The Most Beautiful Moments In Life

Chapter 7: Your Eyes Tell

June 1st, Year 22

Taehyung sluggishly pulled his old grey shirt over his head. He stood in front of the mirror to assess his new injuries. This beating wasn't as bad as the last one, but it had still left Taehyung in a painful mess on the floor. On his chest was a fading bluish bruise where his ribs had been assaulted over a week ago. His ribs still hurt when he moved too quickly or breathed too deeply, but it seemed to be a little better than before. He knew ribs took about two months to heal, so he ignored that bruise for now.

His stomach looked pretty beat up too. His father kicked him in the belly twice, but luckily he didn't break the skin. Taehyung's arms were covered in yellow to purple bruises where he'd tried to shield himself. One in particular was starting to swell up on his forearm. He had a small cut on his cheek from the ring his father always wore, but other than a few dark spots, his face was okay. He twisted around a bit so he could see his back. That's where it hurt the most.

Starting from the tender flesh on his side and reaching to about his middle back was a nasty gash. He touched it gently and clenched his muscles as he was reminded of the pain. His father shoved him roughly across the room earlier, and Taehyung and crashed right into the corner of the kitchen counter. He knew when it happened that he'd definitely broken skin. Taehyung could see it in more detail now, and it did not look good.

It was bleeding, not much, but enough to bleed through his shirt. The skin was all scraped up and bruises were starting to form around the gash. Taehyung grabbed a disinfectant wipe and started to dab at the scrape. He held his breath in an attempt to withstand the stinging sensation. He managed to get most of the scrape cleaned, but he couldn't quite reach the back of it, and he knew there was plenty more to clean up. Taehyung tried twisting himself further, but he still couldn't reach it. The intense twisting motion made his ribs flare up and he had to bite his lip so he wouldn't cry out. Straightening himself out again, he decided to catch his breath for a moment.

He just needed a minute. He could get back to cleaning his scrape in a bit, he just needed some time. Taehyung rested his palms on the dresser and leaned over slightly, attempting to maintain a normal breathing pattern. He was used to this, true, but he still couldn't shake the anxiety he felt anytime it happened. His heart pounded against his chest and his breath was shallow. He laid his trembling hand to his chest, as if it would remind his lungs to just breathe.

"No no no," Taehyung repeated over and over as the panic began to rise. He needed to calm down, he couldn't afford to have an anxiety attack right now— not when his father was still here. Anxiety attacks only angered Taehyung's father. They were 'annoying and too loud,' as his father always put it. He was already in pain from the beating a few minutes ago, he couldn't bear the idea of another one right now.

"No no... breath," Taehyung said between breaths, as if saying the word would make his lungs suddenly listen to him. Taehyung's legs were jelly and his head was under water. Taehyung swayed slightly and he used the wall to steady himself. He could feel his heart beating in his ears. Taehyung clumsily sank to the floor. He was practically gasping for air now, which only made the pain in his ribs hurt even worse.

"Taehyung?" A voice said behind him. He flinched at the sudden noise.

"Hey hey, breath," he heard it say. He lifted his head to see his sister kneeling beside him. She must have just gotten home. He tried to nod but it looked more like a spasm.

"It's okay," she soothed quietly, reaching up to stroke his hair. Taehyung tensed up at first, but he slowly relaxed into her touch. She quietly pulled him closer to her until he was resting on her sternum. Taehyung felt safe in his sister's arms. She whispered quiet words to him and cuddled him close until he was calm again. Taehyung withdrew from her embrace when he was ready, wiping the wetness away from his eyes. Even in the midst of his anxiety attack, he and his sister managed to stay quiet— so not to disturb Father.