VII

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
Taehyun woke up early the next morning. He did his homework last night but found it almost impossible to get sleep. And when he did he woke up about an hour in.
                          
Taehyun sat up and sighed.
                          
"How can he live like that..?"
                          
The only thing on his mind were the things he's seen people do to Beomgyu, and the story Soobin told him.
                          
Taehyun looked out his window to see Beomgyu's house. It was five in the morning and all the lights were out.
                          
Sighing once more Taehyun got out of bed and went to make a small breakfast before getting dressed. 
                          
Hearing the rumors the day before made him feel like he needed to protect Beomgyu. 
                          
If no one else wants to be there for him, I can at least try.
                          
He waited until he saw some lights flicker in the house before heading downstairs to wait at the front door of the complex.
                          
The moment Beomgyu walked out of his house, Taehyun rushed towards the boy.
                          
It was still early in the morning but both males were wide awake.
                          
"Beomgyu."
                          
The blonde male turned his head to see Taehyun standing there staring at him expectantly.
                          
"T-Taehyun.. why are you up this early?"
                          
At this, Taehyun cocked an eyebrow,"Were you trying to get away from me?" He jokingly pushed Beomgyu.
                          
"W-What?.....Noooo?" The male stood guiltily.
                          
"Wait what?"
                          
The two males stood on the sidewalk in front of Beomgyu's house. Taehyun tsked and grabbed Beomgyu's hand. "Let's get going. Tell me along the way."
                          
Beomgyu nodded and looked at their intertwined fingers with red cheeks. "Did you eat breakfast?"
                          
Beomgyu shook his head. "Well that's fine because I have this."
                          
He handed Beomgyu a packaged cinnamon roll. "Take this. And you can't refuse it."
                          
"I'm fine, it's only breakfast. I'll survive." But Beomgyu's stomach betrayed him making noise.
                          
"When's the last time you ate?"
                          
Beomgyu looked at their feet as they walked. "Lunch yesterday.."
                          
"You only had an apple and milk.."
                          
At this Beomgyu looked up to meet Taehyun's eyes. "How did you know?" 
                          
Damn it Taehyun, you exposed yourself.
                          
"Don't worry. But eat this. And I'm buying you more food at school." He shoved the extra sweet pastry into Beomgyu's free hand and kept walking.
                          
"Now tell me. Why are you trying to ignore me?"
                          
Beomgyu looked down at the pastry in his hand before sighing at looking back up at the expectant male.
                          
"I'm doing it for you." He smiled softly. "I'm not.. a good person. And you're new, I don't want you to struggle because of me. You're very nice Taehyun. The nicest person I've met but.. you deserve a nice experience in school. I can't give you that.. Being near me is bad for the both of us.."
                          
Taehyun grimaced. Pulling Beomgyu with him, the two sat at the bus bench. They had ten minutes before the bus came.
                          
"Beomgyu. Don't try to tell me what's good for me. If I want to be around you, I will. I want to get to know you, and I think there's more to you that you don't let anyone else know about. But I'm here. I'll listen to you. Stop pretending to be fine, okay?" 
                          
Taehyun squeezed Beomgyu's hand and Beomgyu nodded looking down at the hand in his lap holding the cinnamon bun.
                          
The bus arrived and he pulled Beomgyu into a seat with him. Holding his hand and assisting him to the window seat. He'd noticed that Beomgyu still limped a little and frowned because he had nothing to offer the cute boy.
                          
Beomgyu opened the bun and started stuffing his mouth, adoring the taste. Taehyun watched chuckling. Causing Beomgyu to turn his head with a look of confusion. 
                          
Taehyun used this thumb to wipe some frosting off of Beomgyu's cheek and licked it. Causing Beomgyu to blush and look out the window.
                          
"Beomgyu." Taehyun called, forcing Beomgyu to look back at him. "You're cute."
                          
Beomgyu pushed him lightly and went back to looking out the window while eating.
                          
The two were going to arrive at their school early, and they planned on heading to the rooftop to be alone together.