TEACHER'S PET (KTH)

(25) a not so bad confrontation

^^^Another image of my tat bc it's just so friggin cool 🤩
____________________________

I check the time as Taehyung parks his car and we nervously head up to open his door, hand in hand for reassurance.

I keep my head down, terrified to see the look on my brothers face as we all take a seat in the living room. Taehyung came back with water for each of us and we prepare to begin talking.

"So, explain this to me. All of it, when it started, what started it... " Hoseok sighs awkwardly while running his hands down his face, none of us knowing how to address this topic.

My face feels beat red with embarrassment.

"I take full responsibility." Taehyung says and my head snaps up towards him.

"I am an adult, I am her teacher. I should have never even thought of being in any type of relationship with a student nor tried to be. I understand this is shocking and heartbreaking and I understand if you are to never forgive me. You trusted me and I broke that trust, Hoseok. I'm so sorry." Taehyung stares directly at Hoseok, guilt in his eyes.

My brothers expression is unreadable, almost as if he's struggling too.

I can't take all this anxiety and pressure in the room. I don't have to act scared and nervous. I will take this mess I helped in creating into my own hands and tell them exactly how I feel about it.

I will stand up for myself and the person I cares about.

Other than my brother, of course

I take a deep breath in and stand up, deciding I must be bold and not fold under pressure if I want to get my point across.

I must do what I know is right for me and Taehyung and do what I truly believe in. It's our personal lives and we're hurting no one else so why should it matter since I'm graduating? I understand the legal reasons but within a few months, me and Taehyung don't have to stay a secret. Other than that, if Hoseok doesn't like me dating him then... then he'll have to deal with it.

"This is my relationship." I say firmly, directing my words to my brother.

They both look to me surprised that I'm talking and not cowering into the chair like I was when we got here.

"This is... our relationship." I declare and
calm my tone, "Me and Taehyung should not have to apologize for finding happiness in being with one another. I understand he is your good friend and that it shouldn't have happened while I was still a student but I am not underage and we both consented to be in a relationship recently. He didn't force me and I didn't force him. We just... we just ended up being with one another in the end and we had no clue it would happen." I sigh and cross my arms, looking over to Taehyung who's been staring at me with glossy eyes the entire time.

I continue on as my brother stared back to me again, as if thinking.

"I found happiness, Hoseok. I found Taehyung who makes me feel happier and more cared for than I've ever felt in this short period of time. He understands me on a more mature level and we share such a huge love for art that it brought us even closer. This relationship we've formed has made me want to become a better person, a harder worker and a better friend. We've been dating for a very short amount of time but he means more to me than you know, Hoseok." I feel tears escape my eyes as I smile to Taehyung, nervous and embarrassed still but trying my hardest.

I walk over slowly to my brother and he stands up as I stop in front of him. I hold his hand gently in mine as I speak.

"I'm sorry, Hoseok. I understand what I'm doing is currently illegal and has disappointed you but..." I glance to Taehyung and he smiles to me for reassurance, "I will not be breaking up with Taehyung. I simply would like to finish out the school year's few months left and then the relationship won't have to be a secret anymore. It won't be illegal. Then, I'll just be a normal college student dating a teacher who is only four years older than me. That is what I will do." I tell him confidently and go to walk back to my seat but Taehyung's hand stops me in my tracks.