Fragile Longing (Taekook)

Chapter-Three

"But my world fell apart,

and all they could do,

the whole universe, was to silently move on."

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"You need to take care of yourself too." Jin's glare was apparent but he ignored it while continuing his work. He was almost done with the unloading but this man just had to butt in like every time.

"You know I need the extra money." He took the towel from the bench wiping his sweaty hands on it. "Yoona just started college and she is already trying to get a job. I don't want her too. She needs to enjoy her college life like everyone else."

"Yeah and for that you're digging yourself an early grave. Is that it?"

Taehyung laugh at his friend who was now glaring at him with his hands on his waist. Obviously trying to be intermediating. And if it was anyone else they would've been afraid. But not him. Neve him. After all, this person has been with him from his very childhood.

He can still remember that day clearly when he met this man for the first time.

That night an 8 year old Kim Taehyung was carrying a lady's belonging with his small yet rough hands with his sister sleeping on his back with a torn cloth securing her there. The lady had promised him money and he needed it. His sister was hungry and so was he. Yet begging was never an option for him. He would rather do labor instead.

He carefully put he luggage down in the back of her car then looked at the smiling lady. She looked at him with a kind smile before sliding a 10 dollar bill in his hands. "Thank you kiddo."

It was a mere thank you but that 8 year old boy became happy. Cause it has been rare times when someone would treat him with kindness. Most of the time people would look at him as if he has done something wrong just by existing. So He nodded at her enthusiastically before walking away from there.

The sky was getting darker by then. The warning before a storm. He looked at the sky once then started his journey towards the convenience shop on the other side of the road. His sister still asleep on his back.

After buying the milk and gummy bears that she seems to like so much, he went for bread. The cashier looked at him suspiciously the whole time. As if he was here to steal it rather than buy it. Well, he was accustomed to it by now. It was already raining when his feet step out of that store. He tried to step more in line with the shade above his head trying to keep his sister warm.

Even though he was getting drenched himself. With a little difficulty, he tore open the bread packet ready to bite into it. But it was hard to even eat when you find yourself at gun point. Or in his case, at knife point. And the boy that was wielding the knife was looking at his bread.

Taehyung understood what he wanted. The look on those tear filled eyes were similar to him after all.

''I can only give you half of it. My sister is hungry too." The skinny boy looked at him as if he were a fool. Then slowly put the knife in his torn pant's pocket. Taehyung knew the knife was useless anyway. He also knew he could've overpowered the skinny boy if he wanted. And that boy probably knew that too.

So with a little disbelief and a lot of hesitance he took the bread piece, eyeing it eagerly before snatching it and running away from there. The rain has already stopped by then.

A little smile graced Taehyung's lips. "Seems like it's another empty stomach night for me Yoona." The little girls only mumbled something in her sleep before settling comfortably in her brother's embrace.