged in the scent that currently smelt like burning petals. He fearfully turned to Seokjin, eyes conveying his panic. Dumping the math works to the floor mindlessly, they immediately barged inside the bathroom to find three alphas surrounding in intimidating stance someone who Jimin was sure had been the source of that familiar smell. The alphas were alerted by the sudden intrusion and stopped their advance to turn and stare incredulously at the beta-omega pair.
"What the fuck are you doing?!" Seokjin screamed, hitting the closest alpha with a wet mop numerously, also wetting the alpha's hair. "Get off from that omega, you sweaty armpits!"
"Let him go before I report you all!" Jimin growled threateningly.
The alphas weren't stupid enough not to recognise who Seokjin and Jimin were, so they scrambled and escaped with tails between their legs.
Jimin immediately pranced next to Taehyung who was slumped on the corner, sporting bruises on the corner of his mouth, a tiny scar on his chin, and a red hand print on his cheek. The youngest had tear tracks on his cheeks, looking so vulnerable and small as he quivered and hugged himself into a ball. Jimin hugged his friend tightly, whispering sweet and encouraging words that the omega was safe, everything was alright. Not wanting to be left out, Seokjin joined the hug, releasing shooting pheromones to calm down the other omega.
After a few minutes of silence, Taehyung was finally abstaining himself from the suffocating but comfortable hug. "I-I'm okay," he whispered weakly, still overwhelmed but way calmer than just now.
"Let's get out of here, Taetae," Jimin said, small smile on his lips. "Can you stand up? Right, just do it slowly," with Jin, they helped Taehyung stand up on wobbly legs.
When Jimin was done putting the works on the teacher room, the three instantly left the school with Jimin refusing to just let Taehyung home before tending to his wounds and eat something. They stopped on a chicken restaurant nearby the school after buying patches and cream to treat Taehyung. The three chose to sit on the corner of the cafe to have some privacy.
Now it was just Tae and Jin who was currently patching up the scar on the younger's chin while Jimin ordered their food. "Jimin has been so worried you weren't turning up to lunch lately. He was sad that he couldn't even eat properly," Jin confessed, tone so soft and comforting that Tae found himself enjoying the calming presence of the elder omega too much even though the confession left a bitter feeling inside his stomach.
Two buckets of fried chicken were suddenly placed on the table, startling Tae who was in deep thought. "Well, now we eat first!" Jimin said, eagerly putting a fried chicken in each of his friend's hand before grabbing one for himself to scarfed down, Taehyung silently staring at the beta in awe. "What? I'm starving. You better help me finish all these chickens, Taehyung," Jimin nonchalantly broke Tae's stupor as the omega quietly followed the others to eat the food.
"Don't forget you still haven't bought me my ice cream, young man," Jin said, grumpily.
Jimin rolled his eyes at his hyung. "Ugh, fine. There's an ice cream parlour two blocks from here. We'll buy your precious ice cream on the way home."
"Ah, good to hear," Jin cheekily said, scarfing his six fried chickens.
The prior tense atmosphere surrounding them had completely dissipated, changing into a more friendly and comfortable one that Taehyung couldn't help but feel so content. the domesticity between Jin and Jimin felt both welcoming and bitter to him. Welcoming because trough the small conversation between eating, they never forgot to include Tae in it, asking small questions to comfort him; Bitter because Tae felt he was bothering their hangouts and burdening them with his miserable state. He never dreamed to have a close-knit friendship after having failed so many of it with people always leaving him alone.
As they were done with the food, dread came like a blunt knife twisting in Tae's gut. Of course, Jimin would very likely ask for explanations of him with what he just witnessed at school. Tae also owed a thanks to Jimin and Jin, and an apologise for cutting their time off. Then after the round of explanation, surely they would part to their own way and Tae would be left again.
"Taehyung..." Jimin started, looking right into the wide almond shaped brown orbs of the young omega with great patience. "I'm not going to force you to say anything if you're not ready or you don't want to, but I want you to know that Jin hyung and I are always willing to help you. We're on your side, bud," the beta scratched his neck as red bloomed on his chubby cheeks. "Like, whenever you need hugs or shoulders to cry to, mine's or hyung's free for you to use, y'know."
"Aigoo, look how embarrassed he is," Jin cooed, pinching Jimin's cheeks. "All Jiminie's friends are friends of mine, too. So, feel free to ask for hugs!"
Overwhelmed by Jin and Jimin's kindness, Tae's lips started to wobble for trying to keep his tears from falling freely. "T-thank you so much, guys... Um, I guess I can use a hug or two?"
"Oh, Taetae..." Soon the three were hugging tightly with Taehyung in the middle of the hug. Jimin could feel his shoulder started to get wet, but he was so relieved that he could have his precious friend again. They couldn't be called best friends yet, but ever since he first met Taehyung, he felt something special with the omega, an instinct to protect him and the feeling that they would be best friends, maybe soulmates for life.
Jin rocked his smaller friends, earning a wet giggle from Taehyung and a kick on the shin from Jimin.
"D-does that mean, I can call you my friends?" Taehyung timidly whispered. Jimin could see how red his ears were.
"Well, of course, this special hug is only reserved for special friends only," Jimin mocked teasingly, hugging Tae tighter as the omega let out a soft purr of happiness. The scents of honeysuckle, winter sweet, and daphne were mixed in the air.
After a solid fifteen minutes, the hug was starting to feel suffocating for Taehyung who was squished in the middle. He was so grateful with Jin and Jimin's kindness, so he felt like a brief explanation was what they deserved after everything they had helped for him.
He pushed them both so they could separate, bracing himself to talk. "I know you guys don't wanna force it, but it's only fair if I explain everything, right?"
Jimin was ready to retaliate but Jin cut him off, "We don't think of it as fair or not. As we already said, we only want to help you. But I personally think that talking it out will also be a great of help but if you're not ready, it's fine not to do it, too."
"well, I'll just tell you, then. It started when my mom married Hyungsik hyung's dad a few months before I started high school. My mom had been ill for sometimes and to be honest, my mom and I were struggling so we couldn't pay for any right treatment for her illness. Even when she married, she was still too scared to tell my step father about it. They were so in love, she didn't dare to hurt him. Until the day she passed away, I didn't even know how bad her illness had been..." Taehyung silently cried. "She never wanted anyone to worry about her, she still worked hard for her family even when she was sick.
"My step dad was so sad, he locked himself in his room for days. My step brothers were also miserable even if they tried to hide it. I guess they all blame me for not telling them sooner. I thought mom had told them herself because she promised me that. I know I should've told them before it was too late, knowing how my mom was. It was my fault that everything went downhill.
"My step dad is cold to me, Hyungsik hyung hates me, Seojoon hyung barely talks to me. It's so lonely at home but I'm determined to prove them that I am useful to the family, that I belong to the Parks. It's just... sometimes It's just hard without my mom around anymore."
"Oh, Tae..." Jimin hugged his friend again, eyes becoming teary. "I'm so sorry..."
"But, Tae," Jin said, holding Tae's hand tightly in support. "What about the bully at school? Since when it has started?"
"A week ago," Tae said, wiping his tears with trembling hands. "People just came to me... I don't even know what I did wrong to them..."
Taehyung maybe didn't know, but it was easy to patch up for Jin and Jimin to know who was behind the bullying. As Hoseok said, Hyungsik probably thought that Tae's family were taking advantage of the Parks, so he used his underlings to hurt Taehyung. What an evil.
Jin hugged Taehyung from behind. "It's okay, Tae, from now on we will protect you from the bullies! I promise."
"Yeah, let's eat lunch with us starting tomorrow!" Jimin exclaimed but Jin quickly shoved his shoulder.
"Yah! Wouldn't it be overwhelming for him?! You know what kind of kids we're having lunch with!" Jin whispered.
"Ah! I mean let's eat lunch with us on the rooftop starting tomorrow!" Jimin revised immediately. "People barely come there on lunch breaks."
"If you don't mind having me," said Tae shyly. "then please." The other two then cheered gleefully, cooing to Tae's cuteness.
"Of course, we don't mind!"
"Oh, by the way, Taetae. If the situation at home become too hard or chaotic for you to handle, do not ever hesitate to come to mine, okay?" Jimin offered kindly.
"Yeah, my house is open, too," Jin said happily.
Suddenly the youngest omega was tearing again, surprising his other friends. "I don't know how to repay you guys. You are so kind to me; do I even deserve this?"
"Of course, you deserve it, Tae," Jimin said. "And I know very well how you can repay us."
Tae's eyes widened adorably. He clasped his hands on Jimin's shoulders. "What is it? I'll do anything."
"Then just be our best friend, Taetae. Depend on us and just be there for us as much as possible."
To be continued
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