Blue and Grey || Taejin

Chapter 9

Trigger Warning//Domestic Abuse

Seokjin pushed open the door when he could not bear the sound of sharp cracks anymore. His presence was regarded immediately as his mother, sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed under her satin skirt and a glass of red wine in one hand, and his father, standing infront of his wife in a waistcoat and a thin whip in his hand, turned their attention to the door.

"No- no more," Seokjung whimpered at his father's feet. His naked broad shoulders were streaked with red lines and his face was twisted in pain.

"Quiet, son," Mrs. Kim chided before fixing her icey gaze on Seokjin.

"Yes, Seokjin?" she inquired as if Seokjin was a child.

Seokjin remained petrified for a moment, his fingers turning cold and his throat running dry.

"Eommo-nim, Abbeo-nim, please stop," Seokjin managed to say, voice quivering.

"Oh?" Mrs. Kim's eyes flickered with suppressed flames. "And why must you interfere with the way your parents discipline their children?"

"It's abuse. Whipping hyung like that is abuse. It'll do no good," Seokjin mustered every bit of his courage to speak against his mother, something he rarely did.

"It is the traditional way of disciplining, Seokjin," Mr. Kim spoke in a business-like manner. "This is how we, as children, have been shaped by our parents. Do not misunderstand us."

"Abbeo-nim, this is not about misunderstanding you. You are hurting your own son in order to 'discipline' him for some silly-"

"Silly?" Mrs. Kim intervened.

She stood up and walked towards Seokjin, folding her arms and lifting her chin to look down at her younger son.

"And what do you know about the situation, Seokjin? You have no idea regarding our decision to discipline your brother and yet, you dare doubt our intentions. Is this what we have taught you, boy? Do you not value your parents' lessons?" His mother spoke without pausing for enough time for Seokjin to retaliate.

"Your brother," Mrs. Kim sneered as she returned to the sofa in long strides. "Your brother happens to be focusing more on his love life than his future as the successor of the company. No wonder his scores are flactuating. Therefore, we concluded that your brother requires to be reminded of his priorities. He must appreciate your concern, but we, as parents, are here to guide him, Seokjin. You may leave now."

Seokjin stared at his mother in disbelief. He knew, yes he knew, the extents his parents could go just to mould their eldest son the way they wanted him to be, but still he found it difficult to digest how crooked his parents morals were. He did not know much about his brother's girlfriend aside from the fact that she is the only person Seokjung interacted with other than their parents. It reminded him of himself, only ever allowing Yoongi to get close.

"I hope your mother has made herself clear. We expect you to leave now," Mr. Kim said with an underlying commanding tone.

However, the order flew over Seokjin's head when his father raised the whip to strike. Out of instinct, Seokjin's legs carried him forward in powerful strides and he wrapped his hand around his father's wrist. He stared at him, digging through the depths of his father's mind to make him understand that he was only breaking his son into pieces from within.

His mother gasped and jolted to her feet, but his father remained dangerously serene, the emotion in his eye unchanging, as if he had anticipated this. Mr. Kim lowered his arm and Seokjin let go off his father's wrist, taking a step back.

"Seokjin," his father's voice dropped an octave lower. "Kneel down and take your shirt off."

Seokjin shook his head, tears prickling his eyes.

"Let me repeat myself. Kneel down and take your shirt off like Seokjung," his tone grew harsher.

"You can't make me do that," Seokjin retorted, fists clenched and back straightened.

"I cannot, yes," Mr. Kim agreed before continuing in a dark tone, "But I can offer you two choices. Abide by my words, or never visit that Min Yoongi and miss his last breath. You know the power I hold, Seokjin. Choose wisely."

Seokjin felt like the ground was trying to toss him off his feet. The ticking of the grandfather clock at the corner of the guest room sounded louder and more overwhelming as every second passed. His eyes resided on his father's face that held the hint of victory as he overpowered his son, before flitting towards his mother whose lips were pursed tight in distaste. Finally, he looked at his brother whose head was bowed and his nails were digging into his knees as if anticipating a strike any moment then.

Utterly helpless and pierced under the burning gaze of his parents, Seokjin fell on his knees next to his brother.