"Tell her." Jungkook said his calming demeanor now twisted and evil he smirked deviously Taehyung becoming more and more tensed.
"You are no better than your father" Jungkook said and then. taehyung snapped he raised his right hand that was now balled tightly into a fist and swung it across jungkooks face sending him stumbling back
Taehyung's fist connected, and Jungkook staggered back shock flashing across his face before it hardened into something darker. Taehyung didn't hesitate—anger, fear, and something deeper drove him forward.
"I'm nothing like him," Taehyung said, voice shaking with fury. His chest rose and fell rapidly, eyes burning with a mix of rage and hurt he'd been holding back for far too long.
Jungkook barely had time to react before Taehyung shoved him again, sending him off balance. The two of them collided with the floor in a tangle of movement, Taehyung pinning him down as he shouted, "You don't get to say that! You don't know anything about me!"
I froze.
My mind screamed at me to do something—anything—but every time I opened my mouth, memories slammed into me like a wave.
all the times of Jungkook shoving me into lockers.
all the times Jungkook would trip me in the hallway humiliating me in front of eveyone.
every single time Jungkook would sit there laughing when I hit the ground.
Jungkook throwing things at me just to watch me flinch.
My breath caught. My hands trembled part of me wanted to yell for Taehyung to stop.
Another part of me... didn't. Because for the first time, Jungkook wasn't the one in control.
"Taehyung!" I finally managed, my voice cracking. "Stop—please!"
He froze.
Not because of Jungkook. But because of me.
His shoulders tensed, his breathing ragged. Slowly—hesitantly—he pushed himself off Jungkook and backed away, hands shaking.
Jungkook sat up, wiping his mouth, glaring but saying nothing. For once, he didn't look smug. He looked... rattled.
Taehyung stood there, chest heaving, eyes glossy with tears he refused to let fall.
"I'm not him," he whispered, more to himself than anyone else. "I'm not my father."
The hallway felt painfully quiet.
Jungkook got to his feet, expression unreadable now. He looked between the two of us, something complicated flickering in his eyes I couldn't tell if it was anger or something else.
"You should beware of who you decide to trust so boldly Y/n, This isn't over" he sa not threatening, not mocking just certain then he turned to look at Taehyung once more before he walked away, Taehyung didn't move he just sat there, slightly trembling, staring at the floor like he was afraid or just in disbelief of what he had d just done.
I stepped toward him slowly.
"Tae... are you okay?"
He didn't answer right away. When he finally looked up, his voice was barely a whisper.
"I'm scared I might become my father." he whispered admittingly
And for the first time since I'd met him...Taehyung looked genuinely afraid.
I moved closer crouching down besides him my fingers brushing Taehyung's arm. His skin was warm, tense beneath my touch, like every muscle in him was still bracing for impact. He didn't pull away, but he didn't relax either. He just stood there, trembling, staring at the floor as if afraid to meet my eyes.
"Taehyung..." I whispered, my voice barely steady. "its okay you can talk to me" I said them
Slowly and hesitantly he lifted his head our eyes immediately locked into one another's staring deeply at each other His eyes were glossy, red at the corners with a pained expression that clearly covered his whole face
"I don't want to be like him," he said, voice cracking. "I don't want to lose control like that"
My heart twisted. I stepped closer, closing the space between us, and gently placed my hand on his cheek. He froze, breath catching, as if he wasn't sure he deserved the comfort.
"Taehyung..." I whispered again, softer this time. "You're allowed to feel things. You're allowed to be upset. That doesn't make you like him." His jaw tightened but his eyes softened
"I have something to tell you," Taehyung admitted softly his voice was fragile, like the words were balancing on the edge of breaking. I nodded gently, brushing my fingers over his bruised knuckles lightly not trying to apply any pressure or any pain to his already bruised hand.
"I'll listen," I said "But first... let's get your hand cleaned up. Come to my house we can talk there" I said softly Taehyung hesitated, eyes flicking to his bruised bloody knuckles, then back to me. "Are you sure?" he whispered softly
"Yes," I said, offering a small, reassuring smile. "Come on." I said
He nodded, and we started walking. The air outside was cool and quiet, the kind of quiet that settles after a storm. Taehyung stayed close, his steps slow, his injured hand tucked carefully against his chest. Every now and then, he glanced at me like he was making sure I was still there.
When we reached my house, I unlocked the door with my key and pushed the door open stepping inside welcoming Taehyung inside—and immediately, my brother appeared in the hallway his gaming headset over his ears in one hand his controller in the other was holding a folded note.
"Y/n," he said, handing it to me. "Mom and Dad left this before they went to the airport."
I unfolded it quickly.
hi sweetie!
We're heading to the U.S. for the business trip. Be good, take care of your siblings. We'll call when we land. Love you.
-mom
"They left already." I sighed softly folding the note back up and setting it on the counter Taehyung shifted awkwardly beside me I walked over to the kitchen towards the sink
"If this is a bad time, I can—" he spoke I turned to face him and walked back towards him
"No," I said quickly. "It's fine. Really." I pulled out my phone and called my parents. They picked up on the second ring.
"Hi, sweetheart," my mom said warmly.
"Hey," I replied. "Just wanted to let you know... I have a friend over. We're just going to hang out for a bit."
"That's fine," she said. "Just keep an eye on your brother and sister."
"I will Have a safe flight I love you bye "
After hanging up, I turned back to Taehyung, who stood quietly near the entryway, shoulders slightly hunched like he didn't want to take up space.
"Come on, its okay" I said softly. "come here I want you to meet them." I said with a smile my little brother peeked around me again, eyes widening when he saw Taehyung.
"Whoa... he's tall," he whispered loudly.
Taehyung let out a tiny, shy laugh.
" Thats my brother min-su he goes to our school hes a freshman And this is my sister mina shes only 6 years old " I said as she came bouncing down the stairs. "Guys, this is Taehyung be nice okay"
He bowed politely, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Hi."
my siblings both bowed and said 'hi nice to meet you' then they stared at him for another second—kids always know when someone's hurting—but then they ran off to the living room, satisfied with the introduction.
I turned back to Taehyung. "See? They like you."
He exhaled, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "They're... sweet."
"Come on," I said, gently taking his wrist. "Let's get you cleaned up."
I led him into the living room, the soft glow of the lamps making the space feel warm and safe. Taehyung sat on the couch, resting his injured hand on his knee. I grabbed the first‑aid kit from the cabinet under the sink in the kitchen and brought it back over to him and knelt in front of him.
"Give me your hand," I said gently. He offered it slowly, watching me with quiet eyes as I cleaned the dried blood and dabbed ointment over the bruised skin. He winced once, but didn't pull away when I finished wrapping his knuckles, I sat beside him, close enough that our shoulders brushed.
"Thank you" he said staring down at his now bandaged knuckles he looked to me and I stared back at him he seemed so disoriented I wanted to do something desperately but I didn't know what to do how to help him
"no problem" I said softly. "Now..you said you had something to tell me." I asked taking a seat besides Taehyung on the couch Taehyung inhaled deeply, his eyes drifting to the bandage I'd just placed on him.
"I do," he whispered. "And... I think you deserve to know everything so please forgive me in advance for me not telling you sooner " He turned his head to look at me his eyes meeting my eyes with a seriousness that made my heart tighten. He took a deep breath and spoke
"Me and Jungkook are... well acquainted with one another," Taehyung said quietly.