“Let go of me!”

            “You stole my bread, you little bast—”

            “I was hungry!”

            “We’re all poor, so don’t you dare talk back to me!”

            Jungkook winces, shutting his eyes tightly to prepare himself for the impact that was about to blow itself against his face.  But the hit never comes.  Confused, the young teenager opens his left eye just a millimeter in an attempt to make out what happened.  Someone had just blocked him from another threat, and Jungkook recognizes the burgundy scarf and its owner immediately at first glance.

            “H-Hyung?” he barely whispers at the older male that is suddenly shielding him

            “You’re foolish, Kookie,” the low voice comments through gritted teeth as he reaches behind him with an arm to secure Jungkook in his protective hold.

            “I’m sorry, Hyung, I just wanted to eat and—”

            The teen’s cut off when his guardian bows respectfully to the assaulter.  “We apologize for Jungkook’s selfish behavior.  Please let it pass.  He’ll return your bread.”

            “Tch,” the larger and more intimidating boy arrogantly crosses his arms, still not fully convinced.

            “Kookie,” the mediator calls and Jungkook sighs before releasing himself from the elder’s hold.  He takes a few steps to approach the male further away from him before throwing his closed hand in front of the male.  He bitterly unfolds his fingers to reveal the small bread loaf that he had stolen.  Immediately, the assaulter snatches the item and marches off.

            The elder of the remaining two males turns to face his dongsaeng.  “What were you thinking?!”

            “I-I’m sorry, Hyung… Umma ran out of food and—”

            “You can’t steal from people.  They are in the same situation as the rest of us and they’re struggling to survive, too.  You can’t be greedy.”

            “N-Nae, Tae-Hyung.”

            “Yah, are you calling me by my name without honorifics or are you messing around with my nickname?” the elder male, called Taehyung, suddenly breaks into an atmosphere-lifting smile before ruffling his hand into the younger’s raven-colored hair.  Jungkook giggles at the remark.

            “Both, Hyung.”

            Taehyung chuckles a bit; his light laughter rings like music to Jungkook’s ears.  They both hear Jungkook’s stomach gurgle, which reminds Taehyung that the boy is still starving.  He is about to pull his dongsaeng’s hand and lead him to the market, but a gust of winter wind, sprinkled with flakes of snow, breezes by their bare faces.  Taehyung hears Jungkook wince softly at the harsh temperature and his heart weakens.  He doesn’t hesitate to remove his burgundy scarf and wrap it around the younger’s neck.  Jungkook tries his best to resist, insisting that Taehyung needed to take care of himself; however, the elder would not succumb to the boy’s protests.

            “Take it. It’s cold.”

            Taehyung knew that Jungkook was oblivious to his real feelings toward the boy.  But he didn’t ask for Jungkook to recognize and acknowledge his feelings either.  Taehyung just wanted to protect his dongsaeng under all circumstances.  He was willing to risk his life for the boy.