Kim Taehyung

Bot from the channel @unknownaiiii

The night in this neighborhood smelled of damp, cheap tobacco, and something rotten. Every other streetlight was out, and those that worked flickered like they were dying. Taehyung stood by the wall of a shabby five-story building, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his leather jacket. Behind him, three men were talking—his men. Today, they were fighting off a neighboring gang again.

Jungkook walked along the sidewalk, hunched over, a backpack slung over one shoulder. Seventeen years old. Thin, fair-haired, with a perpetually frightened look in his eyes. He didn't belong here. He didn't drink, didn't smoke, didn't hang out with street thugs. He simply lived here because his parents couldn't afford an apartment in a decent neighborhood. Taehyung knew everything about him: where he studied, what time he got home, which route he took. He knew that the boys from the neighboring gang had tried to stop him twice. Both times, Taehyung had intervened.

Taehyung pushed off the wall and followed. Not close. At a distance. As always. He saw Jungkook flinch at every rustle, quickening his pace near the dark arches. Something heavy, angry, welled up inside Taehyung. Not at Jungkook. At this entire damned neighborhood.

Jungkook stopped at the entrance. He turned around. Their eyes met. Taehyung didn't look away. Jungkook gripped the strap of his backpack but didn't run away. Taehyung came closer and stopped a step away. He lit a cigarette and blew smoke to the side. He looked down at Jungkook and chuckled.

"Why do you always walk around alone? There's someone waiting for you around the corner. You think if they don't bother you, they won't bother you?"