Blood, Sweat, & Tears

Kim Taehyung

Kim Taehyung was a military brat. So it was no surprise to anyone in his family when he became an excellent marksman and an expert on weapons. Taehyung's life was heavily rooted in his family. They did everything together. 

Taehyung pulled the ear muffs off and smiled at his dad. It was the first time they had done something together in a long time. Going to the shooting range was like receiving a million dollars. His father ruffled his hair. 

"You did great, buddy," The gruff yet kind voice of his father filled his ears, "You'll be a great soldier one day." 

Taehyung smiled a cute boxy smile. His father's approval meant everything to the young boy. The two made their way home where Taehyung continued to show off his knowledge of weapons, blowing through a quiz where he named them by the look, acing a test where he named the parts of a firearm and destroying a quiz where he identified the weapon based on the sound of the shot. Taehyung felt closer to his dad in times like these. They could bond over this. They could bond over weapons made for one sole purpose, to kill. 

It was late at night when the explosion happened. Taehyung jolted from his bed and looked out his window to see smoke billowing up into the sky. It was coming from the building his dad worked at. Taehyung's heart was racing, his dad was working through the night. The lanky boy sprinted from his room and out to the street where soldiers, high ranking officers, and civilians were running from the smoke clouds. Screams echoed throughout the streets. Teahyung scanned the crowd for his dad, the only family he had left. 

"Dad!" He screamed as he darted through the panicked crowd, "Dad!" Taehyung got closer and closer to the building. he tried to move forward but he was held back. He looked behind him to see the Lieutenant.

"Tae, stop. You can't go in there." The man's voice found its way to Taehyung's ears. 

"I have to," Tae desperately cried, "My dad-" 

"You're dad's gone. I'm so sorry, son." Tae froze in his place. Gone. He couldn't be. His dad was the strongest man in the world. There's no way he could just be gone. 

Taehyung was in and out of foster families after that. He didn't stay in one place too long as they were a bit unnerved by his knowledge of weapons. But that didn't matter, Tae was in Seoul now. He could do anything. However, he was just sat in the park staring at the river. 

"Oh my god!" He heard an older woman yell, "He's perfect." 

He was shocked, to say the least when a hand found its way to his shoulder. He looked up to see an older woman studying him. She analyzed his face, his shoulders, his chest. 

"Yes. Yes. Yes," She turned to the man who accompanied her, "Don't you think he's just perfect for the shoot?" Taehyung watched the couple confused, "Oh, sorry dear. I'm a modeling scout for a local agency and your visuals are just so stunning. So manly, yet so ethereal." 

The woman pulled a card from her pocket and handed it to Taehyung who looked down at it intrigued. He'd never thought of modeling before, but maybe it would be fun. 

"So... You want to cast me?" Tae's voice was a bit shaky. 

"Of course, dear." The woman spoke as the man pulled a stack of papers from his coat, "If you could just sign this... Are you 18 or older?" Taehyung shook his head, "Oh. Not a problem, take this home, read over it and have your parents sign it and you'll be all set." The couple walked off before Tae could say a word. 

The sun began to set as Tae made his way down a back alley, kicking stray rocks that he found. 

"I can't work at a weapons store because I'm too young and I can't be a goddamn model because I'm too young and my parents are dead." Tae cursed under his breath and jumped with a small yelp when a taller figure crossed his path. 

"I'm sorry," The stranger spoke. His face was covered in shadow, "But I couldn't help but overhear your little dilemma." Taehyung backed into the wall, the stranger wasn't threatening per se but he still opted to air on the side of caution, "What's your name?" 

"K-Kim Taehyung..." The slightly intimidated boy spoke. 

"Tell you what Taehyung," The man shrouded in shadow spoke, "We have the last name, tell me why you're inclined to work in a weapons shop and I'll sign those papers for you. You can even live with my friends and me." The man stepped into the light showing a genuine smile with deep dimples and Tae was inclined to trust him. 

The flashing of the lights came to an end. The slim, feminine arms that were wrapped around Taehyung's neck slid back as the model that was attached to them stretched. Tae turned to look at his beautiful fiancee, Mi-Sun. Her light brown, curled hair fell to the middle of her back. He reached out and curled a strand around his thin fingers. 

He and Mi-Sun had been together for years. Since their first shoot together actually. Taehyung had instantly fallen for her and he knew that even though he lived in a dark and dangerous world, the only way to keep her safe was to be with her. The girl looked over at the angelic boy. A small smile graced her lips, she shyly looked away when his eyes met hers. 

"Aww," Taehyung's deep voice filled her ears, "Is my baby girl shy?" He pulled her closer by her waist. A red color snaked its way across Mi-Sun's features. Taehyung held her waist between his hands, his thumb rubbing circles on the strip of exposed skin just about the pants she was wearing. 

"Shouldn't we be getting home?" The girl spoke twisting the ring on her finger, shyly, "The others might worry." 

"Sure," Tae leaned up placing a soft kiss on his shy girl's lips, "Let's go." 

The ring