Cell No. 9 | TaeKook

4 | Another side.

Taehyung staggered back to his cell, every step a reminder of the brutal beating he had endured. His face was swollen and bruised, and he clutched his shoulder in pain. The policeman locked the door behind him with a loud clank.

He glanced around the cell, relieved to find it empty. He sighed deeply, the tension in his body momentarily easing. As he walked further inside, his foot caught on something, and he stumbled. Looking down, he saw a book on the floor. It was the one Jungkook was always reading.

Curiosity piqued, Taehyung knelt and picked it up. He flipped through the pages, trying to distract himself from the pain. Suddenly, a piece of paper slipped out and fluttered to the ground. He picked it up and it was a picture of a little girl smiling and hugging a snowman.

For the first time in what felt like forever, a faint smile tugged at Taehyung's lips. "Cute," he murmured softly.

"What are you doing?!" A sharp voice pierced the air behind him.

Taehyung turned, startled. Jungkook stood in the doorway, his eyes blazing with anger. Before Taehyung could react, Jungkook rushed over and grabbed him by the shirt, hauling him to his feet.

"Your parents didn't teach you not to go through other people's things without their knowledge?" Jungkook growled through gritted teeth.

Taehyung's eyes widened in fear as he struggled to find words. Jungkook snatched the picture from his hand, his grip tightening.

"Listen, and listen good," Jungkook said, his voice low and dangerous. He slammed Taehyung against the wall, their faces inches apart. "Touch it again, and I'll make sure you regret it. You'll see what real pain feels like."

Jungkook released him with a shove and returned to his spot on the floor, his eyes still smoldering with anger. Taehyung's legs gave out beneath him, and he slid down the wall, his heart pounding in his chest.

As he sat on the floor, his mind raced. The photo had stirred something in Jungkook, a vulnerability he hadn't seen before. Despite the fear, Taehyung couldn't help but wonder about the story behind that picture. But for now, all he could do was sit and try to steady his breath, the threat of Jungkook's wrath lingering heavily in the air.

As the day deepened and the sky turned dark, the cell fell into an uneasy silence, punctuated only by Daejung's loud snoring and the occasional rustle from Chulsoo, who had somehow managed to drape one leg over Taehyung.

Taehyung sighed and carefully moved Chulsoo's leg off him, pulling his cover back over his face in an attempt to find some comfort. But sleep remained elusive. Frustrated, he turned over and froze.

Jungkook was sitting against the wall, one leg bent with his foot flat on the ground, the other stretched out. The moonlight streamed through the small window, casting a pale glow on his face. In his hands, resting on his bent knee, was the same picture from earlier.

Taehyung watched silently, unable to read Jungkook's expression. His face was set in an unreadable mask, eyes distant and thoughtful as he gazed out the window. The moonlight highlighted the sharp lines of his jaw and the subtle tension in his muscles.

For the first time, Taehyung saw a different side of Jungkook. Gone was the cold, menacing prisoner who had threatened him earlier. In his place was someone contemplative, perhaps even vulnerable, lost in a memory that clearly meant something profound.