Scene: Ages 7 & 8 - The Orphanage

The orphanage was a gray, crumbling building where laughter rarely echoed. Taehyung, small and shy with a mop of chestnut hair, sat alone in the corner of the cafeteria, sketching on a napkin. The other kids avoided him-they'd heard the matron whisper about his "condition," the way his body didn't fit neatly into boxes.

"Why's he always drawing?" one of the older boys sneered, snatching the napkin from Taehyung's hands. "Let's see what's so special."

Taehyung's heart raced as the boy held up his sketch-a starry night sky, dotted with constellations. The other kids laughed.

"Stars? What a baby!"

Taehyung's cheeks burned as he tried to grab the napkin back, but the boy held it out of reach. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, but he refused to cry. Not in front of them.

Suddenly, a small figure barreled into the older boy, knocking him to the ground. The napkin fluttered to the floor as the newcomer-a boy with messy black hair and a scowl-stood over him, fists clenched.

"Leave him alone," the boy growled.

The older boy scrambled to his feet, glaring. "Who do you think you are, new kid?"

"Jeon Jungkook," the boy said, his voice steady despite his trembling fists. "And if you touch him again, I'll make sure you regret it."

The older boy hesitated, then muttered something under his breath and stalked off. Jungkook turned to Taehyung, his sharp eyes softening as he picked up the napkin.

"Why're you drawing stars?" he asked, handing it back.

Taehyung wiped his eyes, clutching the napkin to his chest. "They're pretty."

Jungkook tilted his head, studying the sketch. "You're weird. I like it."

From that day, they were inseparable.

---

**Later That Night**

Taehyung sat on his bed, sketching by the dim light of a flashlight. Jungkook climbed up beside him, holding out a half-eaten cookie.

"Here," he said, breaking it in two. "I stole it from the kitchen."

Taehyung hesitated, then took the smaller piece. "Why do you keep sharing with me?"

Jungkook shrugged, biting into his half. "You're the only one who doesn't look at me like I'm a freak."

Taehyung's chest tightened. "They call me a freak too."

Jungkook's eyes narrowed. "They're idiots. You're... different. In a good way."

Taehyung smiled faintly, his heart fluttering at the compliment. "Thanks, Kookie."

Jungkook's cheeks turned pink. "Don't call me that."

"Why not? It suits you."

Jungkook grumbled but didn't argue. They sat in comfortable silence, Taehyung sketching while Jungkook watched, his head resting on Taehyung's shoulder.

---

**A Few Weeks Later**

Jungkook came back to the dormitory with a split lip and bruised knuckles. Taehyung's stomach dropped as he rushed to his side.

"What happened?" he asked, grabbing Jungkook's hand to inspect the damage.

"Nothing," Jungkook muttered, pulling away.

"Don't lie to me," Taehyung said, his voice trembling. "Was it because of me again?"

Jungkook didn't answer, but the guilt in his eyes was enough. Taehyung's tears spilled over as he grabbed the first-aid kit.

"Why do you keep doing this?" he whispered, dabbing antiseptic on Jungkook's knuckles. "You're always getting hurt because of me."

Jungkook's jaw tightened. "Because you're the only good thing here. I'd die for you."

Taehyung's breath hitched. "Don't say that. Just... stay with me."

Jungkook's hand found his, their fingers intertwining. "Always."

---

**That Night**

They lay side by side on Jungkook's bed, the moonlight streaming through the window. Taehyung's head rested on Jungkook's shoulder, their hands still linked.

"Do you think we'll ever get out of here?" Taehyung asked softly.

Jungkook's thumb brushed over Taehyung's knuckles. "Yeah. And when we do, I'll take you somewhere with real stars. Not just drawings."

Taehyung smiled, his heart swelling with warmth. "Promise?"

"Promise."

_________________

Scene: Ages 12 & 13 – The Orphanage

The orphanage was colder in winter. Taehyung huddled under a thin blanket, his breath visible in the frosty air. Jungkook sat beside him on the creaky bed, his nose red from the cold.

“Here,” Jungkook said, handing Taehyung a slightly squashed muffin. “I saved it from breakfast.”

Taehyung’s eyes lit up. “You didn’t eat yours?”

Jungkook shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. “I wasn’t hungry.”

Taehyung knew he was lying—Jungkook was always hungry—but he didn’t argue. He broke the muffin in half and handed the larger piece back. “Share it with me.”

Jungkook hesitated, then took it with a small smile. They ate in silence, the sound of the wind howling outside filling the room.

---

The next day, Taehyung was sketching by the window when the older boys cornered him.

“What’s this?” one of them sneered, snatching his sketchbook. “More stupid stars?”

Taehyung’s heart raced as he tried to grab it back. “Give it back!”

The boy held it out of reach, laughing. “What’s the matter, freak? Can’t reach?”

Before Taehyung could react, Jungkook appeared out of nowhere, tackling the boy to the ground. The sketchbook fell to the floor as the two wrestled, fists flying.

“Jungkook, stop!” Taehyung cried, but it was too late.

The matron arrived moments later, pulling them apart. Jungkook’s lip was split, and his knuckles were bleeding, but the other boy looked worse.

“Fighting again, Jeon?” the matron scolded, dragging Jungkook away. “You’ll regret this.”

Taehyung’s stomach churned as he watched Jungkook being led to the punishment room. He picked up his sketchbook, tears blurring his vision.

---

**That Night**

Jungkook returned to the dormitory with fresh bruises on his arms and a scowl on his face. Taehyung rushed to his side, his hands trembling as he inspected the damage.

“Why do you keep doing this?” Taehyung whispered, dabbing antiseptic on Jungkook’s knuckles. “You’re always getting hurt because of me.”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. “Because you’re the only good thing here. I’d die for you.”

Taehyung’s breath hitched. “Don’t say that. Just… stay with me.”

Jungkook’s hand found his, their fingers intertwining. “Always.”

---

That night, they snuck up to the rooftop, their secret sanctuary. The stars were bright, and the air was crisp. Taehyung lay back on the cold concrete, his sketchbook resting on his chest. Jungkook sat beside him, his legs dangling over the edge.

“Do you think we’ll ever get out of here?” Taehyung asked softly.

Jungkook’s thumb brushed over Taehyung’s knuckles. “Yeah. And when we do, I’ll take you somewhere with real stars. Not just drawings.”

Taehyung smiled, his heart swelling with warmth. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

They sat in silence for a while, the stars twinkling above them. Then Jungkook spoke again, his voice low and serious.

“Tae… promise me something.”

Taehyung turned to look at him. “What?”

“Promise you’ll always come back to me. No matter what.”

Taehyung’s chest tightened. “I promise. But only if you promise the same.”

Jungkook nodded, his eyes never leaving Taehyung’s. “I promise. Always.”

They pinky-swore under the stars, their bond sealed with a silent vow.

---

**A Few Weeks Later**

The bullies didn’t stop, but Jungkook’s protectiveness only grew. Taehyung hated seeing him hurt, but he couldn’t deny the warmth that spread through him every time Jungkook stood up for him.

One evening, as they sat on the rooftop, Taehyung leaned his head on Jungkook’s shoulder. “Do you think we’ll always be together?”

Jungkook’s arm wrapped around him, pulling him closer. “Yeah. No matter what.”

Taehyung smiled, his heart full. “Good. Because I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Jungkook’s lips curved into a rare smile. “You’ll never have to find out.”

___________