𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞

F O R T Y - O N E

Taehyung sat on Jungkook's lap, leaning back on him as Jimin and Jeongguk sat in front of him. He was scared to open up about Minji to Jeongguk, afraid to say things that no one knew, terrified to tell them anything.

"I-It really doesn't matter, it's not a big deal." He tried to tell them but they insisted he open about it. Taehyung didn't want to just spill it, it was good being bottled up inside of him.

"Taehyung, you'll never feel the comfort you should if you never talk about it. It's been like, what? Three years now?" Jungkook hummed, holding his boyfriend close on his lap, his arms securely wrapped around his waist.

"Yeah," Jimin agreed. "Close your eyes and imagine you're just talking to me. Remember three years ago when you told me what he did? You left some things out when you talked to me, tell me so I can help you out," he added on.

Taehyung followed and obeyed, closing his eyes. He took in deep breaths, calming down. He listened to Jimin's voice and his voice only. "Minji claimed he loved me back, I'm sure he did,"

"How often did he tell you?" Jimin asked, taking Taehyung's hand into his own, rubbing his knuckles with his thumb.

"Nearly everyday," responded Taehyung. He tried to keep a calm composure. "I loved him too, hyung, I did, you know I did."

"I know, Tae," Jimin breathed. "Remember the day he hit you? Or, well, when he punched you for talking to other people, even if you just wanted to say hi?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"You said he had hit you other times. Did he ever punch you like that?" Jimin hummed, tilting his head to the side beyond the fact Taehyung couldn't see it.

"H-He never punched me like that, no . . ." Taehyung shook his head, trying to disappear in Jungkook's arms, using his hands to cover his face. He didn't want to be looked at as he spoke, a common thing for Taehyung but no one would ever know that since Taehyung never opened to anyone of such things.

"But he still hit you? How? How would he hit you?" Jimin's voice was soft and delicate, gentle to Taehyung's burning red ears. "It's okay, Tae, you know I don't judge you and never will, I love you too much!"

Taehyung giggled behind his hands. He removed his hands and opened his eyes, looking at Jimin. His honey-coated eyes had tears raised into them.

He wasn't hurt physically and hated crying for mentally but he felt like he couldn't help it. Taehyung let a sob slip his lips, his smile slowly going broken, his eyes drowning in the salty, warm substance.

"H-He would j-just hit me around . . . He, M-Minji-" Taehyung hiccuped, looking at Jeongguk, to Jimin, looking up at Jungkook, he was nothing but scared and nervous.

Jeongguk looked concerned, pity showing in his eyes and in his frown. Jimin looked to be giving Taehyung a reassuring look, and Jungkook's face was too hard to read to tell what he was thinking.

"M-Minji got a little angry at times, I never blame him. Surely violence w-wasn't the answer but h-he has issues and he c-couldn't help it," Taehyung shrugged. "H-He would slap me if I-I did something stupid, o-or if I messed up."

Taehyung was trying so hard just to spill it all out of his system. "If he punched me, i-it was only in the stomach or m-maybe in the thighs, never in my face . . ." He mumbled, trying to see their reactions.

Jeongguk decided to finally open his mouth after a small pause. "You were in an abusive relationship?" Inquired the older Jeon Twin. "And you, you still loved him?"

"Yes," Taehyung was quick to answer. "Beyond Minji hitting me, he was caring." He shrugged. "He cuddled and held me and made sure I was okay, he was my first boyfriend and took my virginity. Minji may have had issues but he always apologized and would make it up to me. He bought me flowers, he gave me baths, he was still caring believe it or not,"