𝗘𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 | 𝗝𝗶𝗞𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗩 ✓

5

Target; 7 votes

As the day ended, Tae-Hyung said goodbye to Ji-Min and began walking toward his house. His mood quickly soured as he neared the front gate. He could already hear the raised voices of his mother and stepfather, a familiar sound that made his stomach twist with dread. It was the same argument again—money.

He opened the gate and stepped inside the yard, the voices growing louder.

"Where is that money gone, Soo-Hee?" His stepfather’s voice was thick with anger.

Soo-Hee’s reply was defensive, full of irritation. "I told you, I didn’t touch the money, Woo-Shik. It must be Tae-Hyung."

Tae-Hyung’s chest tightened at his mother’s words. He had never touched the money, nor had he ever seen it. The only money he earned was from working at a food stall—hardly enough to cover anything. But it didn’t matter. His mother was already trying to shift the blame onto him, and she knew it would be easier to get away with it if she blamed her son.

"N… no, I didn’t," He stammered, trying to defend himself. His voice was barely audible, but he knew it wouldn’t make a difference. No one ever listened to him.

Woo-Shik turned his gaze on him, his eyes cold and accusing. He reached out and grabbed Tae-Hyung’s wrist with a grip that made him flinch. "You know, daddy doesn’t like it when you lie," Woo-Shik growled, dragging Tae-Hyung towards the stairs, ignoring his protests. Tae-Hyung tried to pull away, but his stepfather’s strength was too much. He was dragged up the stairs, fear clawing at his chest, and his mother didn’t even look back.

Soo-Hee, her face a mask of indifference, let out a sigh of relief as she turned and left the house, likely heading off to spend the money she had secretly taken on gambling. Tae-Hyung, however, was left to face the consequences.

Upstairs, Woo-Shik shoved him into his room, slamming the door behind him. Tae-Hyung staggered, his body trembling, and sank onto the bed. He couldn’t stop the tears from spilling as he sat there, feeling the weight of everything pressed down on him. He felt utterly helpless, like he was drowning in a life that seemed destined to be miserable. He closes his eyes when Woo-Shik strikes towards him, knowing the upcoming move will taint his body once again.

In another part of the town, Jung-Kook walked into his mansion, the large doors swinging open as he entered. His parents were busy hosting friends in the living room, their voices rising and falling in conversation, but Jung-Kook barely noticed. He had no interest in their social gatherings. Instead, his attention immediately shifted to a much smaller, more familiar figure.

Bam, his playful doberman, was busy chasing after a tennis ball in the living room. Jung-Kook’s face softened as he watched Bam, his heart lightening at the sight of the dog’s excitement. But it wasn’t just Bam that caught his attention. There, sitting beside the dog, was his love of life, someone who made Jung-Kook feel truly happy.

His lover was laughing, playing with Bam. The sight of his beloved filled Jung-Kook with a sense of joy he couldn’t quite explain, a feeling of lightness in a house that often felt empty.

"Jung-Kook, welcome home, son," his mother called out, but Jung-Kook gave her a polite nod, not pausing his gaze from his heart keeper. He smiled slightly to himself before excusing himself from the living room and heading upstairs.

Once in his room, Jung-Kook quickly changed into more comfortable clothes, eager to spend some quiet time with his tender lover. There was something about being around his lover that made everything feel right, something that made the world seem just a little less harsh.

Back at Tae-Hyung’s house, the evening felt heavier than ever. Tae-Hyung limped down the stairs, his body aching from the punishment he had endured. His face was streaked with tears, his chest tight with the weight of a life that seemed to offer nothing but pain. He moved slowly, each step reminding him of how broken he felt inside. His heart felt like it had been torn in two, and as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he could still hear Woo-Shik’s voice echoing in his mind.

"Stop crying and go earn money for me," Woo-Shik had shouted, his anger palpable even after Tae-Hyung had left the room. His stepfather’s words cut through the silence, and Tae-Hyung couldn’t hold back the fresh wave of tears that threatened to spill. He wiped his eyes quickly, trying to regain his composure. There was no point in crying. No one cared. No one was coming to save him.

He walked to the bathroom, the cold tiles beneath his feet a harsh contrast to the warmth of his tears. The shower was a temporary escape—a way to wash off the marks, both physical and emotional, left by Woo-Shik’s cruel actions. As the water ran over his skin, Tae-Hyung tried to scrub away not just the dirt, but the feeling of being violated, of being unloved and unwanted. The water couldn’t wash away the scars in his heart and body, but for a brief moment, it felt like a relief.

After the shower, he dressed quickly in his work clothes—faded jeans and a plain T-shirt—before grabbing his bag. He didn’t even bother to look back at the house. There was nothing left for him here.

At the food stall, Ji-Soo greeted him with a smile as warm as ever. The elderly woman had always treated him with kindness, another rare gift in Tae-Hyung’s world. Her wrinkled face lit up when she saw him.

"Tae-Hyung, you’re a bit late today," Ji-Soo remarked, her voice gentle, not reproachful. She could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the way he carried himself as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

Tae-Hyung offered a small smile in return, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes, but it was the best he could manage. "Sorry, Ji-Soo. I’ll get started right away."

"Don’t worry about it," Ji-Soo said, her tone understanding. "Go ahead and take a seat for a minute. I’ll handle things here."

Tae-Hyung nodded gratefully and sat down behind the counter. He watched the steady stream of customers come and go, the sizzling sounds from the kitchen filling the air, the familiar rhythm of the food stall offering him a sense of calm he couldn’t find anywhere else. It wasn’t much, but it was the only thing he had left that made him feel human.

...
I choose not to reveal who Jung-Kook’s love of life, as I want to maintain the element of suspense. Additionally, not everyone is blessed with a life full of happiness and ease, and Tae-Hyung’s life is a clear example of this.

Also, check my account; I have three more Taehyung-centric stories, each with a different ship.