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"Do you think we should stop to get some takeout for the others before we go back ?"
"Nah, besides I don't think they were going to wait up for us anyway knowing we had date night. I'm sure Hobi made sure Yoongi got out of bed for at least a second to munch on an apple or something."
Jin wrapped himself further into his winter jacket to protect himself from the ever growing December cold. What was it, like -2 degrees out here?
"Yeah I guess you're right. It's unfair that the only person Yoongi doesn't blow up on for waking him up is Hobi, seeing as how I'm the one who takes care of them the most! I cook, I clean, I do the laundry, I eve- Yah Joon are you listening to me?"
Jin turned his head slightly to glance at Namjoon who had stop walking, about five feet away. Making his way over to glance into the alleyway to see what had stole his boyfriend's attention- a boy? Said boy noticed the two eyes on him and made his way over slowly creeping from the shadows as if hesitant.
Judging from the silhouette getting nearer this kid was dressed in very little layers, which was absurd considering the weather would make you freeze on impact if you were standing still for too long. Where was this kid's parents and how'd they let him out the house without his coat?
Ahh. When fully submerged in the light, it was obvious- his situation. He was probably a runway or homeless judging from the holes in the white t-shirt that was barely covered by the tattered grey hoodie. His jeans were a bit too loose, as if they were borrowed and his shoes could barely be called shoes from the way they were falling apart with every step he took.
"Hey there misters. You busy tonight?"
Oh. The fake sultry tone and the way the boy tried to deepen his obviously high voice to make it sound inviting. Oh.
"Why are you out here so late at night kid? It's freezing. " Joon said frustratedly because a boy this young boy should not be out in the streets at this time of night with so little clothes on seemingly trying to bed adults.
The boy looked down at his shoes, them being a reminder of the reason he was even doing this. It was like he was trying to weigh his options. Continue the act or just be straight up. These guys look more intelligent than the other men who he has encountered.
"Look I don't want a lecture I just need a couple bucks. I'll do anything reasonable for you guys. Just name a price." The boy said getting straight to the point.
Jin's eyebrows raised at the boy's tone but even more at what he said. He had his suspicions. But it was worse actually hearing it.
"How old are you?"
"I'm as old as you want me. Now that 20 questions is over, can we get this over with?"
"Look kid we'll give you some money if you just get off the street tonight okay? And besides you don't look a day over 12, is no one older looking after you?"
The boy seemed to let go of his anger at the man's suggestion and question. Ears perking up at the offer of money for something so simple but falling down again at the mention of a guardian which brought back his feelings of impatience for the two men who talked too much.
"First of all i'll take the money, second of all I'm not 12 I'm 13 and lastly I don't need anyone but T- " the boy cut himself off before he let anything away. He sticks his hand out, in hopes that the men didn't catch his slip up, which was highly unlikely, for the awaited money.
Joon goes into his wallet and takes out two 100 dollar bills and placed them in the boy's hand. The latter just gazed at the paper money.
"Wow thanks a lot. You're really giving me $200? Are you sure you don't want something in return?"
"No really, we would really just like to see you off the streets. That should hold you for a little while right?" Jin asked, ready to help this grumpy yet sad boy.
"It's more than enough for us. Thank you misters."
Us? The men hadn't missed the term. That means this boy wasn't alone. But before they could ask the boy about it, he had already started on his way towards the 24 hour convenient store at the end of the street.
"Joon we're not gonna just let him go like that are we?"
"Babe of course not. I just want to see what he's going to do with the money before we go into this blindly."
———
The two men watched from the window as the boy roamed through aisles with a basket in his small hands and a smile on his face. The basket was filled with canned foods, cereal cups, a coloring book, pop tarts, and medicine. They watched him go to the counter and didn't miss the disgusted look the cashier gave him. Although it didn't seem to faze the boy at first, he began to take his items out without making eye contact and gave the man one of the hundred dollar bills out of nervousness before the man could even tell him a total. The man eyed him suspiciously and began saying something to the boy which made him look up, a look of disbelief on his face. The two began to get into a heated arguments from the looks of it. Ugh curse this convenience store's thick ass windows. When the man behind the counter made a grab for the boy, that was when Namjoon made a move to enter the store.
The chiming of the bell from Namjoon entering the store caused both heads to look his way. Jin closely followed him in.
"Mister! Tell this man that I did not steal this money! I really need these stuff! Please!"
Where'd the boy from a couple minutes go. This kid was now scared. Scared he wouldn't be able to buy the groceries.
"I gave him the money to buy these stuff. It's my money and I gave him permission. Now take your hands off of him and do your fucking job and cash him up." Namjoon seethed. His protectiveness coming out from the frightened look on the chubby cheeked boy who looked like these supplies would be the only thing to make him smile. And hell Namjoon wanted to see that smile again.
After cashing him up. The boy packed up his items in a haste with total disregard for the cashier and the two men who've showed him the most kindness he would ever know in this world. He rushed out of the shop with tears of frustration and embarrassment releasing through his eyes. A hand stopped him a few meters outside. He turned and it was one of the two men again. The pretty one.
"Hey just stop for a little while. Please we would just like to help you but you need to calm down first okay?"
With a shaky breath and small voice, "okay".
The three ended up on a park bench. The boy sat in the middle with each of the adults on each side of him.
"First let's start off properly, I'm Jin and that's Namjoon, my boyfriend. What's your name?"
"My name's Jimin."
"Okay Jimin, where are you going to sleep tonight? Are you homeless?"
"I- I have - um kind of. But I do have somewhere to sleep."
"And I assume all this food and medicine isn't for you." Namjoon piped in.
Jimin seemed to think about the question. He feels like he could trust these guys who have been so kind to him so far. So maybe he shouldn't lie.
"No. They're for me and my two younger brothers."
The frown on Jin's face deepened. His younger brothers? There were smaller kids with him?
"Kookie's sick and I ne-needed money for the m-medicine so I stood on the c-corner street like those women do late at night. But I got scared when a man pulled up on the side of me trying to get me into his car so I hid in the alleyway. Then I saw you two walking, dressed nicely, you looked clean and decent and thought you would— I mean I just needed money and we were running low on supplies." Jimin managed to squeeze out as his voice got choked up on the end of his rambling.
"Oh Jimin honey. You can't do that to yourself. What if we weren't decent men. We could've done something really horrible to you and you wouldn't make it back to your siblings. They would be worried right? You can't put yourself in danger like that."
"I know. But I was just so desperate and I want to protect them but I'm not doing a good job."
"I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job. If you don't mind we can help you carry these groceries back to where you sleep?"
Jimin, already tired as he was, nodded his head and gave some of the groceries to Jin and some to Namjoon and began walking with them following closely behind.
Jin and Namjoon gave each other sad glances every once in awhile, especially when Jimin would trip over his too big pants or worn out sneakers.
———
After a thirty minute walk, they arrived. It was a little spot under the bridge by the river. The architecture built in such a way that gave the spot a blind spot for anyone driving on the bridge or walking near the river. Completely passing three young homeless boys unknowingly.
Jimin went through an opening in between where the bridge and a pillar going from the ground to the top of the bridge. Jin and Namjoon followed suit. They were met with a makeshift dining area/living area with a box table and rock chairs, old blankets and quilts spread on the floor, and two little bodies resting on said blankets snuggled together. Jin cooed internally at the cute children. Quickly remembering the situation he noticed how the smallest child was sweating profusely and breathing abnormally hard. That one must be Kookie.
"How long has he been sick for Jimin?"
"Since two days ago. We thought he would just get better but I think he's getting worse. I don't know what to do. I don't even think I got the right medicine."
"Let me have a look, I'm a doctor. It'll be okay Jimin. You did good."
Jimin looked down at the words of encouragement.
Carefully removing the boy from under the covers so as to not disturb or frighten the other sleeping boy, Jin made his way over to their box table and laid the boy on it. After much checking, Jin concluded that the boy had developed a very bad fever. He was too heated and anymore exposure out in the cold can kill him. So Jin got a blanket and took off his jacket, wrapping the little boy in it and lifting him up so his head laid on his shoulder and legs dangled by Jin's side.
"Jimin he's very sick with a very high fever. I can take better care of him in my home with my medical supplies. He may die if I don't. You and your other brother can come too. We can't have you guys in the cold any longer you'll freeze to death if sickness doesn't take you first." Jin told Jimin with authority in his voice in case he had any protests on his mind.
"Are you sure I can trust you?"
"Yes you can trust us. You'll are just kids and I don't know what happened to you'll but we just want to help you feel and be safe." Namjoon said.
Thus Jimin packed their little belongings in a black backpack. He then woke his brother who was still sleeping in the blankets.
"Tae these men are going to help Kookie get better. We are going by their place to be warm and you can go back to sleep there okay?"
"Okay" said the meek reply, almost as if the boy was still half asleep and not at all sure what was going on. But he would still follow his hyung anyway.
The walk back to the apartment was quiet. Everyone stuck in their own thoughts. Namjoon thinking about the boy who was now on his back because he couldn't wake up fully and seemed too exhausted to walk as fast as the others and how said boy was now wearing his coat. Jimin thinking about whether he just walked himself and his brothers into a trap, but desperate times call for desperate measures sometimes and he just hoped he wouldn't regret this. Jin thinking about the boy in his arms radiating enough heat from his body to keep Jin, a grown man heated during one of the coldest winters in Seoul.
Namjoon unlocked the door to the apartment expecting darkness but was surprised to see the lights still on and Yoongi and Hoseok spread out on the couch and movie credits rolling through. The opening of the door made Hoseok stir and wake up which in turn caused Yoongi to growl from being awoken from his sleep as well. Both males looked at each other tiredly then at the door and the unusual sight of their roommates coming in with three unkept children.
"Um can someone tell me what the hell is going on?" Yoongi said towards Jin and Joon who had completely forgotten to warn their roommates about their visitors.
"Yoongi we'll explain later but right now I need to help this boy. " Jin said motioning to the boy in his arms as he made his way to his bedroom with Jimin following close behind him.
Joon went to lay down Tae onto Hoseok's bed knowing he wouldn't have as much as a problem with it knowing the circumstances even if the boy was dirtying his bed sheets. Besides Jin went into their shared room with the sick one and his shared bed was being occupied now.
When he made his way back out to the living room where Yoongi and Hoseok were now sitting upright he sat on the single chair and pinched his eyebrows. It's been a stressful night.
"So .. Are you going to explain?"
"Me and Jin were on our way back home from our date when we ran into Jimin, the one with the backpack. The kid tried to prostitute himself to us for some money. He's only 13"
"Shit." They said in unison.
"Yeah. We gave him some money to just get him off the street but then we followed him to a convenience store where he was trying to buy food and medicine. An encounter with the cashier had him running off crying. So we took him to the park and he told us that he needed money to get his little brother some medicine and to get food for them. So we followed them back to where they sleep. God guys they sleep under a bridge in such thin clothes in the winter. It's a miracle they made it this far. So we brought them back here so Jin can treat the sick boy."
"Wow that's a lot to take in. Those poor kids."
"Yeah. I'm sorry we didn't ask first but it was the right thing to do yeah ?"
"It's no prob. I would've been upset if you turned a blind eye to them instead Joon." Yoongi said, Hoseok nodding in agreement.
———
The next morning was started a bit too early and a bit too loud for Yoongi.
"JIMIN HYUNG! OH MY GOD IVE BEEN KIDNAPPED!!"
The screaming coming from the other side of the room startled Yoongi making him drop out of his bed to glare at the source of noise. Where had the peaceful, quiet looking, sleeping boy gone Yoongi watched throughout the night ?
Hoseok and Yoongi shared rooms and with the new occupant in Hoseok's bed, Hoseok was forced to sleep on the couch while Yoongi went straight to his own bed. Watching the child sleep for a while before falling into slumber himself. Joon had warned him that the boy may be scared when he woke up but geez he didn't expect him to have such a good pair of lungs.
"Chill out kid you weren't kidnapped. Your hyung is in the next room with your little brother."
The boy hadn't noticed another person in the room. So when Yoongi decided to speak up, the boy shrieked in surprise. But quickly collected himself after realizing he probably disturbed someone's peace and quiet.
"Jiminnie hyung is here?" He asked in a little voice, too scared to upset the man even more than he looked.
"Yes, he's just in the next room. You can go see him or something just please no more noise."
"Okay, I'm sorry." Taehyung whimpered and scampered out of the bed. He felt refreshed and actually well rested for once. He was already too use to waking up on the hard ground, still shivering no matter how many blankets they tried to use to stay warm. The warm and soft bed he woke up in felt like a big marshmallow.
He spared the angry man another glance before fleeing quickly out the room. There was only one room directly next to this one so it was easy to tell that this was the one his brothers were in. He entered the room as quietly as he could to see Jimin and Kookie laying on the only double bed in the middle of the room. He let out a sigh of relief at the sight of Kookie looking less pale and more like himself.
"Jimin. Jimin. Jimin. JIMIN!" Tae shouted quietly in Jimin's ear to wake him up but low enough to not disturb Jungkook. He was bored and wanted to know who the man was in that other room and why they were in this strange house. Jimin opened his eyes with an eye roll when he heard the shouting in his ears.
"Yes Tae."
"Where are we why are we here who's the mean man wh--
"Tae slow down. I thought you were awake enough when I told you last night but I guess not. Last night Kookie's fever got worse and I met this doctor and his boyfriend uh when I was walking to the convenience store. They let us spend the night at their apartment and took care of Kookie."
"Ohhhhh. Are they going to let us stay or are they going to kick us back out tonight?"
"I honestly don't know. They don't seem to be mean enough to kick us out but I don't think we should overstay our welcome. So we'll just rest here for a bit and leave later okay?"
"Okay hyung. Kookie looks way better don't you think?"
Jimin nods his head in response.
"Hyung I have an idea! Let's make breakfast for them. They'll be so surprised and it's the least we can do."
"Good idea Tae!"
———
Jin woke up to the smell of food being cooked. It didn't smell appealing but rather smelt a bit overdone. Or perhaps underdone. He couldn't put his tongue on it. He stretched his legs, forgetting for a second on why he was sleeping in the single sofa in the living room when last night came back to him. The kids!
"Tae don't put in anymore salt. It's gonna be too salty!"
"But hyung this doesn't look seasoned enough yet!"
Jin smiled at the failed attempt of whispering going on in the kitchen. As he got closer he noticed the messy state his beloved kitchen was in. If it wasn't for Jin's fond heart to the children he barely knew, someone would be getting the most hell right now because his kitchen was ruined. He watched as they continued to stir what look like eggs in the frying pan. Completely over stirring it until it was too thin to be considered scrambled eggs or even eggs at this point. Their hands were the only parts that were clean about them (they must've had the decency to make sure they were clean before preparing a breakfast for the others) contrasting their dirty feet, faces and torn clothes.
"Tae just go make the drinks and no more seasoning the food!"
Jin watched as the other boy he has yet to talk to, Tae, make hot chocolate from the Swiss miss packets. He dumped a packet into four mismatch cups (he probably used the first cups he saw) and poured in some of the boiling water.
"Hey what're you doing?"
Jin gasped and looked back.
"Shhhhh Hobi! They're making breakfast."
"Oh my gosh. Look at them." Hoseok whispered over Jin's shoulder.
"Go wake up Joon please Hobi? And Yoongi too I think breakfast is almost done." Jin snickered.
Hobi made his way back to the living room to wake up Namjoon who fell asleep in the most awkward position. He shook him for a bit until he began to stir. And right at that moment Yoongi came down the stairs.
"Perfect timing Yoongs, the kids made us breakfast."
"And Jin allowed that?" Namjoon asked knowing his boyfriend became a monster when it come to his kitchen.
"You know how Jin is when it comes to kids." Yoongi mumbled and made his way to the kitchen.
They found Jin still peeking behind the wall at the youngsters. Now they were setting the plates and drinks at the table for the others to eat at. At this time they made their presence known and stepped out.
"And who gave you guys permission to use the stove?" Yoongi said in a jokingly way, which was taken the wrong way by the two boys.
"We're s-sorry w-w-we just wanted to d-do something nice for you. We won't do it again! I'm so dumb. I knew this was a bad idea hy-" Tae mumbling got cut off.
"Hey I was just joking kid. Don't freak out." Yoongi stepped in before the kid started degrading himself more.
The others looked at Yoongi like he just stole the boy's favorite toy and burned it.
"Way to go dickhead." Namjoon said. "We really appreciate the food Jimin and Tae. I'm sure it's gonna taste great, right guys?"
The nodding of heads were the only response Namjoon would get because the food looked anything but tasty. But they weren't about to tell the boys that so they took their seats and stared at the food intensely before picking up their utensils.
"W-we m-made you guys scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and hot chocolate!" The boy said as if he wasn't just five seconds away from a panic attack.
"Thank you Tae." Jin gave him a smile to which the little boy looked down shyly. "But where are your plates? You only made enough for us?"
The question made them realize that they didn't make anything for themselves (too occupied with making something for the men). "Ah I guess we forgot." Jimin said.
"Don't worry I'll make you guys my specialty banana pancakes. I was planning on making breakfast anyway but you beat me to the kitchen. And then afterwards we need to get you boys washed up and get you out of those clothes."
———
The men had managed to eat the majority of their food without dying thankfully. They watched fondly as the two boys vacuumed in Jin's banana pancakes as if it were the best meal they'd ever had. It possibly was.
"So you're Tae."
At the mention of his name, the boy looked up at the man with the blonde hair that was styled up in a way that made him look cool.
"My real name is Taehyung but Kookie and Jiminnie call me Tae." He said with a rectangular smile.
"cute." Hobi squealed as quietly as he could. (Everyone can still hear him)
"Why were you guys sleeping under the bridge? What happened?"
"We grew up in the same orphanage. I was the oldest, Taehyung is 12 and Jungkook is 8. It was always us three. The people there weren't very nice to us, especially to Kookie because he doesn't talk. So we ran away a couple months ago." Jimin recounted the story looking at his empty plate.
"You mean to tell me you were sleeping under that bridge for months? And what do you mean they weren't nice to you? Did they hurt you?"
"Yeah we found that spot to sleep in and it was okay for awhile but then winter came and it was too cold. But we had no where else to go. ... Yeah they did hurt us. A-almost everyday. We didn't have any friends because the others s-said we were weird and fags so they bullied us. And the people working there would punish everyone for making simple mistakes, but only in areas where people couldn't see at school. Tae was punished a lot because he's clumsy. They usually hit us on our backs or legs. It was the day after they beat Kookie too hard for dropping a plate while washing the dishes that we decided to pack up and leave. He couldn't even walk properly afterwards and wouldn't stop crying. I don't even think they looked for us when we ran away thankfully."
At this point the adults in the room were angry. Angry that these boys grew up in a place like that. Angry that they had to suffer because they were different. Angry that they got punishments for stuff so stupid. Angry that this young boy felt the need to sell himself because he wanted to take care of them. And they seemed like the sweetest kids. I mean they made us breakfast for Christ sake. This is--
The figure poking his head from behind the wall caught not only Namjoon's attention but the boys' too.
"Kookie! You're awake!" Tae sprang up to hug the boy. "Look we have banana pancakes! Sit and eat."
If Hobi thought Jimin's chubby cheeks and Tae's rectangular smile was cute then Kookie's round doe eye were on another level. "Oh my gosh."
"Hobi is that all you say nowadays?"
"What? These kids are just too adorable for any other words."
Jungkook sat down to eat his pancakes, much slower than the other two had. But it was obvious he enjoyed it just as much. Jin was happy to see the boy look alive, and well a huge contrast to how he looked last night.
"Hi Jungkook, are you feeling any better?"
Jin's questioned startled the boy and he looked down at his plate, not answering.
"Kookie these are the guys who helped us last night. Jin is a doctor and he treated your sickness."
Said boy looked at the man who he assumed was Jin and gave a little bow of the head in thanks.
"Sorry Kookie doesn't talk."
"No it's fine. I don't mind. You guys can do whatever you want. Whatever makes you boys more comfortable here."
"Will you be kicking us out?"
Jimin nudged Tae hard for asking that question. Hadn't he already told him they wouldn't overstay their welcome?
"Heavens no. You can stay as long as you want."
———
After breakfast, Jin had taken the three to the bathroom for a bath. He asked if they would like some privacy but they didn't seem to mind him being there, assisting them. His heart ached when he saw the scars marring their backs and legs. He had to hold back the tears and focus on how happy they seemed to be in the bubble bath Jin prepared for them. They were currently making bubble beards causing Jungkook to giggle as he covered the yellow duck in bubbles.
The three boys were now wrapped in towels in Jin and Namjoon's room as Jin got them clothes to wear. Because they were so small for their age, even the smallest tees Yoongi lend them (Yoongi was the smallest of the men even if he didn't like to admit it) were swimming on them like dresses. Jin cooed at how the grey t-shirt went below Jungkook's knees. (These boys' cuteness will kill him someday.)
They made their way back downstairs where the others were.
"There they are! You guys are even cuter when clean."
How nice of you to point out Hoseok.
"Do you want to play some games? We can set up the Mario kart."
The boys looked at each other and smiled, eye brightening as they quickly went over to the sofa to sit down at the bottom of it on the floor. Hoseok showed them the controls and thirty minutes later they were having the time of their lives. The hyungs watched on as innocent giggles gook over.
"Can't we just keep them and maybe put them in our pockets?" Hobi asked
"I'm thinking we should too." Jin agreed
———
The boys had went back up for another nap in the room. When Jimin woke up, it was dark out. But not everyone was sleeping judging from the noise coming from the tv downstairs. He crawled out of the bed to not wake the others and made his way down.
The hyungs were playing a game. A basket ball game that looked fun. Jimin shook his head and got back to what he was going to do. He cleared his throat to get their attention. The game was quickly paused as heads turned.
"I-I just w-wanted to say thank you s-so much for helping us. I didn't believe people can be so nice but you proved it to me. Thank you for taking us in and feeding us a-and bathing us and l-letting us pl-play your games. We'll repay you back whenever we can."
Yoongi gave a gentle smile to the boy. The first smile he gave since the kids came into the house. They just knew how to tug at his stiff heartstrings.
"It's really no problem Jimin. We know you're grateful. Like I said, you can do anything you want now. You seem like good kids who need help and we are more than happy to give it to you. You don't need to repay us anything. We want to do this." Jin said gently.
Jimin walked over to him hesitantly. This reminded Jin of when they first encountered Jimin in the alleyway. He stood in front of Jin and hugged him. Little sniffing was heard as Jimin cried into Jin's shoulder out of happiness. Happy that he found a family. Happy that there really was kindness in the world. And happy that he and his brothers now had people to love them.