The Ugly Duckling [Jinkook, Minjoon, Taegiseok]

4: Mask

Ages at the moment:

Jin and Yoongi: 14

Hoseok: 13

Namjoon: 12

Jungkook: 9

~~~~~

"Can I come in?"

"Go ahead."

Jin's door opened and his maid E walked in with a small box.

"Yes, E?"

E handed the box to Jin. "It's a gift from the Queen, but I wouldn't call it much of a gift. It's more of an insult."

Jin opened the box. Inside, there was a black mask with small white swirls as designs on the cheeks and a white flower design above the right eye, feeding into the swirls that almost resembled leaves. It was a beautiful mask and might be the most expensive and intricate thing Jin owned, but he still slumped when he saw it.

After the party last night, it was declared that Jin was to wear a mask from then on whenever he was in the presence of others or outside his bedroom.

"It's very pretty," Jin responded, causing E to snort.

"It's pretty despicable, that's what it is."

"You shouldn't say those things about my parents. One day you'll get caught and they'll have your head."

"Those slimy chameleons can't be called parents," E rolled her eyes. "They've never once helped raise you, and they don't deserve that title."

"Then what am I supposed to call them?"

"Birth giver and sperm donor."

Jin choked on air. "E!"

"What?" E leaned against the door. "You know I'm right."

Suddenly E screeched as the door opened, letting her fall backwards with it. Jin laughed as a confused Namjoon hesitantly stepped over E, who was dramatically flailing on the floor.

"Um, Jin?"

"Yes, Joonie?"

"I wanted to check on you. Are you alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Jin asked.

"What's that?" Namjoon asked, his eyes falling to the mask in Jin's hands.

Jin sighed and put the mask on. "It's my new face. Mother got it for me. Isn't it pretty?"

Namjoon scowled. "They did not  just do that."

E dusted herself off and came back into the room. "Your birth giver and sperm donor gave you guys pretty good genes, but that's the only good thing they've done in their lives."

Namjoon's eyes became sad. "Jin, I'm so sorry I didn't see how badly they treated you before. I'm always stuck alone in the library, and I guess they must have done that so that I couldn't protect you."

"You shouldn't need to protect me," Jin crossed his arms. "I'm the older brother so I should be taking care of you." 

"I don't need as much protection as you do because I'm not a target," Namjoon countered.

Jin closed his mouth, unable to fight against Namjoon's argument.

"Then how about you protect me and I take care of you?" Jin shrugged. "It's not like our parents have been watching over you very well either."

Namjoon still frowned, but he pursed his lips and nodded as a silent response.

"Hey, some of the nice kitchen ladies were going to show me how to make cookies. Wanna come with me?" E asked.