вoυnd [taekook ]

꧁シ︎☠︎︎𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗-1☠︎︎シ︎꧂

𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒂𝒍

Sixteen. The age when boys become men. While others were getting their licenses, trying out new styles, and going on dates, for Taehyung, his sixteenth birthday marked the end of his life as he knew it. He would always remember the moment his father called him into his office.

Tehyung had been smiling widely; it was his birthday, after all. His father never usually called for him. So, when his father’s right-hand man told him he was wanted, Taehyung thought his father was finally going to wish him a “Happy birthday!” and acknowledge him.

When Taehyung was four, his mother was killed by a rival clan to teach his father a lesson, leaving Taehyung as the heir. His father had always been harsh and unkind, and Taehyung thought it was because he failed to meet his father's expectations. However, he was all his father had. To keep him occupied, his father made him take violin lessons as soon as he could walk, forcing him to endure blisters from constant practice. His father would come in, listen, and leave without a word—no compliments, no signs of pride, no indication that he was pleased.

Taehyung practically ran to his father’s office, excitement bubbling inside him. He stood before the massive white doors and knocked softly. His father’s deep voice granted him permission to enter.

Upon entering, his father didn’t look up, causing Taehyung's heart to sink a bit, but he remained hopeful. He took a seat in one of the chairs, waiting for his father to speak. To say he loved him. Or “Happy birthday.” Or that he was proud of him. Anything to show he cared. After a few minutes, his father finally looked up, but he wasn’t smiling. Taehyung’s smile vanished instantly.

"As you know, our relations with the North clan have been nearly nonexistent. With the Incheon expanding into our territory, we need to form a stronger alliance. The head boseu’s son has been single for a while and is getting older. It’s time for him to marry."

Taehyung's stomach tightened with dread as he sensed where this conversation was heading.

"Since you are my only legitimate child, it is only fitting that you become Jeon Jungkook's first bride."

Taehyung's heart sank, and he felt like he might fall out of his seat. He wasn't naive. Jungkook was widely feared and misunderstood. In any other society, Taehyung would consider him clinically insane.

Jungkook was made a man at the tender age of ten. The normal age for boys in their world to become men was at least sixteen to eighteen. Jungkook was what every man in their world wanted their son to be like. He was malicious, cruel, and emotions were the last thing on his mind. When Jungkook was seventeen, he had killed a man with his bare hands—not by strangling him, but by beating him to a literal pulp, smashing his head in.

Taehyung’s father rambled on about how this was a great opportunity for their family, for their clan, but Taehyung wasn’t listening. He felt as if his body had become numb. His father had never been a loving man. Hell, Taehyung had barely seen him in the sixteen years he had been alive. But this was something he couldn’t believe his father was doing to him. His father was marrying him off to someone who was barely human.

Taehyung looked up, realizing the room had fallen silent and his father was waiting for him to respond. He knew expressing his disappointment was the last thing his father wanted; the last time he did, it didn't end well for him.

“I … uh, when are we to be wed, Father?” he asked.

“When you are eighteen,” his father replied.

Taehyung nodded, keeping his gaze down.

“This will be good for us, Taehyung. All of us,” his father said.

Taehyung nearly laughed at his father's blatant disregard for his feelings. This arrangement was clearly beneficial for his father and his associates, but not for him.

Taehyung stood up, ready to leave. “If that is all, Father, may I be excused?”

His father nodded, and Taehyung left the room. He finally reached his bedroom and collapsed onto his bed, tears streaming down his face. His life was over.

         ꧁シ︎☠︎︎፠B፠O፠U፠N፠D☠︎︎シ︎꧂