Color of My Pain

4| White

Yoongi waited for the footsteps to recede. For the door to slam shut. He heaved himself up from the floor, cringing at the sharp brown aches that rose up in response. And the familiar lavender of his soulmate's worry.

"I'll get out soon. I just can't right now." He whispered.

Yoongi pulled his bag down and ran across the street to his school, barely making it to his first class. Taehyung shot him a confused look, but Yoongi waved a dismissive hand. After 45 minutes of a boring lecture, the bell tolled their freedom. Yoongi walked out beside Taehyung, who was prepared to interrogate him.

"Yoongs you--oof-- hey babe." He smiled.

The 'babe' was Jungguk, who had effortlessly hopped onto Tae's back, seemingly his favortie mode of transport.

"What's Yoongi hyung done now?"

"Late."

"Again?"

"Again." Tae confirmed solemnly. The couple tsked in unision. A very TaeKook thing to do.

"Well you've both been late before." Yoongi pointed out.

"Neither of us live across the street." Jungkook shrugged, nestling closer to Taehyung.

"Well, that's not an advantage. In fact, it's a hindrance! Being across the street, you'd think you had all the time in the world. Right? So, you sleep in, take your time-- Oh no, You're late!" He ended with a dramatic cry, causing a few people to look at them oddly. Oops.

"Guess that's true." Tae allowed graciously.

"Of course it's true, now move it, or we'll be late for Geometry too."

There was a collective groan from the trio, but they managed to make it on time.

"Stay here for lunch?" Jungkook asked, having returned to  Taehyung's back at the first opportunity.

"Um,"

"Yeah he will. I'll buy. Merry Christmas."

"Taehyung, it's September."

"So don't expect anything in December hyung. That's how this works." Tae laughed.

Shaking his head, Yoongi followed them into the cafeteria. They claimed a small table in a corner, far from the main crowd. Taehyung very literally deposited Jungkook at said table and led Yoongi to the crowded line for food.

They grabbed trays, Yoongi's considerably less full than Tae's.

"What? Kookie likes banana milk." Tae said when he caught Yoongi eyeing his choice.

"I know he does." Yoongi smirked.

Taehyung maturely stuck his tongue out, paying for both trays.

They made their way back to Kook, who seemed to be talking to some people Yoongi didn't recognize. Tae caught sight of them and swore, he shoved his tray at Yoongi and took off towards their table.

Balancing the trays, a confused Yoongi followed.

That is, he was confused, until a hand was raised and came down on Kookie's cheek. After that, Yoongi was angry. Very angry. And slightly scared as well. The white crowded his rational thoughts into a corner where he couldn't access them. A fist connected with Kookie's jaw moments before Tae skidded to a stop in front of him. Now Yoongi was close enough to hear the slurs and insults being thrown at his friends.

The close-minded--

He slammed the trays on an empty neighboring table and caught up with a fuming Taehyung. His fist was clenched in one of the boy's shirts and the other hand was ready to punch him, hard.

"Taehyung, let him go." Yoongi ordered firmly.

He put a hand on Tae's shoulder. "Now. Get Kook."

Taehyung shoved the guy away roughly and grabbed Jungkook away from the other groupies. The care with which he handled Jungkook was incongruous with the rage that poured off him in waves. "C'mon babe, let's eat somewhere else."

Yoongi watched them go to the table where he'd left their food. He turned to the boys in front of him, who were growing restless with boredom.

He stepped really close to the tall one who'd hit Jungkook. "Try that again, with anyone, and I'll make sure you know how hard I can punch." He whispered menacingly.

A guy with long lashes smirked. They were delicate, slightly feminine. He started to walk closer, but Yoongi stepped right into his path.

"You wanna go lady?" He said it loudly, making sure the guy's friends could hear it.

"Lady?"

"Oh, you're a guy? Couldn't tell, Lashes, you know? Still wanna go?"

A rustling chuckle rippled through the nearby tables and one bubbled up in himself when Lashes looked down, scratching his forehead.

"Ah, no." He stepped back.

"That's what I thought."

He sat next to Taehyung, wishing he'd had a better insult than lady lashes. Tae however, was worrying over his own things. He had Jungkook in his lap, fussing over his hair and pressing the cold banana milk carton to Jungkook's cheek.

"Hyung-" Taehyung started.

"Now you do have to get me a Christmas present." Yoongi smiled, before digging in.

Jungkook giggled and opened his banana milk. "Taetae, it literally cannot hurt. Let me drink my milk."

Taehyung sighed, but let him. He seemed really shaken up by the encounter. And very worried about his soulmate.

"Are you sure you're not-"

"Do you feel anything? Huh? Didn't think so." Jungkook sassed, smiling. He leaned forward and kissed Taehyung, making an obscene gesture toward the guys who'd bothered them.

Yoongi snorted.