Invisible Affection | Taejin

21. Enough is Enough

A/N: I was supposed to update Dog Walker, but I am exhausted and don't have to brain power to write the next chapter plus channel JK's character. So, in still wanting to leave you all with another update for today I chose this book which was much easier for me to write without worries of me screwing up the chapter....well hopefully I didn't lol!

Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I am about to call it an early night and head to bed shortly. 

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"I know it's really messed up what was said, but I genuinely believe that none of it was intended to hurt you," Namjoon said, trying to reason with his brother. He watched with concern as Taehyung frantically stuffed his clothes into garbage bags, a whirlwind of emotion after their tense day had taken a toll on him.

Taehyung paused momentarily, his hands trembling slightly as he looked at Namjoon. "You don't know Seokjin like I do," he replied, his voice filled with frustration and sadness. "I don't think any of that matters anymore, and frankly, I don't care. Last night, I poured my heart out to him; today, he ignored me completely, and then he went and said something so heartless. It feels like a betrayal. It just doesn't matter, Namjoon; it doesn't. I am so tired."

"I have feelings!" Taehyung exclaimed, pressing a hand against his chest as tears streamed down his face. "I've tried so hard! So hard to make things work between us. Do you see my wrist? Do you even understand how I ended up like this? There are layers to this pain that you don't know about. I'm so exhausted from constantly feeling this way. Why do I have to endure this just because I like someone? One day, he sees me; the next day, I'm invisible. How does that happen?"

"If he truly cared about me, regardless of what he knew about our mother's passing, he would have supported me when I said I wanted to skip that dare. I would have supported him! Instead, he chose to humiliate me, making me feel like some pathetic loser! At some point, enough becomes enough, and I have finally reached that limit! I can't keep doing this."

Namjoon couldn't find the words to express his feelings; he had never seen his brother like this. One thing was clear to him, and it was that if Taehyung was crying and so upset, then something must have been wrong, and that thought hurt him deeply. In the short time he had been around, he had caught glimpses of the relationship between Seokjin and his brother, and he couldn't blame Taehyung for his decisions.

As he had observed over his time there, the group of friends, well-meaning as they were and seemed, felt like a stark contrast to the supportive family they grew up in. He suddenly felt sympathy for Taehyung, who had to navigate his life alone in a town away from home. Namjoon couldn't imagine the number of secrets Taehyung must have kept in his heart, the thoughts and worries he had buried to avoid burdening others. It pained him to think of all the moments his brother must have felt isolated, struggling with his emotions in silence while trying to portray a brave whenever he would come to visit them.

"I'm really sorry" were the only words that slipped from Namjoon's lips. The silence that enveloped them felt oppressive, and he wrestled with the urge to fill it with empty reassurances, but deep down, he knew that was not what his brother needed. Instead, he stood there, searching for something genuine to say, yet coming up short.

"It's fine. None of this is your fault, and I feel horrible that you came all this way, seeking a chance to escape and enjoy some time for yourself, only for it to turn into this."

"Please, don't apologize," Namjoon quickly interjected. "You didn't do anything wrong. Just the opportunity to see and spend time around you meant more to me than you could possibly know."

"I guess you would say that," Taehyung responded with uncertainty. "I plan to return home for a while as I figure out my next living arrangement."

Namjoon frowned, "I really mean it, Taehyung, and deep down, you know that. But if you return home, what will happen with your school?" He was immediately worried, knowing how important education was to his brother.