(WOWWOWOW I'M A TERRIBLE PERSON. it's been three months and i feel so awful??? like i doubt anyone is even waiting for this story to be uploaded at this point, i'm so so sorry :((( i have excuses, but i won't give them because you guys deserve better. i'm giving you all a double update to hopefully make up for it a bit. i'll try my best i promise. don't abandon me yet if you haven't already<333)

  ♥║ forty-seven ║♥     

Taehyung's father pulls away with a sniff and a sad smile, his hands clasped firmly on his son's shoulders as he looks into the boy's eyes a bit remorsefully. It's almost as if his father had forgotten what he looked like with the way his eyes continue to roam his face, as if scared this could be the last time he'll get a really good look.

"Oh--" his father stammers, stepping back as he dabs at his eyes. "Come sit. Please."

Taehyung's heart sinks just the slightest; the invitation to come inside a house that used to be his own as newly acquainted guests is a bit unsettling. However, he follows his father to the couch, sitting next to Jungkook while his father takes the armchair, still wiping his cheeks occasionally.

"I'm sorry I haven't been in touch," the old man says, giving his son a sincere look of apology. "Things have just been so hectic after the wedding and... There's no excuse. I know. There's no excuse."

Taehyung isn't even sure what to say anymore. He has to say something. But whenever his lips part and words form on his tongue, a lump swells in his throat and blocks his air and he has to focus on swallowing instead, the words eluding him.

His father can sense the tension, trying to offer another smile despite the pain in his eyes at how far apart he and his son have grown. He turns to Jungkook, cheeks straining to remain upwards. "I-I take it you've been taking care of him properly, yes?"

"Of course, sir." Jungkook nods, glancing almost nervously at Taehyung. Jungkook licks his lips, his hands balling. "Actually, I think it's worthy to mention that--"

"Taehyung?"

All three of them turn to the top of the stairs where Bogum stands, lips parted in surprised as he hurries down the steps. Taehyung stands just in time for Bogum to grin, wrapping an arm around his younger brother's neck and patting his stomach with the other hand. Taehyung feels a tear run down his cheek, but he smiles widely, leaning his head onto Bogum's shoulder.

"Boy, have you missed quite the shit-show," Bogum says with a laugh, pulling away to ruffle Taehyung's hair. "It's good to see you."

"You too," Taehyung says honestly, a newfound hope swirling in his chest. His eyebrows scrunch, though, as he asks, "How bad was it?"

Bogum purses his lips, looking to their father, who sighs heavily. "Your mother... She struggles being the one in the wrong."

"She hasn't been home in three days," Bogum adds with a shrug, as if he isn't concerned about her at all. "Bit dramatic if you ask me. She has too much pride in her."

"That's why I haven't gotten in touch," their father says. "I know it is still no excuse, but I wanted to find her and talk things out more before you came back to this toxic environment. I believe she's with a friend, but none of her friends will bother to speak civilly with me."

Taehyung frowns. "So she just left?"

"Well..." Taehyung's father rubs his forehead. "We had a nasty argument the night of the wedding. She was practically inconsolable and wouldn't listen to anything I was saying. She kept on and on about how angry she was, how betrayed she felt. She even threw her heel at her mirror on her vanity. We argued the next day, too, and I finally got fed up and told her to leave. To come back when she was less violent and in a clearer head space."

"She was ballistic," Bogum says with a shake of his head. "She kept pushing me and Dad every time we tried to calm her down. She sped out of her like a bat out of hell, and we haven't heard anything from her since."

"She's not..." Taehyung couldn't finish his sentence, no matter how badly his mother treated him. He couldn't wish such a thing on her. "She's okay, though?"

"I'm sure," his father replies. "There haven't been any fatal car accidents, or anything likewise on the news. Besides, her friends are being rather hostile and secretive with me, so I'm certain she's hiding with one of them."

"To hell with her," Bogum snorts. "Won't hurt my feelings if she stays away."

Taehyung presses his lips together, eyes casting to the floor. His stomach churns, nauseous almost. "This is all my fault," he whispers.

"Don't put yourself in that mindset, son." His father stands and puts a hand on his shoulder. "You didn't put that hatred in your mother's heart. If she can't come around for her own flesh an blood, then I pity her."

Taehyung looks up at him with fresh tears burning his eyes. "I ruined your marriage."

"Oh, Taehyung..." His father pulls him into a hug, rubbing his back. "Stop that talk, understand? She's always been difficult to deal with. You did nothing wrong. I love your mother, but I love you, too. And I won't let her take such an incredible son away from me."

That only makes Taehyung cry harder. His father shouldn't have to choose sides. It shouldn't be wife versus son. It isn't fair. His father doesn't deserve any of this.

Bogum pats Taehyung's shoulder. "Hey, stop doing that to yourself. She blinded me once and I still feel like shit for it. I'm not going to lose my brother again over someone so selfish."

Taehyung sniffs, wiping his eyes. "It shouldn't be like this," he cries, catching his breath. "There shouldn't be sides in family."

"You're right, Taehyung," his father says, kissing his temple. "It shouldn't be like this. But she did it, not you. Don't ever blame yourself for being true to who you are."

***

Jungkook ends up staying the night with Taehyung, who wanted to be home with his father and brother, but wasn't quite ready to be without Jungkook. It was odd for Jungkook to be in Taehyung's home--he usually wasn't the type to stay away from his own house, but also because he's never really been inside it before. He's been in the living room, but never any further. Taehyung was always ready to leave when Jungkook was around, the two never stayed.

But a certain woman isn't here to kick them out this time.

He looks around Taehyung's room while the elder says goodnight to his father; there are no posters on the walls, no colored curtains or walls, no comic books in the corner of the room, no splash of anything that shouts Taehyung. Plain white walls, dull brown curtains, and white bedsheets. There's a desk pushed up against the wall, a black laptop on the surface and a single notebook with a cup of pens and pencils. He had been expecting this colorful room to match Taehyung's personality, but what he found might as well be a hotel room. Nothing personalized at all.

The door opens and Jungkook glances over his shoulder to see Taehyung walk in, softly closing the door behind him. A large sigh leaves the older boy's lips, a hand running through his hair as he leans back against the door, appearing extremely tired.

Jungkook opens his mouth, but Taehyung beats him to it, looking around the room as if it's strange to him, too. "I haven't been in here in a while. It feels weird."

"It looks weird," Jungkook admits. "No offense."

Taehyung laughs weakly. "None taken. Mom was strict on what we were allowed to have. Our rooms had to always be 'presentable.' For who, I don't fucking know."

Jungkook scrunches his nose. "I don't like it."

"Me either," Taehyung says, walking over to Jungkook and putting the younger's arm around his shoulders. Jungkook kisses the top of his head. "I usually fell asleep on the couch every night. I tried to spend as little time in here as possible."

"Are you doing okay?"

"Yeah," Taehyung breathes, wrapping his arms around Jungkook's waist. "Thank you for making me come. I feel better."

"Do you?"

"Well, a little. It was nice to talk to my dad and Bogum again."

"Don't worry yourself over her too much, okay?"

"It isn't that easy, Jungkook-ah."

"I know, hyung. But try, okay? If anything, being happy will prove her wrong."

Taehyung looks up at him. "We should probably go to sleep since we have to take your mom's car back and you have to be at school."

"Is your bed as horrible as your room?" Jungkook teases.

"Actually, my bed is quite soft, thank you," Taehyung bites back, sticking his tongue out as he collapses back on the mattress.

Jungkook lays next to him, both of them staring up at the ceiling. "Have you talked to Bogum any more?"

"No," Taehyung admits quietly. "I want to... I just don't really know what to say."

"I think hearing a 'thank you' would do good for him."

Taehyung smiles. "Yeah. Maybe tomorrow, though. I think I've cried enough today."

***

The next day at school, Jungkook is immediately met with whispers and stares. His mom let him stay home the past few days since Taehyung was still feeling so off, but now he wishes he showed up earlier just to get all of this over with. It puts him in a bad mood instantly, his gaze sharpening whenever it meets that of a gossiper, blatantly daring someone to speak up to him. He fights the urge to turn around and walk home.

His mood softens when he sees his circle of friends, all of them greeting him with open smiles and hugs.

"Welcome back," Jimin says with a grin, squeezing Jungkook's shoulder.

"Thanks."

"Tae is still good?" Jin asks, eyebrows furrowing with concern.

"Yeah," Jungkook replies with a smile. "Actually, he talked to his dad and brother last night so that's something."

"What about the witch?" Yoongi questions.

Jungkook shrugs. "She ran off. His dad thinks she's staying with friends."

"Wow," Yoongi scoffs. "Trash at its nastiest."

Namjoon clicks his tongue. "It's probably best, honestly. At least he has his father and brother accepting him."

Jungkook nods in agreement, just as his eyes lock with another kid who was blatantly staring. Jungkook clenches his jaw as the kid's cheeks tint and he quickly looks away, murmuring to his friend as the two scurry off.

Hoseok notices the exchange with a sigh. "Just ignore them, Kook, okay?"

"Why is it worse than before?" Jungkook grumbles, the urge to flee the school rising within him again.

"People are just nosy," Hoseok states. "Don't worry about it."

Jungkook frowns at that. What had happened while he'd been gone?

The bell rings, signaling every student that classes are starting. Namjoon gives him a reassuring smile as they all part ways, repeating Hoseok by telling Jungkook to ignore them, which only makes Jungkook more suspicious. They were clearly hiding something, Jungkook just wasn't sure what it is.

He chews his lower lip as he enters the hall his first period is located in. He pauses, however, when he hears giggling from a group hovering in the corner. Choi, that rude asshole Jungkook got in a fight with earlier in the year, and his friends are hunched over, cackling as if they're sharing the best secret. He's about to ignore it, to keep walking and let them be immature brats if that's what they wish. But then he hears something that he can't quite ignore.

Choi snorts. "And I thought them holding hands in the hallway was too much. Can you believe those faggots breaking that mother's heart? Disgusting."

Maybe he should've kept walking. He should've acted like he didn't hear anything. He should've persuaded himself that Choi was talking about someone else entirely.

But he knew better.

They hadn't seen him walk in, and he manages to sneak a peek through a gap between friends at Choi's phone. Heat flares up his neck and into his cheeks as he watches a video from the church play across the screen on loop. Jungkook and Taehyung kissing, Taehyung's mother screeching and crying, yelling in Taehyung's face. He can't believe his eyes. He knew people had been recording, but he didn't think much of it at the time. In fact, he'd forgotten about it until now. How the fuck did Choi get it?

He feels that foreign anger creep into his veins again, his mind going hazy as if it's taking over him. He doesn't remember telling his legs to move, but he's suddenly storming closer to them, breaking the group apart and snatching Choi's phone right out of his hands. He watches Choi's skin pale, his eyes going wide with fear. It only pisses him off more.

"Don't lose your nerve now," Jungkook says, a deep voice he's never heard come out of himself before. "Go on. I'm right here now. You can say it to my face."

Choi's friends back away, tossing wary glances to their pathetic group leader while Choi himself gulps, hands shaking as he raises them. "I-I didn't..."

Some students have stopped to watch, but Jungkook can't see them. All he sees is Choi and his round, douchebag face. "Come on, now. You're so tough with your friends, don't change your tune. I want to hear what you were laughing about."

Choi takes a step back, his back hitting the lockers. Jungkook doesn't even realize he's stepping closer to him.

"I-I'm s-sorry, I didn't.. I wasn't..."

Jungkook clutches Choi's phone in his fist, then slams it next to Choi's head against the lockers. "That's what makes you such a laughing stock, you know. Talking all of this bullshit in secret, but when you're confronted you can't own up to your opinions. Tell me how disgusting I am, Choi. Call me a faggot. How do you really feel about me, huh?"

Jungkook swears there's tears building up in Choi's eyes, but a teacher from down the hall, Mrs. White, saves him by clearing her throat. "Jungkook." Her voice is not unkind. He had her sophomore year for government.

His teeth grit as he glares at Choi, but he hears her repeat his name and he drops the boy's phone, turning on his heel and pushing through the crowd. He walks out the door, knowing she's following him, but suddenly he can't breathe and the world feels smaller, his chest seems tighter, his eyes are burning.

"Jungkook," Mrs. White calls again, grabbing him by the shoulder to stop his retreat. "Tell me what happened back there."

He keeps his face away from her, trying to catch his breaths. She seems to catch on and spins him around, her eyes softening when she sees he's crying and hyperventilating.

"Breathe," she says gently. "Deep breath in and hold it. Now let it out slow. Do it again... Okay? Calm down, Jungkook. It's all okay."

He runs his hands through his hair, pinching his eyes shut. "I'm sorry," he whispers to her, sniffing as he wipes roughly at his eyes. "I'm sorry."