"There are large numbers of defense mechanisms that we practice unconsciously.

One example of common defense mechanism that we unconsciously practice is Repression. Sometimes called motivated forgetting, is the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts, feelings and impulses. The key to repression is that people do it unconsciously, so they often have very little control over it."

Yoongi sighs, erasing the last word he has written on his old journal that he kept ever since he's thirteen. It was given by a young kid whom he think of as a younger brother. He writes new lyrics for his new song. Yoongi's contemplating of asking Jeongguk or Jimin to sing it for him. Or both, much better.

"For example, A child who is abused by a parent later has no recollection of the events, but has trouble forming relationships."

The tip of his pencil snap, his frown becomes even more prominent. However, the professor's lesson catches his attention.

"It was because the child repressed his or her memories that are related to their parent. However, what minds forget, the heart remembers. They are scared of getting attach to others. It could be that they can't reach out first, or—"

The bell rings that indicate the class ended. He grabs his stuff and quickly turns around, only to find himself bumping his classmate, causing him to drop his journal. Yoongi apologizes and hurriedly pick it up, his classmate even helping him.

His classmate—he thinks his name is Sangwoo—handed him his notes. He smiled, handing him a small photo.

"Is this younger brother?"

Yoongi smiles awkwardly, and then shake his head. "A childhood friend, I guess."

Sangwoo nods, before saying goodbye and leaving the room.

Yoongi leans against his chair as he looks at the picture he thought he lost before. He flips it and a reserve smile appears on his face.

Taetae loves Yoongi hyung

It's been three weeks since he last saw Taehyung, and Jeongguk is slowly getting eaten by his conscience and guilt. He walks aimlessly around the campus, heading to his next class. After hearing that they actually went to the same school, he's been hoping he could bump into him so he could be given a chance to talk to him.

But alas, he bumped into him literally.

Taehyung's eyes widen when they met Jeongguk's. He swiftly excuses himself and turns around to leave, but Jeongguk quickly grab his hands, halting the elder from running away. He stares at him and notice how he lost weight and his cheek bones are much more prominent than before. His hair is now colour brown. He wears a black hoodie, jeans and a checkered scarf. He seems simple. It's the same Taehyung but at the same time he seems different.

"Taehyung, I—"

"I have to go." Jeongguk tries to speak up, but Taehyung removed his hand and escaped through the crowd.

The younger male tries to follow him but an arm slings around his nape and pull him down.

"Hey, did you hear?" It's Jimin.

"Hear what?" Jeongguk hisses, rubbing his face with his hands. It was so close.

"There are rumours going around that Kim Taehyung, the one you baby sit before, is gay."

Jeongguk rolls his eyes. They started walking towards the cafeteria. Jimin pulls out his phone and keeps on tapping, as if sending a message.
"And apparently, some boys from the Architecture class saw him leaving a bar last night with an old man. They were pretty close, and they said he's not even flinching when the old man touched his... err, butt."

The young male find himself conflicted. He wants to talk to Taehyung. He needs to.

"By the way, where's Hoseok?"

"Oh, he's eating grass."

"What's with his face? It's like a girl's."

"He's so dirty. Does he even take showers?"

"I bet he's one of the regular's pet."

"He's a dirty freak."

Taehyung sighs in relief when he heard the bell finally rings.

It's happening again. They are coming back, crawling through his veins that cause him prickly sensation. The voices are back. He wants to go home. He wants to hide under the covers; hide from Jeongguk, hide from him.

When the room is finally empty and quiet except from him and his soft breathing, Taehyung stands up and collects his items before rushing towards the door. Everything's fine, except the four boys—who happen to be his classmates—waited for him outside the room. They analyse him, as if a predator watches his prey closely, waiting for an opportunity. Taehyung step backward, before turning to the opposite direction and walking fast. However, he halted immediately when they called his name.

"What's up? Why leaving so early?" The male with pink baseball cap said.

"Are you meeting up with your sugar daddy?" The rest laughs, including the bystanders.

Another man with blue shirt throws a used condom at him, "You're disgusting. Fuck off!"

Taehyung can only lower his head as the crowd around them gets bigger. But that could only mean that he's attracting more and more attention. And he cannot say if it's a curse or a miracle, especially when Jeongguk happen to arrive at the perfect time.

"What the hell is happening here?" He whispered, as he walk closer towards Taehyung. But every step he makes, Taehyung steps backward.

"Oh, you called for help, faggot?" The guy wearing stripes said, as he lean against the wall with a smirk plastered on his face.

Jeongguk ignored the snide remark and sighs, stopping in front of Taehyung with enough distance separating them. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

Shocked, Taehyung can only nod. As much as he wants to avoid Jeongguk, he's glad that he didn't hate him.

"What is this? Acting all lovey-dovey in front of us? Fucking disgusting!" The first guy snickers.

"Are you okaaaay? Did they hurt yoouu?" The other one mocks.

"For fucks sake, can you shut up for a moment?!" Jeongguk swiftly turns around and throw his bag to the ground. The boys take it as a challenge, even standing straight and walks closer to Jeongguk. The crowd goes wild, cheering and whistling can be heard.

The guy wearing stripes move closer, eyeing Jeongguk from head to toe, "Boy, if you don't keep it shut, we'll make sure you won't be able to speak for a while."
Jeongguk scoffs, raising an eyebrow as he look straight into his eyes. "Oh yeah? I would like to see you try."

No. No, no, no, no.

"Jeongguk, stop it! I don't need your help. What? Do you think I'm five? I can handle this!" And with that, Taehyung walks away. The crowd went silent. Jeongguk groans and picks up his bag. He gives one last glance at the boys before running after Taehyung.

"Taehyung!" Jeongguk calls out, but Taehyung keeps on walking across the school ground. Jeongguk runs faster and grab him by his hand.

"Let go, please." Taehyung said without looking at the younger male. The latter shake his head—as if the elder boy can see him—and tries to catch his breathe. Taehyung tries to free himself but Jeongguk refrain to do so and grip his hand tightly.

"Taehyung, you know you can talk to me right? I mean, we're not close or something, but uhm..." He takes a deep breathe, "I am here for you. I'll stay with you."

Taehyung laughs, before lowering his head and whispering, "You left me once. Without a fucking word, Jeongguk. Then tell me how am I supposed to believe you? Huh?!" He turns to face the said male.

With shaky voice and teary eyes, he added, "Please, please just go! You don't understand a thing!"

"Then how am I supposed to understand this when you can't even tell me what is this all about?!" Jeongguk finally raises his voice, unable to control his frustration.

"Why do you even care, you dumbass?! In the first place, you left me. You don't have the rights to just barge in and force yourself—"

"You're the one who forced yourself into my life!"

Taehyung's eyes widen a tear slip from his eyes. Taehyung can see the mixed frustration and surprised look on Jeongguk's face, until a hand covered his eyes.

"That's enough." The voice said. "Jeongguk, just leave him be."

Taehyung can hear Jeongguk leave, before the hand covering his eyes disappear. He turns around to see Yoongi's back. He turns and gives Taehyung a subtle nod.

For a moment, he thought this happened before.