Hearts on the line

Chapter 8 : Tears In The Dark

Jungkook walked through the front door, feeling the tension still coiled in his chest from the encounter earlier. He was about to head upstairs to his room when a voice interrupted him.

"Jungkook, what did you do now?"

He turned slowly, his expression closing off, and faced his father. His gaze fell to the floor, a move that only seemed to ignite his father's temper further. His father's voice grew louder, echoing through the house with a harshness Jungkook had grown all too familiar with. But this time, Jungkook's reaction was different.

Lifting his head, he met his father's angry glare with defiance, his eyes sparking with a challenge. He taunted back, his voice cutting and mocking, a sharp contrast to the meekness his father had expected. The tension in the room crackled like a live wire.

...

Jungkook's lips curled into a cold, defiant smirk as he met his father's seething gaze. "Why so angry, old man?" he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Mad that your little puppet doesn't dance the way you want anymore?"

He crossed his arms, the mockery clear in his eyes. "Or maybe you're just bitter because even your own son doesn't fear you anymore," he added, his tone deliberately cutting, like a knife twisting the wound. The words hung in the air, daring his father to respond.

His father sighed, his expression softening ever so slightly. "You know that's not true, Jungkook," he said quietly, but the words barely registered.

Jungkook's hands curled into fists at his sides, his body trembling with anger and pain. Tears streamed down his face as he yelled, his voice cracking. "Why are you like this, Dad? You don't even love me!" The hurt and betrayal poured out like a storm. "You just want a puppet dancing to your tune. Why did you even bring me into this world?"

His breath hitched, his vision blurred by tears. "Look at me, Daddy," he choked out, his voice breaking. "No one likes me... They all hate me." Memories of Taehyung's harsh words flooded his mind, making the ache even deeper, and he couldn't stop the sobs that wracked his body.

Jungkook's father instinctively took a step forward, his heart twisting at the sight of his son crying so desperately. The last time he had seen Jungkook in such a state was at his mother's funeral, and the painful memory resurfaced with full force.

But before he could reach out, Jungkook pulled away, his voice raw and broken. "Don't come near me!" he shouted, his sobs catching in his throat. "Just... leave me alone. You don't get to act like you care now."

Without waiting for a response, Jungkook turned and ran up the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the house. His father stood frozen, worry etched deep into his features. He wanted to call out, to say something-anything-but no words came.

Jungkook didn't notice the concern on his father's face. He was too lost in his own pain, shutting the door to his room and closing himself off from the world.

Jungkook stepped into his room, darkness pressing in from all sides. The curtains were drawn tight, blocking out any trace of light. Taehyung's words echoed mercilessly in his ears and mind, every insult digging deeper into his heart.

"You are disgusting," Taehyung's voice replayed, and a tear slipped down Jungkook's cheek. He stood in front of the mirror, eyes red and full of hurt. "You just want to get into my pants," he whispered, the words twisting painfully inside him. Gently, he poked at his own body, his voice breaking. "I never... I never slept with anyone," he said, the vulnerability heavy in the empty room.

"Stay away from me." Taehyung's harsh dismissal echoed again. "I don't like your touch."

Jungkook's gaze fell to his hands, trembling as he remembered the rejection. Unable to bear it any longer, he rushed to the bathroom. Clothes fell to the floor as he turned the shower on, cold water crashing over his bare skin. He shivered, hoping the icy droplets would somehow wash away the shame and pain clinging to him.