Growing Pains | VxBTS

fight

^ OK firstly before we start, just wanna tell you that i LOVE THIS SONG bYE

CHAPTER 10

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as days passed, taehyung did improve and the progresses were impressive. jeongguk was proud of him, really. the elder spent his time longer in the practice room than any of the members did. he truly worked to his bones that jeongguk rarely saw taehyung in the dorm when the latter was mostly in the practice room these days, as if he had moved to live there. even in off days, taehyung still practiced, only went home at 2 or 3 in the morning, and repeated his routines the next day. jeongguk had to force the elder to stop just to eat because the breaks that their dance teachers shouted at them had fallen deaf on taehyung's ears who always continued the choreography by himself.

jeongguk really wanted to shout at taehyung to fucking  stop overworking himself already but the hyungs decided to be bitches as they refused to approve taehyung's hard work on improving his skills. jeongguk really wanted to shove the information, that taehyung was tired and needed to be told that they were all satisfied that he was good enough so he would stop, on their throats but his complaints were not even considered until now. he hated how the others really didn't seem like they cared even a bit for the second youngest. how they didn't notice how exhausted and tired taehyung's face looked, how huge taehyung's eyebags were, and how pale his usual glowing tanned skin was, as if they were blinded by the thoughts of perfection.

but maybe the others would soon recognise taehyung's blood, sweat, and tears through his hard work and appreciate him more. for now, jeongguk just had to wait patiently and helped taehyung with as much as he could without holding the latter's spirit down.

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"hyung, do you think this aegyo would look cute on me?" jeongguk asked taehyung while they were taking a break from their choreography practice. jeongguk had successfully dragged an unwilling taehyung to rest and eat lunch with him. unfocused and looking at seemingly nothing, jeongguk flicked taehyung's forehead. "knock, knock. you there, taetae? where's my taetae hyung~?"

blinking to attention at the sight of a strong hand in front of him, taehyung was frightened and shrieked loudly. startled, jeongguk jumped back a little. "oh God, i'm sorry, hyung! i didn't mean to startle you!"

trembling slightly, taehyung slowly found his way to look at jeongguk. "ah, i'm sorry..." averting his gaze downward, he let out a deep sigh. he would be lying if a memory from his childhood was brought down harshly upon him just because of the view of jeongguk's large hand in front of his face. heh, as if jeongguk would ever slap or punch him.

jeongguk bit his lip, chewing hesitantly before he decided to ask something that had been on his mind for quite some time. "is everything alright, hyung?"

the pure innocence of the question almost brought tears to taehyung's eyes. however, taehyung felt empty and alone. even as he was sitting in the room with the people he cared the most about in this world, he felt cold. "i'm just... tired," he said, inhaling for air he didn't realise he hadn't been breathing in.