The First Spark

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."

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