Professor is "MINE" || Taekook

Part6

Taehyung's eyes fluttered open, slowly adjusting to the sterile brightness of the white ceiling above him. His vision remained hazy, forcing him to blink and squint as the world around him came into focus. It didn't take long for reality to settle in—he was lying in a hospital bed, a drip attached to his hand, the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor faintly in the background. He struggled to sit up, his body still weak, and just as he managed to prop himself against the pillows, the door clicked open.

Jimin's frantic footsteps echoed through the room as his eyes darted across Taehyung's frame, his face painted with both relief and deep worry. Without hesitation, Jimin rushed to his side, dropping into the chair beside the bed. His hand instinctively reached for Taehyung's hair, brushing through the messy strands with gentle, comforting strokes.

"Oh God, finally you're awake," Jimin exhaled, his voice shaky with a mixture of exhaustion and concern. He continued to softly caress Taehyung's hair, offering a moment of quiet solace. Taehyung's eyes fluttered closed under the touch, momentarily finding refuge in the simple comfort of his best friend.

"How are you feeling now?" Jimin's voice was barely above a whisper, the underlying worry clear.

"Fine," Taehyung responded, though the word came out flat, void of any real emotion. His voice was distant, almost mechanical, as though the weight of everything had drained him of the ability to feel anything at all.

Jimin sighed, relief washing over him, though it was short-lived. "I'm glad you were smart enough to throw up when you did," he muttered. "It could've been worse... a lot worse."

He paused, glancing down at Taehyung's still expression. "But seriously, what the hell were you thinking, eating shrimp of all things? You know you're allergic. Are you out of your mind?" Jimin's voice rose, laced with both anger and frustration, though underneath it all was an unmistakable thread of sadness.

Taehyung didn't respond immediately, his hollow gaze staring back at Jimin, almost as if he wasn't really there. His eyes were empty, devoid of the fire and fight Jimin was used to seeing. It was as though a part of Taehyung had simply disappeared, leaving behind only a shell.

"Your father, wasn't it?" Jimin finally asked, his voice softer now, as though saying the words out loud could shatter the fragile silence between them.

The question hung in the air like a heavy weight. Taehyung's eyes fell shut again, and this time, a single tear escaped from the corner of his eye, silently trailing down his cheek. Jimin's heart clenched painfully in his chest at the sight. It was the first time—the first time—he had ever seen Taehyung cry. Even though it was just one tear, it carried a lifetime of unspoken pain.

Jimin's breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he didn't know what to do. He reached out again, but before his hand could touch Taehyung's shoulder, Taehyung pushed him away, his gesture firm but wordless. The message was clear—leave. Jimin hesitated, his heart heavy, before he stood up, his feet feeling like lead as he made his way to the door.

He stopped, glancing back at his best friend one last time. Taehyung was still lying there, eyes closed, his face unreadable. Jimin knew he couldn't fix this. He couldn't pull Taehyung out of the abyss he was sinking into. All he could do was be there, offering his shoulder when Taehyung was ready to cry on it—but that was the real problem.

Taehyung would never let himself break, not in front of anyone. Not even in front of the person who knew him best.

As the door clicked shut behind Jimin, Taehyung opened his eyes, a dull ache throbbing behind them. He hastily wiped away the tear that had betrayed him, his fingers rough against his skin. His chest tightened with the familiar suffocation, the weight of it pressing down on him, almost unbearable. The pain wasn't just physical—it was the relentless, crushing agony of knowing that no matter how hard he tried, there was no escaping his father. Mr. Kim was a devil disguised as a loving parent, and the torture of living under his iron grip was pushing Taehyung beyond his breaking point.