Key sat in the corner quietly. His brother, Taemin, sat next to him just as quiet. 

 

 

 

"They've been in the home for almost two months and the older one has not said a word. He won't let anyone touch him without freaking out. The younger one isn't much better but at least he'll talk." A lady said to another. They were staring in the door way watching the boys. 

 

Taemin noticed the ladies looking at them. He pulled Key close to him. 

 

Key curled up in his brother’s arms. 

 

 

 

"They shouldn't be in a home like this. They need a real home." The other lady said. "I can take them in. We have an extra room and I'm sure they'll want to share."  

 

 

 

"That would be great." The First Lady smiled. "I can get the papers ready."

 

 

 

"Okay, I'm going to talk to them." She said. She went into the room as the other lady left. "Hi boys, I'm Mrs. Choi." 

 

Taemin pulled Key closer and glared at Mrs. Choi. He didn't let anyone near them, especially Key. He never left his side. 

 

"I'm not going to hurt you. You're going to stay with me for a while." 

 

Taemin shook his head. "We don't want to go with you." He said harshly. He didn't trust anyone but Key. 

 

"You two would have your own bedroom. I have two boys. They're really nice." She said. 

 

 

 

Taemin looked at Key, then back at Mrs. Choi. "Fine..." 

 

"Why don't you two pack your things?" She said. 

 

Taemin nodded. He took Key to their room and they packed up their things. He held Key's hand as they walked back out. They only had a few clothes and some books. 

 

Key looked at the ground letting Taemin lead him. 

 

"We're ready." Taemin said. 

 

She nodded. She had signed the proper paper work while they were packing. "Let's go then." 

 

Taemin nodded. They followed her to her car and they soon were heading their way. 

 

Key was getting nervous. He didn't like new places. 

 

Taemin noticed. "It's going to be okay. I'll protect you." 

 

Key looked at his brother with tears in his eyes. 

 

Taemin frowned and held him. "I won't let anyone hurt us again. I promise." He said, his older brother's back softly. 

 

 

 

When Key broke down, Taemin took the lead as the big brother. Even though he was younger by two years, he watched and took care of his brother. 

 

Key leaned into his arms.

 

Taemin held him. 

 

 

 

They soon got to the house. 

 

 

 

Taemin held Key's hand and had him close to him. He looked around at their surroundings. 

 

Key hid behind Taemin and clung to him. 

 

 

 

"Come on in boys. My children are still at school and my husband is at work." Mrs. Choi said. 

 

 

 

The boys followed her in. 

 

 

 

"Where's our room?" Taemin asked. 

 

"It's at the end of the hall. It's only got one bed right now but it's a queen. I can get a bunk bed though." She said walking them to the room. "It's got its own bathroom with a shower." 

 

 

 

"It's okay. Key and I will sleep together." Taemin said. 

 

She opened the door to a large room. It had a huge bed with a desk, dresser, two night stands and a TV. "The bathroom is fully stocked. You shouldn't need anything. Let me go find some of my boy’s old clothes that will fit you." 

 

Taemin nodded. He led Key to the bed. "This is nice. Do you like it, Key?" He set their bags down. 

 

Key looked around nervously. 

 

"We'll be safe here. She seems really nice." Taemin said. "And I won't leave your side." 

 

Key looked at his hands. 

 

Taemin frowned. "We're going to be okay now. I won't let anything happen to us." He hugged Key. 

 

Key hugged back. 

 

Taemin smiled at Key. "I'll protect you. I may be the little brother, but I'm strong and I'll help you become strong again too." 

 

Key smiled weakly at him. 

 

Taemin squeezed his hand. "Let's go eat. We haven't eaten today." He always made sure Key ate properly. 

 

Key nodded. 

 

Taemin led him to Mrs. Choi. "Can we have some lunch?" 

 

"Of course. I'll make you whatever you want."

 

"We both like anything. We aren't picky. Key really likes strawberries." Taemin said. 

 

"Okay," She smiled and started cooking. 

 

 

 

Taemin led Key to the table and they sat down.  

 

Key looked around nervously. 

 

Taemin held his hand and squeezed it, trying to help him calm down. 

 

Mrs. Choi put a cup of strawberry milk in front of him. "You're safe here." 

 

 

 

Taemin looked at her. "Thank you." 

 

 

 

Key slowly took the glass and took a sip. He smiled and chugged the milk down. 

 

 

 

Mrs. Choi smiled. "I'm glad you like it. I'll have to make sure to buy it more often then." 

 

"I like banana milk." Taemin said. "Strawberry milk is Key's favorite. We always got milk after school before we got home. It helped us..." He stopped and looked at his hands. 

 

"I'll pick some up at the store then." She said. She set two plates in front of them. "Just eat now."

 

Taemin nodded. He started to eat, watching Key and making sure he was eating. 

 

Key ate half of his plate. 

 

Taemin smiled. He ate half of his plate as well. 

 

"You boys should eat more." 

 

 

 

"This is a lot for us." Taemin said.

 

"Okay... Why don't you two go take showers and get into some new clothes. I put the buckets of clothes in your room." 

 

 

 

"Okay." Taemin led Key to the bedroom. He grabbed some clothes for them and led Key to the bathroom. They took showers together since Taemin never wanted to leave Key alone. He helped clean Key. 

 

Key let Taemin wash him. He just stood there quietly. 

 

 

 

Taemin cleaned himself. He dried them off and dressed them both. Key laid down in the bed. 

 

Taemin looked at him. "Let's take a nap."

 

Key nodded. He curled up and fell asleep. 

 

Taemin laid down next to him and fell asleep, holding him close.