221.

The sun was setting already, meaning that their trainings are over for today.

But right before Namjoon’s eyes, was Taehyung who’s having a sparring with a dummy.

“Taehyung-ah, you should rest now.” He said, but Tae just continued punching the dummy.

He looks angry.

“A-Are you alright?” Namjoon asked, Tae looks so serious.

“I’m fine, thank you.” But he knew he doesn’t. His eyes were reflecting the light and its glistening. Its also a bit red and swollen.

Was he crying?

“Okay, just call me when you need something.” He said and left.

Right after the door shut, he didn’t care anymore and let his body fell on the ground. His legs has been shaking since awhile ago but he didn’t want to feel it.

But now, he’s just had enough.

Tears started rolling down his cheeks again. And his heart hurts so much.

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It was a few moments of crying, and finally he calmed down. He slowly stood up and wiped his tears.

His heart feels so heavy, even his head. He’s thinking too much and he knew he can’t sleep tonight.

He didn’t even noticed that his fists were bleeding a bit.

He decided to go out of the training room.

It was all fine and normal until he noticed the unnecessary amount of soldiers outside their rooms.

They were whispering to each other and its making Tae anxious.

He saw his teammates talking about something so he came to them.

“What’s going on?” He asked, and he immediately got their attention.

Their next words is what Tae wasn’t expecting. “Captain was jailed just awhile ago for killing Lieutenant Han.”

Tae’s world literally stopping moving. He was so silent and trying to figure out everything.

“Excuse me, what?” Tae couldn’t believe it. “General came here awhile ago and called Captain into his office. Then Captain came out with bruises on his face, looks like General did a beating.”

Tae didn’t know what to feel. He’s already in jail? Without being inspected?

They were surprised when Tae suddenly ran away.

His feet took him to a familiar way, and his heart feels so furious. He needs answers, he always does.

He came home even though its prohibited for them to go out the camp on the days of trainings.

He doesn’t care anymore.

His family was so surprised when they saw Tae standing right in front of the door, face looking so serious.

“Son, you’re not allowed to—“ He couldn’t hold back his anger anymore and shouted.

“Is it fun abusing your power?” He scoffed, and his father looks surprised.

“What?” With the noise, Jennie slowly came downstairs to see what was happening.

“You put him in jail without any inspection?” He cried, his mom appeared and she looks confused. “Honey, what’s happening?”

His father chuckled.

“The blood with cloth that has his name on it was enough as an evidence.”

Tae realized something. He was talking about the uniform with blood. And Tae knew it was caused by the baby.

“How the fuck are you sure it’s Lieutenant’s blood.”

“Taehyung, watch your language.”

His mother said but Tae did not pay attention to it. He knew his father did not deserve the respect he’s giving.

“Just go back the camp and don’t meddle in the case.”

“You expect me to stay quiet? I’m so fucking tired of that! And you know what? You deserve the jail more—“

A hard slap met Taehyung’s face and it made everyone shocked. He fell on the ground and his cheeks were stinging.

Tears started flowing down his cheeks.

“Jaewon, stop!” His mother meddled in and held Taehyung.

“You can hit and hurt me all you want but not my children!”

His father scoffed. “You wanna go to jail so bad huh? Then let’s get you to jail with him.”

He grabbed Tae’s neck like he’s suffocating him. “I am your father, and you will obey me if you want the best for you.”

But he wasn’t threatened. He knew he’s on the right side.

He threw him off the floor and he left.

Tae was shaking and coughing because of the lack of oxygen awhile ago. His mother was almost in tears.

“I’m sorry mom, I’m really—“ His mother immediately pulled him for a hug.

“Shh, you have nothing to be sorry for.”

Yoongi and Jennie came to them. And Jennie felt so shocked. “Why didn’t you tell us that dad was hitting you?”

Their mom did not speak, she didn’t want them to know but now they do. He’s been beating her up ever since, but she can’t complain or their lives will be in danger.

Let’s move out! We can’t live with him!” Jennie insisted, he can’t believe he idolized his father for being such a good husband, parent & general.

“No, you need to finish your studies in the US. You need to graduate first.” His mother said.

And Yoongi had nothing to do.

He’s the eldest among all of them. He should be the one protecting them especially their mom, but even him couldn’t protect himself from the abuse.

But now he promised, he’ll be braver.

They hugged each other in tears. And once again, Tae felt what a family is.

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With two civil guards holding his arms, Taehyung was dragged inside the prison with only torches serving as the light.

Far from the modernized prison, this one looks more of like a cave with steel bars on it.

Its just a bit suffocating.

He was thrown inside a cell, and there another person inside it — he knew who, but his heart was to heavy to even just look at his face.

Well, you think its just going to be like that? Going to prison for a day for disobeying camp rules?

No, his father had other plans.

The other guard poured salt on the ground, not that much but enough to make two buckets of water salty.

The other guard rolled up Tae’s pants up his knees. “Kneel down there.” He ordered.

Tae felt scared, he knew what they were trying to do.

This is one of the punishments back then — you will kneel on salt then carry books above your head and hands, if the book falls — the timer goes back to 0.

“I said kneel down!” Tae flinched on the voice, and Jungkook did too. He was sleeping and now he’s awake.

Surprised to see his lover in front him, Jungkook had no words.

Tae had no other choice but to kneel on the salt. “Agh...” he cried, it was just the start but he can feel the grains of salt piercing into his knees.

It hurts so much, but his heart hurts more.

They let him extend his both arms on his side, like on a ‘T’ positions. They put two book on each hand and three books above his head.

“Two hours, if you drop a book then you’ll repeat again.” The guard said then locked the bars and left.

It just started, but he can already feel his body shaking. His knees are already bleeding & the salt is making it harder.

“Taehyung...” Jungkook muttered in a weak voice. His heart is hurting by seeing Tae in that state.

He promised himself to protect him, but what now?

“Taehyung I-“

“No. Keep your words to yourself.”

For the second time, Jungkook felt his heart shutter. He wanted to hug him, hold him and kiss him — but he doesn’t think Taehyung would like that.

He was chained on the other side of the cell. And Tae was on the opposite.

How are you?

Are you mad?

I miss you.

I want to hug you.

I’m sorry.

Jungkook heaved a sigh and a shaky breathe.

I love you.

He wanted to say those so much to him, but right now isn’t the right time. He’s still mad, and he has all the right to be.

He looked at Tae, and he’s looking down on the ground. He was biting his lip like he’s trying to control his sobs.

But the tears were quite obvious since its falling onto the ground.

“I’m sorry.” Jungkook felt so bad. “About Lisa—“

“I said I don’t want to hear from you.”

Jungkook immediately shut down. He fiddled with his fingers since he knew its the only thing he can do for now.

They were right in front of each other. But they felt so distanced. So close, yet so far.

Even if Tae wasn’t complaining, he knew he’s in much pain.

He saw another full bottle of salt on the side — in between of them. There are also books.

He quickly grabbed the bottle and poured it onto the ground in his place. He started to roll up his pants up to his knees and caught Tae’s attention.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

He asked with swollen eyes and red nose. Jungkook grabbed the books and put three on his head and both hands.

He knelt down on the salt and groaned a bit at the pain, then copied Tae’s position.

“Stop that!” Tae cried when he realize what he was doing.

But Jungkook just closed his eyes, and continued on what he was doing.

“Are you insane?! You don’t have a punishment, stop it!” But Tae felt unheard.

“You know what? Fuck you! I hate you so much! Who do you think you are to play with my feelings? I hate hate hate you!”

Jungkook just listened to him and accepted all the words he says even though its paining his heart.

“I thought you were better than other people, I thought you knew how to respect but I just failed myself.”

Tae was bawling in tears, his voice is full of anger and hurt.

But after that, no words came out from Tae’s mouth anymore — just sobs that symbolizes pain.

And Jungkook knew how much he’s hurt him.

Jungkook bit the insides of his mouth to control his tears. He has no right to cry.

Just a few moments later, Taehyung calmed down, but his groans were indicating his pain on the knees.

They were bleeding and the salt are tinted with blood. Same as to Jungkook.

He wanted to help Tae, but he couldn’t reach him. So he just decided to do as what he was.

“I know you have no fault. I know they’re just setting you up. And I know that you know that. But why are you not speaking?”

Tae asked, and Jungkook doesn’t know what to say. Tae scoffed. “You’re a fucking coward. Did they also pay you for this?”

It was a moment of groaning. Finally, the timer is done and luckily Tae did not drop any books.

The guards came inside and removed the books on him then helped him stand up. But his legs were quite shaky because of his wounds.

“You fucker! Who told u to do that?”

Tae was finally out the cell when he heard a slapping sound and Jungkook groans.

The guard was hitting him with a whip and for the first time, Tae saw his face.

Its full of bruises.

The whip hit his face and it left a scar on his left cheek. “Stop that!”

Tae cried, and civil guard immediately glared at him. “You wanna be hit too huh?” He asked and Tae just went silent.

Even though he’s hurt, Jungkook felt a bit happy knowing that Tae still cares.

“Get him out of here now!” The guard ordered and the others held his arms.

Tae took one last glance of Jungkook and his lips had blood. His heart ached at the sight.

He hated him for hurting him again. But he hated him even more because after all that, he still loves him.

The guards dragged him out of the prison.

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THE BEST AUTHOR OF THIS AU IS ARTSEOULVK🍓

Note: Please share your thoughts or experience while reading this chapter.Thanks♡