A week ago

Baekhyun rubbed sunscreen onto his back. It was way too hot, and he was expecting a bad sunburn on the spot that his hands couldn't reach. His eyes trailed over the kids playing in the pool, splashing water onto each other and jumping off the diving board, screaming away. He sighed. He was grateful for this job as a lifeguard, but it reminded him way too much of previous summers with his father and Taehyung. They would go fishing and swimming, and they would roast the fish afterwards over a campfire, and their father would bring spices that they would put on the perfectly roasted fish before enjoying the delicious goodness. They would make the silliest jokes and laugh and share their dreams, insecurities, fears....and their father would tell them one thing, "No matter what happens, remember these moments and know there is always happiness to be found, if you just go looking for it." Baekhyun tried to remember that when he was having a hard day. He promised himself and Taehyung happiness. He snapped out of his thoughts as he heard a loud screech and then a splash. A girl in her teens had slipped and fallen into the pool and was splashing frantically. Baekhyun threw aside his towel and jumped in. He made his way to her in less than ten seconds, and holding her firmly by the waist, he pulled her to the edge of the pool and hauled her to the side. She had gone pale with fear and her eyes were shut tight. Baekhyun gently shook her shoulders until she opened her eyes. The bright sun made her squint at Baekhyun's concerned face.

"You okay?"

The girl nodded slowly. She began to blush furiously and sat up quickly.

"Thank you for helping me..." she whispered softly, avoiding Baekhyun's eyes.

He smiled at her. "Of course."

Just then he heard a gruff voice, "Kelly!"

The girl turned around and gave a tall, well-built man a weak smile. He had a thick tuft of silver hair over a wide forehead. His eyes were as gray as his hair and he seemed to be glaring at Baekhyun.

"What are you doing, talking to that criminal's brat?" he demanded, as he marched over to Kelly and pulled her roughly up to her feet.

"Be careful," Baekhyun said, as he got up too. "She almost drowned a minute ago."

"Don't tell me what to do," the man replied, and then turning to Kelly he said, "I hope he didn't bother you?"

"He helped me dad," Kelly said quietly, her cheeks going redder with embarassment. "Let's go now..."

The man however didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave. "How's that father of yours doing?" he asked Baekhyun, his eyes glittering with malice.

Baekhyun swallowed. He was already trying his best to not lose his temper- he couldn't afford to lose this job. But this man was testing him too much...

"I haven't heard from him in a while."

The man smiled. "Hmm, they are pretty strict with how much outside access they allow to drug dealers in prison...makes sense."

Baekhyun clenched his teeth. "Well I hope Kelly is feeling better now, I hope you both have a good day." He turned around and began to walk away, but stopped in his tracks as the man called out his name.

"Baekhyun," he said loudly, "don't be offended, I just wanted to make sure you're fine, you know, since you are kind of like my son, even though your mother and I aren't married or anything, but she is my mistress so...I just thought I'd make sure her sons were doing okay." Chuckling, he started walking away, but then he yelled in surprise as Baekhyun's arms grabbed his shoulders and pushed him into the water. Kelly screamed and Baekhyun ignored her as he picked up his stuff and walked away from what he was sure was his last day at this job.

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A week later

Jungkook and Baekhyun sat at the table next to the window. They were at Taehyung's favorite cafe, but he wasn't there. Instead, he was at the hospital, covered with bruises and bandages. Jungkook pushed a mug of coffee towards Baekhyun who was gazing out the window at the rain.

"Hyung, your coffee is getting cold." Jungkook said softly.

Baekhyun turned and stared at his reflection in the dark liquid. He liked his coffee black and Taehyung couldn't understand why his hyung would avoid sugar, syrup, whipped cream, caramel, and all the other amazing things you could add to your coffee to transform it into a dessert. Baekhyun pushed thoughts of Taehyung away from his mind. His attention went back to glaring at his reflection that showed his tired eyes, prominent dark circles, and angry frown. He looked up at Jungkook. 

"I know it was him. Who else would do this? Taehyung wouldn't hurt a fly. I can't think of anyone who'd hate him."

Jungkook sighed. He knew about Mr Callahan, the man Baekhyun and Taehyung's mother Ella left their father Nail for. Nail was in prison for false allegations of drug dealing and Baekhyun was convinced Mr Callahan was behind these accusations. Last week, Baekhyun and Mr Callahan had a terrible conversation that ended with Baekhyun pushing the man into the pool. No wonder, Baekhyun was jobless and pissed. And now he believed that Mr Callahan tried to hurt Taehyung to get vengeance.

"Hyung, I think that is a huge accusation. Of course, Mr Callahan might be really angry about you pushing him into the pool, but he would try to hurt you and not Taehyung, right? And even then no one would go that far. He just got his clothes wet. But Taehyung is seriously injured. Doesn't really match up..."

"You're too optimistic Jungkook," Baekhyun hissed, "I know that man. He can go to any extent to prove his dominance. It might be just "clothes getting wet" for you, but to him, it was a huge insult, especially from the son of a man he hates. He knows Taehyung is my weakness. No wonder he used him to get through to me!"

Jungkook didn't reply. He sipped his coffee, thinking hard. Could someone really do something so vicious? Didn't Mr Callahan think of how Ella would react if she found out he had hurt her son like that? He looked at Baekhyun who was back to staring out the window. He felt really bad for him, he had way too many responsibilities at such a young age. He had to now worry about not only Taehyung, but he also had to find a new job. Jungkook cleared his throat and Baekhyun turned to look at him.

"Hyung, you should go look for jobs. I can stay with Taehyung until you get back."

"You have school, don't worry about it..."

"No hyung, you'll need to buy medicine for Taehyung, and school fees are due next month. You need to find a job."

Baekhyun sighed. "This is too big of a favor dongsaeng..."

Jungkook leaned forward and said, "Hyung, Taehyung's my best friend. It's not a favor, it's my duty. And I promise you, I'm always here for you both. We'll definitely get to the bottom of this matter and find out who dared to hurt Taehyung like that!"

Baekhyun nodded. He wouldn't rest until he got revenge for his brother.

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