"I don't wanna be lectured about car anatomy by someone who drives a fucking Honda Civic."
"You ain't no fucking better. Driving a damn Toyota Prius."
Wooyoung looked at Taeil, appalled by the words that came out of his mouth. "You take that back right now. My Toyota is so much better than your shitty fucking car." Wooyoung was gonna make sure his baby got the respect she deserved. Even if that baby was just a car.
"Fuck no. Do you know how many times your death trap of a car almost killed me? Twice. That's two too many Wooyoung!"
Wooyoung looked down trying not to laugh at the expression on the elder's face. "I told you the brakes were not working right. It's not my fault you still decided to drive it that day."
"No. You said the breaks were touch and go but they still worked. Wooyoung the brakes weren't even in the damn car!" Taeil was getting worked up at this point. "You need to either get a new car or get it fixed at a shop.
"I know, I know. But I'm a broke freshman in college. How the hell do you think I'll be able to pay to get her fixed!?"
Taeil just grumbled at the male's words and picked his phone up to text someone.
"You have an appointment with Joong's Auto Shop tomorrow at... Two in the afternoon. If you miss it, I'll kill you Jung Wooyoung. Don't worry about the fees, this is Mingi's brother's shop." Taeil said as he looked up from his phone at his friend
"With that I also want you to be on your BEST behaviour. Don't ask stupid questions and do not, I repeat DO NOT annoy the man. I beg you, please don't annoy Kim Hongjoong."
Wooyoung huffed slightly and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm serious Wooyoung. You might be able to get away with annoying and being loud around Mingi, but not Hongjoong. They are polar opposites. Mingi is... Sweet and loving. He likes everyone. Hongjoong on the other hand just got out of Prison for second-degree assault. Do you wanna be the reason he breaks parole and goes back?" Taeil asks the look on his face deadly serious.
"No.." Wooyoung said with a slight crack in his voice.
The elder male nods and pats the black-haired male's back. "Then please don't annoy, provoke or even talk to him if you don't have to. The only reason you're even going to his shop is because he's a damn good mechanic and it's totally free. And if I find out you did annoy him. I swear to god I'll tell your brother and he'll beat your ass."
Wooyoung's eyes widened at the threat involving his brother. "You wouldn't." He said, eyes shaking slightly.
"Oh, I most definitely would. I have Jaehyun's number on speed dial now. You can thank yourself and your best friends for that. Since it seems trouble follows you, Changbin, and Yeonjun everywhere." Taeil wasn't exaggerating about the amount of chaos those three made together.
"Hey it wasn't..that bad" Wooyoung mumbled.
"Wasn't that bad? Wooyoung you two caught fire to a poor farmer's cornfield! You're lucky he didn't press charges! You're even luckier your brother paid for the damages."
"Well, when you put it that way it sounds way worse than it was."
"I'm calling Jaehyun.."
Wooyoung let out a loud noise that sounded like a cross between a squeak and a yell as he tried to grab the phone out of the elder's hand. "Wait, why are you calling him? Hyung, wait!"
It was too late as Taeil seemed to already have the elder Jung brother on the phone. "Hi, Jaehyun! No, no trouble yet. I was just calling as...security. Yes. Just trying to make sure he doesn't get himself in trouble or worse killed. Yes. The auto shop. Mmhm... Yes, Joong's Auto Shop. It's totally free that's why he's going. Yes, Jae... He's safe as long as he doesn't do anything stupid. Ahh really? Jeno works there? I see... Yes, I'll put him on the phone."
Taeil smiled as he handed the phone to the younger male. Wooyoung only glared at the male as he grabbed the phone from him, putting it against his ear.
"Hi, hyungie.." Wooyoung said in a cute tone.
"Woo. Don't be stupid tomorrow. I'm dead ass serious when I say I'll drive down and beat your ass if I hear you even remotely annoyed Hongjoong. I don't want my baby brother dead in a ditch. Cause knowing Hongjoong he doesn't do second chances and he won't hesitate to beat the fuck out of someone he doesn't like. Jeno works there so he will be there tomorrow to watch over you. He will tell me if you even step a toe out of line. Do you understand?"
Wooyoung's face scrunched up in slight annoyance. "Yes Hyung, I understand."
"Good. I'll be hanging up now. I'll see you next week if not sooner. I love you Wooyoung."
"I love you too Hyung," Wooyoung said back letting out a breath of relief as the elder hung up. "I hate you." He said as he tossed Taeil's phone on the couch. "I'm going to sleep now. I hope I dream about your demise."
Taeil chuckled at the males' childness. "We are only worried about you Wooyoung."
"I'm not twelve Hyung. I am eighteen and able to fend for myself." Wooyoung said, looking up at the brown-haired male.
"That's true but you have ADHD and can't help but find trouble even when you're not looking for it. Your brother put you under Johnny and I's care and I intend to make sure he sees you in one piece and alive when he visits."
"You're acting like I'm always causing trouble.." Wooyoung mumbled looking down, feelings being hurt slightly.
"Wooyoung I'm not trying to make you upset," Taeil said softly. "I just don't want anything bad to happen to you. I care is all."
"Well stop caring so much," Wooyoung said, voice breaking slightly. "For the past four months, you and Johnny have been breathing down my neck. I can't even go to Yeonjun's house without you thinking I'm going to do something wrong."
"That's because you always do something stupid Wooyoung! You cause trouble everywhere you go! Is it wrong of me to worry so much about you? Am I a bad fucking person because I care about you? You're barely an adult! If I can even call you that. Wooyoung if you act like a child expect to be treated like one." Taeil yelled as he looked at the younger male.
"I hate you.." Wooyoung whispered tears welling up in his eyes. "I FUCKING HATE YOU!" He screamed as he ran upstairs.
Taeil sighed and sat on the couch, not noticing Johnny walking in. "He doesn't mean that babe... He's just upset."
"I know Johnny... I just.. Am I too strict with him? I just wanna protect him." Taeil said sadly.
"Well.. think about it like him. Would you like it if your elder brother's friends constantly ratted you out for the things you do?" Johnny asked with seriousness in his tone.
"No... I wouldn't." Taeil said with a sigh
"Well, I'm sure he doesn't like it either. Unfortunately, that's not gonna change but he deserves more freedom than he has. Come on, babe... lighten up a bit. I'm sure you don't wanna spend your days breathing down the poor boy's neck. You're stressing yourself out. I can even see grey hairs."
Taeil was quick to glare at his husband. "Shut up. I'm barely even thirty-three." He said as he shoved the younger male.
"Hey, no shame in the greyness. I just hit thirty-two and I see a few of them pop up every once in a while." Johnny hummed smiling as he kissed the elder's forehead. "I'm a serious baby. Give him some time. He'll come around."
"God we sound like parents," Taeil said with a groan.
"We basically are. Jaehyun would have ended up killing Wooyoung if it weren't for us." Johnny said with a fond smile as he remembered a five-year-old Wooyoung being put in Jaehyun's care.
It was such a bittersweet moment for everyone, but it was a memory he could never forget.
-
The three were sitting in Jaehyun and Taeyongs living room. It was mid-afternoon and Taeyong was at work while the other three lounged around on their day off from school and work.
Johnny could remember Jaehyun being a bit stressed out over something regarding his family but he never asked about it.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door causing Taeil to jump up and answer only for him to yell for Jaehyun.
Next thing you know Jaehyun had his baby brother in his arms as the child cried into his neck.
The officer at the door had a look of sorrow in her eyes as she explained the situation. "I'm afraid they overdosed on methamphetamine. Wooyoung unfortunately seemed to witness the aftermath and apparently came into the living room and found them. He's a very smart child. Ran straight to the neighbours' house and they called the police. They were already gone by the time the paramedics got there. We were not sure if you wanted to file to be Wooyoung's legal guardian, but he was crying for you so we thought it was better for him to be with you."
Jaehyun nodded, tears rolling down his face. "I'll be his guardian... Thank you for bringing him here.." He whispered, voice cracking.
"Of course Mr Jung. Your caseworker should contact you soon as you are still a minor... But you're turning eighteen in two months, correct?"
Jaehyun nods as he hands Wooyoung off to Taeil. "I am."
"Then everything should work out fine. You have nothing to worry about. Just make sure you watch over your brother okay? I'm afraid he could experience nightmares and most likely a bit of trauma anxiety."
Jaehyun nods and gives the officer a small smile. "Thank you, officer." He whispered before closing the door.
-
Ever since then, Wooyoung has been in the care of Jaehyun. This means he was also in the care of Taeil and Johnny... essentially
Nevertheless, Wooyoung was raised by people who loved and cared for him. Even if he found them annoying and overbearing.
Smiling again Johnny shook his head at the remembrance of how Wooyoung permanently came into their lives.
"You're basically his mom, So you shouldn't be too surprised that he argues with you like such. Tomorrow he'll come down and apologize. You know the guilt is probably eating him up right now.
"That's why I feel so bad. My baby is sad and I can't even make him feel better." Taeil said with an exerted sigh.
"God, you are a mom," Johnny said with a loud laugh. "Let's just call it a night and tomorrow we can talk about our feelings, like my therapist tells me every Wednesday; "You can't expect things to be better if you don't put effort into making it better."
Taeil sighed but nodded as he stood up. "I suppose you are right." He hummed as he walked upstairs Johnny following after.
"I'm always right, Taeil." The younger male mumbled.
-
One thing was certain, Wooyoung truly felt like the worst person on the planet. It was to the point he deliberately called his brother.
Now one thing was for sure.
Wooyoung absolutely hated asking his brother for anything. So to go to him for advice, comfort or really anything was extremely hard. It was obvious how bad the male truly felt.
Putting the phone up to his ear, Wooyoung wrapped his blanket around himself as he listened to phone ring.
"Hello?"
"Hyungie... I did something horrible." Wooyoung said, his voice trembling with sadness and self-disappointment. "Hey, it can't be that bad... Taeil didn't call me " Jaehyun said with a chuckle
"That's the thing. I was mean to Taeil Hyung... I was so rude... I hurt his feelings... I know I did."
Jaehyun sighed into the phone making Wooyoung shift uncomfortably. "What happened, Wooyoung?" He asked tone softer now.
"After the call earlier... We got into an argument... Cause I was upset that he was not giving me the freedom I wanted. I just... I felt like every little thing I did he wanted to know about... I understand where he was coming from... trust me I do. It just hurt my feelings. I wish he didn't care so much."
Wooyoung spoke his mind as he told his elder brother his feelings. His unleashed tears finally making their way down his face. "I told him I hated him. hyung, I said something so awful to him.."
"Oh, Wooyoung.." Jaehyun mumbled with a sigh. "Take a deep breath for Hyung okay?"
Wooyoung did as he was told taking a slow deep breath as he listened to the elder male talk.
"I know you're upset with yourself, but I promise Taeil hyung isn't angry with you. He loves you so much and nothing will ever change that. I won't lie he may be a bit hurt by your words, maybe even disappointed but I promise he's not angry at you. He has never once been angry with you baby. So don't think this will change that. Why don't you go and talk to him? If not tonight then tomorrow."
The younger Jung brother let out a sniffle as he wiped his eyes. "Okay, hyung I will. Thank you"
Jaehyun hummed slightly before telling the younger male he loves him and hanging up.
Letting out a slight sigh Wooyoung got off his bed and made his way to the door. Opening it he slowly made his way to the married couple's room.
He had to mentally prepare himself to open the elder male's door. His brain coming up with the worst possibilities. Finally, he cracked the door open, poking his head through to find the two elder males in bed. The smell of eucalyptus entering his nostrils and calming him slightly.
He stood in the doorway for a few moments more just taking slow gentle breaths as he calmed himself. Finally Wooyoung quietly let himself into the room. Closing the door after him as he made his way to the large bed that held his two hyungs.
Fiddling with his fingers for a moment he decided that he really had nothing to lose. So slowly he crawled his way between the couple.
It caused a slight gasp from the eldest male. Taeil not expecting an extra person in his bed. It wasn't an unwelcome surprise though. Taeil always had room for Wooyoung. "I'm sorry hyungie... I don't hate you. I was just upset." Wooyoung whispered as he turned to look at the elder male.
"Shh... I know that baby. Hyung isn't upset with you." Taeil said as he moved the male's hair from his eyes. "Hyung is sorry as well. I said things I shouldn't have and it hurt your feelings."
Wooyoung nods as he cuddles himself into the elder's chest. "I love you Hyung. Please never forget that."
"Never in a million years sweet boy," Taeil whispered a soft smile on his lips.
"I told you everything would work out my love," Johnny whispered as he ran his fingers through the teens' hair. "Just had to give him time."
Taeil hummed as he closed his eyes. Falling asleep with his "son" in his arms.
-
Waking up seemed to be a little bit harder for Wooyoung.
He was exhausted most likely from the stress he put himself through yesterday.
Taeil was lenient today. Him deciding to let the younger male (and his husband) sleep in a little.
The eldest of the three didn't feel as chipper as usual. The events of yesterday were still fresh on his mind. He knew he was eventually going to have to sit Wooyoung down and talk about it.
Either way, he still got up to make his little family some breakfast. Leaving the two in his bed to sleep just an hour more.
Taeil hummed a little tune as he made his way downstairs and into his kitchen. Going straight to the fridge to get eggs and sausage out to cook. Then to his freezer to grab a pack of toaster strudels.
Wooyoung was the pickiest eater out of everyone Taeil knows. So usually for breakfast, the male gets strawberry toaster strudels or eggos depending on how generous the two elder males were when making food in the morning.
It took the male around thirty minutes to finish cooking a meal for his family. He sat out plates at the table and even poured them some milk and orange juice. It was a perfect meal for an important day.
Looking at the time Taeil sighed. It was Nine Fifteen and the elder male had to go and wake up his child and husband
Making sure he turned off the stove he made his way back upstairs and into his room to find a wholesome but extremely odd sight.
Johnny was starfished in the middle of the bed with Wooyoung laying over the top of his legs, body contorted in what seemed to be an uncomfortable position.
"What the fuck." Taeil mumbled as he turned on the light trying to take in the weird sleeping position. "How did you two even manage to do this?" He asked no one in particular.
Sighing slightly he moved to the side of the bed tapping at Wooyoung's stomach. "Excuse me. Sir." He said in a gentle voice. His tone having a hint of amusement in it as well.
"Excuse me. Sir. Please remove yourself from the American." Taeil said, moving to tickle the black-haired male's side.
The elder male seemed to only get a loud whine in return. Honestly, Taeil didn't speak tired fluently but what Wooyoung said sounded like a threat.
"Come on baby. Get up and get dressed and meet Johnny and I downstairs for food."
Wooyung huffed but got up, trudging himself out of bed and out of the elder's room, and into his.
As much as he wanted to sleep a little more he knew he wasn't going to be able to. Especially since Taeil was expecting him in the next few minutes.
"Stupid Hyung always making us get up at the crack of dawn," He grumbled annoyed
Sighing, the teenager decided to get dressed. Walking to his closet he pulled out an outfit and laid it on his bed. It was simple, a pair of ripped jeans and a jumper as it was chilly outside.
Wooyoung was never one to dress overly fancy. He preferred comfort over style.
Now that he had his outfit picked out the male could finally get dressed for the day, slipping out of his night clothes and into the ones on his bed.
Smiling to himself he walked downstairs after slipping on a pair of Nike shoes.
As he made it into the kitchen the smell of eggs and sausage filled his nose. Johnny already stuffing his face with the food at the table.
"Morning hyungs," Wooyoung said softly as he sat by Johnny, the elder smiling at him and kissing his head.
"Morning love, did you sleep okay last night?" Johnny asked with a hum as he took a sip of his orange juice.
"I did, thank you for asking Hyung."
Taeil was smiling at the interaction as he got Wooyoungs toaster strudel out of the toaster. Him carefully putting it on the males' plate and laying the icing on the table. "Careful it's hot." He said kissing the boy's head as well.
Wooyoung hummed out a thank you as he grabbed his glass of milk. "Do I have to go today hyungie?" The younger said trying to make his voice sound cute to hopefully sugarcoat his hyung into letting him stay home
Taeil sighed as he sat in front of the male. "Let's put it this way. If you don't go, I will take your car and you won't be able to anywhere without either Johnny or me taking you. I'll also tell Jaehyun and he'll most defiantly beat your ass and then I'll beat your ass after. So, which will it be? Are you going to go and get your car fixed or are we all gonna have a nice chat in my room?" Taeil asks as he stares into the teenager's eyes.
Wooyoung groaned and looked at Johnny for any type of help. "Nope. Don't look at me. I can't help you with this one."
"Fine, I'll go. But I won't be happy about it."
"Never said you were supposed to be happy about it love. I knew you weren't going to be happy. But does it look like I care? No, no it does not. Because you need to do this. We do not have any life insurance on you and sooner or later your gonna crash or that death trap is going to fall apart and you'll be dead on the side of the road. I'd like to at least get some money out of your death if that happens. So until then, you will get that thing fixed."
Wooyoung looked at his Hyung, eyes wide and in shock. "Wow," He said laughing. "I see where your priorities lie.
"What can I say, I am a man who knows what he wants. Now, it's almost 11 am. Joongs is in lower Manhattan. I believe it's in Chinatown somewhere near Bayard Street. I'm sure you know how to get there, take 177th street then get onto Bruckner You'll find it... eventually... hopefully."
"Jeez, thanks for the clear route. It's not like we just moved to the Bronx not even 2 months ago and I never go anywhere except work and school." Wooyoung mumbled.
"You're so welcome," Taeil said smiling
Wooyoung rolled his eyes as he smeared his icing onto his strudel. "I'll leave around twelve forty-five. I think it takes around thirty minutes to get to Chinatown... But since Hyung gave me such...clear... instructions, it'll take me like an hour."
"Or you could use a GPS like a normal person," Johnny mumbled.
"Now where is the fun in that?" Wooyoung asked with a cheeky smile. Getting a small lighthearted glare from the male.
"Fine, ill use the damn GPS."
By the time everyone finished their breakfast, it was nearing twelve-thirty. Wooyoung having to mentally prepare himself for the anxiety-inducing drive he is sure to have."
"I am leaving. If I don't come back, assume I'm dead. Love yall!" He yelled as he ran out the door keys in hand.
"I am going to kill him, Johnny." Taeil groaned as he flopped onto the younger male's lap."
Wooyoung sighed as he got into his car, huffing slightly as it wouldn't start automatically.
"This is your fault," he grumbled at his car. "If you wouldn't have broke, I wouldn't be in this position.
Shaking his head he pulled out of his house and made his way to Chinatown. Well attempted.
It turns out the traffic from The Bronx to lower Manhattan was bad around this time.
It took Wooyoung almost an hour to get to his destination. Luckily, he made it to the shop just at one-fifty.
Huffing slightly he pulled into the parking lot and put his car in park before making his way into the shop.
"What can I do fo0- oh. Hi Wooyoung."
"Hi, Jeno. I'm here to get my car fixed." Wooyoung said in a bored tone.
"Ah, right Jaehyun mentioned that to me. Let me just tell Hongjoong you're here then we can pull your car into one of the garages." Jeno mumbled as he walked to the room behind the desk. "Hyung, your appointment is here!"
Wooyoung wasn't sure what he expected Hongjoong to look like, but it definitely wasn't that.
The man who walked out of the office was honestly beautiful. He had fluffy blue hair and what appeared to be an eyebrow slit.
Hongjoong nodded as he looked up. Humming slightly as he went to type something in on the computer. "Pull his car into garage two for me Jeno," Hongjoong said his tone, dull and emotionless.
"Okay Hyung," Jeno said with a smile as he snatched Wooyoung's keys from his hand before whispering in his ear. "You better behave."
Wooyoung rolled his eyes but nods.
Sadly, Jeno didn't believe him one bit and honestly speaking.
Neither did Wooyoung.