Danger | Sope ✓

10-45D

"Hey, Let him go!" Taehyung yelled at a taller boy whose grip on the front Jimin's loose uniform got tighter and tighter. The taller boy slammed Jimin against the lockers again, giving Taehyung a twisted smile.

"What are you going to do, nerd?" The boy asked, chuckling. "Go tell the principle? Give me an equation that'll tell me how you'll beat me up?" The boy snarled. "Leave unless you know what's good for you."

Taehyung could feel everyone's gaze on him, the whole hallway growing silent.

This wasn't a rare occurrence. Jimin would always get picked on, yet they called him the bad kid.

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows, clenching his hands into fists. He lunged forward, punching the boy square on the jaw. The boy let go of Jimin, holding his jaw. He growled, tackling Taehyung to the floor and landing punches until a teacher and the principal broke up the fight.

Taehyung spent the whole day in the nurse's office. He left when no one was around anymore, around 5 or 6 in the afternoon. Right as he exited the front doors, he noticed Jimin sitting on the steps.

Jimin must've heard Taehyung's small cough since he whipped his head around with a hard glare.

His gaze softened at the sight of Taehyung but turned away a moment later.

"If you're asking for a thank you, you can fuck off," Jimin grumbled.

"I mean... A thank you would be nice, but I'm just leaving..." Taehyung mumbled as he walked past Jimin.

However, as Taehyung reached the last step, he heard a soft "wait..." behind him.

"Why d'you even get yourself involved? You know you would've gotten hurt," Jimin hissed.

"I can't just stand by and see someone get hurt," Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows.

"I could've handled it."

"If your definition of 'handled, it' means against a locker and mere seconds from being punched, then I could've let you 'handle it'" Taehyung stated. "However, that's not my definition, and I had to do something."

Jimin scoffed, shaking his head. "Smartass."

Taehyung didn't know why, however he heated at the remark, pushing up his glasses when it slipped down as he hung his head slightly.

"I still could've handled it myself," Jimin sighed.

Taehyung bubbled, laughing at his remark. "Stubborn brat."

Jimin gave him a smile, returning a breathy laugh. "My name is Jimin."

"Taehyung," Taehyung skipped up the steps, shaking Jimin's hand.

When they pulled away, Taehyung stood in front of Jimin, unsure of what to say.

"I noticed you get bullied a lot," Taehyung murmured. "Why is that?"

Jimin shrugged, flashing a smile at Taehyung. "I don't know. Maybe because I'm cooler than everyone."

Instead of bringing Taehyung a smile, he frowned, furrowing his eyebrows. "Look, if they keep bullying you... I promise to always protect you even if it means bringing harm to myself."

Jimin laughed. "I don't know if you could handle that..."

"Just watch me-"

—»»»—

Taehyung gripped onto the bouquet as a harsh wind blew past him.

He navigated through the cemetery, remembering where the headstone lay during the funeral a week ago. It was a very private funeral. The whole gang showed up, especially Jungkook.