Anything To Keep You Safe

Thirty Two:

"Jisungie is here?!" Mina yells excitedly. Hyunjin nods and Jisung enters, going and giving the girl a big hug.

"Hyunie and I are going to go to get stuff for dinner. What would you like, princess?"

"I really want Ttebokki please, Sungie."

"Of course! Hyunnie, let's go!"

The two boys make their way out of the house, walking to the store that's a few blocks down.

"Where's Seungmin tonight?" Jisung asks.

"Tutoring poor Jeongin in Math. Seungmin found out he was failing and said it "absolutely is not going to fly in this household". Jeongin fought back and said he didn't need help, but when Seungmin told Chan, Chan tried explaining calmly and Jeongin broke down crying, saying he's too stupid for math. So Seungmin is over there helping."

"Our poor maknae. He's not stupid, math is just awful."

"And that's what I told Innie. But he was all upset about it."

"How'd Seungmin find out?"

"Innie dropped his failing math test when he dropped his books this morning. He didn't want a big deal made out of it, so Seungmin had Chan talk to them about it right after school. You know Chan is the one who gets through to him the clearest."

"Yeah, he is."

The boys reach the store, splitting up to get the ingredients that they need for dinner, plus some snacks.

Reconvening at the cash register, Hyunjin wins their mini battle about who's paying by arriving first and handing his card to the clerk. Jisung groans but hugs his best friend tight in thanks.

"I'll pay you back." He declares.

"Nono, you know I owe you." Hyunjin says.

"No you absolutely do not. And I will not accept your money. Now come, let's make a little girl some Ttebokki." Hyunjin laughs and places a platonic kiss to the top of the boy's head.

"Never change, Sung." The walk back is quicker and the boys are excited about food, so they run the last minute. The moment they enter the house, they take over the kitchen, which Mrs. Kim doesn't mind at all, glad that she doesn't have to be the one to cook.

Trying not to be too messy, and failing, Jisung gets the ingredients prepared while Hyunjin does the cooking.

"Minho tried teaching me to cook the other day." The younger informs his best friend, sending the boy into fits of laughter. "Oh come on, it was cute! It was for his dad's birthday."

"Yeah yeah, but how long did it take for him to kick you out of the kitchen?"

"He didn't!"

"No way!"

"Yeah, I mean he sat me on the counter and told me I can sit and look pretty while finishes, but it was when he was almost done. I burned myself twice but he drew the line when I almost cut my finger." The boy pouts. "But I was really helpful, you can ask him."

"Oh don't worry, I will DEFINITELY be doing that." Hyunjin laughs "Just so he call tell me how awful you are in the kitchen and I can agree from firsthand experience."

"I will punch you in the nose right now, Hwang." Jisung threatens playfully.

"Oh yeah, like you can even reach my nose, short-ass."

"I can take out your kneecaps first, honey." The younger replies with a sweet smile.

"You'd have to catch me first." Hyunjin says, running for it. Jisung chases the boy around the house, the two of them playing their intense game of tag for ten minutes before Jisung finally gets to a point where he can tackle him.

"Ha! I win! Now make me food because I'm starvingggg~."

"Aish, sometimes I wonder if you're actually 7."

"Shut the fuck up and cook, tall-ass."

They chat while they cook, just genuinely catching up. Hyunjin tells Jisung how much he loves working at the café with Jeongin, and how much of an improvement it is.

"I bet it is. I'm really happy for you, Hyunnie."

"Thanks Ji, but I owe it all to you."

"Pay me in food."

"I'm working on ittt." The door then opens and Seungmin walks in the house, mouth watering at the smell of food.

"Minnie!" The two in the kitchen yell at the same time, cracking up in the process.

"Hey guys! It smells amazing in here. I see Mina is finally getting the Ttebokki she wants."

"Yep! And lettuce wraps as per the request of our Quokka."

"Mmmm yummy."

"How was tutoring?" Jisung asks the boy after greeting him properly with a hug.

"It was actually pretty easy. It turns out that Jeongin's teacher just sucks at explanations and I think he'll be fine. We emailed the teacher to ask for a retake of the test and so he's going redo it in the morning. He'll be fine."

"You should have brought him for dinner. Poor boy is probably starved after all that math." Hyunjin states.

"I offered, but Chan promised him dinner and ice cream if he agreed to study with me without a fit."

"Who could say no to free ice cream?" Jisung says with a nod of understanding. "I'm going to go get Mina and help her walk downstairs to the dinner table, then I'll come help set it."

He walks upstairs and knocks on the girls bedroom door. When he hears the command to enter, he opens the door with a big grin.

"Dinner time, your majesty." He holds out his arm and she loops hers through, using him as support as they walk into the hall and down the stairs. She sits at the table and Jisung and Seungmin set it, helping Hyunjin carry out the dishes and then calling for the adults.

"This looks absolutely amazing, Jin! Thank you so much!" Mina beams.

"Anything for my little star." Hyunjin smiles, kissing the girl's head and sitting across from her, next to his boyfriend.

"Thank you for the food, love." Mrs. Kim says, followed by Mr. Kim praising the food.

"This is really good. Good work, kiddo." Jisungs heart feels happy as he eats with his friends. He's glad that Hyunjin and his sister found somewhere that truly feels like home.

He's also grateful for Seungmin, who without hesitation, brought them into his home and cherishes them through everything.

And he's grateful that he has the honour of being in their lives.