Starlight and Petals (taekook)

28: Home

pictures credit to rightful owner.

Trigger warning : This chapter contains themes and descriptions that may be distressing to some readers .Self-Harm/Suicidal Ideation, Panic Attacks, Emotional Trauma

Author's pov: 

Taehyung trudged down the stairs, his vision blurred by tears that wouldn't stop falling no matter how hard he wiped them. Each step felt like dragging his body through years of pain, the weight of his emotions suffocating him. He muffled his sobs with the back of his hand, but the cries broke through anyway, raw and uncontainable. By the time he reached the bottom of the stairs, his legs felt weak, his body trembling under the burden of his heartache.

"Taehyung," Seokjin's voice cut through his haze, firm yet soft. Taehyung froze, his swollen eyes darting up to find everyone standing there—Seokjin, Jimin, Mingyu, Eunwoo, Jaehyun, and the others—all watching him. His chest tightened at the sight.

Quickly, he wiped at his face, a feeble attempt to hide the storm raging within him. I'm fine he wanted to say, but the words never came, because he is not fine----he has never been fine.

"Don't even try," Seokjin said, shaking his head gently, stepping closer.

"I know, Taehyung. I know what you're going through. You can cry... it's okay to cry."

Taehyung's lip quivered as his chest heaved, his eyes burning anew. He stared at Seokjin, and his walls crumbled. The dam holding back his pain burst, and he sank onto the stairs, burying his face in his hands as a loud, guttural sob escaped him. His cries echoed through the hall, raw and heart-wrenching, the kind of cry that years of silence could no longer contain.

For the first time in nine years, Taehyung let himself break in front of others. He let his guard fall completely, his wounds exposed. His pain was laid bare for everyone to see, and it left him feeling stripped and vulnerable. How could he face the very people who had contributed to his suffering?

"We're s-sorry, Taehyung," Jimin whispered, kneeling before him, his own tears streaming as his voice trembled.

Taehyung shook his head, but he didn't look up. His sobs only grew louder, and the ache in his chest felt unbearable.

"We're sorry," Mingyu said, his voice cracking as he knelt beside Jimin, his tears falling freely.

Taehyung finally lifted his head, his red, swollen eyes taking in the sight before him. One by one, each of them knelt on the floor before him, their heads hung low in shame and regret.

Taehyung stared at them, his heart heavy and conflicted. Their sorrow was palpable, their guilt undeniable. Yet, his tears didn't stop, and neither did theirs. For the first time, he felt the weight of their collective pain—a painful reminder of the years that had been lost.

"Don't forgive us—but please, please, I beg you, don't leave Jungkook, Taehyung. I'm begging you," Seokjin cried, lifting his tear-streaked face to meet Taehyung's gaze.

Taehyung's eyes fluttered shut, his lips quivering as he fought back a fresh wave of tears. He wiped at his face with trembling hands and stood, intending to leave before the moment consumed him entirely. But before he could take a step, Seokjin and Jimin grabbed his legs, halting him in place.

Taehyung froze, his breath hitching. Never in his life had he wanted anyone to beg like this—not for him. It shattered something inside him.

"H-Hyung... please," he whispered, his voice breaking, as he tried to free himself from their desperate hold.

"Please let go of me. Don't do this." His own hands trembled as he tugged at theirs, but Seokjin shook his head and leaned his forehead against Taehyung's thigh, sobbing openly.