Rumor has it | KV

26

Warning! Mentions of homophobic slurs and violence! Do not read if uncomfortable or read at own discretion. I do not support any sorts of slurs, violence or homophobia.

°°°

Taehyung had walked towards his class after saying his goodbyes to Jungkook and his friends, all waving enthusiastically after him. He felt good for a change, giddy even and happy. Happy because he and Jungkook were dating. Well, not exactly dating as they haven't even been on an official date but both the boys have been so excited to finally confess their feelings that they wanted to date.

Dating isn't the same as being in a relationship so they agreed to say they were dating when someone asked them. Especially Taehyung had been grateful for this clarification so his anxiety – and his dad – wouldn't freak out about the lack of labels.

Jungkook's friends had been in absolute bliss when their captain had told them they were officially dating, pressing an affectionate kiss to Taehyung's temple as his friends all squealed. They were adorable, Taehyung had thought to himself, how could he ever be afraid of them? They were all softies. (Only in front of him though but Taehyung didn't need to know that.)

Much to Taehyung's horror, he crossed the path of a group of three girls, looking away intimidated because they were glaring at him. He scolded himself in his head, he wanted to stop feeling intimidated by strangers but sometimes, his body betrayed him before his mind could notice. Aware of it now, he straightened his shoulders.

"Excuse me," he said because the girls were blocking his way. The head girl didn't budge and neither did her friends, making the blonde grow nervous.

"You have some nerve," the girl in the middle suddenly snarled at him, making Taehyung flinch back in surprise. Did he know her? Who was she again? She seemed familiar...

"Walking around like you're all that when you're nothing but a fucking faggot." The words were like a slap in the face to Taehyung and he stumbled backwards, gasping lowly. Only to realize he had in fact been hit by the girl.

"Gina wait, we didn't agree on hitting him–," the brunette girl next to her protested but a glare shut her up. Hwang Gina, the head cheerleader. Why was she angry with him? Taehyung didn't understand as he pressed his hand to his burning cheek, tears forming in his eyes.

He was too shocked to protest, to protect himself. So he could only watch how Gina approached him once more, kicking at his feet.

"You should stay away from Jungkook. He isn't even gay, him and I were together once and we will be again once you piss off. He's fulfilling a bet, did you know? Everyone's been laughing about it and you dumb bitch didn't even realize it. How pathetic. Thinking the football captain would like an ugly nerd like you, that's so laughable. Why don't you do us all a favor and go back to where you came from, ugly faggot."

Humiliation now made Taehyung's cheeks burn. What was her deal? Why was she saying all these awful things to– Oh. Taehyung understood. She must be interested in Jungkook and he faintly remembered someone telling him that after he left, Jungkook had gotten into a relationship but had broken it off soon after. The puzzle pieces connected but something was still missing, because how was that Taehyung's fault.

"Jungkook's allowed to be happy. We're not children anymore," he said, voice barely above a whisper. Gina narrowed her eyes at him. "You don't get to decide that" she hissed angrily, eyes gleaming with hatred.

"Neither do you."

Taehyung rose to his feet robotically, grabbing his bag from the floor. He didn't shout at Gina, he didn't turn. He did the only thing useful in such a situation: he walked away.

Gina shouted after him, about how he dared to walk away from her but her friends held her back as they were still in a school corridor, the girls fearing for their reputation and reminded Gina of potential eavesdroppers. If it came out that they bullied the jocks' pretty boy, they were doomed.

So they watched the boy leave, shaky steps taking him away.

°°°

Taehyung doesn't know how long he had been walking and where exactly he was in the school, movements robotic as tears silently streamed down his face. He had never been called these sorts of slurs before, feeling hurt and humiliated and fucking awful.

He hadn't done anything to Hwang Gina yet she decided to call him names and bully him for something that wasn't even his choice to make. God, he had just wanted to be happy for once, but guess life really disliked him. The words stung, more than they should. After all, she was a stranger he didn't know at all so she had nothing on him, she didn't know him nor what he had with Jungkook, so why did it hurt? Why did his chest ache when she brought back his old worries of Jungkook's interest being a joke, a bet, a fraud?

Because deep down, that was Taehyung's worst fear, to be led on and used. Again.

Mingyu found him in this vulnerable condition, walking around with tear streaks on his face and staring into space. The jock had a free period and wanted to go to the restroom, maybe get a quick smoke but upon seeing Taehyung, the pretty boy his best friend was head over heels for, he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Taehyung? Hey Pretty, what's wrong?"

Upon that, Taehyung's eyes finally focused on the tall jock who looked worried at him, real worry in his brown, kind eyes. It broke Taehyung. As the taller asked him so kindly what was wrong, Taehyung finally burst into true sobs.

"Shit, Tae, what's going on?" Mingyu asked absolutely horrified. Concern held his heart in a death grip as he approached Taehyung just the moment the blonde's knees buckled. The tall jock caught the sobbing blonde and easily scooped him up in his arms.

"M-Ming-gyu," Taehyung gasped his name as he heaved out sobs, tears blinding him, taking his vision away, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. He whimpered; he knew what this feeling was: a panic attack. Helplessly watching his body react to the cruel words Gina had thrown at him, taking him prisoner and forbidding him to be rational.

"H-help m-me" Taehyung managed to choke out and Mingyu cursed, frantically looking around before getting up, gently pushing Taehyung's head into his chest. Without thinking, Mingyu bolted out of the corridor, towards the only spot he could think of where they would get some privacy.

The jocks' favorite hiding space for ditching classes.

Mingyu was panicked, he had never dealt with that sort of thing before so he felt incredibly concerned for the crying male in his arms, worry rushing his steps. All he could think of was to get Taehyung somewhere safe and help him calm down.

All he could think of was protecting the trembling, little beauty in his arms that he and his friends grew a soft spot for.

~

Gina’s a bitch and Mingyu's Babie

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