**Shattered Trust, Rebuilt Love**. (Tae Centric)

**Chapter 8: The Hunger Within**

The night passed in a restless blur for Taehyung. Despite the exhaustion that had taken hold of his body, sleep had been fitful, filled with dreams that twisted his memories into terrifying nightmares. By the time the first light of dawn crept through the window, he was already awake, curled up on the floor, his stomach twisted in knots.

Hunger gnawed at him, a familiar, painful sensation that he had long since learned to endure. His previous family had rarely allowed him to eat, and when they did, it was nothing more than scraps-leftovers that barely sustained him. The memory of those days made his stomach churn, and he instinctively wrapped his arms around himself, trying to suppress the deep, aching hunger.

But today was different. Today, he was in a new place, surrounded by people who claimed to be his brothers. They had been kind to him, but Taehyung's trauma and fear held him back from fully trusting them. What if they were like the others? What if, beneath their kind words and gentle smiles, they harbored the same cruelty?

His stomach growled loudly, the pain intensifying. He needed to eat-he hadn't had anything substantial in what felt like an eternity-but the fear of asking for food, of potentially angering his new family, kept him frozen in place.

As the morning wore on, Jin, the eldest, began his routine of checking on each of his brothers. He moved quietly through the house, ensuring that everyone was well-rested and ready to start the day. When he reached Taehyung's room, he knocked gently on the door before entering.

"Tae?" Jin called softly as he stepped inside. He found Taehyung sitting in the corner, knees drawn to his chest, his expression distant and troubled. Jin's heart sank at the sight. Taehyung looked so small, so fragile, as if the weight of the world was pressing down on him.

"Good morning," Jin greeted with a warm smile, though Taehyung barely met his eyes. "How did you sleep?"

Taehyung hesitated, not sure how to answer. "I... I'm fine, sir," he murmured, his voice trembling. His eyes flickered to Jin's face and then away again, afraid of what he might see.

Jin frowned, sensing the unease in Taehyung's demeanor. He approached slowly, crouching down to be at eye level with his brother. "Tae, you can call me Jin hyung, remember? You don't have to call me 'sir.'"

Taehyung nodded mechanically, but the fear in his eyes didn't fade. He glanced toward the door, as if contemplating something, but quickly looked away, biting his lip. His stomach growled again, loud enough that Jin couldn't miss it.

"Tae, when was the last time you ate?" Jin asked gently, though he had a sinking feeling he already knew the answer.

Taehyung stiffened, his hands gripping his arms tightly. He didn't want to lie, but the truth was too shameful, too terrifying to admit. What if Jin got angry? What if he was punished for asking for food, just like before?

"I... I don't know, sir," Taehyung whispered, his voice barely audible. "I... I'm sorry."

Jin's heart broke at the sight of Taehyung's fear. He could see the desperation in his brother's eyes, the way he seemed to be fighting with himself over whether or not to speak. It was clear that Taehyung was starving, but the trauma of his past was preventing him from asking for even the most basic necessity.

"You don't have to be sorry, Tae," Jin said softly, his voice filled with compassion. "If you're hungry, you can tell me. I'll make you something to eat right away."

Taehyung's eyes widened in surprise. The idea that he could simply ask for food-that it would be given to him without hesitation-was foreign, almost unbelievable. "I... I can?" he stammered, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Of course you can," Jin replied, reaching out to gently place a hand on Taehyung's shoulder. "You're our brother, bear. We want to take care of you, to make sure you have everything you need."

Tears welled up in Taehyung's eyes, but he quickly blinked them away, unsure of how to process this kindness. He hesitated, his voice shaking as he finally forced the words out. "Please, sir... I mean, Jin hyung... I'm so hungry. I... I haven't eaten in a long time."

Jin's chest tightened with emotion as he nodded, his voice soothing. "I'll make you something right now, Tae. You don't have to be afraid to ask for food or any other things, okay? We're here to take care of you."

Taehyung nodded, though the fear still lingered in his heart. He followed Jin downstairs, his steps slow and hesitant, as if he were afraid the offer of food might be taken back at any moment. Jin guided him to the kitchen and sat him down at the table, making sure Taehyung was comfortable.

As Jin began to prepare a meal, the other brothers started to wake up and make their way downstairs. Yoongi, Jungkook, and Jimin appeared in the kitchen, their expressions softening when they saw Taehyung sitting at the table. They exchanged a quick glance, understanding immediately what was happening.

Jungkook approached Taehyung, his voice gentle. "Tae-hyung, Jin hyung is making something for you to eat. You can have as much as you want, okay?"

Taehyung looked up at Jungkook, his eyes wide with uncertainty. "Really?" he whispered. "I... I can eat as much as I want?"

Jimin knelt beside Taehyung, his tone kind and reassuring. "Yes, Tae. You can eat until you're full. No one is going to stop you."

Taehyung's hands trembled slightly as he nodded, his mind still struggling to accept that this was real. When Jin placed a plate of warm, freshly cooked food in front of him, the sight and smell overwhelmed him. His stomach growled loudly again, and he instinctively reached for the food, but then hesitated, looking up at Jin with a fearful expression.

Jin's heart ached as he saw the hesitation. "It's okay, Tae," he said softly. "You don't have to wait for permission. This food is for you. Eat as much as you need."

Tears spilled over Taehyung's cheeks as he finally allowed himself to eat. The first bite was tentative, almost as if he feared it would be taken away, but as the food melted in his mouth, he couldn't hold back. He ate quickly, the hunger driving him, but there was still an underlying fear that this might be a test, that he might be punished for taking too much.

The brothers watched with a mixture of sadness and relief, understanding that Taehyung's reaction was a result of the horrific treatment he had endured. They exchanged looks of determination-whatever it took, they would help Taehyung heal, even if it meant starting with something as simple as a meal.

As Taehyung ate, his tears continued to fall, but this time they were tears of relief. For the first time in years, he was being cared for, fed, and treated with kindness. It was a feeling he had almost forgotten, and though it terrified him, it also gave him the smallest glimmer of hope-a hope that maybe, just maybe, he could begin to trust again.

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