winter bear || k.th

• 4 •

a/n: Had some Wattpad editing errors, so I had to repost this chapter. It's a little different now, since this is the edited version! Sorry about that! 

Seokjin walked up to their house, Namjoon in tow. As it turned out, Namjoon's appointment went faster than expected, and they both got to go home a bit early, Namjoon deciding just to go to Jin's, since he didn't have anything else to do.

The snow still fell even though it was nearly dark, and Seokjin could see his breath. He apporached the door and tried the handle. It was unlocked, so he figured Taehyung was home. School had been let out a while ago, anyway. Taehyung would be glad to see Namjoon, Seokjin thought.

He opened the door, and and Namjoon closed it quickly behind him, as to not let the cold air in.

"Taehyung, I'm home! Joon's here too!"

There was no answer for a few minutes as they both took off their snow covered jackets and boots, leaving them on a set of hooks on the wall by the door

"That's strange, usually he's home by now," Seokjin said, eyebrows raised.

"Maybe he's taking a shower," Namjoon suggested.

The two of them began to walk up the stairs, and as they got closer to the top, Seokjin began to hear sounds like sobs coming from the direction of the hallway.

Namjoon began to speak, but was cut off by a gentle shush from Seokjin.

"Do you hear that?" he asked quietly.

Namjoon listened for a moment and nodded, mouth forming a pout. "It sounds like he's crying, doesn't it?"

Seokjin gave him a worried look and they both walked up the stairs a little faster.

As they came closer, the sounds became more audible, and Seokjin's stomach was already twisting with worry and concern.

When they approached the hallway, they realized that it was coming from behind the closed the bathroom.

"Taehyung?" The oldest asked gently when he reached the door.

There was a pause for a second, and then Seokjin heard a clearing of someone's throat and then Taehyung's voice echoed through the door.

"Y-yeah?"

Seokjin's heart broke slightly at the choked sound that Taehyung made, like he was trying his absolute hardest to hold his sobs back. Seokjin needed to know what was wrong, he didn't think he could stand it much longer.

"Sweetheart, can I come in?"

There was a silence for a moment before the door swung open slightly. Seokjin looked back at Namjoon, who gave him a reassuring look, letting the older know that he would wait outside.

Seokjin pushed the door open gently with his palm.

Sitting on the floor against the wall was Taehyung, arms wrapped around his knees. His clothes looked damp, and he visibly shivered. He had his head down, so his face wasn't visible.

Seokjin slowly approached the younger and leaned down to his knees, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Taehyung... what's wrong?"

Taehyung was silent, apart from the occasional sniffle. Seokjin tried again.

"Tae-tae, please look at me," He said gently.

The younger hesitated before tilting his head up, cheeks flushed and eyes bleary with tears.

Seokjin gasped. The left side of Taehyung's face was painted with yellow, blue, and purple bruises. His lip was split in two different places, and his skin shone with fresh tears.

He was almost too shocked to speak as he gently cupped Taehyung's face in his hands.

"What... happened?" he asked quietly.

Jung-won's words echoed through Taehyung's mind at the horrified expression on his Hyung's face. Suddenly, an intense feeling of guilt spread through his chest.

"I'm sure he has a hard time dealing with you. I mean, aren't you ashamed? Can't you see that you're a burden to him?"

Was he really a burden to his brother? Seokjin always looked tired or worn out, so... was Taehyung really the reason for all of that? Even now, as he sat there crying, he was causing stress for the older.

Taehyung began to breath heavily as his eyes welled with more tears. Sobs tumbled from his mouth and Seokjin decided he could wait for an explanation, pulling the younger to his chest.

Taehyung immediately squeezed his brother, burying his face in the crook of the older man's neck. He felt an indescribable pain, for the very reason he was crying was because he wanted to stop crying. To stop being so immature. But he couldn't help it.

His sobs made Seokjin's stomach twist.

"Taetae-ah, please tell me what happened," Seokjin whispered softly.

Taehyung continued to cry, Seokjin carding his fingers through his hair. It was damp and freezing to the touch, and Seokjin worried that the younger was going to get sick if he didn't get out of those clothes soon.

"I'm sorry... that I'm a burden to you. I'm so s-sorry, Hyung," he whimpered out.

Seokjin raised his eyebrows, the remark taking him by surprise.

"Darling, why would you ever think that? You could never be a burden to me. You're my little brother, and I love you so much," he replied as he gently brushed the wet hair out of the younger's eyes.

"Just because I'm your brother doesn't mean I'm not a burden, does it? I can't even finish someone else's homework on time. I deserved to be beaten up... it's just like Jung-won said, I'm a useless person." Sobs escaped Taehyung's mouth between his words.

Seokjin's eyes widened and he gently tilted the younger's head to look at him.

"That's not true at all, Taehyung. What do you mean you deserved to be beaten up? And... who's Jung-won? Taehyung, please talk to me," Seokjin pleaded softly.

Taehyung sighed deeply before proceeding to tell his older brother everything that had led to the events that happened that day. Everything, including how Jung-won had been using him to get high grades, and how Taehyung would get beaten up every so often. Seokjin felt even more sick to his stomach. He just couldn't fathom how someone could do that to another human being. And to his little brother, no less.

"Oh Taehyung... why didn't you tell me before?" he asked soflty.

More tears fell from Taehyung's eyes, making him look away from Seokjin. He suddenly didn't need an answer; he already knew it. It was because the younger thought of himself as a burden.

Seokjin struggled to fight back tears, pulling his brother back into a hug.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Taehyung. I'm so, so sorry. I should've known this was happening. I should've known, and you wouldn't have had to deal with it for so long. I'm sorry."

By now, he'd failed at holding back his tears. He began to cry, out of sympathy for the younger, out of guilt. But also part out of anger towards the people who did this.

He planted kisses on Taehyung's face before burying his nose in the younger's soft, flat hair.

He closed his eyes, rocking them back and forth in a comforting rhythm, the sound of their crying filling the small room. 

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