Taehyung looks ethereal when he is sleeping.

Hoseok smiles at the younger as he caresses his cheek gently. The purple bruises on Taehyung’s neck could not be unseen by the older as it is too obvious but he cannot be mad as well. Everyone has a right to mark Taehyung if the younger wants it as well but it is a lie to say he does not feel hurt by it.

Hoseok pulls the blanket to cover the exposed back of the younger before he gets up and gets pants to cover his lower body that was before. A breakfast would be nice for Taehyung once he wakes up, so Hoseok walks into the kitchen, looking for something to make. Taehyung’s phone on the kitchen counter catches Hoseok’s attention when it vibrated and it never stops. Hoseok grabs it and takes a look.

He is not happy with it.

A lot of messages saying bad things were sent to the younger in most of the social apps. Hoseok growls at the words he read and logs out those apps, after deleting the messages. One particular message from Sungjae catches his attention when there is only a link sent. Hoseok clicks on it and scoffs.

A post in campus website full with pictures of Taehyung with different guys – them. Not to mention the comments by the students.

Hoseok’s grip is getting tighten by the mean words thrown to Taehyung and he clenches his jaws. But everyone knows Hoseok is not a kind of person to solve a problem with physical – not even Yoongi. He heard how Taehyung said there was a rumor about him and the others but he did not know it will lead to this.

“Hyung?”

Hoseok rips his eyes from the phone screen to Taehyung who is standing at the door frame with his pants on, called out for him as he rubs his eyes. Hoseok puts down the phone and smiles fakely.

“Morning, Tae.”

“Mmm, morning...”

Taehyung yawns.

“Is that my pho-“

“Do you have class today?”

Taehyung blinks at Hoseok who suddenly cuts his question, asked in monotone.

“…yeah, after lunch. Why?”

“Nothing.”

Taehyung quite taken back by Hoseok’s action who is unusual. He is not bright and seems … cold.

“I… I’ll take a shower, first.”

Hoseok nods before walks to the fridge to look for some food. The situation kills Taehyung silently so he decided to head for a shower quickly, away from the scary vibe he received there. Hoseok takes the phone back after Taehyung left, making a quick call to someone.

A few rings, it connected.

“Hmm… Who?”

Hoseok recognizes Jihoon’s voice who asked in sleepily voice.

“It’s me, Hoseok.”

“Oh. Seungcheol is sleeping-“

“I want to talk to you, Jihoon.”

“Hyung?”

Hoseok can hear the muffled noises on the other side of the line, Seungcheol asking something before Jihoon talks again.

“Yeah, hyung? What is it?”

“I need help.”

“Yeah sure, what is it?”

“Someone stalked Taehyung. Can you find who did it? That person posted a picture in campus website.”

“I can do that. I’ll call you back once I’m done.”

Taehyung walks into the bathroom with his head questioning the different action he received before from the older. Taehyung takes off his pants and jumps under the shower, taking the warm bath in the cold weather. He stops when he rubs the soap on his nape, remembers how he spent the night before with someone.

“No way…”

Taehyung runs to the mirror and standing in front of it, looking at himself who got soap on his body with few visible hickeys near his collarbone and neck. He touches it slightly. Taehyung wonders if Hoseok saw the marks since he woke up first and both of them are in the first place. Taehyung also wonders if the older is actually mad to know he has been sleeping with someone.

But why would Hoseok be mad if he does not like Taehyung? At least he is not one of them who confessed. But the question is why Taehyung feels bad about it, to sleep with Namjoon when he enjoyed the night and at the same time, worries about others as well. Taehyung frowns at the confusion he has.

Taehyung puts on his clothes, layers after layers before walking to the living room and found Hoseok, fully clothed, watching television.

“Are we going somewhere?”

Hoseok shakes his head.

“No, I’ve something to do. We’ll have a lunch first before I send you to the campus.”

Taehyung bites his lower lip.

“Urm, can you not send me there? I mean- not to be rude but I can go by myself.”

Hoseok looks at Taehyung, expressionless which makes Taehyung flinch, thinking that he said the wrong thing.

“There’s a chicken restaurant a block away, right?”

Taehyung nods, not moving from where he is standing. Hoseok, finally, smiles – sincerely.

“Let’s eat.”

The lunch is awkward. They are not talking and Taehyung is i